One thing Pitt head coach Paul Chryst has made a priority has been to nab the top high school athletes in Western Pennsylvania, something the Panthers haven’t been able to do the past few years.
Chryst added another coveted local player on Saturday when Clairton wide receiver Tyler Boyd announced that he has chosen to attend Pitt.
The addition of Boyd is a big one for the Panthers, who missed out on ESPN 150 receiver Robert Foster two weeks ago to Alabama. Chryst was hoping to pair both Boyd and Foster at receiver, but they will settle for Boyd.
Earlier in December, Chryst was able to get a verbal commitment from Belle Vernon offensive tackle Dorian Johnson, the No. 2 ranked tackle in the nation.
The additions of Boyd and Johnson are a good sign that Chryst is beginning to make his mark in the area as a recruiter. For Pitt to start competing, he must start getting the top recruits to stay home. If they continue to lose the top recruits from the area then the Panthers will always have their struggles.
Boyd chose the Panthers over Michigan State and West Virginia and also had offers from Penn State, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Notre Dame.
He broke the WPIAL career touchdown record of 110, previously held by Pitt’s Rushel Shell, at the end of November. Boyd is a tremendous athlete with excellent hands. He is exactly what the Panthers need- a playmaker. Boyd has the ability to step in and contribute both on offense and special teams for the Panthers as a freshman.
Boyd is the 22nd 2013 commit for Pitt and a big one because he’s the second wide receiver to commit and that is a position of need.
Photo Credit: West Virginia
