Pitt head football coach Pat Narduzzi landed a solid linebacker prospect on Monday when it was announced that Virginia three-star linebacker Chase Pine verbally committed to the Panthers for the 2016 season.
Pine’s commitment completes a busy few days for Narduzzi as he was Pitt’s third commitment in the past five days, joining the likes of running back Chawntez Moss and Central Catholic safety Bricen Garner announced their commitments to Pitt.
Pine chose the Panthers over offers from Georgia, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia. It was also reported that he was drawing a lot of interest from Notre Dame as well. Pine even went as far as calling Notre Dame his dream school back in November, but for now at least this seems like a good grab for Pitt.
Pine stands 6-foot-3, 220 pounds and will enter his senior season at Lafayette High viewed as a big time playmaker. Enough so that he already received 18 scholarship offers.
The choice for Pine appeared to be an easy one as he has built up a close relationship with Panthers linebackers coach Rob Harley and has a desire to play for Narduzzi.
“I’ve wanted to play in the ACC since I was younger,” Pine told the Marty O’Brien of the Daily Press. “A lot of people can come see me because almost any ACC game will be close.
“Coach Harley is probably the biggest reason for my decision to go to Pittsburgh. I liked how energetic he was, running around the field yelling at the players.”
Pine’s stock rose very quickly as he didn’t even start on defense until this past season’s playoffs, but once he did he wreaked havoc. Oh yeah. He is also his team’s quarterback as well.
Narduzzi has shown the ability so far to be an aggressive recruiter and landing a guy that other big schools were offering as well is a nice grab for the Panthers.
Photo Credit: Associated Press
