With spring football finished, recruiting has become the No. 1 priority for Pat Narduzzi and the Pitt coaching staff.
The Panthers staff is trying to line up official visits for June, evaluating players for potential offers and making important in-person visits. One of those visits took place earlier this week and the early returns indicate that Pitt made a good decision in investing this time.
Pitt made the four hour drive to Baltimore, Md. to talk and workout 2025 three-star wide receiver Justin Devaughn. A trio of Panther coaches made the trip as offensive coordinator Kade Bell, running backs coach Lamar Lindsey and wide receivers coach JJ Laster continued to build a relationship in person.
Pittsburgh Sports Now had the opportunity to catch up with Devaughn, who recapped the afternoon and his new impressions of Pitt.
“It was definitely very exciting, and we were able to get a lot of great work in,” said Devaughn. “We did a couple of cone drills because I’m a speedy guy. They wanted to see how quickly I got in and out of my speed. We then did some routes, digs, hitches, comebacks and a lot of great routes that can make an impact on the field. I thought it went well as we had a talk before the workout. They were asking what I wanted to study. I thought it was definitely a great day.”
Pitt was impressed with Devaughn, but that feeling was mutual as he was equally impressed with the commitment Pitt showed in him.
“I thought it was going to be like one coach popping by but once I saw three, I was like ‘Okay.’ I can tell they’re very interested in me and after the visit, I really felt a better bond. I wasn’t extra nervous with all the coaches there,” Devaughn said. “I just knew I had to do my thing, show them what I got. I just tried to keep my eye on the prize and do what I had to do.
“The coaches were constantly telling me about how much I can make an impact with my speed, my ability and how explosive I am. They were telling me about what great a fit I would be and I was definitely into the conversation.”
Devaughn currently holds offers from Pitt, Syracuse, Marshall, Indiana, Temple, Nebraska, Coastal Carolina, Minnesota, Buffalo, Virginia Tech, Maryland and Kent State.
In terms of official visits, the speedy wideout told PSN that he has ones scheduled to Minnesota and Maryland and is working on a date to make an official visit to Pitt.
“I can definitely see Pitt hanging around in my recruitment,” Devaughn said. “I can honestly say that of all the schools that are recruiting me, right now, Pitt communicates the most with me. Now that they pulled up in person, I definitely have a real better vibe of them. It wasn’t a talk over the phone, they were here in person, which shows me that they’re serious about me.”
Pitt currently holds three commitments in the class of 2025, three-star wide receiver Bryce Yates (Chesterfield, Va.), three-star defensive lineman Trevor Sommers (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and three-star quarterback Mason Heintschel (Oregon, Ohio), and it’s not unlikely that a couple more soon join the class this spring.
More must-reads: