Pitt has been active in Ohio during the Pat Narduzzi era, and a big reason why has been Ryan Manalac. He’s locked in a number of defenders from Ohio, and the Panthers are in contention for another one.
Denim Cook — a 6-foot-4, 220-pound three-star linebacker from Bishop Hartley in Columbus, Ohio — announced his top six Friday night, and Indiana, Louisville, Pitt, Purdue, Toledo and Virginia made the cut. He cut Akron, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Liberty, Marshall, UMass, Miami (Oh.) and Ohio from contention.
Pitt jumped into the fray for Cook in January, with Narduzzi and Manalac extending an offer during a busy in-school visit period. He hasn’t visited Pittsburgh since picking up an offer, but he made a trip out for the Florida State game last November.
Cook is a little bit bigger than a traditional Pitt linebacker, but his versatility in a jumbo frame is intriguing. He has the look of a Money linebacker in the Panthers’ defense.
Cook was very impactful as a do-it-all defender for Bishop Hartley last season, racking up 116 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 15 sacks and 17 quarterback hurries — earning All-District, All-Conference and All-State honors.
247Sports rates him as the 73rd-ranked linebacker and 30th-ranked recruit in Ohio. He hasn’t been ranked by either Rivals or On3, but Rivals is lower on the Ohio native.
It will be important to get Cook out for an official visit — he already has one scheduled with Virginia — before he eventually makes his decision. He has not announced a date and time for his commitment at this point.
Pitt currently holds two commitments in the class of 2025, 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.
There are 20 official visits scheduled for June, and while all of those visits will not take place, it’s a good start for the Pitt coaching staff.
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