'17 WV S Derrek Pitts (Penn St commit)

[secking]

Did he commit? Rumors are he did.

 

[Big Gucci Sosa]

Did he commit? Rumors are he did.

I haven't seen that he did.

 

[scvolfan7]

According to his hudl his junior year stats were 127 tackles, 40 TFLs, and 5 INTs. He is also going to the opening. No way he isn't a solid 4 star by the time he signs somewhere (hopefully with UT).

Edit: watch his junior year highlights. If we get him he may be the biggest steal of the entire 2017 class

 

[BaldBiker]

Did he commit? Rumors are he did.

I think he is on commit watch. May mean he already has and just not made it public yet.

 

[PYSCHO]

He will be at tailback this year on offense

 

[JohnD13]

Weak competition. WV has perhaps the worst high school football talent in the nation, very unlikely he's SEC caliber.

Love the people who can only be negative

 

[PYSCHO]

Maybe he is and maybe he is not but Randy Moss played high school football here and I am pretty sure he was sec caliber. So do not base it off the state and let the it staff decide who is and who is not worthy to be sec caliber. They seem to do a pretty good job of it.

 

[rote]

“(Saturday) I was speechless, for real,” said Pitts, who’s ranked the nation’s No. 435 overall prospect and No. 34 athlete in the 2017 class. “From the time I walked in on my visit there until I left, it was just a great visit, man. There’s just great people there, great coaches.
“They gave out good vibes, showed me a couple things I ain’t never seen before in my recruiting process. It was a good time.”
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Pitts — who’s being recruited by most teams, including the Vols, as a projected safety — said he decided to make a second trip to Tennessee because it’s “a school I had to go back to,” and he admitted he might “take an official visit there” in the coming months.
“I’ve been to all my schools I need to go to,” he said. “This is where I need to go back and see if I’d have a good vibe on it or not. But I had more than just a vibe. Oh, man, Tennessee was good. It was a good visit.
“Tennessee is, of course, in my top. I’m not really looking at too many schools. I’m starting to get things narrowed down.”
Pitts said he also chose to visit the Vols again because he has stayed in contact with a few of their coaches, including defensive backs coach Willie Martinez, first-year defensive coordinator Bob Shoop and offensive line coach Don Mahoney.
“I talk to them a lot,” Pitts said. “I’ve been talking to them a lot. Me and Coach Shoop, we have a great relationship. He was at Penn State last season, and that relationship carried from there to Tennessee.
“I was with Coach Martinez and Coach Shoop a lot (Saturday). We talked about football, me impacting the team, how I would fit in with their scheme and how they play. We talked about my family. We talked about a lot of good stuff.”
While he didn’t get a complete tour of Tennessee’s campus during his game-day visit with the Vols last season, he said he “got to see everything I needed to see” during Saturday’s “Orange Carpet Day.”
Pitts said he’s “looking at 10 schools now,” and while he has yet to publicly release his complete list of favorites, it “may come out this week or next week.”
He said he’s currently not planning to visit any other schools this summer.
“I don’t have any visits set right now,” Pitts said. “I'm going to Arizona to train, and then I’m going to The Opening.”

 

[CrunchingTheVolz]

Sounds like he's just waiting to get the green light.

 

[bignewt]

I dont see how we take so many DBs. We got them for days already.

 

[CrunchingTheVolz]

I dont see how we take so many DBs. We got them for days already.

Yeah, what I was thinking as well. If this kid is a S, we seem pretty set there with Gibbs still a sure take. Maybe the staff sees it as a position to stockpile.

 

[Orange And Garnet]

Yeah, what I was thinking as well. If this kid is a S, we seem pretty set there with Gibbs still a sure take. Maybe the staff sees it as a position to stockpile.

The thing with a high school safety though is they could technically be molded to play at least 3 different positions later in college. Free safety, strong safety, nickel. Also, they could end up at corner or linebacker depending on their build.

 

[walkenvol]

The thing with a high school safety though is they could technically be molded to play at least 3 different positions later in college. Free safety, strong safety, nickel. Also, they could end up at corner or linebacker depending on their build.

"Or even WR" - Tyler Byrd

 

[Volunteer_Kirby]

Butch about to have WV & VA on lock.

 

[CrunchingTheVolz]

I'm guessing Pitts is only given the green light to commit if they feel they miss on Gibbs. I doubt he gets the go ahead.

 

[Catbone]

I thought Gibbs is going to be a LB

 

[CrunchingTheVolz]

I thought Gibbs is going to be a LB

He may grow into one. IMO he'll start out at S.

 

[Smokey49]

I thought Gibbs is going to be a LB

We put CB on that "graphic" we sent out.

 

[Ron Swanson]

"I think they have a few other guys higher on the board at this moment. They have three defensive backs in right now and are still in it with Gibbs, Yusuf Corker, Wade and several more. But, Pitts really likes the Vols right now, but I don't know that he's ready to jump in which could be good for everyone involved."

- Fortenberry

 

[Catbone]

Interesting that he's a muslim. Wonder how that goes down when there are team prayers. Or do they do that?

 

[junder13]

I haven't a clue where the staff places Pitts on their board but I truly hope they are not slow playing him. We may have momentum here following his OCD visit. I presume Fortenberry has an idea of the board and isn't just throwing out that tidbit without substantiating it beforehand. If true, its unfortunate bc another top school may not make that mistake after the Opening Finals.

As for Gibbs, I expect we'll get him but that should have no barring on Pitts IMO. There's no certainty they'll end up playing the same position.

Watch the Pitt's film. He's exceptional. This kid's got it all: great instincts, terrific speed, strong fundamentals/tackling technique, ideal height, bulldog mentality, versatility.

There's been some overlooking here bc Pitts is from WV and not rated very highly. Well, I don't care that he's from WV given what I've seen in his highlights (yes, I know its highlights and so you need several full game films to form a truly informed opinion).

I'll add that his ability to time the snap is as good as I've ever seen in a high school film. Pitts times the snap perfectly numerous times against several different teams (so its not just getting the cadence in one game ala Alex Brown w/ 5 sacks against us in 1999). He's exceptional coming off the edge and also when filling a gap on a delayed blitz. He's a tackling machine and would be great to have lined up behind Gaulden. If you like what you read about from Gaulden (and what we'll soon see from him) then you'll love this kid. Same type of player but with a bigger build (could develop into a linebacker, although I wouldn't anticipate as much).

I anticipate he performs really well in the Opening Finals in July and his recruitment takes off. If he is leaning to us at all I hope we try to secure his commitment. It'll be harder after he shows out against the best.

As a final aside here, I actually think we should take all 3 of the WV players we are pursuing, numbers be damned. I think we're in on more elite players on the OL and in the secondary than anywhere else, so saying all three WV prospects are worth taking is a pretty big statement and one I don't throw around lightly. My view is no more meaningful than the next couch coach though.

 

[RockyTopInBham]

I haven't a clue where the staff places Pitts on their board but I truly hope they are not slow playing him. We may have momentum here following his OCD visit. I presume Fortenberry has an idea of the board and isn't just throwing out that tidbit without substantiating it beforehand. If true, its unfortunate bc another top school may not make that mistake after the Opening Finals.

As for Gibbs, I expect we'll get him but that should have no barring on Pitts IMO. There's no certainty they'll end up playing the same position.

Watch the Pitt's film. He's exceptional. This kid's got it all: great instincts, terrific speed, strong fundamentals/tackling technique, ideal height, bulldog mentality, versatility.

There's been some overlooking here bc Pitts is from WV and not rated very highly. Well, I don't care that he's from WV given what I've seen in his highlights (yes, I know its highlights and so you need several full game films to form a truly informed opinion).

I'll add that his ability to time the snap is as good as I've ever seen in a high school film. Pitts times the snap perfectly numerous times against several different teams (so its not just getting the cadence in one game ala Alex Brown w/ 5 sacks against us in 1999). He's exceptional coming off the edge and also when filling a gap on a delayed blitz. He's a tackling machine and would be great to have lined up behind Gaulden. If you like what you read about from Gaulden (and what we'll soon see from him) then you'll love this kid. Same type of player but with a bigger build (could develop into a linebacker, although I wouldn't anticipate as much).

I anticipate he performs really well in the Opening Finals in July and his recruitment takes off. If he is leaning to us at all I hope we try to secure his commitment. It'll be harder after he shows out against the best.

As a final aside here, I actually think we should take all 3 of the WV players we are pursuing, numbers be damned. I think we're in on more elite players on the OL and in the secondary than anywhere else, so saying all three WV prospects are worth taking is a pretty big statement and one I don't throw around lightly. My view is no more meaningful than the next couch coach though.

Love that last sentence. We're all just guessing at this point, but JMO, there's no way we take more than 5 DB's. I'd guess we're looking at 4 secondary spots, maybe 5 if both Wade & Gibbs want in. I know you threw out the numbers be damned, but we've got more needs elsewhere.

If you want Butch & Co to take Pitts no matter what, what prospect are you gonna drop? Cuz' Maleik Gray is the leader of this class right now, and a great player. Cheyenne Labruzza is maybe the one true corner we have in the class currently, and I think he can compete for playing time right away next fall. And I don't think this staff will drop Theo Jackson for Pitts. Jackson's film is rather impressive too, and the "in-state only" crowd on here would throw a fit.

So if there's one more spot, maybe even 2, I think this staff is gonna focus more on Gibbs & Wade. Some on here will argue TJ Carter should be higher on our priority list. The fact is, this staff recruits at a very high level, and we will pass on some very good players.

 

[junder13]

Love that last sentence. We're all just guessing at this point, but JMO, there's no way we take more than 5 DB's. I'd guess we're looking at 4 secondary spots, maybe 5 if both Wade & Gibbs want in. I know you threw out the numbers be damned, but we've got more needs elsewhere.

If you want Butch & Co to take Pitts no matter what, what prospect are you gonna drop? Cuz' Maleik Gray is the leader of this class right now, and a great player. Cheyenne Labruzza is maybe the one true corner we have in the class currently, and I think he can compete for playing time right away next fall. And I don't think this staff will drop Theo Jackson for Pitts. Jackson's film is rather impressive too, and the "in-state only" crowd on here would throw a fit.

So if there's one more spot, maybe even 2, I think this staff is gonna focus more on Gibbs & Wade. Some on here will argue TJ Carter should be higher on our priority list. The fact is, this staff recruits at a very high level, and we will pass on some very good players.

Oh, I agree with you 100%. There's no one to drop and I think we are very likely to have the following 5 in the secondary:

CB - C. Labruzza, Lamont Wade (Corker & TJ Carter may be back up options)
S - Theo Jackson, D. Gibbs (extremely remote possibility of JaCoby Stevens)
NB - M. Gray

Given how stacked we are in the secondary, I don't see how we can spare another spot above 5 in this signing class. We definitely need 2 CBs, so there's no thought to dropping a CB for Pitts.

But Pitts, Gibbs, and even Gray could develop into LBers. They are all similar prospects. Granted, the fact that both Gray and Gibbs are so similar in build and playing style makes taking Pitts seem unnecessary.

That said, I would still spare the spot for him. I think he'll be a phenomenal player. You make room for a kid like this IMO. His current ranking says otherwise but that's how I highly I think of his film and potential. But again, I'm just one of many VN opinions so I have no expectation here (just hope).

 

[Fingers]

"On August 8th I will name my final five and those will be my official visits," he said. "I like Florida a lot because coach Torrian and me are really close. Also talk to the head coach a lot. I like Penn State, Tennessee, and West Virginia a lot too.

"Florida and Tennessee were my recent visits," said Pitts. "Florida is another SEC school that stood out to me. The facilities, the campus, and the vibe are just different there. Tennessee was mind blowing. When I first walked in it felt good and I liked the vibe. They had a DJ that was yelling my name when I walked in on the orange carpet. I went down the aisle shaking people's hand. It was a great visit.

Pitts has a lot to figure out heading into the stretch run of his recruitment. Lots of schools are very involved in his recruitment but Florida, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Penn State have a leg up on the competition at this point. All of that could change if Florida State, Alabama, or LSU jump into the mix.

Adam Friedman

 

[Ron Swanson]

"Not to far from the road graders is safety Derrek Pitts. Pitts has liked the Vols since his last visit and it wouldn't be surprising to see him make another trip to Knoxville in the near future. We don't believe anything is imminent there, but it's still worth noting."

- VQ