University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt Football: Signing Day Live Updates
12/18/2019 7:00:00 AM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Pitt football head coach Pat Narduzzi and his staff will welcome the next group of future Panthers on Wednesday's December National Letter of Intent Day.
Stay tuned for live updates throughout the day as Pitt announces its football recruiting Class of 2020.
7:05 a.m. - The first signed NLI forms are rolling in!
Samuel Williams, DL, 6-3, 210, Pembroke Pines, FL/Calvary Christian Academy
All-Broward County performer who was a highly productive playmaker on the defensive side of the ball…collected 63 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, six sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and a blocked punt from his defensive end position…led Calvary Christian Academy to a 10-2 record and the regional final of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 3A playoffs…Sun Sentinel Broward County Top 50 Prospects (No. 38)…rated one of the nation's top 50 weakside defensive end prospects by 247Sports…played under Coach Kirk Hoza.
Jaylon Barden, WR, 5-11, 175, Lizella, GA/Westside
Prolific wideout who was selected the Georgia 3-AAA All-Region Player of the Year after averaging 112.2 receiving yards per game as a senior…compiled 68 receptions for 1,234 yards (18.1 avg.) and 15 touchdowns…over four varsity seasons, totaled 149 catches for 2,760 yards (18.5 avg.) and 25 TDs…rated one of the top 30 overall prospects in Georgia by 247Sports…played under Coach Sheddrick Risper.
Bangally Kamara, LB, 6-1, 200, Akron, OH/East
Decorated linebacker who also played tight end, wide receiver, kicker and punter…Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association (OPSWA) Division III All-State (first team)…Northeast Inland All-District (first team)…Greater Akron Best of Preps All-Star Team…led East to the Akron City Series championship, including five consecutive shutout victories to close the season…rated the No. 7 overall prospect in Ohio and the nation's No. 23 outside linebacker by 247Sports…rated No. 26 in Ohio by ESPN and No. 38 by Rivals…played under Coach Marques Hayes.
Michael Statham, OL, 6-7, 370, Smyrna, DE/Saint Frances Academy (MD)
Mammoth offensive lineman who paved the way for one of nation's best high school teams…team rolled to an 11-1 record (its lone loss to California power Mater Dei) and a No. 5 national ranking in the USA TODAY "Super 25"…Statham keyed an offense that rushed for 2,705 yards and 46 touchdowns, while averaging more than 40 points per game…Baltimore Sun All-Metro (first team)…a consensus top 30 overall prospect in Maryland…rated the state's No. 21 prospect by ESPN, No. 23 by Rivals and No. 26 by 247Sports…played under Coach Henry Russell.
Jahvante Royal, DB, 6-3, 185, Miramar, FL/St. Thomas Aquinas
Continues Pitt's growing association with Florida powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas…a two-way player as a wide receiver and defensive back for the Raiders, who went 14-0 and captured the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 7A championship…St. Thomas Aquinas ranked No. 3 in the USA TODAY "Super 25"…rated the nation's No. 19 safety by Rivals…rated the nation's No. 26 "athlete" by ESPN…rated one of the top 60 overall prospects in Florida by ESPN (No. 52) and Rivals (No. 60)…Sun Sentinel Broward County Top 50 Prospects (No. 11)…played under Coach Roger Harriott.
Israel Abanikanda, RB, 5-11, 195, Brooklyn, NY/Abraham Lincoln
New York's Gatorade Player of the Year who led the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) in rushing and scoring as a senior…rushed for 1,350 yards and totaled 166 points (scoring 25 touchdowns and eight 2-point conversion runs)…scored TDs three different ways (20 rushing, three receiving and two on kickoff returns)…collected 30 tackles and two interceptions as a defensive back…New York State Sportswriters Association (NYSSWA) Class AA All-State…rated the No. 1 overall prospect in New York by 247Sports, No. 5 by Rivals and No. 7 by ESPN…rated the nation's No. 15 running back by 247Sports…played under Coach Shawn O'Connor.
Branson Taylor, OL, 6-5, 320, Lorain, OH/Elyria Catholic
Widely considered one of Ohio's top offensive linemen after not allowing a sack as a senior for Elyria Catholic…Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association (OPSWA) Division V All-State (first team)…selected the Northeast Lakes District Co-Offensive Player of the Year for Division V…Lorain County Most Valuable Offensive Lineman…led team to an 8-4 record and the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Division V playoffs…rated the nation's No. 22 offensive tackle by 247Sports…rated Ohio's No. 6 overall prospect by 247Sports, No. 15 by ESPN and No. 34 by Rivals…played under Coach Brian Fox.
7:56 a.m. - The hometown hero from Pittsburgh joins the Panthers! Dayon Hayes is in!
Dayon Hayes, DL, 6-3, 250, Pittsburgh, PA/Westinghouse
The Pittsburgh City League's most heralded recruit in at least two decades, garnering more than 25 scholarship offers…collected an astounding 23.5 sacks his senior year and had 49.5 over his final two seasons…Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Fabulous 22"…Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Terrific 25"…rated the nation's No. 10 strongside defensive end prospect by 247Sports…rated the nation's No. 15 weakside defensive end by Rivals…a consensus top 10 overall prospect in Pennsylvania…rated the state's No. 3 overall prospect by Rivals, No. 4 by 247Sports and No. 8 by ESPN…as a senior, led Westinghouse to the PIAA Class 3A playoffs and its first City League title in 23 years…played under Coach Donta Green.
8:16 a.m. - More NLI paperwork is rolling in for the Panthers this morning!
Solomon DeShields, ATH, 6-2, 200, Millville, NJ/Millville Senior
A two-way standout considered one of the top "athletes" in New Jersey…a heavily recruited prospect who excelled at defensive back and as a pass catcher…NJ.com All-State (second team)…first team All-West Jersey Football League (WJFL) Continental Division…collected 68 tackles, eight sacks and four interceptions…as a receiver, had 661 yards on 44 catches (15.0 avg.)…rated one of the nation's top 35 athletes by Rivals…rated the No. 18 overall prospect in New Jersey by 247Sports, No. 20 by Rivals and No. 22 by ESPN…played under Coach Dennis Thomas.
Hunter Sellers, DB, 5-11, 175, Tyrone, GA/Woodward Academy
Excelled in the secondary and as a wide receiver…a first-team defensive selection on the Georgia All-Region 4-AAAA Team…compiled 38 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries…had a 71-yard fumble return for a touchdown…averaged 18 yards per catch as a wideout (16 receptions for 288 yards) with four TDs…helped Woodward Academy to a 13-1 record and the semifinals of the Georgia Class AAAA playoffs…missed his entire junior year due to injury but was highly productive as a sophomore with 67 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and three receiving TDs…played under Coach John Hunt.
Aydin Henningham, WR, 6-2, 195, Delray Beach, FL/Deerfield Beach
Two-way player for Florida Class 8A Deerfield Beach as a wide receiver and safety…also excelled as a punt returner (averaging 21.1 yards per return)…helped team to a 10-4 record and the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 8A championship game…as a junior at Park Vista, was first team All-Palm Beach 8A-6A and also earned third-team all-state recognition in the athlete category…Sun Sentinel Broward County Top 50 Prospects (No. 17)…rated one of the top 100 overall prospects in Florida by Rivals (No. 65) and ESPN (No. 78)…played under Deerfield Beach coach Jevon Glenn.
Emmanuel Belgrave, DL, 6-3, 235, Miami, FL/Miami Southridge Senior
Despite an injury-hindered senior season, attracted recruiting attention from the ACC and Big Ten…had a productive junior campaign, compiling 40 tackles and 8.5 sacks, while helping Southridge to a 9-3 record and the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 8A playoffs…played under Coach Sedrick Irvin.
AJ Roberts, LB, 6-0, 225, Staten Island, NY/Tottenville
Earned stature as one of New York's top defensive players…New York State Sportswriters Association (NYSSWA) All-Class AA…a major varsity contributor for Tottenville since his sophomore season, helping the Pirates to a three-year mark of 27-7 (.794)…had both fumble and interception returns for touchdowns during his prep career…as a senior, led team to an 11-2 mark and the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) City Division championship game…rated the No. 6 overall prospect in New York by ESPN, No. 10 by 247Sports and No. 11 by Rivals…played under Coach Brian Neville.
Buddy Mack, DB, 6-1, 185, Duncan, SC/Byrnes
Highly active safety who is rated one of the top 30 overall prospects in South Carolina by ESPN…compiled 40 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions and four additional passes defended as a senior…named to the South Carolina Football Coaches Class 5A All-State Team…selected to play in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas all-star game…helped Byrnes to an 11-2 mark and the South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) Class 5A playoffs…played under Coach Reggie Shaw.
9:45 a.m. - Be sure to tune in to Coach Narduzzi's Signing Day press conference at 2 p.m. - live @Pitt_FB on Twitter and on the Pitt Panthers Facebook page.
Daniel Moraga, TE, 6-3, 225, Oxnard, CA/Pacifica H.S./Ventura College
Rated the nation's No. 5 junior college tight end by JCGridiron.com…at Ventura College in 2019, caught 17 passes for 205 yards (12.1 avg.) and two touchdowns…helped team to an 8-3 record and berth in the Joe Kapp Real Estate Beach Bowl…named Beach Bowl Offensive Player of the Game after hauling in eight catches for 122 yards and a TD…played under Ventura coach Steve Mooshagian, who was Pitt's offensive coordinator under Walt Harris from 1997-98…Moraga was a 1,000-yard receiver as a senior in 2016 at Pacifica High School under Coach Mike Moon…compiled 60 receptions for 1,087 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning Pacific View League Receiver of the Year and Ventura County Co-Receiver of the Year.
Lucas Krull, TE, 6-6, 255, Shawnee, KS/Mill Valley/Florida
A graduate transfer from the University of Florida who will enroll in January and have one season of immediate eligibility for the Panthers…played in 25 games the past two seasons for the Gators, catching nine passes for 108 yards (12.0 avg.)…he also completed 2-of-2 passes for 19 yards on gadget plays…prior to Florida, Krull was a pitcher for Jefferson College in Missouri…a graduate of Mill Valley (Kan.) High School, Krull was a standout pass catcher, compiling 52 receptions for 745 yards (14.3 avg.) and 13 touchdowns as a senior…playing under Mill Valley coach Joel Applebee, he helped the Jaguars to a 12-1 record and the 2015 state championship.
Thursday, 10:45 a.m. - Another highly rated prospect has committed to the Panthers! Jordan Addison is in!
Jordan Addison, WR, 6-0, 170, Frederick, MD/Tuscarora
Highly versatile performer who played wide receiver, quarterback and defensive back during a standout career at Tuscarora…a four-year varsity starter…Baltimore Touchdown Club "Super 22"…all-area…rated the nation's No. 21 wide receiver by 247Sports…rated the No. 6 overall prospect in Maryland by 247Sports, No. 12 by ESPN and No. 21 by Rivals…played under Coach Vince Ahearn.
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Stay tuned for live updates throughout the day as Pitt announces its football recruiting Class of 2020.
7:05 a.m. - The first signed NLI forms are rolling in!
Samuel Williams, DL, 6-3, 210, Pembroke Pines, FL/Calvary Christian Academy
All-Broward County performer who was a highly productive playmaker on the defensive side of the ball…collected 63 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, six sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and a blocked punt from his defensive end position…led Calvary Christian Academy to a 10-2 record and the regional final of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 3A playoffs…Sun Sentinel Broward County Top 50 Prospects (No. 38)…rated one of the nation's top 50 weakside defensive end prospects by 247Sports…played under Coach Kirk Hoza.
Jaylon Barden, WR, 5-11, 175, Lizella, GA/Westside
Prolific wideout who was selected the Georgia 3-AAA All-Region Player of the Year after averaging 112.2 receiving yards per game as a senior…compiled 68 receptions for 1,234 yards (18.1 avg.) and 15 touchdowns…over four varsity seasons, totaled 149 catches for 2,760 yards (18.5 avg.) and 25 TDs…rated one of the top 30 overall prospects in Georgia by 247Sports…played under Coach Sheddrick Risper.
Bangally Kamara, LB, 6-1, 200, Akron, OH/East
Decorated linebacker who also played tight end, wide receiver, kicker and punter…Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association (OPSWA) Division III All-State (first team)…Northeast Inland All-District (first team)…Greater Akron Best of Preps All-Star Team…led East to the Akron City Series championship, including five consecutive shutout victories to close the season…rated the No. 7 overall prospect in Ohio and the nation's No. 23 outside linebacker by 247Sports…rated No. 26 in Ohio by ESPN and No. 38 by Rivals…played under Coach Marques Hayes.
Michael Statham, OL, 6-7, 370, Smyrna, DE/Saint Frances Academy (MD)
Mammoth offensive lineman who paved the way for one of nation's best high school teams…team rolled to an 11-1 record (its lone loss to California power Mater Dei) and a No. 5 national ranking in the USA TODAY "Super 25"…Statham keyed an offense that rushed for 2,705 yards and 46 touchdowns, while averaging more than 40 points per game…Baltimore Sun All-Metro (first team)…a consensus top 30 overall prospect in Maryland…rated the state's No. 21 prospect by ESPN, No. 23 by Rivals and No. 26 by 247Sports…played under Coach Henry Russell.
Jahvante Royal, DB, 6-3, 185, Miramar, FL/St. Thomas Aquinas
Continues Pitt's growing association with Florida powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas…a two-way player as a wide receiver and defensive back for the Raiders, who went 14-0 and captured the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 7A championship…St. Thomas Aquinas ranked No. 3 in the USA TODAY "Super 25"…rated the nation's No. 19 safety by Rivals…rated the nation's No. 26 "athlete" by ESPN…rated one of the top 60 overall prospects in Florida by ESPN (No. 52) and Rivals (No. 60)…Sun Sentinel Broward County Top 50 Prospects (No. 11)…played under Coach Roger Harriott.
Israel Abanikanda, RB, 5-11, 195, Brooklyn, NY/Abraham Lincoln
New York's Gatorade Player of the Year who led the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) in rushing and scoring as a senior…rushed for 1,350 yards and totaled 166 points (scoring 25 touchdowns and eight 2-point conversion runs)…scored TDs three different ways (20 rushing, three receiving and two on kickoff returns)…collected 30 tackles and two interceptions as a defensive back…New York State Sportswriters Association (NYSSWA) Class AA All-State…rated the No. 1 overall prospect in New York by 247Sports, No. 5 by Rivals and No. 7 by ESPN…rated the nation's No. 15 running back by 247Sports…played under Coach Shawn O'Connor.
Branson Taylor, OL, 6-5, 320, Lorain, OH/Elyria Catholic
Widely considered one of Ohio's top offensive linemen after not allowing a sack as a senior for Elyria Catholic…Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association (OPSWA) Division V All-State (first team)…selected the Northeast Lakes District Co-Offensive Player of the Year for Division V…Lorain County Most Valuable Offensive Lineman…led team to an 8-4 record and the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Division V playoffs…rated the nation's No. 22 offensive tackle by 247Sports…rated Ohio's No. 6 overall prospect by 247Sports, No. 15 by ESPN and No. 34 by Rivals…played under Coach Brian Fox.
7:56 a.m. - The hometown hero from Pittsburgh joins the Panthers! Dayon Hayes is in!
Dayon Hayes, DL, 6-3, 250, Pittsburgh, PA/Westinghouse
The Pittsburgh City League's most heralded recruit in at least two decades, garnering more than 25 scholarship offers…collected an astounding 23.5 sacks his senior year and had 49.5 over his final two seasons…Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Fabulous 22"…Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Terrific 25"…rated the nation's No. 10 strongside defensive end prospect by 247Sports…rated the nation's No. 15 weakside defensive end by Rivals…a consensus top 10 overall prospect in Pennsylvania…rated the state's No. 3 overall prospect by Rivals, No. 4 by 247Sports and No. 8 by ESPN…as a senior, led Westinghouse to the PIAA Class 3A playoffs and its first City League title in 23 years…played under Coach Donta Green.
8:16 a.m. - More NLI paperwork is rolling in for the Panthers this morning!
Solomon DeShields, ATH, 6-2, 200, Millville, NJ/Millville Senior
A two-way standout considered one of the top "athletes" in New Jersey…a heavily recruited prospect who excelled at defensive back and as a pass catcher…NJ.com All-State (second team)…first team All-West Jersey Football League (WJFL) Continental Division…collected 68 tackles, eight sacks and four interceptions…as a receiver, had 661 yards on 44 catches (15.0 avg.)…rated one of the nation's top 35 athletes by Rivals…rated the No. 18 overall prospect in New Jersey by 247Sports, No. 20 by Rivals and No. 22 by ESPN…played under Coach Dennis Thomas.
Hunter Sellers, DB, 5-11, 175, Tyrone, GA/Woodward Academy
Excelled in the secondary and as a wide receiver…a first-team defensive selection on the Georgia All-Region 4-AAAA Team…compiled 38 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries…had a 71-yard fumble return for a touchdown…averaged 18 yards per catch as a wideout (16 receptions for 288 yards) with four TDs…helped Woodward Academy to a 13-1 record and the semifinals of the Georgia Class AAAA playoffs…missed his entire junior year due to injury but was highly productive as a sophomore with 67 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and three receiving TDs…played under Coach John Hunt.
Aydin Henningham, WR, 6-2, 195, Delray Beach, FL/Deerfield Beach
Two-way player for Florida Class 8A Deerfield Beach as a wide receiver and safety…also excelled as a punt returner (averaging 21.1 yards per return)…helped team to a 10-4 record and the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 8A championship game…as a junior at Park Vista, was first team All-Palm Beach 8A-6A and also earned third-team all-state recognition in the athlete category…Sun Sentinel Broward County Top 50 Prospects (No. 17)…rated one of the top 100 overall prospects in Florida by Rivals (No. 65) and ESPN (No. 78)…played under Deerfield Beach coach Jevon Glenn.
Emmanuel Belgrave, DL, 6-3, 235, Miami, FL/Miami Southridge Senior
Despite an injury-hindered senior season, attracted recruiting attention from the ACC and Big Ten…had a productive junior campaign, compiling 40 tackles and 8.5 sacks, while helping Southridge to a 9-3 record and the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 8A playoffs…played under Coach Sedrick Irvin.
AJ Roberts, LB, 6-0, 225, Staten Island, NY/Tottenville
Earned stature as one of New York's top defensive players…New York State Sportswriters Association (NYSSWA) All-Class AA…a major varsity contributor for Tottenville since his sophomore season, helping the Pirates to a three-year mark of 27-7 (.794)…had both fumble and interception returns for touchdowns during his prep career…as a senior, led team to an 11-2 mark and the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) City Division championship game…rated the No. 6 overall prospect in New York by ESPN, No. 10 by 247Sports and No. 11 by Rivals…played under Coach Brian Neville.
Buddy Mack, DB, 6-1, 185, Duncan, SC/Byrnes
Highly active safety who is rated one of the top 30 overall prospects in South Carolina by ESPN…compiled 40 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions and four additional passes defended as a senior…named to the South Carolina Football Coaches Class 5A All-State Team…selected to play in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas all-star game…helped Byrnes to an 11-2 mark and the South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) Class 5A playoffs…played under Coach Reggie Shaw.
9:45 a.m. - Be sure to tune in to Coach Narduzzi's Signing Day press conference at 2 p.m. - live @Pitt_FB on Twitter and on the Pitt Panthers Facebook page.
Daniel Moraga, TE, 6-3, 225, Oxnard, CA/Pacifica H.S./Ventura College
Rated the nation's No. 5 junior college tight end by JCGridiron.com…at Ventura College in 2019, caught 17 passes for 205 yards (12.1 avg.) and two touchdowns…helped team to an 8-3 record and berth in the Joe Kapp Real Estate Beach Bowl…named Beach Bowl Offensive Player of the Game after hauling in eight catches for 122 yards and a TD…played under Ventura coach Steve Mooshagian, who was Pitt's offensive coordinator under Walt Harris from 1997-98…Moraga was a 1,000-yard receiver as a senior in 2016 at Pacifica High School under Coach Mike Moon…compiled 60 receptions for 1,087 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning Pacific View League Receiver of the Year and Ventura County Co-Receiver of the Year.
Lucas Krull, TE, 6-6, 255, Shawnee, KS/Mill Valley/Florida
A graduate transfer from the University of Florida who will enroll in January and have one season of immediate eligibility for the Panthers…played in 25 games the past two seasons for the Gators, catching nine passes for 108 yards (12.0 avg.)…he also completed 2-of-2 passes for 19 yards on gadget plays…prior to Florida, Krull was a pitcher for Jefferson College in Missouri…a graduate of Mill Valley (Kan.) High School, Krull was a standout pass catcher, compiling 52 receptions for 745 yards (14.3 avg.) and 13 touchdowns as a senior…playing under Mill Valley coach Joel Applebee, he helped the Jaguars to a 12-1 record and the 2015 state championship.
Thursday, 10:45 a.m. - Another highly rated prospect has committed to the Panthers! Jordan Addison is in!
Jordan Addison, WR, 6-0, 170, Frederick, MD/Tuscarora
Highly versatile performer who played wide receiver, quarterback and defensive back during a standout career at Tuscarora…a four-year varsity starter…Baltimore Touchdown Club "Super 22"…all-area…rated the nation's No. 21 wide receiver by 247Sports…rated the No. 6 overall prospect in Maryland by 247Sports, No. 12 by ESPN and No. 21 by Rivals…played under Coach Vince Ahearn.
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Pat Narduzzi Radio Show, Episode 11.10
Thursday, November 13
Notre Dame Week | Kade Bell, Ryan Baer, Kenny Johnson
Wednesday, November 12
Notre Dame Week | Randy Bates, Javon McIntyre, Jimmy Scott
Tuesday, November 11
Pitt Football | Notre Dame Week | Pat Narduzzi | 11.10.25
Monday, November 10