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Pitt had already secured a commitment from offensive lineman Zack Williams earlier today, and Narduzzi picked up his second commitment by flipping Rutgers safety commit Phil Campbell.
PITT IS IT! #H2P❗️
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) December 13, 2015
After much time and thinking, I decided it's in my best interest to commit to pitt and be a panther ! #H2P
— Phil Campbell III (@PCampell24) December 13, 2015
Campbell has been a Rutgers commit since early June, but Pitt has been putting a lot of work in on New Jersey prospects with Campbell being one of them. Tight ends coach Tim Salem along with defensive backs coach Renaldo Hill even visited a photo shoot which featured Pitt committ Maurice Ffrench along with Campbell last week.
Campbell had some pretty impressive film, and could possibly grow into a linebacker with his size. I think he's a pretty awesome fit in Narduzzi's defense. Campbell's coach said he got a call from him earlier in the day explaining his decision.
Phil Campbell was the Central NJ defensive player of the year. Maurice Ffrench was the offensive player of the year. Now both Pitt commits.
— PittCabe (@PittCabe) December 13, 2015
Pitt used to be able to pull a lot of talent from New Jersey under Dave Wannstedt, and it's nice to see Pitt making inroads back into there with this class as there are quite a number of good players coming out of there. This is the first class since 2010 that has more than two New Jersey recruits in it. Pitt has gotten more from New Jersey in the last two years under Narduzzi than Paul Chryst and Todd Graham garnered in all of their classes combined. Pitt isn't done with the state yet either. Pitt had Rutgers offensive line commit Justin Morgan visit this weekend as well, and will have defensive end/tackle Sam Kamara visit in January. Pitt is hitting New Jersey hard.
Phil Campbell III is the fifteenth commit for Pitt in the 2016 class.