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PITT IS IT! Great day to be a Panther.
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) June 28, 2016
Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi tweeted this earlier this afternoon, and soon thereafter we learned Albert Tucker committed to Pitt. Tucker became the ninth commitment for the class of 2017 recruiting class. He is also the seventh prospect to commit in the whirlwind month of June. Tucker is now the first commitment from the state of Florida for coach Pat Narduzzi in this recruiting cycle.
Albert Tucker is a 6'1" 200 pound outside linebacker from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He plays high school football for national powerhouse, St. Thomas Aquinas. He racked up 34 tackles for the 13-1 Raiders team that claimed the Florida 7A state championship. Aquinas finished the year ranked 15th nationally according to Maxpreps.com.
Tucker is a bit of an underrated prospect. Rivals calls him a three star, while ESPN and 24/7 do not have a grade. He chose the Panthers over other power five offers from Kentucky and Colorado. He also had offers from Colorado State and Middle Tennesssee State as well.
In an article by the Sun-Sentinel, his high school head coach gave his player some high praise.
"Albert Tucker is a versatile ahlete with the tenacity and mentality of a purposed, driven man," St. Thomas
Aquinas coach Roger Harriott says. "On the field, his pursuit to the point of attack is difficult for offensive coaches
to game plan."
Tucker is also touted for the mental aspect of his game and his leadership.
"He has a high football IQ, which enables him to be proficientin the run and pass game," Harriott says. "Off the
field, Tucker is the epitome of a team player and positive peer role model."
The article mentions Tucker's 4.5 speed, and it certainly shows up in his junior year highlight tape. While his Rivals' page lists him as a corner and he plays some defensive back in high school, but it seems like linebacker is in his future. Pitt clearly needs more speed and athleticism at linebacker, and that's exactly how they have approached the position in their recruiting. Tucker joins Cameron Bright and Kyle Nunn, two other safety/linebacker in-between types that will be moved to linebacker once on campus.