Pat Signal: Cameron Guess commits to Pitt

Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi and his staff added a coveted specialist to their 2020 recruiting class on Wednesday night, as Cameron Guess, a kicker and punter out of Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, announced his commitment to the program.

”Belle Vernon is home, and I will never forget everything that happened on that gold turf,” Guess wrote in a message. “To Coach Powell and Coach Narduzzi, I’m ready to put the work in. All I wanted was to wear blue and yellow since I was two years old. So I’m excited for the offer and would like to announce my commitment to the University of Pittsburgh.”

Guess was once ranked by Kohl’s Kicking Camps as the No. 1 kicker in the country, but he no longer holds that distinction, as he has fallen to No. 51. With that said, he is a consensus top-10 punter, as Kohl’s ranks him ninth in the nation at that position, and 247Sports places him at seventh. During his recruitment, he drew offers from Kent State, Toledo and West Virginia in addition to Pitt.

Over the last two seasons, the 5’11”, 180-pound specialist has attempted 112 extra points and converted on 108. He also made one of his two field-goal attempts, knocking through a 32-yarder. However, it’s on punt and kickoff duty that he has really shined, and that has especially been the case this season.

In 2019, Guess has kicked 83 kickoffs and recorded 56 touchbacks. His average kickoff length this season is 50 yards, and his longest was 69 yards. Guess has flashed similar talent as a punter, booting 12 punts this season and placing two of those inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. His average punt length is 41 yards, and his longest punt was 52 yards.

”Guess has one of the strongest punt and [kickoff] legs in the country and has improved technically since January," the specialist's Kohl's profile reads. "Guess has been a top-10 Kohl’s player for the last couple of years. This year is no different. Guess is very good on [field goals] but is outstanding on punts and [kickoffs]. His hips are very powerful and often produce huge kicks and punts. Guess has all the talent to be successful at a DI college.”

It's unclear if Narduzzi envisions Guess succeeding current Pitt kicker Alex Kessman or if he will contend for the punter spot. But whatever role he fills, Guess has a powerful leg that should enable him to make some impressive kicks for Pitt.