Pat Signal: Michael Statham commits to Pitt

Saturday was a momentous day for Pitt, as the Panthers were back in action for their spring game at Heinz Field. Among the more than 8,000 in attendance were several 2020 targets, including Michael Statham, a three-star offensive tackle from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. As it turns out, Statham was impressed with his visit, as he announced his commitment to the program just hours later.

Statham is the Pitt staff’s second pickup of the 2020 recruiting cycle, as Pat Narduzzi secured the commitment of three-star Fort Lauderdale, Florida, defensive end Sam Williams on April 6. The 6’7”, 340-pound lineman amassed a long list of offers, but he ultimately chose Pitt over the likes of LSU, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, Syracuse and West Virginia.

Previously a standout left tackle at Imhotep Charter in Philadelphia, Statham is most notable for his immense size. One fact that illustrates just how large a lineman the Panthers are getting is that Statham is bigger than eight of the nine offensive linemen on the roster of the Baltimore Ravens in his current city. The lone exception is Orlando Brown Jr., who stands at 6’8” and weighs 345 pounds.

At Pitt, Statham will hold a similar distinction, as the only offensive lineman on the team as tall as him is Liam Dick, a 6’7”, 295-pound lineman from Milton, Canada. He also outweighs every member of the offensive line, with the next-heaviest one being Kenny Rainey, who comes in at 6’3” and 325 pounds. With Statham in the fold, Pitt now has 10 offensive linemen who weigh in at 300 pounds or more.