Derrveron Maxwell-Black backs off commitment to Pitt, reopens recruitment

Derrveron Maxwell-Black, a linebacker out of St. Petersburg, Florida, who committed to Pitt on June 25, announced on Monday evening that he had backed off his pledge and reopened his recruitment. The move followed the commitment of coveted four-star linebacker Naquan Brown on Friday.

“Recruitment is 100 percent open,” Maxwell-Black wrote on Twitter on Monday.

The 6’0”, 210-pound linebacker holds three-star ratings from Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN. Other than Pitt, Maxwell-Black’s most notable scholarship offers came from Colorado State, Illinois and Syracuse. The recruit was also offered by a handful of lower-tier programs, including Austin Peay, Bowling Green, Tennessee State, Troy and Western Kentucky.

During his junior season at Lakewood High School, Maxwell-Black helped the Spartans achieve a 12-1 record as a key member of a dominant defense. Maxwell-Black’s contributions to that effort consisted of 83 tackles, including 16 tackles for losses and four sacks, and three fumble recoveries. And in 2020, he helped Lakewood earn an 8-1 record, logging 24 tackles, including five tackles for losses, and one forced fumble.

With Pitt no longer a fit for Maxwell-Black, it remains to be seen where he will land or when he will come to a decision about his future. As for Pitt, the program’s 2021 class remains in the top 25 nationally even after the loss, as Rivals places Pitt’s recruiting class at No. 19 and 247Sports places it at No. 22.