The college football season kicked off this weekend with a slate of Week 0 games, and the high school football season is also rounding into shape.
Pitt’s 2023 recruiting class, with all 17 current commits entering their final seasons, either started or will start their seasons this weekend. So how have some of Pitt’s biggest recruits responded?
Kenny Minchey — the four-star quarterback from Pope John Paul Jones II HS in Hendersonville, Tennessee
It’s the continuation of a strong summer for Minchey.
After hitting Hillsboro High School with 16-of-26 passing attempts for 221 yards and three touchdowns to open his freshman season, Minchey responded with an equally dominant effort in Week 2. Minchey completed 12-of-15 attempts passing for 194 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-8 win over PURE Academy.
Through two games, he has completed 28-of-41 (68%) pass attempts for 415 yards and five touchdowns – with zero interceptions. And PJPII is unbeatable.
Minchey to cook for 26 yards and another Knights touchdown! 13-0 Knights with 5:49 left in the first. pic.twitter.com/kH5d1Hfn1n
— Pope Prep Football (@PopePrepFB) August 27, 2022
Brice Pollock — Three-star cornerback from Shiloh HS in Snellville, Georgia
It hasn’t been the best start for Shiloh High School, but Pollock has shown that he’s not just a coverage corner, he’s also a capable open field tackler.
Pollock broke off a handful of passes in a loss to Parkview High School on Friday, using his speed and aggressiveness to beat opposing receivers. But he also read plays well enough to drop down and make shots in the open field when needed.
Pollock is a big part of Pitt’s 2023 recruiting class, and his agility, aggressiveness and pure coverage skills are a perfect fit in Pitt’s defense.
Lamar Seymour — Three-star wide receiver from Miami Central HS in Miami, Florida
Seymore caught a 10-yard pass to open the scoring against national power IMG Academy on Friday, and a deep passing route set up another score later in the contest.
The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder impressed over the summer in his 7-on-7 game with the national power South Florida Express, and he was a key player in Friday’s 20-14 upset of IMG.
With a big role in Miami Central’s offense this season, coming off a season in which he spread the floor for Miami Central, Seymore’s all-around game will be very, very interesting to watch.
Strong effort for Miami Central has won 6-0 early against IMG Academy.
FIU commit Keyone Jenkins committed to Pitt, commit Lamar Seymore and WR Catarus Hicks. pic.twitter.com/1QUDjoJEbK
— Michael Yero (@MichaelYero) August 26, 2022
Rasheem Biles – three-star athlete from Pickerington Central HS in Pickerington, Ohio
While Pickerington Central’s offense couldn’t find the end zone against Elder, Biles could.
With an interception returned 81 yards for a touchdown, along with 30 yards on just four carries, Biles gave the Tigers their only offense Friday.
It comes on the heels of a 74-yard punt return on Pickerington’s first drive, along with 40 yards and two touchdowns. Biles is listed as an athlete, but the 6-foot-2, 180-pounder is definitely a lockdown cornerback.
💆🏾♂️ pic.twitter.com/bKEENV4KLa
— Rasheem “The Dream” Biles 🖤. (@Rasheembiles) August 27, 2022
Jesse Anderson – three-star athlete from Cardinal Gibbons HS in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Cardinal Gibbons battled to an 11-6 victory over DeMatha Catholic on Friday — a battle of national contenders — and Anderson made his presence felt.
Anderson, who will be a cornerback at Pitt, was recruited at both wide receiver and cornerback by Power Five programs. He showed why with a nice block as he was falling on a deep ball.
Let me get that ‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/wQLK213yDQ
– Jesse Anderson (@JesseAnderson05) August 27, 2022
Montravius Lloyd – three-star athlete from Lakewood HS in St. Petersburg, Florida
Lloyd was recruited to Pitt as a running back, but in a 28-0 win over Northeast High School on Friday, he made his mark as a slot receiver.
While lining up in the slot Friday, Lloyd made the most of his seven catches, racking up 93 yards and a touchdown. It was a change from Lloyd’s junior season, but he was no less effective at taking screens for big gains.
With soft hands and a quick, shifty running style, Lloyd’s effectiveness as a receiver is a big help for Pitt. If Lloyd can continue to grow as a receiver, he will enter Pitt next season a legitimate two-way threat.