2017 Hot Board: Offensive backfield

The second round of my Hot Board series – which examines Pitt’s top recruiting targets at each position on the board – will be somewhat more convoluted than the previous piece. Whereas the offensive line had clear-cut target numbers they were pursuing, the offensive backfield is a different animal. Pitt has already received commitments from three-star Oakhurst (N.J.) dual-threat quarterback Kenny Pickett and thee-star Akron (Ohio) running back Todd Sibley, which means things are in a different place right now at both positions than they are at many others. Nonetheless, let’s look at the offensive backfield targets.

1. Kenny Pickett – Oakhurst (N.J.) Ocean Township – 6-foot-3, 191 pounds

Trend: Steady

Summary: Pickett is the lone name that will appear on the quarterback hot board. The Garden State passer committed to Pitt early on in the month of June during his second visit to Pitt’s campus. Pickett picked Pitt over Power Five offers from Boston College and Iowa and fulfilled the Panthers’ need for a quarterback in this class. It is highly unlikely that the Panthers will bring in another quarterback in the 2017 class to join Pickett. Virtually the only scenario where that could become possible is a high-profile quarterback coming back on the market and expressing interest in Pitt, a talent they couldn’t say no to. In all likelihood, Pickett will be Pitt’s only quarterback in 2017 and both parties will be very happy about it.

At this point the staff, and quarterbacks coach Matt Canada, have largely turned their attention towards the 2018 recruiting class. 2018 is a bumper crop nationally behind center and Pitt has extended offers to Pittsburgh-area native Phil Jurkovec (since committed to Notre Dame), New Jersey four-star Artur Sitkowski, and impressive Malvern (Pa.) pro-style prospect Kevin Doyle. Look for the Panthers to make Sitkowski and Doyle priorities and the main focus of their efforts for now, but more offers will doubtlessly go out during the fall evaluation period to underclassmen.

Much like quarterback, the primary spot for running back recruiting has been filled by Akron (Ohio) Archbishop Hoban standout Todd Sibley and the Panther staff is thrilled about it. Sibley’s decommitment from Ohio State and subsequent decision to commit to Pitt worked out wonderfully for both parties and his skillset fits exactly what the Panthers want to do. With that having been said, there are still a small handful of names who could join Sibley in Pittsburgh depending on how things play out. It's not a position of need with Sibley committed, but rather one of luxury for Pitt if another highly-desired player becomes available.

1. Bruce Judson – Cocoa (Fla.) – 5-foot-9, 184 pounds

Trend: Steady

Summary: Pittsburgh is in the game for Judson and that’s pretty much all they can ask for at this point. The Sunshine State playmaker has visited Pitt and continues to show great interest in the team, but that is the case for many schools on the list. The four-star Rivals250 athlete could fit in at tailback, H-back, or even wide receiver if needed, and he’s the kind of dynamic play-breaking athlete that could compliment Sibley’s powerful and dependable running style. Judson is electric in the open field and Pitt would very much like to have the one-time Ohio State commit, but in true south Florida fashion, he will take all of his visits and take the process to its fullest. No school that receives a commitment from Judson should feel comfortable until February, but Pitt looks to continue to be a factor for him and he’s a no-matter-what take for the Panthers due to his athletic abilities.

2. Morgan Ellison – Pickerington (Ohio) Central – 6-foot-1, 208 pounds

Trend: Rising

Summary: Morgan Ellison is an intriguing case right now for Pitt. He camped with Pitt and had an excellent performance in that setting, as he always does, showing flash and uncommon athletic ability for his size. Ellison has dominated in these settings all offseason and is an athletic dynamo – there’s no doubting that. However, he still has yet to put serious reps on film due to previous injuries. He’ll need to prove what he can do on an honest-to-god football field in pads before the staff would be willing to offer. If his performances on the gridiron match up to what he does in camps, he would be an excellent prospect. But for now, there’s too much unknown to slot Ellison into the offer list.

3. Malik Davis – Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit – 5-foot-11, 187 pounds

Trend: Steady

Summary: Davis recently named Pitt to his list of seven top schools, although he has yet to actually take a visit to western Pennsylvania to see campus and the facilities. Davis indicated that he “probably” plans to do so for an official visit and likes coach Andre Powell, but it’s unclear if that visit will in fact happen with six other schools in the mix. More than that, it’s unclear if Davis will have a spot as he fills a traditional tailback role much like Sibley.