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Gibsonia (Pa.) Pine-Richland tight end Grant Carrigan took to Twitter to announce his commitment to Pitt on Thursday afternoon. It was a short recruiting process for the 6-foot-7, 250-pound legacy recruit after Pitt offered him on Saturday while he was on campus for a scrimmage. Carrigan picked Pitt, where his father attended, over Wake Forest and Kent State in part due to his familiarity with the program.
“As soon as they offered me – you know, that was a place I’ve wanted to go to for all of life and because my dad went there, so I’ve been around it for my whole life,” Carrigan said. “When they finally offered me, I could see myself going there, but I wanted to have time to think about it and see if it was the right fit for me. I talked with my family and it seemed like the best decision for me.”
Carrigan will be an intriguing target in the passing game for Pitt with his size and athleticism. Not many prospects have the frame of Carrigan and he’ll be a big target for quarterbacks at a position of need in the Pitt program.
“I think I’m going to make an immediate impact and I’ll have a chance to make some plays for them. I’ll be playing tight end,” Carrigan said. “I know that they need tight ends right now and I feel that I could take that spot and do well for them.”
Carrigan sees the program that he’s committed to heading on an upward trajectory in the years to come. He’s excited about what Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi is bringing to a program and fan base that welcomes his steady hand and coaching ability.
“Coach Narduzzi is taking Pitt in the right direction, I think they’re going to be a really great team. I think they’re going to keep getting better and better every year with him,” Carrigan said.
Carrigan’s relieved to be done with his recruiting process and locked in for his eventual university. He won’t have to worry about going through senior year stressing about a college fit and can simply focus on playing football with his teammates and getting ready for the next level.
“I’m happy to be done with recruiting. I’m just focusing on my senior year and my last year of high school,” Carrigan said. “I’m just going to enjoy it and have fun this football season and win some games.”
Carrigan has a message for Pitt fans and what they should expect out of him when he arrives on campus for the Panthers.
“As a person, I’m a hard worker. Now that I’ve made my commitment, I’m loyal. I’m going to be there and I’m all about Pitt,” Carrigan said. “On the field, I’m a really physical player, I make big plays. I’m going to take this program and help them win.”
Stay tuned for more on Panther-Lair.com about what Carrigan’s commitment means to the Panthers and their 2017 recruiting class.