Getting to Know: Bryce Hargrove

The 2016 recruiting class will arrive on campus in two months, but before they get to Pitt, Panther-Lair.com is taking a closer look at the newest additions to the Panthers. Today, the Getting to Know series continues with Bryce Hargrove, the 6'5" 290-pound lineman from Ohio.

PITT BIO
Established himself as one of the top linemen in Ohio despite not playing high school football until his junior year at Coventry...second team All-Ohio Division III...first team Northeast Ohio Inland All-District...compiled 45 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble his senior year...had 49 tackles, 9.5 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery as a junior...is the first player from Coventry to earn a Division I football scholarship out of high school since 1962...Coventry also produced Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison, who was a walk-on at Kent State...rated one of the top 50 overall prospects in Ohio by Rivals

What was the most memorable moment of your high school career?
I would say it was in my junior year. We were playing Crestwood - they won the league that year - and it was a close game. I got an interception off a screen on their 40 and ran it all the way to the 5 before somebody ankle-bit me. But I pitched it back to one of our players and they scored and we got the lead. That actually happened in a scrimmage, too; me and that other player did the same thing, so we had some practice. That was the only interception of my career. I never scored a touchdown in my career either; that was the closest.

What college or NFL player do you try to model your game after?
There’s not really one player. I just watch games and try to watch guys who play well and take things from them.

Who has helped you the most in your development as a football player?
Our head coach, our defensive line coach, and in the last couple months I’ve been working with our old wrestling coach. Those three guys. The old wrestling coach has made me a lot stronger. He’s a trainer now, and when I first went to him, I barely benched 225; now I’m doing 225 15 times and I got up 325 the other day.

What was your favorite part of the recruiting process?
I would have to say the road trips. I’ve taken friends and coaches with me up to Pitt, and it was a lot of fun. My official visit was a blast.

What was the craziest thing a coach said to you?
I was playing defensive tackle at a camp and one of the coaches asked me if I wanted to make millions of dollars. I was like, ‘Huh?’ And he said, ‘Come and play offensive line.’ I thought that was crazy to hear him say that.

I’m 6’5” 290 right now ,and the Pitt coaches said I could go either way, defensive tackle or offensive line; they consider me one of their big athletes and they said I can play any position on either line.

What shocked you most in the process?
It was really the whole process. I didn’t play football freshman and sophomore year; I played before that but I took a break. Then I came back and got offers after one just year of varsity. That was crazy.

What was the biggest reason you picked Pitt?
I love the city of Pittsburgh. It has always been my favorite city and the Steelers are my favorite team. And I believe Coach Narduzzi is going to get the program back where it needs to be. He can do what it takes.

What do you see yourself doing after Pitt?
Hopefully the NFL; that’s a big goal of mine. That’s a big goal for everybody.

What do you plan to major in at Pitt?
Nursing. I want to be a nurse practitioner

What number will you wear at Pitt and why?
I don’t know what’s available so I don’t really know. I wore 6 as a junior and I wore 56 last year.

What are the biggest things you need to work on at Pitt?
I would say my motor and just going 100% all the time and not taking any breaks at all. I mean, I make plays and I make things happen, but that’s the thing I need to work on. I need to make every play.

What are your goals for your freshman season?
Get in the rotation. I know it’s not common for a freshman to start but I want to get in the rotation.

What are your goals for your career at Pitt?
Really, just to win. Get on the field and win. Make plays. That’s really my goal right now. Right now, I just want to get on the field and make plays and win.

What is one thing you'd like people to know about you that they can't tell from your Rivals.com profile?
I’m an all-state basketball player. People might not know that. I’m the leading scorer in Coventry basketball history, I scored 1,450 points.