JUCO DE: Biggest part was Narduzzi

There were plenty of reasons for Allen Edwards to pick Pitt. The Panthers can offer early playing time for the Franklin (Mass.) Dean Junior College defensive end, the scheme is a fit for what he does well and he likes the urban feel of Pitt's campus.

But one thing stood out above the rest as Edwards considered the Panthers. More specifically, one person stood out.

"The biggest part was Coach (Pat) Narduzzi," Edwards told Panther-Lair.com. "We have the same vision: an ACC championship.

"Coach Narduzzi is the type of guy I want to play hard for. He's the type of guy I want to sweat and bleed for on the field."

Edwards knew Narduzzi from when Michigan State was recruiting him and Narduzzi was the Spartans' defensive coordinator, and that interest carried over to Pitt. Last week defensive line coach Tom Sims made contact with Edwards and started the process that culminated with a commitment on Saturday.

"I spoke to Coach Sims one night and then he came to see me the next day; I was impressed by that," Edwards said. "I got a good vibe from him and we had a good conversation. That was important to me: to have a good relationship with the d-line coach."

There's no denying that Pitt also provides an opportunity for early playing time for a defensive end prospect like Edwards.

"They told me there will be a chance to play, but I know I have to earn that," he said. "They said I'm going to be in the mix and they need guys who can play soon. I just want to get an opportunity."

A native of Miami who graduated in 2013, Edwards has played at Dean the last two years and will have two years to play at Pitt. At 6'3" and 242 pounds, Edwards led Dean with 13.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 10 games this past season. He was named to the Northeast Football Conference all-league first team for that performance.

"I rush the passer and I'm a run stuffer as well; I'm not just a pass rusher," Edwards said. "I can't call myself a defensive end if I can't stop the run. That's what you have to do.

"I think Pitt's scheme fits my athletic ability. They want me coming off the edge and just going and wreaking havoc. That's what I do."

Edwards chose Pitt over a handful of offers and interest from other schools, but his official visit this weekend sealed him for the Panthers.

"It was a great fit for me," he said. "It's in the ACC and there's a great opportunity to play against Miami. Even though I'm from Miami, I hate Miami. But it was mostly the vibe and the city; I'm a city person so I like being here.

"So when Coach Narduzzi offered me [on Saturday], I was like, 'Can I commit on the spot?' He got really excited. He said he was really happy to get my commitment, and he wanted to make sure that my commitment was solid and that I wasn't taking any more visits. I told him that I'm solid with my word and I can't wait until Signing Day."

Edwards also cited his interaction with Pitt Director for Student Life Penny Semaia, himself a former Pitt lineman who now works with student-athletes on life skills.

"He helps kids a lot and he's kind of a motivational speaker; he helps kids get ready for the real world. That was big to me."

Edwards is the 14th member of Pitt's 2015 recruiting class and the fourth prospect to commit to Narduzzi since he became head coach of the Panthers. More specifically, he is the second defensive end in the class, joining Florida prospect Shawn Curtis. Next weekend, Pitt is expected to host Sean Adesanya, another junior college end prospect, as well as Sebring (Fla.) high-schooler Luke Ancrum.

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