New LB commit says Pitt is "the best thing for me"
Cameron Bright didn’t plan to commit during his visit to Pitt on Sunday.
Sure, he knew he liked the Panthers a lot. And after visiting earlier in the week, he had a pretty good feeling that he would end up committing to Pitt. But he wanted to take a couple more visits on Monday and Tuesday before pulling the trigger.
Bright was so sure that he would wait on committing that he left Pat Narduzzi’s office following Sunday’s camp and headed to the parking lot.
“I talked to Coach Narduzzi and as I was leaving, I told my dad I was ready right then and there,” Bright told Panther-Lair.com. “So we got to the car, turned around and came back into the building and I said, ‘Coach, I’m ready to sign that ball.’”
The football is question is one that Narduzzi has the 2017 commits sign, and Bright’s second visit to Narduzzi’s office that afternoon ended with a Sharpie, as the 6’0” 205-pound linebacker became the fifth recruit to commit to Pitt in the class.
“I just decided it was the best thing for me,” Bright said. “And sitting down with Coach Narduzzi after the camp, after speaking with him, they showed a lot more love and they really wanted me there even more after camp. It was great feedback that I got.
“He said he loves my athletic ability and versatility at the ‘Star’ (linebacker position) for them, and he said it’s a great fit for me.”
The “Star” linebacker in Pitt’s defense plays to the wide side of the field. It’s a position that is frequently filled by a converted safety, or at least a linebacker with the speed of a safety. That’s what Pitt sees in Bright, and while he learned a lot about the position during his previous visit, Sunday’s camp gave him a chance to get some practice time at the spot.
“I worked at that position when we did the scheme during the seven-on-sevens,” Bright said. “I think that’s a good position for me because that’s what I’m playing in high school now. I’m comfortable at that spot.”
The camp also gave Bright a chance to get hands-on guidance from Pitt linebackers coach Rob Harley.
“It was outstanding,” Bright said of the experience. “He always has great tempo and he made sure I hustled every play. Me and him click. I can tell we’re going to have good chemistry.”
Bright had an equally positive impression of Narduzzi.
“He’s always hyped. Every time I get around him, it’s an energetic feeling. He’s turning the program completely around and that’s for the better. He’s doing a wonderful job of it.”
In addition to Pitt, Bright also has offers from Bowling Green and Miami (OH), and he planned to visit those schools on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. But with his commitment, Bright is cancelling those visits.
Bright is the fifth recruit to commit to Pitt in the 2017 class and the Panthers’ second pickup of the weekend. Quarterback Kenny Pickett committed on Saturday, and Pitt previously picked up commitments from linebacker Kyle Nunn and defensive backs Exree Loe and Paris Ford.