Pitt lands Coleman

Pat Narduzzi wants big cornerbacks, and he got one on Sunday when Brashear standout Therran Coleman committed to Pitt.

Coleman announced his commitment on KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh, and he chose the Panthers over offers from Arizona State, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Cincinnati, Indiana, Toledo and Massachusetts.

He had narrowed that list to a final five of Pitt, Arizona State, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

"Pitt was the place where I was comfortable and where I think I can get a good education," Coleman told Panther-Lair.com.

Coleman had been rumored to be favoring Pitt throughout the summer, but Wisconsin and West Virginia were both strong with him as his recruiting progressed. When the Panthers emerged as his favorites last week, Coleman's parents took one last visit to be sure about his decision.

"They went down to Pitt last Monday," he said. "I had made my mind up, but I wanted them to sign off on Pitt.

"At first, my mom wanted me to get out of the city, but now she's all for it. After she came back from that visit, she didn't have a problem with Pitt."

There's no question that Narduzzi was excited to land a commitment from Coleman. While he has been somewhat under the radar due to playing in Pittsburgh's City League, Coleman's size at 6'1" and 183 pounds and his playmaking ability - on both sides of the ball - made him one of Narduzzi's top local targets in the 2016 class.

"Playing both ways is possible," Coleman said. "Coach Narduzzi said he wants me to learn the defense because that's where he wants me to get on the field early, and then if I learn the defense, I can get some offensive snaps, too."

Coleman is the tenth recruit to commit to Pitt in the class of 2016 and the third defensive back prospect, along with Central Catholic safety Bricen Garner and New Brunswick (NJ) athlete Maurice Ffrench, who could project as a cornerback or a receiver in college.

Pitt also has commitments from Cincinnati (Oh.) Moeller quarterback Thomas MacVittie, Lima (Oh.) receiver Ruben Flowers, Akron (Oh.) Coventry defensive tackle Bryce Hargrove, Bedford (Oh.) running back Chawntez Moss, Williamsburg (Va.) Lafayette linebacker Chase Pine, Upper St. Clair offensive lineman Brandon Ford and Central Catholic defensive tackle Rashad Wheeler.

The next step for Narduzzi in rebuilding Pitt's defensive backfield is landing Central Catholic four-star Damar Hamlin, although the Panthers do have a jump start on the 2017 class with a commitment from Johnstown defensive back Exree Loe. Additionally, Pitt appears to be in strong position with Clairton's Lamont Wade and Seton-LaSalle's Paris Ford, who are two of the top underclassmen in the WPIAL.

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