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The Pitt coaches wanted to bolster the numbers at defensive end in the 2018 recruiting class, and they have added another piece to the puzzle with the commitment of Kaymar Mimes.
Mimes, a 6’5” 225-pound prospect from Long Branch (NJ), took an official visit to Pitt over the weekend and confirmed his commitment to Panther-Lair.com Thursday.
"I chose Pitt because I felt the most comfortable there," Mimes told Panther-Lair.com via direct message. "It's not too far from home, so I don't feel as if I'm stranded, but the distance will definitely force me to grow up and mature as a young man on my own. I'm looking forward to that.
"The University of Pitt is a prestigious and high academic college where I know I can develop not only athletically but academically as well.
"Above all else, the coaching staff played a significant role in my decision as well. Getting to know them as well as a couple advisers made me feel that I'm going to be in great hands when I attend. They were up front with me from the door and I respected that. I enjoyed my visit and I found somewhere that I can call home. Hail 2 Pitt."
Mimes had committed to Rutgers in December but did not sign during the early signing period. Pitt offered around that time, and the Panthers built on a pre-existing relationship, as Pat Narduzzi had recruited Mimes’ older brother, Shilique Calhoun, to Michigan State.
"Coach Duzz is an awesome coach and an even better person,” Mimes said. “He has a great attitude towards the game and he's looking to win championships. I respect him a lot.”
On his official visit to Pitt, Mimes learned about his future role in the Panthers' defense when he watched film with defensive line coach Charlie Partridge.
"Coach Partridge seems like an intense, hungry and focused coach who wants to win just as bad as the players and I admire that about him. He seems like a pretty cool guy."
Plus, Mimes got to spend time with Pitt's new defensive coordinator Randy Bates, who was hired last week.
"I think that he's an educated man that knows how to run a defense,” Mimes said of Bates. “And he's looking to bring about positive change as well. He's pretty cool with me.”
In addition to Rutgers, Mimes also had offers from Boston College, Wake Forest, Connecticut, Temple, Monmouth, Old Dominion and more.
Mimes is Pitt’s third defensive end recruit in the class, joining Noah Palmer from Thomas Jefferson and John Morgan from Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha, who signed in December. He is the first recruit to commit to Pitt in the January contact period. The Panthers signed 16 recruits last month and added Indiana receiver transfer Taysir Mack.
