Pitt "somewhere at the top" for 2018 QB Kevin Doyle

Every year, quarterback recruiting seems to accelerate to the point where junior prospects are committing earlier and earlier to reserve their spots. It’s rare for a Power Five conference school to be without a quarterback commit for their senior class less than six months out from National Signing Day. With that in mind and 2017 New Jersey signal-caller Kenny Pickett already in the fold, Pitt has fully turned their attention towards evaluating and recruiting 2018 prospects.

Near the top of their wishlist in the junior class is an in-state target, Malvern (Pa.) Prep’s Kevin Doyle. Doyle is a 6-foot-3, 190-pound pro-style quarterback who perhaps more mobility than he’s given credit for; he’s already racked up Power Five offers from Pitt, Boston College, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan State, Ole Miss, Nebraska, Syracuse, and West Virginia. Doyle visited Pitt this weekend to see the Panthers resume their dormant rivalry with Penn State, a visit that he had a great experience with.

“Today was a great day for me, my family, and O'Shaan Alison, who is the running back on my team [at Malvern Prep] who came with me,” Doyle said. “He and I both have an interest at Pitt and the coaches were very excited to see us. The game was awesome. Coach Canada's offense was very intriguing to me. Pitt definitely impressed me today.”

How much did Pitt impress Doyle? Pat Narduzzi and his program may be emerging as one of the leaders for his services in his recruitment.

“I really like Pitt. If I had an order they would be somewhere at the top,” Doyle said.

Doyle was particularly impressed with the way the team carried themselves in a tight game against their rival at home, coming through when the game was in doubt.

“I thought the game against Penn State was awesome. I loved every second of it,” Doyle said. “The team played very well and I was happy to just be a part of it.”

Doyle’s only a little over a week into the open contact period – the point where coaches are allowed to text and direct message him without restrictions. As such, he’s still beginning to form relationships with many of the coaches recruiting him, but things are going about as well as can be expected between Doyle and the Pitt staff.

“Yes, I got to speak with coach Canada for a bit. We spoke briefly in the locker room and we just talked about the game and how great it was,” Doyle said. “I speak to Landan Salem a lot more than coach Canada. I have a great relationship with him. Coach Canada and I have a good relationship, just not too in-depth.”

Doyle is rated as one of the best quarterback prospects in the country by Rivals.com and makes up a trio of early Power Five prospects at the position in the state with Pine-Richland’s Phil Jurkovec (Notre Dame) and Central Catholic’s Troy Fisher (uncommitted). We’ll continue to monitor and update his recruitment as he works through his process.