Rudolph has 'amazing experience' at Pitt

Elias Rudolph had been to Pittsburgh previously for some prospect camps, but over the past 48 hours he was in town for an official visit. Rudolph, a 6’4” defensive end prospect graded as a four-star, placed the Panthers in his top five schools recently.

Pitt got the first crack at the talented defensive end for an official visit, and what stood out most to Rudolph was the relationships he forged and the vibe around the program.

“It was an amazing experience,” Rudolph told Panther-Lair.com about his visit. “I loved the interactions I was able to encounter. I met a lot of people who were down to earth, just a well-rounded experience the last couple of days.”

Rudolph is being recruited mostly by Pitt assistants Randy Bates and Charlie Partridge. He said he has a strong connection with both coaches.

“I would say I got to see the whole coaching staff and a couple of players and the energy reciprocates and I got to see what Pittsburgh are like as people,” Rudolph explained. “I got to interact with the coaches where their heart and mind are.”

Rudolph’s player host over the weekend was Elliot Donald, which he thought was cool due to who his uncle is, former Pitt great and Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald. His visit ended with a sit-down talk across from Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi.

“It was smooth,” Rudolph said of his talk with Pitt’s head coach. “I got to chat a little bit and he’s very down to earth. It was a great conversation.”

Just after seeing Pitt in this light over a 48-hour period, it left an impact on Rudolph. He has official visits with Michigan, Miami, and Ohio State over the course of the next three weeks, but Pitt made an impression and he indicated he be could returning to Pittsburgh in the near future.

“I would say I’m very comfortable with my experience and moving forward, I may be back,” he said of Pitt.

Rudolph is eyeing an early July decision.