Top 2019 DL set to visit Pitt
Pitt is set to host one of the mid-Atlantic region’s top up-and-coming sophomores in Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic defensive lineman Antonio Alfano.
At 6-foot-4, 264 pounds, Alfano will likely grow into a defensive tackle before he reaches the college level, but his ability and character hasn’t shied schools away from seeing how he progresses this upcoming season, as five programs - Boston College, Duke, Penn State, Rutgers and Virginia Tech - have already offered the Class of 2019 prospect.
On July 20, Pitt will get its opportunity to show Alfano and his father what the football program and school have to offer.
“I haven’t been able to get to know their coaches much yet, so that’s the main thing I’m looking forward to,” Alfano said, when asked about his upcoming visit. “I actually know Coach (Jim) Panagos from his time at Rutgers. He was the defensive line coach when Rutgers offered me. Now, he helps out the staff at Pitt. Also, Coach Salem has been to my school, but I haven’t been able to really get to talk to them on the phone yet.
“I’ve heard a lot of great things about Pitt though, especially their facilities and their campus, so I’m looking forward to seeing all of that.”
While Alfano may not know the coaching staff quite yet, he has become close friends with one of Pitt’s future players.
“I actually have two friends that have offers from them and they’ve both told me good things,” said Alfano. “One of them is Owen Drexel, who, of course, just committed to Pitt. Also, Mike Tverdov, who’s a defensive end from New Jersey. I know both of those guys well. They’ve both told me that Pitt is a school I have to check out.”
When asked about his relationship with Drexel, Alfano went on to add, “I’ve known Owen for about a year-and-a-half. We both workout together at Pro Edge, a lineman school in our area. We’re both in the elite class, which is basically for guys that have offers already or have the ability to play in college. We go up against each other all the time, which has helped me out so much. He’s definitely one of the best lineman in the state. Pitt is getting a really good player.
“But through that, we’ve both become good friends. When he committed, I reached out to congratulate him and tell him I’m happy for him, but we’ve talked about Pitt, too. He’s always told me that their coaches are great people. I know he really likes their offensive line coach. That’s one reason why I really want to meet everyone. He was actually telling me that he’s going to put in a good word for me. He’s also told me about their facilities and how they’re all brand new.”
So far, Alfano has been able to check out a few of the East Coast’s top programs, including Boston College, Duke, North Carolina, Penn State, Rutgers and Syracuse. Now, in addition to seeing Pitt later this month, he’s planning to check out a few other programs while away from home.
“My father and I are actually heading out on a little road trip that week,” he said. “We’re going to Penn State July 16th and the 17th and then I’m going to Pitt a couple days later (July 20). After that, I’m going to Ohio State (July 22) and then I’m going to go to Notre Dame after that. I don’t have an exact date for Notre Dame yet, but it’ll be a day or two after Ohio State.”
Alfano helped lead Bergen Catholic to a 7-4 record in 2015. They made it to the NJSIAA Non-Public Group 4 semi-finals before losing to eventual champion Don Bosco Prep.