Tucker goes in-depth on commitment

Albert Tucker’s commitment to Pitt on Tuesday didn’t come as a huge surprise, but it was a fairly rapid build-up to this point. The three-star athlete – who most likely projects to the STAR outside linebacker position in head coach Pat Narduzzi’s defense at Pitt – from Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas only needed a scant few months of discussion with the Panthers to realize that Pitt was it.

“I started talking with them in the spring this year, prior to that satellite camp at University School (editor’s note: located in Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.), where Tucker resides) on June 3rd that was hosted by Michigan,” Tucker said. “Then I went ahead and took a visit up to Pittsburgh.”

Tucker’s comments on the visit and his reaction to seeing Pitt speak for themselves and the trip firmly solidified the Panthers in his top pair of schools alongside Colorado. The Alleghenies seemed to beckon to Tucker more than life in the Rockies and the choice was crystal-clear to him after visiting both programs.

“It was just down to my final two and Pitt really just caught my eye with their amazing program and their academic structure. It was truly a perfect choice to begin my life as a student-athlete,” Tucker said.

Aiding Tucker’s choice was the ease and comfort that he felt with Pitt linebackers coach Rob Harley. Harley was his primary point of contact both during the satellite camp in Florida and during Tucker’s visit to campus and the two developed a fast bond and an easy rapport.

“I would say coach Rob Harley, their linebackers coach, is my best relationship on the staff. He’s got a great vibe. With coach Harley, I feel like I can be myself and his coaching style really complements me,” Tucker said. “With head coach Pat Narduzzi, he seems like the kind of guy who knows what he wants. He has it all planned out.”

What is it that Narduzzi wants? Defense. Always defense. The head coach gained his fame presiding over the defensive coordinator position with Mark Dantonio, first as Cincinnati and later at Michigan State, and building some of the sturdiest units in America. The primacy placed on speed and physicality by Narduzzi is something that Tucker feels he’ll fit into well.

“Pitt’s defense is actually similar to St. Thomas’ defense, so it fits into my playing style perfectly. I’m adept at finding the ball and laying the wood and I’ve got speed,” Tucker said. “Off of the field, I’m a good student and I’m always going to put in the work.”

Tucker currently checks in at 6-foot-3 and 205-pounds, he confirmed to Panther-Lair.com, and held scholarship offers from Kentucky, Colorado, Colorado State, and Middle Tennessee State. Tucker has reportedly run as fast as 4.5 in 40-yard dash and has been measured with a vertical leap of 39 inches.