Bloodlines, pipelines, whatever it is Jameel Poteat is ready to embrace the challenges of being a top recruit following others who came before.
Numerous college coaches told Bishop McDevitt High School (Harrisburg) standout Jameel Poteat that, if he chose Pitt, he always would play in the shadow of former McDevitt and Panthers star LeSean McCoy. They also told him he should come to their school to carve out his own legacy.
Not only did such a sales pitch not work, it had the opposite effect on Poteat, who made a verbal commitment Wednesday to the Panthers in large part because he wants to carry on the Panthers’ running-back tradition.
Poteat is close to McCoy.
McCoy and Poteat are very close. The pair go way back, starting from the time McCoy was at McDevitt and came to see Poteat play in a Pony League game.
The relationship has grown since then. McCoy is both a mentor and big brother to him. Every time McCoy stops back to Harrisburg, he offers advice to Poteat about on and off the field matters, including how to conduct himself and what goes into making a pro.
“I speak to Shady every day,” Poteat told MaxPreps last November. “I saw him one time signing autographs here and I told him it was crazy. He told me if I keep doing what I’ve been doing, stay focused, and keep working hard, the same thing could happen to me. We started talking about recruiting. He’s helped me running the ball, telling me I have to realize that every carry is not a touchdown. He tells me to get what you can get and be patient.”
Then there is the fact that Bishop-McDevitt has seen several of its best players head to Pitt since Coach Wannstedt came back to Pitt.
Not only did the school produce McCoy and former cornerback Aaron Berry but also incoming freshman receiver Salath Williams. Tight ends coach Brian Angelichio recruited Poteat, and Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt has made McDevitt a priority on the recruiting trail.
“I’m starting to take heat from other schools. They’re saying, ‘Your top kids are going to Pitt,'” Weachter said. “Honestly, they’re outworking people. The six allowable visits, they’re here every time. Whether we have a top kid or not, Dave’s here every time.
“Shady had nothing to do with it. He said, ‘I picked my school. You’ve got to do what’s best for you.’ Every time I turn around, Pitt is here and our kids are really comfortable with the Pitt coaching staff and football program.”
Not to mention his cousin Hank Poteat was a standout at Pitt, when there was little else to enjoy with Pitt football in the 90s. Then there is family, development and atmosphere aspects at the Pitt program.
I asked him what was your number one reason for picking Pitt. Poteat said” It was close to home, his family wanted him to go there, he had a great relationship with coach Walker the running back coach, great history with running backs, and it feels like home. Poteat also said it’s a big relief to to get this big moment out of the way so he can be a kid again and focus on playing football for McD.”
I am honestly amazed that some SEC school hasn’t thrown a boatload of money at Coach Walker. His track record at developing backs at Pitt and before that Syracuse is so outstanding. I’m not complaining that he is still at Pitt, I’m just surprised Pitt still has his services.
