Last spring, Monessen QB Chavas Rawlins was one of the first commits to the Hoopies. The athletic, dual-threat QB was so enthusiastic about the decision that he was an early enrollee.
Freshman quarterback Chavas Rawlins will transfer from West Virginia, his former high school coach at Monessen confirmed with the Post-Gazette this afternoon.
Coach Andy Pacak said Rawlins was recruited by and had developed a strong relationship with former quarterbacks coach Jake Spavital who left to take a position at Texas A&M earlier this year.
“Everyone at West Virginia was great to him, but as you now he came in right when Jake left. His initial decision was I’m gonna go down there and make the most of it, but that (loss of Spavital) weighed on him a little bit,” said Pacak.
It also just happens that WVU took in a Florida State QB transfer, Clint Trickett this spring. Trickett is considered a talented QB who could have the job after sitting this year. Not to mention another highly ranked QB verballed to WVU this spring.
Whether any of that played a role or not is unknown. Just as the undercurrent that part of why Rawlins chose WVU was assurances that he would be a QB, but by spring practices they were already pushing him to consider playing defensive back.
Obviously Pitt would be considered to be in the mix for Rawlins since he is local. Add in the questions with the status of Tra’von Chapman and it makes sense. Oh, and this.
Monessen track coach tells media here at Baldwin … QB Chavas Rawlins wants to go to Pitt. “Where he should have gone in first place.”
— Jason Mackey (@mackey_jason) May 17, 2013
There’s the primary question, though, of whether WVU would give Rawlins permission to transfer to Pitt. That can’t be assumed (right, Rushel Shell?).
Then there is the fact that Rawlins seems to want to be a QB. Pitt gave him no such assurances, and that probably hasn’t changed. Especially with the QBs Pitt is already looking to bring in the 2014 class.
One other factor is that Chavas Rawlins has a younger brother, Justice Rawlins. He is a linebacker and is a solid 3-star recruit. He already has an offer from Pitt and Rutgers, with more on the way. Depending on what kind of priority they have for young Justice, his older brother’s transfer status becomes a factor.
I do agree Chap should be gone…he choked a woman…police report included that she had visible marks around her neck…what the hell else do you want in terms of evidence.
Anyway, Im sure WVU wont release him here.
This is from Pitt web site with a very interesting picture of Pitt’s coaching staff under Sherill.
Not only does it include Foge and Joe Moore, it also includes future HCs Ron Dickerson (Temple), Kirk Ferentz (IOwa) and Bob Davie (ND and current New Mexico.)
You may remember when Majors’ staff back then had the likes of Sherill, Pat Jones (Ok St), Jimmy Johnson and a GA Wanny .. pretty sure I’m missing 1 or 2 more.
That tells me that PC’s approach is precisely a good recruiting approach because if the HS coaches believe in the competency and honesty of Pitt’s staff then the recruiting will follow …
This has nothing to do with the Chapman situation. Rawlings is not a D-1 QB period! WVU promised him a chance to play QB and Pitt did not.
Chas,
Trickett doesn’t need to sit out this year. He graduated from FSU so he’s able to play ASAP.
Pretty revealing info. For FY ending 6/12, Some pretty big payouts for the BB and 2 FB HCs, not to mention for their boss
He was recruited by Pitt and others as “athlete”.
He may have a premadonna attitude. Look, he quit after 5 months at WVU knowing he won’t be QB.
So, if he wants to be QB, Cal of PA is in his future.
He does not look athletic enough to compete for playing time at wide receiver.
He originally signed LOI with UNC. There was a coaching change, he got out of his LOI and went to Texas Tech along with 2 others from wpial.
He played as true frosh.
Starter as soph… so why transfer? He had a tough time getting through NCAA clearinghouse… not cleared until August prior to frosh season.
Reports he is interested in USC, PSU, and Miami.
…. 0 for 4 last 4 games = no bueno
A shame to see local talent go elsewhere just to see it not work out for them. I am sure there are a variety of reasons, but there are times (not always the case) when the support of family combined with the sense of being close to your childhood community can make all the difference.
Regardless of his choice, I wish him well.
i.e. B-12. Simmons is an example… Gee play at USC… or in the region where I came from… or play in the middle of No wheeeeere…
This is why WVU is screwed and we should do them no favors by playing them or giving them any lifeline back into PA.
Simmons was a starter as a sophmore!
His teammate from McKeesport is also on the team.
Texas Tech did have a coaching change but was still slated to start.
So, seems there is more to the story. Perhaps he has “Shellitis”
As far as baseball is concerned, I note that the boys won 40 games. Unfortunately Pederson fixed a schedule that has been ranked outside the top225 in college bball. Pederson remains a joke.
I agree, Chryst should have a consistent plan regarding wpial recruits who go elsewhere… it didn’t workout… then Pitt is a fallback.
My first reaction… No.
But I think a reasonable approach is, if you want to play for Pitt, pay the full boat while you sitout the year and Pitt considers giving that person a scholarship after 1 year.
EJBanks (Montour) transferred back to Pitt last year from Notre Dame. He paid last year. Probably in line to get scholarship this year. He got a lot of playing time at spring game.
You guys are right to have a consistent policy to handle these situations… which may be going on more now as the program gets established.
If so … which one do you want to buy … Fort Pitt or Liberty?
Some of these kids commit to other schools and actively recruit against Pitt. Sorry fellas, can’t see why we would want to bring them into the fold. Unless they pay the price. Pay the year, earn your teammates respect. Prove yourself to the team, the coaches and to the fans. Paul Chryst wants kids who want to be at Pitt and I agree with that. We all live with our decisions. The last few years have been a cluster with Pederson’s mess at head coach, so I would be more lenient right now, but start to close that window of transfer back opportunities. You wanna be a top program, start acting like one! First thing though is to get rid of our AD. He just doesn’t fit!
still not sure if Jeter is coming to Pitt but maybe Gorman knows something
If Foster came back, I would first say, “told you so”.
I would then say the following. He will have to sit out a year. For that year, Pitt will help him get any and all financial aid available. It may end up a free ride based upon financial need.
After that, he will get guarantee athletic scholarship for the remaining years of eligibility.
abought adams offence game were did that come
from i can say i was stunned.
also this Adams jump shot was hidden by the Pitt
system and his role in the system.
this is why dixon does not and should not get
many 5 star players.
dixon needs his kind of player 3 stars that he can coach up.
also this from same post i fill cheated that i did not get to see adams whole game when he was at pitt.
and when some on here said dixon does not know how to use great players you would jump us
well there it is in black and white.
If you went to Greentree, you would have seen that in Adams.
In fact, all the players looked good at Greentree. This year was frustrating to watch Pitt play after seeing their potential at Greentree.
Dixon had everyone on a short leash it seemed. They were afraid to take open shots early in the shot clock, Adams was over-thinking, etc. I feel Adams handlers stepped in and decided Dixon was not in Adams best interest so they declared for the draft.
i am not sayimg dixon is a bad coach just saying
he does not know how to use a really good player.
dixon has a system and as you say if you step outside the system you end up on the bench.
that is why 5 stars would be screwed if they come here.
what dixon needs is his kind of players thoes
who are a step below the great players the
kind who red shirt for a year and can be coached up who are taught the system and bye the time they are JR are good players in the system and he will win with thoes players as he has in the past.
but it is not in dixons best intrest nor the 5
star player to play in that system.
he need players he can mold hike a pice of clay.
not many of that kind will go to the NBA but
he will win games and that is what it is abought.
nothing wrong with that they get free school
we have them for at least 4 years they are not one and done it is a win win for all.
Keep the faith. H2P!!!
That is why Chryst needs to look at and develop a practice on this subject. This is where we as fans get caught up in the star system. We think that if a 4 or 5 star wants to transfer, it is great news. The fact is, the four and five star just might not be a good football player and can’t see the field at his “first choice”. The flaw is not studying the two and three deep before committing. That is on the players and their parents. Getting enamored with big name programs is great if you are good enough to make it work.
Pitt’s recent history of taking transfers is not good. One need only look at the nfl draft to see that Pitt hasn’t gotten the players to sign out of high school or transfer in. I hope Foster does well at Alabama. If he doesn’t and wants to transfer back, my inclination is to say no, unless it is homesickness. Outside of that, if he is not good enough to crack the two deep at Alabama, he shouldn’t be good enough to start and excel at Pitt. If he sees the field at Alabama and wants to transfer because of homesickness, then welcome him if everything else off the field checks out.
History proves this out. How many transfer ins does Duke, Kansas and NC take in Bball? Why should Pitt? It would have to be a special opportunity for it to work. These are just opinions. Let the bashing begin!
Nice that Rawlins is coming in to fill the void, but think Pitt may have lost out in the trade as far as playmaking ability goes.
Hopefully Rawlins will more than make up for the difference by proving to be a player committed to exuding high character not just talking about it.