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October 4, 2013

One More Athlete To the Class

Filed under: Football,Recruiting — Chas @ 7:32 am

Pitt has its 18th recruit in the 2014 football class. JaQuan Davidson from Elizabeth Forward gave his verbal yesterday. For his high school, Davidson plays quarterback, but that is mainly because he is an outstanding athlete/playmaker and the goal is to make sure he has the ball as frequently as possible. He’s classified as an “athlete” by recruiting sites, with the expectation that he will either play wide receiver in the offense or could be a safety on defense.

He’s a 2-star player per Rivals.com. Scout.com, ESPN.com and 247 have him at 3-stars. His size is anywhere from 6-2 to 6-4 and 170-180 pounds.

While Davidson had offers from Illinois, Temple and UConn as well. In the end it came down to Pitt and West Virginia.  He chose wisely.

“Pitt did a heck of a job,” EF coach Mike LeDonne said. “He feels comfortable with the staff.”

Davidson (6-foot-4, 185) was recruited as a wide receiver, LeDonne said, but could move to safety or cornerback. Davidson plays quarterback for Elizabeth Forward, where he transferred last year. A Duquesne native, Davidson attended West Mifflin as a freshman and McKeesport as a sophomore.

Prior to Thursday night’s game, he had rushed for 392 yards and four touchdowns and completed 21 of 44 passes for 489 yards and eight touchdowns.

LeDonne, a former Clairton assistant, has seen other players find success at Pitt. Davidson should find a similar fit, he said.

“Obviously, they’re loving it, so I feel pretty comfortable,” LeDonne said. “I know how they feel about the coaching staff. I think JaQuan will fit in great.”

Here’s some of his ESPN.com evaluation (Insider subs.)

Size-Strength-Speed

Davidson possesses very good size for an athlete. He has the physical tools to play more than one position on either side of the ball. Displays solid strength as he is a strong runner. His speed is just average as he appears to be a bit heavy legged.

Ball Skills

Catches and runs with the ball well. Demonstrates an ability to catch it with confidence and ease. Running with it he is a strong runner that breaks tackles.

Versatility

With his size he could be projected to be a Safety, a LB, a TE or a possession WR.

I expect Davidson will be a redshirt if he moves to defense, given that they will be trying to figure out his best position and changing the side of the ball he plays. If they opt to make him a wide receiver I would not be surprised if he gets some early playing time.





Stupid insulting comments wbb directed at a teenager and his family

Comment by Steve 10.04.13 @ 7:51 am

Smug Smilin’ Steve for AD at Texas??

Saw the application form, says Texas wants to be nationally prominent again.

No worries folks.

Comment by Dan 10.04.13 @ 8:18 am

What is becoming evident with Chryst’s recruiting so far is that he is indeed targeting players of a type that they want on the roster. I believe that includes more than just football skills.

The fact that the PITT athletic program staff worked with this kid while he was transferring from school to school so that he’d meet the NCAA minimum class distribution requirements was the closer here.

It is interesting enough that it wasn’t his grades or actual success in academics that was the problem, those are fine. It was getting bad advice from guidance counselors early on in HS that would have precluded him from playing D1 ball.

That is the plan Chryst has put into place now that he’s here. The full 360 degree kid who will do well on and off the field.

We’ve already seen that Chryst & staff are pretty good judges of football skill as they fit into their plans for the program and team. After all 19 freshman have played this year and some have been key contributors. That doesn’t happen by chance.

Comment by Reed 10.04.13 @ 8:26 am

BTW – Rivals bumped Davidson up to a 3* yesterday, they just haven’t updated the website yet.

Comment by Reed 10.04.13 @ 8:28 am

since the big arm is so popular here, maybe this guy should play QB.

Just heard on The Fan in the last few minutes: At practice at EF, Davidson was standing on the 35 yard line and asked the coach that if he was able to throw it thru the goalposts at the other end, will he end the session early. The incredulous coach agreed.

Practice ended early

Comment by wbb 10.04.13 @ 8:40 am

I just hopped on to post the upgrade too, Reed. They looked at his tape and realized he was much better than they originally gave him credit for.

I think he’ll end up a WR. His size/speed combo is perfect for it.

Comment by Justin 10.04.13 @ 8:43 am

Oy Vey – he is Elijah Field’s step-brother and then there is this:

“We hear West Virginia is your favorite. Is that true? Yeah, they are my No. 1. I just have to decide what position I want to play. It’s just so hard because I like playing on both sides of the ball.”

That was on Aug 17th so kudos to our staff for turning him.

link to post-gazette.com

Comment by Reed 10.04.13 @ 8:44 am

Justin, if he is to be a WR, it will be a possession receiver …. Note:
His speed is just average as he appears to be a bit heavy legged.

Comment by wbb 10.04.13 @ 8:48 am

wbb Your comment about relatives with multiple names is not funny. And, it is certainly not a great way to welcome a kid to our program.
H2P

Comment by pmdH2P 10.04.13 @ 8:49 am

I agree

Comment by wbb 10.04.13 @ 8:52 am

wbb, would you like me to delete your comment?

Comment by Justin 10.04.13 @ 9:10 am

I disagree, in poor taste and not politically correct, agreed, not funny, is up for debate, espeicailly considering the “news” from our other recent thread.

Davidson looks the part of a typical Chryst & Co. recruit, an under the radar late bloomer that probably will be a much better college player than he is in HS as he continues to develop both physically and in his football skills prowess.

One thing I especially like about this recruit already is his height, 6’4″,,,NICE.

No matter who you have on staff, you can’t coach a kid up to play TALL.

Welcome to the Pitt family Mr. Davidson.

Comment by Dr. Tom 10.04.13 @ 9:18 am

Justin, yes

Comment by wbb 10.04.13 @ 9:20 am

@@@@@@.

Justin

Plan delete the comment regarding
recruitnDavidsom made by wbb.
Insensitive at best tasteless at worse.

Comment by JR 10.04.13 @ 9:20 am

Anybody else hear the Paul Rhodes interview after last night’s game. (Iowa State was ripped off against Texas) Get me a helmet and I’m ready to get after it.

Comment by PittDan 10.04.13 @ 9:25 am

PitDan, in addition to being ripped oof at the end, there was this

link to philly.com

Comment by wbb 10.04.13 @ 9:42 am

Oh paaaleeeze.

Comment by Dan 10.04.13 @ 9:42 am

Pitt see something in him as to athleticism, size and potential to fill out. He may be a 6-4 and 225 pound WR in three years and be a beast for all I know. This is all about finding recruits who can be in the program and grow and develop.

Comment by chethejet 10.04.13 @ 10:10 am

I really like Davidson’s tape. He is a long strider but he seems like he is moving pretty darn good to me. He’s smooth with the ball in his hands too.

I like that he made sure (along with the Pitt staff) his ducks were in a row for college. Again, not a grades issue but more of poor planning/mismanagement by former guidance counselors.

Comment by JAM05PITT 10.04.13 @ 10:18 am

Concerned about the speed comment, but the staff seems to know how to identify talent. Still want to see D linemen and linebackers.

Comment by gc 10.04.13 @ 10:22 am

Never a good thing to have a very tight competitive football game decided by controversal calls or non-calls. Replay has helped a lot in getting it right but sometimes even what most of us see as obvious does not get corrected in the end, sometimes it’s not even a reviewable call which can really be frustrating (William’s fanthom pass interference against ND, for instance).

I always hate having the Zebra’s input be the deciding factor in games rather than just the players efforts determining the outcome, but it is still a very imperfect world, even in this digiital age of sports instant reply.

Comment by Dr. Tom 10.04.13 @ 10:23 am

Watched the game. Two things.

1. Fantastic gamed ruined in the end by the refs.

2. That kid should get something. Suspended for many games. That was one of the more horrible actions I’ve seen. He actually stopped, turned around, and then lunged directly at the guys two knees. It was like something out of the WWF. It was so blatant. If I was HIS coach, I’d be having a talk with him. Not only are you going to cost our team 15 yards, on a more human note, are you trying to end the kids career, what’s wrong with you??

Comment by Dan 10.04.13 @ 10:55 am

Dr Tom, in my opinion replay is one of the worst things that ever happened to football. In an effort to make accurate decisions on close calls replay was instituted. Prior to that do you ever remember rules like continue all the way to the ground without loosing control, and the Brady tuck rule and blah blah blah blah blah. Back then the officials just tried to get it right and the game went on. They made mistakes but the rules were simple enough to understand and enforce. Now with replay mistakes are still made (see Seattle beats Greenbay 2012) The game is slowed and the rules are confused. Nothing has been gained and I maintain a lot has been taken away. Now instead of fans disagreeing about an officials call fans often argue over what is a rule and what isn’t. Does anybody really understand the rules? Does anyone enjoy waitng around while the Judges interpret them? Do the decisions result in any greater accuracy, and if they do is it more accurate enough to warrant the other negatives? I think the game was way more entertaining before replay and governed about as well. I pray baseball has enough sense to not let the camera bozo’s take over baseball. Human error belongs in the game, otherwise let machines play.

Comment by spiritofsection 22 10.04.13 @ 11:07 am

His speed is just average as he appears to be a bit heavy legged.

Not sure what site posted this but unless they have his 40 time and evaluated him in person they have no clue. Apparently they define long strides as heavy legged.

Comment by notrocketscience 10.04.13 @ 11:42 am

Spirit, I respecfully disagree. In 2009, 40% of the challenged calls were reversed in the NFL. Correcting those errors is an enhancement and improvement to the game…They are still not going to get every call right, but the worst calls are nearly always overturned….As for Baseball, they should absoultey start using replay for foul balls and close plays at the bases. If they don’t want the games to be longer, then just start enforcing the 12 second rule for pitchers when there are no runners on base and implement a similar rule for how long and how often batters can step out of the box between pitches.

Comment by HbgFrank 10.04.13 @ 11:50 am

Spiritofsection22, I agree a lot with your take on using replay in the games. The one positive I have noticed about replay is that the officials are calling the games better than they use to because now the replays make them much more accountable for what they call, which makes “homer” calls harder than it use to be.

Comment by pittman4ever 10.04.13 @ 12:00 pm

@ notrocketscience

Maybe we should inquire with our noted 40 yard time person ! Yes/ No….haha

Comment by EMel 10.04.13 @ 12:02 pm

Concur sos22

The games are slow and confused. Like much of the viewing public. Sports again mimic society.

The Games shall go on !

On another note, the IRS is accepting payment checks, but not sending out refunds. Go figure !

Comment by EMel 10.04.13 @ 12:09 pm

Don’t think it is in anyway enhanced. It is slower way more confused and what we didn’t know didn’t hurt us, because prior to replay football was a lot more fun. I guess it is a little more accurate but it sure isn’t better. Baseball can let the camera decide the lines and fences, but if they start correcting close plays they will have the same boring mess that football has turned into. The next step would be to let the machines decide balls and strikes too. Who needs umpires at all? You can scream at a machine, but it isn’t near as much fun as booing the umpire. Our sports are a reflection of society and I am an old fashioned fan who never owned a metal bat. They were introduced you might recall to lower the costs of youth baseball. Saw one at Dick’s the other day for $289 on sale. Another improvement gone awry.

Comment by spiritofsection 22 10.04.13 @ 12:17 pm

Hope they don,t want DaQuan to play QB, he threw 3 int’s last night. Maybe they should look at West Mifflins Jimmy “wheels Wheeler who had 6 TD against Ja Quan.

Comment by alcofan 10.04.13 @ 12:39 pm

I remember many BAD BAD calls when Pitt played at PSU. On one the Pitt punter had his leg broken during a punt. No penalty. Not to mention the out of bounds catches ruled in bounds.

Replay has cleaned this crap up.

Comment by Frank MD 10.04.13 @ 1:13 pm

“heavy legged” I have a mental image of elephantiasis.

There are drugs for this disease. I’m starting a charity for the young man.

Donate to Chas via Paypal and I’m sure he’ll forward me your generous donations.

Comment by steve1 10.04.13 @ 1:17 pm

oooohhhhhhmmmmmmmmmm

Comment by Dan 10.04.13 @ 1:33 pm

Frank MD, My point exactly, how many great replays do you remember? The controversy is what makes it fun and memorable. I remember a few breaks we got in the Super Bowl too that review would have negated. The human element isn’t as accurate but it is more authentic than this plastic game they have “evolved” into. Those metal money saving bats are way more expensive and way less safe for children, but we continue to use them off of supposed progress. The same is true of replay, it is not an improvement and doesn’t add any pleasure to what used to be a better game. The immaculate reception is a perfect example. It happened before review, and any photographic evidence is at best inconclusive anyway. If the play would have been called the other way it wouldn’t be near as famous. The human confusion and the mystery have made it one of the most memorable plays of all time. Replay doesn’t allow for the human element and what we get is an inferior form of the true game.

Comment by spiritofsection 22 10.04.13 @ 2:00 pm

Emel, “DON’T YOU DARE”, uttering his name would be like repeating Beetlejuice three times, nothing but trouble.

So lets just be happy that the poster that you refer to has apparently been banned from this blog since we haven’t heard from JoeD like forever. OH $HIT, NOW I’VE DONE IT!

Comment by Dr. Tom 10.04.13 @ 2:18 pm

Tranghese and Oliver Luck named to the NCAA playoff committee? I have no words.

Comment by longsufferingpittfan 10.04.13 @ 2:28 pm

Kidding, of course. Bad disease.

Comment by Steve1 10.04.13 @ 2:28 pm

One of the most exciting parts of a baseball game is watching the manager come out of the dug out and get in the umps face after a close call. Kiss that goodbye. Earl Weaver and Billy Martin wouldn’t even be relevant with camera review of base calls. Accurate, absolutely. Boring, incredibly.

Comment by spiritofsection 22 10.04.13 @ 2:56 pm

haha.

Yep now he will reincarnate. Under some other blogging name.

I wanted to wait until the Bucs game ended before I posted. Since I posted in the 3rd inning yesterday.

7-1 baby ! Cole pitching and hitting with an RBI. With a day off we can come back with Liriano now !

Comment by EMel 10.04.13 @ 4:29 pm

“heavy legged” I have a mental image of elephantiasis.

or Oprahitis.

Oliver Luck being named to that, suggests it won’t be long before Cornhole caves and decides to play those toothless billies in football & hoops.

Comment by EMel 10.04.13 @ 4:32 pm

@ sos22

That’s funny the metal baseball bat was introduced to lower costs for youth baseball.

Now we don’t have many youths playing baseball. At least not in America. (too busy with 1rst person shooter games)

Sounds like that might have been a Gov’t program.

Comment by EMel 10.04.13 @ 4:36 pm

Espn reporting that noteable college football expert condi rice is going to be appointed to panel. That makes we want to barf she has zero qualfications other than being a notre dame fan

Comment by Steve 10.04.13 @ 5:05 pm

Other websites seem to think that Davidson is pretty fast. I don’t usually steal from inside subs but Rivals.com says this:

While Davidson has made plays all over the field for Elizabeth Forward, his college position is still in question. He could be a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands, but his can also use his size, speed and athleticism to be an impact player on defense. ”

Besides one really doesn’t need a ton of speed to be successful at WR. Devin Street isn’t a blazer and may well end up with PITT’s all-time receiving records.

I’ve disliked instant replay since it was instituted. I believe human error, by both players and refs, is part of the game.

Comment by Reed 10.04.13 @ 5:06 pm

Emel, Even metal bats couldn’t have saved the Cards today. Let’s come home win a couple and move on.

Comment by spiritofsection 22 10.04.13 @ 5:09 pm

Moderate speed works for wide receiver, but not for cornerbacks. When they said he could play corner, but was not fast, they lost me.

With instant replay, you have to take the good with the bad. It does slow down the game, but better to get the right call. I would like to see balls and strikes called with technology.

No one should lose a game because of a call that could be corrected by technology (in or out of bounds etc.) There will always be some judgement calls, holding, interference etc. that have to be left to the ref. But many times the play happens to fast for the human eye. I am sure glad they have cameras on Boyd’s feet, he’s a magician.

Comment by gc 10.04.13 @ 6:38 pm

Went to the NC mountains on Monday & Tuesday, Joe D must have moved & opened up the “Joe D Gas & Go” about 4 miles outside of Sylva, NC on Hwy 74. It used to be called the Mountain top Sunoco.

That is why he isn’t commenting.

Comment by PITT-cocks Fan 10.04.13 @ 6:43 pm

from looking at his film, it appears that Davidson might have deceptive speed because of his long stride … a la T Pryor. Although probably not as fast as Pryor, guys with that long stride are faster than they look

Comment by wbb 10.04.13 @ 7:00 pm

Get off Wbb back Wbb IS ONE OF THE BEST POSTERS ON HERE.
LET WHO EVER IS WITH OUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE
a lot of you in the years have said bad things
so get off his back

Comment by FRANKCAN 10.04.13 @ 7:38 pm

EMel JD posts on dockish site he was just on a few
days ago.
i thought he added something to pitt blather i was sorry to see him leave.
when every one thinks the same and says the same thing it is boring that is why i like baseball and JD and you EMel and Wbb you are not boring you all add spice to the pitt blather.

Comment by FRANKCAN 10.04.13 @ 7:51 pm

Welcome aboard JaQuan! With his size and ability would love to see him develop into a LB!
Never fear gentlemen, Spitball is in the south of France, vacationing with his wife, er, inflatable doll. Hail to Pitt! UPone

Comment by UPone 10.04.13 @ 11:28 pm

Yeah, wbb is a good man, lay off. Pick on FRANKCAN instead. His reactions are more entertaining.

Comment by Dr. Tom 10.05.13 @ 8:59 am

When everyone thinks the same we have become a zombie nation like Pedo State.

Comment by TX Panther 10.06.13 @ 10:38 am

There is respecting the opinions of others when their thoughts are not the same as yours…..and then there is just constant negativism. I don’t participate in forum discussions with dan83/jody because it is not intellectually based. He takes a position, always negative and that’s it.

I tend to slant optimistically since Pitt hired Paul Chryst. He gets it. My post were solidly against Fraud and Wifebeater. I liked Wanny and I like Chryst. Who knows, Wanny may take the reigns in Tampa Bay soon enough. But I digress. This is a solid pickup for the panthers.

I would like an update on the Conner Hayes injury. Is it serious? He is just country strong! Also, would be great to get an update on the local recruits. Thanks guys, it’s been awhile since I posted here.

Go Bucs!!! The karma is changing…..

Comment by dhuffdaddy 10.06.13 @ 11:41 pm

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