Sorry, despite being a Sunday night I was out for offline activities and couldn’t do this last night.

I won’t lie. That Therran Coleman had West Virginia, Wisconsin and Arizona State among his final five choices makes his decision to come to Pitt just a little more sweeter to me.

Coleman made the announcement on local Pittsburgh TV. Not too much drama to it.

Even though, Coleman waited until the end of August to make his verbal choice known, he’s known where he wanted to attend since July.

Plenty of connections to members of the Pitt team helped.

There is cornerback Dennis Briggs, who Coleman has trained with for years. And then two of his cousins, Lafayette Pitts and Jevonte Pitts, are defensive backs for the Panthers.

He played Little League baseball with freshman Dane Jackson. And he grew up down the street from junior defensive tackle Tyrique Jarrett.

Junior tight end Jaymar Parrish was in that neighborhood as well.

“Did I tell you I know Reggie Mitchell, too? I train with him.”
…
But it’s not just about being comfortable. Coleman’s relationships with Lafayette and Jevonte Pitts and Briggs and Mitchell and Jarrett and Jackson and Parrish – and more – have all given him a reliable perspective on the direction of Pitt’s football program under first-year head coach Pat Narduzzi.

“I talk to Dane and Dennis and Reggie a lot, and they’ve told me about what it’s like now,” Coleman said. “They said this staff is more amped up right now. Everybody is pumped up. They said it’s fun playing for Coach Narduzzi but since it’s college, it’s strict: you have to play within the defense. But they said the coaches break it down easy for them to understand it so they can learn it and play fast.”

Coleman is considered one of the best players in Pennsylvania and the defensive back will be playing cornerback at Pitt.

Brashear coach Rick Murphy has used Coleman in several areas, including defensive back, wide receiver and quarterback. He will play quarterback and cornerback this year, but Pitt is recruiting him as a defensive back.

“He can play at the line of scrimmage and press wide receivers,” Murphy said. “And he’s athletic enough to run with just about everybody.

“He is one of our main team leaders and pushes the other kids. He is a hard worker in the classroom, weight room and field and a good role model for younger kids if they want to do the things he can do.”

Somewhat surprisingly, Coleman is the first City League player to commit directly to Pitt (instead of transferring) since Corey Davis in 2004. He’s got a bit of a personality, as well.

Coleman is a consensus 3-star rated recruit. Perhaps, more importantly, he is a cornerback that fits  precisely what Head Coach Pat Narduzzi wants from his corners (Insider subs).

Is at his best in press or bail and playing leverage to the sideline. Positions himself well. Great job leveling off in zone schemes; reads the quarterback accurately and instinctively passes on targets and jumps threats.

…Can flip his hips in man-to-man and speed turn in zone schemes with little wasted motion; is smooth overall in transition and closes separation fast. Does a great job anticipating the pass and undercutting routes from his zone turns. Size and length to press effectively and win the 50/50 jump-ball. Ball skills are really polished and he is a threat to make a big play after the INT.

He’s the kind of corner they can put on an island. Which means more push by the defense up front. Really, really good fit for what the defense wants to be.