Pitt was the primary Energy 5 program to supply Javier Etheridge again in the course of January, and whereas his recruiting course of has blown up since, he hasn’t forgotten Pitt.

Etheridge — a 5-foot-11, 165-pound athlete from Mt. Wholesome Excessive in Cincinnati, Ohio — first made it out for Pitt’s Junior Day on Jan. 28, and he made it again out for a spring apply over the weekend to take a look at a apply and reconnect with the coaches.

It was his second time within the final couple of months, so he had that added degree of familiarity this time round.

“The go to was nice,” Etheridge stated. “It was nice being with the coaches once more, nice hospitality.” 

I can be at The College of Pittsburgh on March twenty fourth! 💙 💛 #H2P @Pitt_FB @BatesBacker @AllenTrieu @EdOBrienCFB @TiUnderwood @ARCHIECOLLINS_ @MohrRecruiting @PghSportsNow @CoachJMStevens pic.twitter.com/XYPuK5ZeYx

— Javier “JayJay” Etheridge ⭐️ (@Javieretheridge) March 1, 2023

Pitt joined Central Michigan and Toledo in providing Etheridge on Jan. 17, with Randy Bates serving as that foremost level of contact.

He’s picked up provides from Akron, Ball State, Bowling Inexperienced, Duke, Jap Kentucky, Jap Michigan, Indiana, JMU, Massachusetts, Penn State, West Virginia, Western Michigan, Virginia Tech and West Virginia since.

Within the final couple of months, he’s visited Cincinnati, Michigan, Michigan State, Pitt, Penn State, Ohio State, West Virginia and Virginia Tech — with visits scheduled for Notre Dame, Indiana, Louisville and Wisconsin this week.

So, yeah, he’s in excessive demand proper now, however Pitt’s been capable of safe a handful of visits already. And he’s been capable of construct bonds with Tiquan Underwood, Archie Collins, Cory Sanders and Randy Bates — and he met Pat Narduzzi for the primary time.

“This time it was actually way more of a get-to-know-you, actually making an attempt to construct a relationship,” Etheridge stated. “(Underwood) is an actual cool man, somebody that’s actual cool and trustworthy along with his gamers. We didn’t actually talk about that a lot (about soccer).

“It’s nice. I even met coach Narduzzi, too. He was an important man; stated he loves Cincy. He’s an actual nice man. The entire teaching employees is stuffed with actual nice guys, actual stand-up guys.”

The expertise with Pitt’s teaching employees was key, however the most effective a part of the latest go to was the prospect to stand up shut and private with Pitt’s gamers.

“I used to be with the receivers,” Etheridge stated. “It was nice, (Underwood) actually got here with loads of power along with his guys. However I used to be there with the receivers, and I used to be over there slightly bit with the corners with coach Collins and coach Bates. It was simply nice.”

As an athlete who performs each huge receiver and defensive again at Mt. Wholesome, he’s discovered himself requested fairly a bit the place teaching staffs most worth him. Pitt can see each methods, however it’s doubtless going to be huge receiver heading ahead.

And It’s actually true that Etheridge excelled on each side of the soccer as a junior, racking up 705 yards and 9 touchdowns on 45 receptions offensively and 55 tackles (48 solo), two tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, 5 go breakups and a compelled fumble defensively.

247Sports charges Etheridge because the 827th-ranked recruit within the class (Ninetieth-ranked athlete and Thirty fifth-ranked recruit from Ohio). On3 charges him because the Seventy fifth-ranked athlete and the Thirty eighth-ranked recruit from Ohio.

Rivals hasn’t rated Etheridge but, however that may most positively change within the days and weeks forward.

And with Etheridge narrowing down his choices within the coming weeks and months, Pitt has stood out in some ways except for being his first Energy provide.

“I acquired household that’s already from down there, so I do know slightly little bit of the tradition, however simply being with these guys, being with the coaches and every thing, the vibe is simply wonderful,” Etheridge stated. “It makes you’re feeling prefer it’s residence.

“It’s actually simply the coaches, they offer a mentor vibe, and the hospitality is huge there. Certainly one of my favourite locations I can say.”

He’s nonetheless figuring out the place he’s going to be taking his official visits, however as of proper now, he can see himself making it out to each Pitt and Penn State, together with a couple of others but to be decided.

The plan proper now’s to commit in late June or early July — August on the newest — after he makes his official visits. And Pitt is firmly within the combine even forward of a possible official go to.

“(Pitt is) considered one of my prime faculties simply due to the tradition and the coaches, actual cool guys, actually maintain their gamers,” Etheridge stated. “Each participant that I’ve acquired a evaluate from stated it was an important place for them. Town vibes and sports activities groups are huge and being there with the Steelers, so it’s one of many prime faculties for me.”

Pitt’s eighth dedication for his or her Class of 2024 was revealed on Monday as 3-star security Tayshawn Banks.

Banks (6’0″, 170-pounds) attends Taft Excessive College in Cincinnati, Ohio and is being recruited by Panthers defensive coordinator Randy Bates.

I simply wished to say thanks to my teaching employees at Taft. Additionally, an enormous due to my mother and pa. With that being mentioned, I will probably be committing to the College of Pittsburgh.💛💙 @BatesBacker @CoachTy_1 @CoachDuzzPittFB @TaftNationFB @TaftNation @Statboyent pic.twitter.com/FGOLM2892r

— Tayshawn Banks (@TayshawnBanks) March 27, 2023

Previous to committing to Pitt on Sunday, Banks additionally held Energy 5 provides from West Virginia, Purdue, Penn State, Michigan, Kentucky, Georgia Tech and Boston School.

Banks made this determination remaining after attending Pitt’s scrimmage on Saturday.

I had an ideal go to on the College of Pittsburgh yesterday. Thanks Coach Bates! @BatesBacker @Pitt_FB pic.twitter.com/UMoPv1Zvkd

— Jordan Houston (@houstonjl513) March 27, 2023

Of Pitt’s eight 2024 commitments, Banks turns into the primary defensive again and their fourth defensive participant (4-star DT Jahsear Whittington, 3-star DE Ty Yuhas, 3-star DT Francis Brewu).

Final season for Taft Excessive College, Banks collected 9 interceptions, 3 of which have been returned for touchdowns. This great athlete additionally bought it carried out on particular groups as he returned a kickoff for a 96-yard landing together with a punt return for 70-yards.

No. 1 Pitt redshirt senior Nino Bonaccorsi capped off an unbelievable profession as he received the Nationwide Title at 197 kilos on the NCAA Wrestling Championships on the BOK Heart in Tulsa, Okla. on March 18.

The win gave the Panthers their first Nationwide Champion since head coach Keith Gavin did at 174 kilos in 2008. It additionally gave Bonaccorsi an ideal season with 21 wins and no losses, becoming a member of Gavin as one in every of simply six Pitt wrestlers to do each.

Bonaccorsi dominated his competitors all through your entire season, with 15 of his 21 wins coming in opposition to wrestlers who made the Championships. He additionally solely gave up two takedowns through the Championships en path to the Nationwide Title.

In these matches, Bonaccorsi regarded in management and dominated most of his opponents. He mixed an amazing capacity to know when to shoot and make takedowns, whereas additionally defending opponent’s assaults and giving them few alternatives to attain.

The turning level on this season that made Bonaccorsi into the undoubted No. 1 got here in opposition to then ranked No. 5 Iowa State junior Yonger Bastida on Feb. 4 at Fitzgerald Discipline Home.

Bonaccorsi fell behind 4-2 after two intervals and wanted to make a transfer to maintain his excellent season alive. He then made a single-leg takedown, which he additionally earned again factors on to take a 6-4 victory. Intermat awarded him with the No. 1 rating after that win, which he by no means relinquished the remainder of the way in which.

WINNER » #2 @NeenBon at 197 👏

THE FITZ ERUPTS FOR NINO 🔥

LATE TAKEDOWN AND NEARFALL 💥

HE BEATS #5 YONGER BASTIDA AND GIVES PITT THE LEAD IN THIS DUAL!!!

Pitt 15, ISU 12 » 💻: https://t.co/LaNLuOh19n#H2P » @NCAAWrestling pic.twitter.com/CGChhVoXw8

— Pitt Wrestling (@Pitt_WRES) February 5, 2023

That single-leg takedown additionally aided him within the Nationwide Title match in opposition to No. 7 South Dakota State senior Tanner Sloan. After falling behind 3-0 within the second interval, Bonaccorsi made the identical single-leg takedown to earn his first factors. He then made a takedown within the third interval to win him the Nationwide Title on a 5-3 choice after using time.

In case you watch one video at present…

Watch Nino speaking about his dad 🥹#H2P » @NCAAWrestling pic.twitter.com/ictsfJVVop

— Pitt Wrestling (@Pitt_WRES) March 19, 2023

Bonaccorsi finishes his Pitt profession as a five-time NCAA qualifier, three straight ACC Titles at 197 kilos and a profession file of 110-25.

One factor that Bonaccorsi has accomplished that you may’t measure is his significance on this system from when he arrived to the place it’s proper now.

The 2017-18 season was the primary for each Bonaccorsi and Gavin, after a tumultuous 2016-17 season that noticed Jason Peters relieved of his duties as head coach after an incident on the Midlands Championships in December of that 12 months.

This system has modified in that point and now, as a substitute of embarrassing moments, the wrestlers that signify the College of Pittsburgh are attaining nice feats and are again to profitable Nationwide titles.

There are a lot of nice athletes which have competed for Pitt all through its prolonged historical past. Observe stars in Lee McRae, Trecia Kaye-Smith and Roger Kingdom come to thoughts. Tony Dorsett, Larry Fitzgerald and a slew of Pitt soccer legends additionally come up.

You can also’t overlook the Panthers who’ve graced the hardwood, in Charles Smith, Shavonte Zellous, DeJuan Blair and others. With the enhancements within the soccer packages and volleyball, many extra athletes will make their mark at Pitt and past.

It’s onerous to match athletic brilliance throughout completely different sports activities, however what an athlete achieves exterior competitors can play an necessary function as to what’s they obtain whereas competing.

For Bonaccorsi, he has performed a big function, together with finest buddy and fellow wrestler Micky Phillippi plus Gavin, to show Pitt wrestling into an amazing program as soon as once more. Doubtlessly, even making it a greater one than it has ever been earlier than.

The Nationwide Title additionally simply assured Bonaccorsi’s legacy. It should by no means absolutely outline what he has achieved at Pitt and all through his life.

Coming from a suburb south of Pittsburgh in Bethel Park, Bonaccorsi by no means received a state title, like so most of the nice wrestlers from Pennsylvania do.

He developed his expertise through the years and confronted a number of comebacks as a Panther. He made it to the Nationwide Title match at 197 kilos in 2021 as a No. 6 seed however misplaced to No. 4 A.J. Ferrari of Oklahoma State. Bonaccorsi then didn’t even place in 2022, shedding within the Spherical of 12.

Bonaccorsi demonstrated that tough work, endurance and dedication works out ultimately. He was by no means probably the most dominant wrestler, ending with zero pins this season, however he proved himself a winner when it mattered most.

Bonaccorsi’s Nationwide Title represents a lot not only for himself, however for Pitt Wrestling as nicely. An area wrestler, Bonaccorsi demonstrated that Western Pennsylvanian wrestlers don’t must go all around the nation to search out the perfect program, however quite, can simply keep proper at their hometown college.

It additionally continued the narrative that not simply the state of Pennsylvania, however Western Pa. (WPIAL) has among the finest wrestlers within the nation and that ought to proceed on for the foreseeable future.

Bonaccorsi represents the greatness discovered throughout historical past in all Pitt sports activities. Those who labored onerous, competed to the perfect of their talents and gave it every little thing they’d alongside the way in which are all the time remembered fondly within the annals of historical past of Pitt athletics.

Within the truest sense, Bonaccorsi is a Pitt Panther, and followers won’t solely bear in mind him for years to return, but additionally hope to see his work ethic imbued into each athlete that competes for this College.