2024 Ohio 3-star athlete Javier Etheridge made his faculty resolution Saturday after as he chosen the Indiana Hoosiers.

Earlier within the week, the 5-foot-11, 165-pound star from Mt. Wholesome Excessive in Cincinnati narrowed his listing of affords right down to Pitt, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, West Virginia and Indiana.

Last 6… #blessed💜 pic.twitter.com/DVJXtjosnl

— Javier “JayJay” Etheridge ⭐️ (@Javieretheridge) Could 7, 2023

Pitt has been within the chase for Etheridge for fairly some time, ever since Randy Bates prolonged Etheridge his first Energy 5 supply on Jan. 17. And over the previous couple of months, he’s visited Pittsburgh for Junior Day in January and for a spring apply in March.

When asserting his resolution, Etheridge listed his relationship with Indiana coaches, Tom Allen and Anthony Tucker as a giant purpose for his resolution. That is the second recruit that the Hoosiers have gotten a dedication from that the Pitt workers was additionally pursuing. Earlier, it was 2024 3-star tight finish Brody Kosin from Clarkston, Michigan.

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 undoubtedly change within the days and weeks forward.

Etheridge plans to complete up his senior season at Mt. Wholesome, with targets to win a state championship on the staff stage and enhance upon his 1,2000-yard junior season individually and enroll early at Indiana.

Former linebacker Tylar Wiltz is working exhausting to show his strengths throughout the Pittsburgh Steelers’ rookie minicamp this weekend, Friday, Could 12 by way of Sunday, Could 14.

“It’s wonderful,” Wiltz mentioned on the chance. “Simply being right here to probably not having something happening by way of the entire pre-draft course of and what to not getting a name from the Pittsburgh Steelers is gorgeous, particularly being that I performed for the College of Pittsburgh. It’s wonderful attending to be right here. I don’t really feel like a 12 months was lengthy sufficient, so hopefully we are able to proceed by way of the journey.”

Wiltz performed one season for the Panthers after transferring from FCS Missouri State in 2022. He recorded 50 tackles, fourth most on the workforce, with 26 solo and 24 assisted. Wiltz additionally made 4 tackles for loss, two sacks and one interception in 2022. His finest sport of the season got here within the Solar Bowl on Dec. 30 towards UCLA. Wiltz made two tackles for loss, a sack and an interception in  the thrilling 35-34 win in El Paso, Texas.

INTERCEPTION 🔄 @tylarwiltz

📺 @CBSSports #H2P » @TonyTheTigerSB pic.twitter.com/WnduNQgwrG

— Pitt Soccer (@Pitt_FB) December 30, 2022

No NFL Groups chosen Wiltz within the 2023 NFL Draft on the finish of April, however he has the chance now at Steelers’ rookie minicamp, the place he’ll attempt to show his price and earn a contract.

“There’s actually no different feeling as a result of while you’re rising up, that’s what you actually work for,” Wiltz mentioned. “These are the instances, simply this second, understanding that it will possibly occur, understanding that journey can nonetheless go and you may be enjoying towards the most effective of the most effective.”

Wiltz primarily performed as star linebacker at Pitt, together with Bangally Kamara. The star linebackers, or exterior linebackers, play extra in protection and supply assist over the center and towards receivers for the defensive backs. Whereas the star linebacker will not be so frequent within the NFL, Wiltz believes that enjoying it at Pitt supplied him with many alternatives to develop as a linebacker and abilities that can do him good as an expert.

“Really feel like my potential to cowl, me with the ability to run, with the ability to deal with in area, there’s quite a lot of issues you are able to do [as a star linebacker],” Wiltz mentioned. “As of now, particularly being a rookie, working my manner on the sphere will likely be particular to me. So I really feel like that helps me to be versatile, particularly being one of many smaller [line]backers. So I can play all 4 phases of groups and that’s what the coaches are preaching inside the power proper now to us. So work my manner there and ultimately, hoping to signal that contract and simply preserve it going. Work my manner on the sphere like I can, like I’ve been doing.”

Regardless of leaving Pitt, Wiltz retains in contact with head coach Pat Narduzzi and linebackers coach Ryan Manalac usually. Manalac additionally helped Wiltz to get the possibility to compete for a roster spot with the Steelers, demonstrating the love between coach and participant, but in addition the good relationship between a school {and professional} sports activities franchise in the identical metropolis.

“We really communicate loads, at the least twice every week I attempt to speak to them, attempt to choose their brains,” Wiltz mentioned. “Simply to see as a result of they have been an enormous piece in me with the ability to keep in Pittsburgh I’m fairly certain and giving me the possibility to have the ability to play for the College. So, , they’ve been in my bandwagon. They have been actually excited once they heard information of me staying right here and people are two people who I like and I’m going to maintain them near me.”

Wiltz is aware of that he has to showcase his biggest strengths all through this weekend to earn that coveted roster spot. He mentioned that he possesses all of the instruments that an NFL coach would need, has demonstrated that all through his collegiate profession and that he’s prepared for any problem on the skilled degree.

“I can use my fingers, I can study the protection as quick as attainable, I’m coachable,” Wiltz mentioned. “I can pay attention, take criticism, as a result of these are some nice coaches as nicely. Simply coming throughout the corridor . Me with the ability to study the protection as quick as I did at Pitt, with the ability to do it right here in three days, that’s dramatic. It’s loopy.”

On Thursday, Pitt head coach Jeff Capel referred to as up one other switch guard that’s accessible within the portal.

Jesse Zarzuela, a guard from Central Michigan, informed PSN that he spoke with Capel on Thursday and the Pitt head coach expressed his curiosity.

Zarzuela is a 6-foot-3 junior guard out of Houston, Texas who scored 16 factors per recreation this season for the Chippewas. He started his profession at Coppin State previous to transferring to CMU for a 12 months. He additionally spent a season enjoying JUCO ball for Missouri State – West Plains.

This 12 months, Zarzuela hit 42 of his 118 three-point makes an attempt, a 36% mark. Total, he hit 40% of his field-goal makes an attempt and 83% of his free-throw tries.

Zarzuela informed PSN that he’ll “probably” go to, and that he mentioned doubtlessly visiting with Capel on Thursday.

The Panthers have already introduced in transfers Ishmael Leggett and Zack Austin this low season. Pitt has two open scholarships remaining.