Pat Signal: Nick Malone commits to Pitt

Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi and the Panthers coaching staff landed the commitment of another 2019 recruit on Sunday, as Morgantown, West Virginia, offensive lineman Nick Malone announced his intent to continue his athletic career at Pitt in a message posted on Twitter.

“One hundred percent committed to the University of Pittsburgh,” Malone said in the message. “I want to thank God for allowing me to continue to play the sport I love. I also would like to thank my family and friends for pushing me to become the person I am today.”

Malone is Pitt’s second offensive line recruit of the 2019 class and the team’s second in the last week, as Manorville, New York, lineman Matt Goncalves was added on Tuesday. Like Goncalves, Malone flew under the radar of most notable programs during his recruitment, as Pitt was his only FBS offer. He chose Pitt over Robert Morris and Eastern Kentucky of the FCS.

The 6’6”, 278-pound lineman is Pitt’s 18th recruit of the 2019 cycle, and like the class’ 17th and 16th recruits, he earned his offer in June as a result of a standout performance at a camp hosted by Pitt. He’s also shown some versatility during his high school career, as he has played on the defensive line in addition to his work on the offensive line at Morgantown High School.

It seems Narduzzi and his staff have dedicated the 2019 cycle to hunting for diamonds in the rough, and this pickup is clearly a continuation of that trend, as Malone does not currently have a star rating from 247Sports, ESPN or Rivals.

Of course, Pitt has had some luck in that endeavor so far, as they beat the rush to cornerback A.J. Woods, a former James Madison commit who ESPN now considers a four-star recruit, and wide receiver Jared Wayne, whose stock may rise with a move from Ontario to Florida. Now, Narduzzi will have to wait and see if his gamble on Malone pays off in a similar way.