One of the prized players in UC’s last recruiting class was #43 defensive end Michael Pitts. Listed at 6’3” 242 lbs., Pitts grew up in Stone Mountain, Georgia. He played high school ball at Stephenson High School. Named the Division A Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Pitts was ranked a 3-star recruit. He has the frame and size to play the edge, and can run a ridiculous 4.6 40 yard dash.
He has already put on about 10 pounds of much-needed weight since high school. He is a fantastic raw talent. To summarize Michael Pitts in one word – FAST. He will likely sit out his true freshman year to gain experience and size. Pitts is very athletic and has the traits, including speed, that you simply cannot teach. Once he refines his skillset and fundamentals under Coach Prunty, Pitts will be a weapon on the line, similar to Bruce Irvin at West Virginia. The group of defensive ends have already taught him a wealth of knowledge during his first Camp Higher Ground.
He’s enjoyed his first three months in Clifton so far and has completed two classes over the summer. Undecided on a major, he wants to complete his general background classes this year and get accustomed to college. He misses his brother and sister most from back home, over 7 hours away.
When Pitts isn’t practicing or in the classroom, he likes to laugh and have fun with his teammates. He loves to play Madden and is a huge J Cole fan. He claims Alex Pace is the best Madden player he’s come across so far, followed by Bryan Wright.
Coach Tuberville has said repeatedly he wants to recruit a lot of elite athletes on defense; he wants enough top-tier recruits to have depth at most positions so that great young players can redshirt to truly develop. Pitts looks to be proving that concept, and the future is indeed bright for the young speedster at D-end.
By Andy Smith