Pittsburgh’s future at tight end got even brighter on Saturday when UCLA transfer Chris Clark committed to the Panthers. Clark, who is a former 5-star recruit, will have three years of eligibility remaining after sitting out the 2016 season.
Pitt is the fifth school Clark has committed to in the last two years. In March 2014, the Avon, Connecticut, product pledged to North Carolina before reopening his recruitment a month later. He chose Michigan during the summer before his senior season at Avon Old Farms School, but he was once again back on the market after the Wolverines fired Brady Hoke.
On Signing Day in February, Clark inked with UCLA. He enrolled in school this summer and remained with the Bruins through their season-opening win over Virginia but left the team after Week 1 of the season.
Syracuse was among the programs to get involved with Clark after his decision to leave UCLA, and the tight end committed to the Orange last month. Just a week later, however, he decommitted from Syracuse in what multiple reports described as a “mutual decision.”
Before pledging to the Orange, Clark had taken an official visit to Pitt. Less than a month after that trip, he gave his verbal to Pat Narduzzi’s staff.
For the Panthers, the addition of Clark is significant for multiple reasons. The team may be looking for a new top target at tight end in 2017 with J.P. Holtz graduating after this season and Scott Orndoff finishing his career next fall. Clark could fill that void, and he’ll also provide needed depth for the future after Pitt struck out on tight ends in the 2015 recruiting class.
Clark is the most highly rated prospect Pitt has landed under Narduzzi. He was rated the No. 1 tight end and No. 23 overally player in the 2015 class by Scout.com.