This time, Michael Cruz is certain that Pitt is it.
The Bishop McCort senior tight end verbally committed to the University of Pittsburgh to continue his football career under scholarship.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Cruz selected the Panthers after receiving more than 20 offers, including interest from Clemson, West Virginia, Florida State, Illinois, Nebraska, Rutgers and Virginia.
Cruz previously committed to Pitt last April but reopened his recruitment less than a week later.
“He visited a number of other quality programs, and after each visit he continued to realize that Pitt is the place for him and he confirmed what he already knew,” Bishop McCort coach Ken Salem said. “Pitt continued talking with us and recruiting him.
“Mike’s extremely pleased to have the opportunity to play at Pitt,” Salem added. “He realizes there are some opportunities there with all the talented people that have been recruited recently. It seems like the program is on the verge of turning the corner. He’s excited about that and he wants to be a part of it.”
Cruz will join a group of Johnstown-area athletes on the Panthers football team.
Greater Johnstown’s LaRod Stephens-Howling recently completed his junior season as a Pitt tailback.
Johnstown’s Scott Corson and Bishop McCort’s Wayne Jones also are at Pitt, and the Trojans’ Antwuan Reed, The Tribune-Democrat’s Offensive player of the Year, has verbally committed to the Panthers.
The official NCAA letter of intent signing date is Feb. 5.
“Pittsburgh only has two tight ends on the current roster,” Salem said. “There might be some opportunities for Mike right away.”
Pittsburgh defensive line coach Greg Gattuso recruited Cruz, who is the 19th-ranked prospect in Pennsylvania by Rivals.com.
At tight end, he made 11 receptions for 242 yards, a 22.0 average, and had five touchdowns.
At defensive end, Cruz made 43 tackles, three sacks and one fumble recovery as a senior.
Local Sports
Cruz goes with Pitt after all
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2012 AAABA League schedule
A look at this season's schedule:
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2011 AAABA in Review
A look back at the 2011 AAABA season:
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AAABA League Preview
A look at this season's Johnstown AAABA League:
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Pirates pick up fourth straight victory
There were times earlier in his career when James McDonald would run into trouble and innings would slow to a crawl. Even worse, runners would disappear, and not in a good way.
Too much thinking. Not enough attacking. -
Sympathetic Pirates add to Cubs’ slide
Andrew McCutchen and the Pittsburgh Pirates can relate to what the Chicago Cubs are going through.
Perhaps more than anyone, they know what it feels like to be on an extended losing streak
– 12 in a row, in the Cubs’ case. -
AAABA League will open after busy offseason
The AAABA League opens on Tuesday at Point Stadium with two new, but familiar managers, a new but familiar sponsor, an expanded interleague schedule and two new franchises committed to the 2013 season.
A lot of activity took place during the offseason, including the AAABA national committee’s vote to expand the age limit to 21 years old beginning in 2013. -
Richland's Lumley settles for pair of silver medals
Paige Lumley was on an emotional roller coaster and seeing silver on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Richland senior had state record jumps twice during the triple jump competition, but ended up with a silver–medal leap of 40 feet,
1¾ inches.
Defending state champion, second-seeded junior Lanae Newsome of Brookville, won with a jump of 40-3½. -
Ridge’s Dull takes second with school-record time
Matt Dull finished his athletic career with his best on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Chestnut Ridge senior ran a career-best time of 38.12 to finish second in the 300 hurdles final, also setting another school record. -
Hit batsman lifts Pirates over Cubs
Matt Hague was hit by a pitch from Rafael Dolis with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates sent the Chicago Cubs to their 11th straight loss with a 3-2 victory Saturday night.
Hague took a 96 mph fastball from Dolis (2-4) in the back near the shoulder blade, scoring Jose Tabata and eliciting an incredulous look to the sky by the Cubs reliever. -
Generals return to defeat Sting
It’s been a dramatic month for the Johnstown Generals.
There were two postponed games that left the immediate and long-term future of the franchise in serious doubt just two weeks ago. - More Local Sports Headlines
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2012 AAABA League schedule
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