Khari Anderson coming to Pitt with lofty goals

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Pitt head coach Paul Chryst and staff has been active over the last two years.  A total of fifty players were added in the last two recruiting classes.  In conjunction with recruiting, he has been laying the groundwork for the creation of a strong ‘Wisconsin-style’ walk-on program at Pitt.  A number of talented preferred walk-on players will be joining the Panther football team in June.

Talented athlete Khari Anderson (6-foot-2 inches, 195 pounds) from Hawken High School in Gates Mill, OH recently decided to spurn a number of lower level scholarship offers to walk-on at Pitt.

“Hawken is a small prep school near Cleveland, OH.  We’re often overshadowed by the larger schools in the area like Mentor High School,” stated Anderson.  “When someone from my school has gone to a big school, they have done great things.  It simply doesn’t happen that often.”

“I broke my leg my junior year and didn’t get to play in many games.  That didn’t help as well.  I received a lot of letters about attending summer camps but I couldn’t attend any of them due to my leg and physical therapy.”

“My uncle works at the Cathedral of Learning.  I went to Pitt for a visit and he was able to set up a meeting with Pitt’s athletic director Steve Pederson,” he said.  “When I met with Mr. Pederson, I marketed myself.  I wanted him to know that I was 6-foot-2 inches tall, 195 pounds, run a 4.5 forty-yard dash and I’m a versatile athlete.  I wanted him to know I would be an asset to the Pitt program.”

“I simply wanted a chance.  I wanted to opportunity for the Pitt staff to take a look at me.  Thankfully I eventually received a call from Pitt’s tight end coach Mickey Turner.  We started keeping in close contact.  I keep in touch with recruiting coordinator Dann Kabala as well.”

Anderson is capable of playing running back, wide receiver and outside linebacker on the next level.  He was considered the top running back in northern Ohio last season.  Khari rushed 176 times for 1,739 yards and scored 31 touchdowns.  He’s capable of bench pressing 250 pounds and squatting nearly 400 pounds.

“I had a lot of D3 interest but I wanted to attend a school I was interested in,” he said.  “There’s nothing wrong with D3 players, but I was once told I would never be a D1 player and I’m out to prove I can play on that level.  I know what I’m capable of and I know I can make an impact at a school like Pitt.”

“John Carroll University was heavily recruiting me.  They told me I was the last piece of the puzzle they needed to win a championship,” said Anderson.  “I recently sat down with my dad and we decided that, despite the opportunity at John Carroll, Pitt was the best fit for me.  Pitt’s a great academic school as well.  I’m very comfortable there.”

Anderson will join the Pitt football program in June.  When asked what position he preferred to play, he stated, “I can play running back and outside linebacker.  I could probably play wide receiver as well.  My asset is my speed.  Speed kills and I have it.”

“I was a track runner.  As a running back, I make really strong cuts and I hit the hole hard.  I’m long and lean but I have power.  If I play linebacker, I can add muscle to my frame.”

“James Conner and Issac Bennet are good running backs but I think I could bring a bit more speed to the position if I start out at running back.  I simply want a chance to play.  I want to get my hands on the ball.”

“I’m excited about joining the Pitt football program.”

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