The Pitt football program received a verbal commitment from Youngstown (OH) Austintown Fitch running back Darrin Hall (5-foot-11 inches, 200 pounds) on Monday. He chose the Panthers over a myriad of offers including Kentucky, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue, Syracuse, Toledo, Vanderbilt, West Virginia, Arkansas, Florida Atlantic, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
To gain better perspective on Pitt’s newest running back, DreamBackfield.com spoke with Austintown Fitch Head Football Coach Phil Annarella.
“Darrin is very talented young man. He’s an outstanding football player and track athlete,” said Coach Annarella. “He’s been on a number of relay teams that have won states. It’s a testament to his God given abilities. He’s not only big, he’s fast.”
“Darrin has worked hard on getting bigger. He’s gained mass in his legs, chest, arms, etc. He’s a very big and strong young man. Darrin has great hands. Catching the ball out of the backfield won’t be an issue for him.”
As a junior, Hall carried the ball 211 times for 1,293 yards and 11 touchdowns. He ran for 950 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore.
“Despite Darrin’s strength, he’s more than a pure north-south runner. He has amazing vision and instincts,” he said. “He’s elusive for his size and you rarely see a defender get a clean shot on him. His physical style of running is a perfect fit for what Pitt is doing on offense.”
Coach Annarella was asked why his star running back, a player with double-digit offers, chose the Panthers. He quickly replied, “He could have went to a large number of schools, but Pitt was a great fit. He’s a high character player that’s never going to give you trouble. His character is a direct result of his great upbringing. He has a wonderful set of parents that he’s very close with his family.”
“Pitt offered what he wanted athletically and academically. It’s only an hour and a half away and his parents will be able to attend every game.”
“The Panthers are getting a great player,” he said. Darrin is a team captain that leads by example. He’s quiet leader, but someone others will want to emulate.”
Hall is the second running back to join the Panthers 2015 recruiting class. He joins Melbourne (FL) Palm Bay running back Sekai Lindsay (5-foot-10 inches, 205 pounds). The additions of Lindsay and Hall may signal the eventual move of running backs James Conner and Rachid Ibrahim to defense. Conner was originally recruited to play defensive end, while Ibrahim was slated to play safety.
DreamBackfield.com’s Harry G. Psaros can be found on Twitter at @PittGuru