It’s no hidden secret that Pitt head coach Paul Chryst wants to build a robust ‘Wisconsin style’ walk-on program. A myriad of quality walk-on players will join the Panther football program in June with hopes to impress the coaching staff and eventually earn a scholarship. A player that simply can’t be overlooked is hulking middle linebacker prospect George Aston (6-foot, 240 pounds) from Sherando High School in Stephens City, VA.
Aston was named the Northern Virginia Daily’s 2013 Football Defensive Player of the Year. He finished his senior season with 191 tackles (62 solo), 13 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks and 3 interceptions in 15 games. George averaged 12.7 tackles per game. The stout Sherando defense held opponents to 14.9 points and 216.4 yards per game.
“I’m very familiar with Pittsburgh. My dad and uncle live there and I travel there every so often,” stated Aston. “My father knew somebody at Pitt that was connected to Pitt’s recruiting coordinator. We sent them my film and they decided to reach out to me. I visited there and really enjoyed it. I’ll join the football team in June.”
“(Pitt defensive coordinator) Matt House and I speak about every other week.”
Few players possess Aston’s strength at the high school level. He’s capable of bench pressing 440 pounds and squatting 700 pounds. George can run the forty-yard dash in 4.7 seconds. When asked if was naturally strong or a ‘gym rat’, he quickly responded, “I live in the gym. I’m there every day. When I’m not lifting, I’m running sprint drills or doing cardiovascular work.”
Aston has been described as ‘hard-nosed’ and a ‘blue-collar warrior’. He was asked to describe his strengths as a linebacker and he replied, “I’m a hard hitter that’s instinctive. When I hit a running back, they stop moving. I rarely miss a tackle and when I hit them the offense player rarely gets an extra yard.”
“I’m very good at reading an offense. I’m usually a step ahead of running back and I meet them right when the hole opens for them.”
Despite his preferred walk-on status, Aston has set nothing but high expectations heading into his freshman year with the Panthers. “I don’t plan on redshirting. I want to get to Pitt, practice hard and show them what I’m capable of. My goal is get playing time. I’ll have to play on special teams to first get on the field.”
With Aston’s impressive statistics, brute strength and above average speed, he was asked why he didn’t accrue a large number of BCS scholarship offer. George quickly stated, “We’re from an area that often gets overlooked. My coach and I have talked about this before. I did have schools look at me late in the process like Virginia Tech, Delaware and Old Dominion, but none followed through with an offer. “
“I’m happy the way things have turned out. I’m looking forward to playing for Pitt.”
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All American 2nd team, Northwestern District Defensive Player of the Year, All State 1st team linebacker of the year, Conference 21 first team Defensive Player of the year, Conference 21 2nd team running back of the year, Virginia Preps 4A North Region Defensive Player of the Year, Winchester Star Defensive Player of the Year, Northern Virginia Daily Player of the Year