Pitt head coach Paul Chryst and staff has done an admirable job recruiting over the last two years. Fifty players have been added to the Panthers revamped roster. Despite the improved depth, quarterback continued to remain relatively thin. That situation improved significantly on Saturday when Malvern (Pa.) Malvern Prep quarterback Alex Hornibrook verbally committed to Pitt.
“I arrived at Pitt on Friday with my family. We met with the coaches, academic advisors and toured the campus,” said Hornibrook. “My Friday conversation with Coach Chryst was great. I really got to know him a lot better and we talked a lot of football. He had me watch film and we watched my highlight film as well. I got to sit there and really pick his brain.”
“Coach Chryst is one of the best at what he does. I took in an insane amount of information from him. It will be great having him as my position coach.”
“My family and I really liked the campus. I didn’t know what to expect. You hear it’s an urban campus but you don’t know what it will be like. Pitt’s campus sits by itself within the city. I felt very comfortable there and my family loved it.”
The 6-foot-4 inch, 210 pound Hornibrook chose Pitt over scholarship offers from Rutgers, Connecticut, Akron, Colgate, Yale, Fordham and Lafayette.
“Saturday morning I got to go out and throw to fellow campers. They had me throwing a few guys that had already been offered scholarships,” he said. “They eventually had me throwing to (2015 Pitt commit) Nick Bowers. It was great working with him. I got to talk to him a bit about why he chose Pitt.”
“Coach Chryst kind of joked with me when we were wrapping up. We had to walk back to the building towards his office and he told me he wanted me committed by the time we got there.”
“Once we wrapped up drills it was lunch break. My parents and I went to Coach Chryst’s office. After talking for little I informed him that I wanted to commit to Pitt,” he said. “He was really excited. I could tell he was pumped. It was an awesome moment.”
Hornibrook was asked about his strengths as a quarterback. He stated, “I’m accurate and I believe I’m advanced when it comes to the mental part of the game. I’m good at making quick reads. My arm strength is an asset as well.”
“I wouldn’t call me a scrambler, but I can run if I have to. I can run a 4.25 shuttle. If I need to run to gain yards, I can do it.”
Hornibrook is the 5th player to commit to Pitt’s 2015 football recruiting class. He joins Altoona linebacker Kevin Givens, Kittanning tight end Nick Bowers, Canon-McMillan offensive lineman Alex Paulina and Hallandale (FL) cornerback Malik Henderson.
“I got on the phone within a half hour of my commitment and reached out to 6 to 7 players that were both committed and uncommitted to Pitt. All of them are very interested. I want to take a leadership role from now.”
“I’m very happy with my decision. I’m excited to be a Pitt Panther.”
Alex Hornibrook can be found on Twitter at @alex_hornibrook
Harry G. Psaros can be found on Twitter at @PittGuru