Pittsburgh 2014 recruiting class

On National Signing Day, the Panthers announced twenty-three student-athletes joining the Pittsburgh football program this fall.

The incoming group features nine players from Pennsylvania, including two from Eastern PA. 

Bethel Park’s Mike Grimm is one of the top linemen in Western PA. He was a three-year starter for Blackhawks.

Grimm was named first team PIAA Class 4A All-State team by the Pennsylvania Sports Writers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “Fabulous 22” and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review “Terrific 25”.

He was selected to play in the 2014 Big 33 Football Classic.

Elizabeth-Forward’s Jaquaun Davidson passed for 1,040 yards and rushed for 1,109 yards his senior season. He had 29 total touchdowns.

On defense he played cornerback for the Warriors.

He was named first team Pittsburgh Tribune-Review “Terrific 25” and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “Fabulous 22”.

Fox Chapel’s Quintin Wirginis missed his senior season due to an injury. His junior year he played linebacker for the Foxes.

His junior year he had 72 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, an interception and three sacks.

Mount Lebanon’s Alex Bookser is considered one of the best offensive linemen in Pennsylvania.

Bookser was named first team PIAA Class 4A All-State team by the Pennsylvania Sports Writers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “Fabulous 22” and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review “Terrific 25”.

He also played defense and had 34 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and two blocked field goals.

North Allegheny’s Elijah Zeise is a big time player on both sides of the ball. Zeise played wide receiver and cornerback.

He caught 49 passes for 952 yards and 10 touchdowns. On defense he had eight interceptions the last two years.

Zeise was named first team PIAA Class 4A All-State team by the Pennsylvania Sports Writers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “Fabulous 22”, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review “Terrific 25” and a three-time All-Northern Eight All-Star.

Roman Catholic’s Hez Trahan was a three-year starter at defensive end for the Cahillites.

He was named All-Catholic 4A Division and Philadelphia Daily News All-City team.

On defense he had 18 total tackles, five forced fumbles and 10 sacks.

Trahan played tight end on offense.

Shady Side Academy’s Dennis Briggs was a player that was all over the field. The versatile senior played running back, linebacker and kick returner.

He was named first team All-Allegheny Conference. He was a four-year starter on defense and three-year starter on offense.

He rushed for over 1,900 yards in his career and his team made the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs in each of his four years.

Upper St. Clair’s Rori Blair was a two-way star at receiver and defensive end in 2011. In April of 2012 he suffered a stroke and missed his senior season.

But he was granted an extra semester of eligibility from the WPIAL and was medically cleared to play football in 2013.

In 2013, he had 48 total tackles, nine for loss and 6.5 sacks and was named All-Southeastern Conference Defensive lineman.

West Catholic’s Patrick Amara was a two-way star for the Burrs. He played safety and wide receiver and was named first team All-Southeastern PA and All-Catholic.

Last season, Amara caught 25 passes for 391 yards and five touchdowns. On defense he had 43 total tackles and three interceptions.

Class of 2018