Inside The Panthers

Pitt Contacts Former Rutgers C

The Pitt Panthers have another target in the transfer portal as they look to fill a vacant spot at center.

Stephen Thompson

Rutgers v Purdue
Rutgers v Purdue / Justin Casterline/GettyImages

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers continue to hunt centers in the transfer portal in the wake of Federiko Federiko's departure and they have found a new name to pursue from the Big 10.

Cliff Omoruyi, a 6'10 and 230-pound center who was at one point recruited by Pitt coming out of high school before he committed to Rutgers, is seeking a new home as a graduate transfer and the Panthers hope he'll consider restarting the relationship, according to a report from On3's Joe Tipton.

It is an absolutely stacked group of schools that will be recruiting Omoruyi. Pitt will vie for his services alongside Kentucky, Kansas, Baylor, NC State, Illinois, Clemson, Seton Hall, UConn, St. John's, Alabama, Oregon, USC, Auburn, Villanova, Kansas State, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, Miami, LSU, Georgetown, Mississippi State, Oregon State, UCLA, Cal and others.

And it's easy to see why so many schools are interested. Omoruyi averaged 10.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game last season and that as even a step back from his 2023 campaign, during which he posted averages of 13.2 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per appearance. Omoruyi started 104 of 121 games.

The Panthers are in desperate need of some help in the front court with Federiko, Will Jeffress and leading scorer Blake Hinson on their way out either to graduation or the transfer portal. With three open scholarships to use, head coach Jeff Capel and company would likely be more than happy to use one on Omoruyi.

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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