Zyir Daniels Receives PWO Offer After Pitt Camp

The Pitt Panthers could beef up their defensive line without taking up a scholarship.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers spent the month of June filling out their 2024 recruiting class but they aren't done looking for players to bolster their roster even with scholarships in short supply. 

Following an impressive showing at one of Pitt's prospect camps earlier this month, 2024 defensive lineman Zyir Daniels received a preferred walk-on offer from the Panthers. Daniels told Inside the Panthers that he believes his motor, footwork and fluidity - among other skills - stood out to defensive coordinator Randy Bates, who said there could be a fit for him on the interior of the Panthers' line. 

"I spent a long time speaking with Coach Bates," Daniels said. "He told me where I can fit in their scheme. He also liked my explosiveness and twitch for that position. Also spoke with Coach [Frank] Cignetti, who’s also the regional coach for my area. He’s very passionate and has a ton of knowledge. It seems like he would sit and talk to you for hours about football."  

Daniels is not confining his recruitment solely to schools that can offer him a scholarship. He's garnered interest from schools based off his camp performances and even more have asked that he come compete in their camps so they can get a better look at him. 

"[Getting a scholarship offer] doesn’t really matter at this point," Daniels said. "I want to be in a position that will continue to push me past my potential. Also, being in a system that would get the best out of me and also the right fit. I just wanna play football, help my team win and be a dominant player." 

He's taken visits to Syracuse, West Virginia, Ohio and Penn State over the past year but his time at Pitt was impressive, according to Daniels. He appreciated the detailed instruction from defensive line coach Charlie Partridge and the rest of the staff and is interested in PItt's business school. That all comes with their tradition and history of developing low-rated recruits into NFL prospects. 

In a way, Daniels has had his eyes on Pitt long before he was on their radar. He said, alongside Hassan Reddick, the 6'1 and 250-pound defensive tackle models his game after a couple of former Panthers. 

"I like Aaron Donald and Calijah Kancey," Daniels said. "They are so explosive, technical with great motor. Some of the players at camp was telling me once I gain more weight, those are guys I should model my game after."

Daniels will change schools after this summer, going from Calvert Hall to St. Thomas Moore in Connecticut and is focused on living in the moment as he builds on his relatively short - just three years long - football career. But he has a future to think about and this summer will help him learn more about what that looks like. 

First, I want to be a major part of my team’s success. I want us to win every game. I also want to continue getting better, bigger and stronger to put me in the best position after school."  

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