Another day brings more news regarding Pitt’s long quest to add tight ends to their roster.
Earlier on Thursday, the Panthers formally offered 2020 three-star tight end Allen Horace and now PSN has learned of another target that will be making an official visit.
Ventura College tight end Daniel Moraga, who received an offer from Tim Salem Wednesday night, tells PSN that he’ll be making his official visit to Pitt next weekend (Dec. 13-15).
While the name of Daniel Moraga might be new to Pitt fans, he’s someone that the Pitt staff have been evaluating for quite some time.
“The first time I heard from Coach Salem was when I got to junior college back in the spring, so he’s been on me since day one,” Moraga told Pittsburgh Sports Now Thursday afternoon. “He’s good friends with the head coach at my school (Steve Mooshagian). Coach Moose put a good word in for me and I’ve built the relationship with Coach Salem since then. Pitt wanted to offer me for a while but held off because I was missing a class but I took care of that and then they offered. Pitt is a really big offer for me.”
Moraga arrived at Ventura College after originally signing with Fresno State out of high school. Things didn’t work out there, but he’s looking forward at playing D-I football again and is intrigued with the current situation at Pitt. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
“I won’t say that this is a second chance but I made the decision to go to Fresno when I was young. I got that offer from Fresno and the name of the school just made my head a little big. I ended up leaving and it was a business decision but now I’m just super motivated and wherever I end up next, I’m just really excited to show what I got for the next two years. I just want to do what I do best and hopefully make it to the next level after that.”
“Coach Salem is telling me that they currently only have two tight ends and one’s really a blocking tight end so they really need a tight end like me,” said Moraga. “I think if I do end up going there, I think I’d fit in well and I could help them out a lot. With my skill set, I have an advantage over linebackers and safeties. I’m kind of used to going up against defensive backs and cornerbacks so moving into tight end, it allowed me to use my ability to run routes and catch the ball.”
Moraga is excited to get on Pitt’s campus and learn more about the program and also experience the East Coast for the first time in his life.
“I’m looking forward to getting to Pitt to find out how they use their tight ends, which I hear they use really well and find out about playing opportunity so those are two things that I can check off my box. I also want to try and learn about the city and build a relationship with the other coaches and the players. I want to get a feel for the East Coast because I’m a West Coast guy and have never been to the East Coast. I don’t know if it’s going to be different or how it’s going to be. I’ll just have to see.”
Moraga will be joined on his official visit by Noah Patty (Fort Worth, Texas), another tight end that Pitt is evaluating.
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