The WPIAL will have a number of talented defensive players in its Class of 2021 and one of them received an offer from Pitt prior to their win last night over North Carolina.
2021 safety Donovan McMillon (6’2″, 185) from Peters Township High School attended the game with his parents and got the news from head coach Pat Narduzzi. This was obviously big for McMillon because the offer came from his hometown school and it was also his first Power Five offer.
“Coach Narduzzi met with my family and I in his office right before the game and he really surprised us,” said McMillon. “Wow, what an incredible feeling to be offered by your hometown university.”
Courtesy of Donovan McMillon
McMillon was excited and jumped on the opportunity to attend the game but didn’t expect to have them talk with Narduzzi or to receive that news.
“It was an overwhelming moment. The Pitt coaching and recruiting staff have been awesome with me throughout this entire process. I was surprised but not shocked,” McMillon told Pittsburgh Sports Now.
“Coach Plack and our entire coaching staff at Peters Township has everyone on our squad playing at a very high level and they put us in great positions to succeed. Pitt’s defense incorporates a lot of what we do. Coach Narduzzi was straight and to the point and our conversation had me fired up. I’m honored regardless if it’s a Power 5 school or not and just humbled when any school takes a chance on me possibly playing for them in the near future.”
Being from Western Pennsylvania, McMillon has been able to see what Pitt is building and how in the last couple of years, local players such as Paris Ford, Jake Kradel, Kyi Wright, Dayon Hayes, Wil Gipson, David Green, Devin Danielson, Noah Palmer and Blake Zubovic have decided to pass up other offers to stay home to play their college football.
“Coach Narduzzi and his staff have done a remarkable job with his program. He’s created a new culture and has surrounded himself with quality people and they’ve enjoyed tremendous success. I’m very impressed with what they’re doing on and off the field,” said McMillon.
McMillon is only a junior so isn’t in any rush to make a decision but admits it’s a tempting opportunity to stay close to home to play in front of his family and friends.
“My parents are extremely excited for me. They always tell me that “you get out what you put in.” My three younger brothers were ecstatic and couldn’t be happier for me. My family has a great history with the University of Pittsburgh. My great grandfather, Melvin Cratsley, was a ticket manager for Pitt and the AD/head basketball coach for Carnegie Tech and I’m sure that he would’ve and is very proud that this happened last night,” said McMillon.
“I’m glad that I still have time to process all this excitement since I’m only a junior. The right decision for my family and I will present itself in due time.”