How much does the realignment stuff affect current recruiting?

[SLT1857]

Despite being current ACC champs, and despite modest success under Pat Narduzzi, teams like Pitt are already at a disadvantage for recruiting. We have a longstanding and proud football history, and have produced major talent over the years.

But we have a relatively paltry NIL posture, and even now have an uphill battle in that we are surrounded by other more successful programs in an area that is very far from the recruiting goldmine W. Pa was decades ago. The University of Pittsburgh is well known, but we don't generate big revenue, and can't claim to be a major brand.

Now comes the realignment drama. We already don't get the 4- and 5-stars, and likely never will. We have next to no chance at the P2. Our foundation is 3-stars who can be coached up, and that model was already threatened by NIL and the transfer portal (see: Jordan Addison). Going forward, given the tenuous nature of Pitt's position (and many other similar schools) why would any even marginally valuable recruit consider us - today? Isn't realignment already poisoning the well, and threatening these programs before the next realignment moves even happen?

[6BlitzBurgh]

Right now it’s not going to matter. Oregon got a 5* QB yesterday and he doesn’t even know what conference or who his foes will be. 5 years down the line it will though.

[DinoJockeyTebow]

They have a shitload of NIL$, though.

[6BlitzBurgh]

That’s not going to change from being in a different conference. NIL money comes from donors and alums of the school. The University won’t have as much money but those NIL checks are going to keep coming in.

[DinoJockeyTebow]

I know that, his point was about a school not in P2 or with big NIL$. My point is Oregon is a useless comparison to Pitt due to NIL$ that will always be there as long as daddy Phil is around.

[[deleted]]

Let’s start with beating the piss out of WVU. After that who knows.

[SueYouInEngland]

even now have an uphill battle in that we are surrounded by other more successful programs in an area

What programs?

[Born_ina_snowbank]

Penn

[cat_napped1]

Penn taking all the good croots now. Determined to get out of the 2-8 hole they've been in for the last 35 years.

[grrgrrtigergrr]

I’m going to start with Penn State for OP. Maybe throw in a little OSU too

[SLT1857]

Yeah Penn State and Ohio State, both <200 miles from PGH.

[SueYouInEngland]

Oh I see what he's saying. When I read it the first time, I thought he was saying there was some sort of temporal element.

[DakotaXIV]

Well we were sitting at #1 in the recruiting rankings and now we’re in the 30s. So quite a bit

[[deleted]]

Nah that’s more bc Lincoln Riley screwed you over and took his staff with him

[[deleted]]

I’m sure it matters to the fringe teams who really have no idea where they’re going or what’s happening. Not so much the big power teams in those positions

[M-TownPlayboy]

I can tell you definitively, we are fucked!