Pitt's wide receiver room continues to stack talent.
After Pat Narduzzi put out his usual tweet that signals a Pitt landing a commitment on Friday morning, it was a foregone conclusion that he was talking about a transfer. That transfer turned out to be graduate wide receiver Melquise Stovall from Hawaii.
I’d like to thank @CoachDuzzPittFB @BrennanMarion4 @CoachWhipPitt @graham_wilbert for believing & taking a chance on me ! I will be furthering my academic & athletic career at the University of Pittsburgh! HAIL TO PITT🟦🟨 pic.twitter.com/6vD8v59b6w
— Melquise Stovall (@MelquiseS) March 26, 2021
Stovall started his collegiate career in 2016 at California before missing his sophomore season due to injury, and then playing for Riverside City College in California. He transferred to Hawaii in 2019 where he had five starts across 14 played games. While playing Division I football, Stovall totaled 91 catches for 895 yards and seven touchdowns.
He also became a decent returner for Hawaii, averaging 24.6 yards per kick return on 22 attempts, and 7.5 yards per punt return on 11 attempts, albeit with no touchdowns.
At 5 feet 9, 170 pounds, Stovall projects as a slot option in the Panthers' offense who can contribute on special teams while using quickness in open space to make defenders miss and create extra yards.
Stovall is definitely a recruiting credit to Pitt's new receiver coach Brennan Marion, who was Hawaii's receiver coach in 2020. Stovall as a redshirt senior in 2020 posted this about Marion back in December:
You bet on me when no one would for that I’m forever grateful. It’s unconditional with you OG. @BrennanMarion4 🤞🏾💙 pic.twitter.com/kYhBznguEK
— Melquise Stovall (@MelquiseS) December 31, 2020
Stovall may not be a huge name, but he plays like Pitt's 2020 graduate transfer receiver D.J. Turner. Turner made a quick impact for the Panthers in developing chemistry with Kenny Pickett. He came to Pitt with significantly less production that what Stovall brings in 2021, as Turner had just 294 receiving yards and one touchdown over four years at Maryland.
None of that stopped Turner from becoming Pitt's second-leading receiver with 44 receptions for 634 receiving yards and three touchdowns, as well as the Panthers' leading kick and punt returner.
Stovall joins a packed receiver room with freshman All-ACC and 2020's leading Pitt receiver Jordan Addison, returning seniors Taysir Mack and Tre Tipton, as well as other players fighting for more playing time in Shocky Jacques-Louis, Jared Wayne and Jaylon Barden.
CARTER'S TAKE: After seeing Turner jump up Pitt's depth chart despite transferring in the late summer during a pandemic, I wouldn't count out Stovall from making an impact in 2021. Especially with his position coach bringing him across the country and having a chance to work with the Panthers during the spring and a full summer camp.
YOUR TURN: How many is too many?