Eventful recruitments by Pitt brought true freshmen Israel Polk, Ty Dieffenbach from California
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For any high school athlete preparing to make the jump to college, December of their senior year can be a stressful period, as many turn a non-binding verbal commitment into a concrete national letter of intent.
Some prospects have a straightforward recruiting experience, while others’ can be subject to change(s).
Pitt freshman Israel Polk’s recruitment journey was flush with twists and turns before the 6-foot-1, 170-pound wide receiver from Bellflower, Calif., eventually settled on the Panthers.
In early December, Polk, who spent his senior season playing with national powerhouse St. John Bosco High School, was verbally committed to Colorado State.
But in the span of about two weeks, leading into his formal signing with the Panthers on Dec. 21, Polk decommitted from the Rams, briefly committed to Washington State (but did not publicly announce it) and then ultimately put pen to paper with Pitt.
“It was actually crazy,” Polk said.
An understatement, to be sure, given the Panthers got in touch with him, offered him a scholarship and flew him to Pittsburgh for an official visit all in about a week’s time.
Polk promptly committed Dec. 18 and soon thereafter turned in his letter of intent to coach Pat Narduzzi and the Panthers.
“They just shot me straight,” he said. “I felt like I had a great chance to come in here, ball and just make a difference. “… I just felt like it was home out here (at Pitt).”
Polk did have a notable connection to Pitt, as his uncle, Latef Grim, played receiver for the Panthers from 1998-2000, leaving the university as its all-time leader in receptions with 178.
Fellow 2023 signee Ty Dieffenbach, a quarterback who, like Polk, hails from California (Calabasas/Agoura High School), also saw his recruitment take an unforeseen turn as the December signing period approached.
He was verbally committed to UNLV since the summer, but this past winter, two separate but major occurrences altered his path into the college ranks.
The first was the de-commitment of Kenny Minchey, Pitt’s original quarterback commit for the Class of 2023, who walked back from his pledge to the Panthers in November before eventually landing at Notre Dame.
Then, at the end of the month, UNLV fired coach Marcus Arroyo.
Within a few days, Dieffenbach announced an offer from the Panthers on social media.
On Dec. 5, he tweeted a pair of announcements: one indicating his decommitment from UNLV and the next announcing a verbal pledge to the Panthers.
As was the case with Polk, he formalized his commitment and signed a letter of intent Dec. 21.
Polk and Dieffenbach are a long way from home. But in getting settled with the Panthers as early enrollees for the spring 2023 semester, they have started acclimating to a new city, state and time zone.
“It’s not that difficult. Home’s just a phone call away,” Dieffenbach said. “But it definitely feels like home here. I’ve settled in pretty well.”
Polk joins the Panthers with a chance to make an impact early.
With Jared Wayne, last year’s leader in receptions, yards and touchdowns, having declared for the NFL Draft, Pitt is in need of a new No. 1 wide receiver.
Returning wideouts Bub Means and Konata Mumpfield are prime candidates to become that kind of player, and the Panthers also added Florida transfer Daejon Reynolds in January to bolster the position group.
Polk thus joins a robust list of underclassmen who will compete with their more established teammates for offensive roles.
Judging by what he has observed of coordinator Frank Cignetti’s scheme, Polk feels there will be plenty of opportunities to go around if he proves himself in spring ball and fall camp.
“I was really impressed by the chances. From the games that I watched, receivers were getting a lot of chances,” Polk said. “… It’s an offense that I feel like I’m going to be able to shine in.”
Dieffenbach’s route to the field likely will not be as immediate, with transfers Phil Jurkovec (Boston College) and Christian Veilleux (Penn State) projected to be the primary competitors for the starting gig.
For now, the 6-foot-6 Dieffenbach, who started playing quarterback for the first time in his life as a sophomore in high school, is content to continue learning the ropes of Cignetti’s offense while picking the brains of his fellow position players.
“Phil, Christian, Nate, they all know their stuff. They’re great quarterbacks, and they’re great leaders,” he said. “It’s honestly great to be able to learn from them.”