Just a few days after offering a scholarship to a running back currently pledged to South Florida, the Pitt Panthers extended an offer to a four-star recruit already committed to another ACC program.
On Wednesday, Javeion Cooper — an offensive tackle currently committed to Syracuse — revealed that he had received a new offer from Pittsburgh.
Ranked No. 305 nationally in the 247Sports Composite, Cooper initially committed to Syracuse back on December 10, 2024. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound lineman from Melbourne Central Catholic in Florida now boasts over a dozen scholarship offers.
In addition to Syracuse and Pitt, Cooper’s list of offers includes Arkansas State, UCF, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, Penn State, South Florida, and West Virginia.
Melbourne Central Catholic is a small private school with fewer than 500 students, better known for alumni like Milwaukee Brewers infielder Vinny Capra and Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin than for its football program. Still, the Hustlers have posted a solid 17-6 record over the past two seasons, with Cooper drawing national interest from schools as far apart as Colorado and Syracuse — and now Pitt.
Last season, Cooper manned the right tackle spot for Melbourne Central Catholic. Standing tall and lean at 300 pounds, he moves impressively well in pulling situations. His agility and quick feet suggest he could potentially shift to left tackle at the next level, while his prowess as a run blocker and ability to pull could also make him an excellent fit at guard.
The next big step for Pitt would be getting Cooper on campus this offseason — a crucial move if they hope to flip his commitment from Syracuse.
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