WVU Football Loses Out to Pitt for Unique 2024 3-Star OL

The WVU football program lost out to a rival in their pursuit of a three-star offensive line recruit. Moritz Schmoranzer, a 2024 product out of Roanoke, Virginia, tweeted that he picked Pitt after making the announcement during a commitment event on Friday.

The North Cross High School prospect took his official visit with the Mountaineers on June 9 through 11. He then visited Pitt a couple weeks later.

Many believe the Backyard Brawl rivals were the final two fighting it out for Schmoranzer. He was actually set to pick between Virginia Tech and Wake Forest until deciding to wait on committing anywhere and keep his recruitment open in the spring. WVU sent Schmoranzer an offer back on March 27.

Schmorazner explained to WV Sports Now what he values above all else in a college program. “I’m away from home, my whole family is from Germany, so I would say the family aspect wherever I go, the football team is gonna be my family,” he said.

2024 3-Star OL Seeking Family Atmosphere to Pick Between WVU, Rivals Next Week

Schmoranzer then elaborated further. “And the other one is the development. I know even though I have all these offers, I’ve played O-line for one year, and I may redshirt, but wherever I go, I need the development. I need the college to look at me and be like, ‘Hey, you’re not a four-star or five-star, you need time, you need development, and we can give you that here.”

He also cited the bond of the team as something he likes about the Mountaineers.

A rarity for a recruit being coveted by Power 5 schools, Schmoranzer has spent just two seasons playing tackle football. Despite his lack of experience at the game, he received offers from Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, James Madison, Liberty, Miami (FL), Ohio, Old Dominion, Pitt, Towson, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Western Michigan and West Virginia.

Considering Schmoranzer’s inexperience in playing tackle football, playing soccer and running track (actually running, boasting a 13.01 100-yard dash at 275 pounds) in Germany, his rise as an offensive lineman has been very quick.

He’s only played one season on the offensive line, spending his first season in the United States as a wide receiver, and that speed and athleticism are what jump off the screen when watching him play either tackle spot.

247Sports rates Schmoranzer as the 43rd-ranked interior lineman and the 18th-ranked recruit from Virginia. Neither Rivals nor On3 have rated him yet, but he does hold a 5.6 Rivals Rating.