From 'The Pit' To Pitt: Aliquippa's Cameron Lindsey commits to Pitt football

ALIQUIPPA – When it comes to football, Cameron Lindsey will head from “The Pit” to Pitt.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound rising Aliquippa senior announced his verbal commitment to the University of Pittsburgh in a Thursday press conference at Aliquippa High School’s Black Box Theater.

“It’s definitely a relief,” Lindsey said. “It was a long process, but a good process. For it to finally be over, it feels great.”

Lindsey had more than 20 major-college scholarship offers. He narrowed down his finalists to Pitt, West Virginia, Penn State and Cincinnati. He made official visits to the first two this month and was sold on the Panthers, head coach Pat Narduzzi and Pitt’s assistant coaches.

“It’s just home,” Lindsey said. “Plus, just how well I get along with the coaching staff. We built a great relationship right away and it’s only continued to get better and better. With the way their defense is run, I feel like I can play in it and be effective. Those were some of the big factors for me.”

A four-star linebacker prospect, Lindsey was a key cog in a stifling Quips defense that claimed a WPIAL Class 4A championship and PIAA silver. He finished with 100 tackles, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one sack on the season and earned first-team all-state honors for the second year in a row.

Aliquippa football coach Mike Warfield was thrilled to see the Quips community pack the facility to watch the announcement.

“That was beautiful today. Our Black Box was completely filled. Our superintendent, Cam’s teammates and family, the coaching staff – all different members of the community came out to see it,” he said. “He deserves it and he’s earned it, but for the younger kids to see that – this is what happens when you work hard on the field and in the classroom – I was so thrilled about that today.”

Also a standout in basketball, he earned first-team all-state honors as well in leading Aliquippa to the WPIAL 2A title. The Quips claimed PIAA silver for the second year in a row on the hardwood.

But, right now, Lindsey – who is already 2-0 at Acrisure Stadium (Pitt’s home) – is just happy to turn his full attention to playing football for the Quips in hopes of winning a third WPIAL title in a row and PIAA gold like in 2021.

“Now that all this is over, I can get back to focusing on one thing – and that’s to help my team get back to states and win it all,” he said.

Warfield was happy to see Lindsey find a good fit for his skillset.

“As a high school coach, the goal is trying to get kids to the next level, whether in athletics or academics,” he said. “I think it’s a relief for him, especially with the recruiting process now and how it’s changed with the transfer portal and all the unknowns you have to deal with. To make a decision now is a blessing. I am so happy for him and his family.”

Lindsey has been busy with his teammates working out at the newly renovated Carl A. Aschman Stadium – “The Pit” – which features artificial turf.

“It’s been great so far. The turf is way better than the old grass we had,” he said. “We’re starting to get used to it. We’re on there every day, pretty much, and trying to get better with it.”

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: From 'The Pit' To Pitt: Aliquippa's Cameron Lindsey commits to Pitt football