Pancotti hits the road

Houston (Texas) Episcopal offensive tackle Giovanni Pancotti holds offers from Texas Tech and Houston, and he has been busy on the road over the last few months.

One of his first visits of 2015 was to Waco for Baylor's Junior Day.

"I went to Waco to Baylor back in February. That was a pretty cool trip," Pancotti said. "They just showed us the new facility. They were showing us the trophy room and they were always talking about this nutrition center they're going to get. Then we went on and I saw the weight room which I believe they said they're going to try and expand. That was really cool and they had some neat equipment.

"Then we went to the stadium which was breathtaking for a brand new stadium. Then they took us to the locker room. I've been to UT's locker room and Kansas State's locker room and Baylor's was absolutely incredible. I tried on the jerseys and had that whole Junior Day experience. It was really fun."

Next up was a trip to Houston, where he was able to meet the new Cougar coaching staff.

"That was really cool because I got to meet coach Herman," Pancotti said. "He had a very good display of all of his achievements and he was telling us what he wants to do with the program and how he wants to make it a power five team. He thinks UofH can be one of those teams to be reckonned with and in contention for a big bowl game. He was telling me what his plans were for the football program and that was really exciting to see.

"We went up there and I guess coach Leisz called them with our numbers so they had all of our jerseys ready. Then we went out to the football field. It was a very home feeling. It was very nice. In a sense I kind of want to leave home but at the same time it was very humbling to be at UofH and know I have an offer from them."

His most recent trip was to Texas, and a few aspects of the visit caught his attention.

"We were able to make it in to one of the coaches meetings with the players, and I was with the offensive linemen with coach Wickline," Pancotti said. "It was really really cool to see what they review from the practice and what he wanted to do with the offensive line. That was the first thing that stood out because I've never had a film study like they had. It was cool to see what it would be like at the next level.

"Then we went outside and he was doing drills with the offensive line. It was kind of funny because our offensive line coach ran us through the same thing. It was really cool to see their linemen, the size of their linemen, and what coach Wickline expected from each and every one of them. Then when it came to game time, how they ran the offense and coach Wickline would react to a bad play or a good play. It was a pretty cool trip. It was pretty fun."

Pancotti plans to visit Rice on Wednesday with teammate Walker Little. Then he has a weekend visit planned to Texas Tech. He has heard several great things about Lubbock and he is looking forward to checking things out in person.

"I'm really excited to see coach Spav again because he was the one who recruited me from UofH, and has really been visiting with me a lot during visiting times," Pancotti said. "I'm also really excited to meet the offensive line coach, coach Hays. I've called him a couple of times and we've talked and he's always messaging me on Twitter. So that's going to be really exciting to meet him. Also just to check out the campus, which I've heard is really beautiful and see what the locker room and weight room and football field is like. I'm also really excited to go put on some of the jerseys because they have like 15 of them. That's going to be pretty sweet."

Pancotti also hopes to visit Kansas State April 18. He was unable to attend the Wildcats' Junior Days due to wrestling season, and he hopes he is finally able to make the trip. The Wildcats have shown a lot of interest and Pancotti believes an offer could come if he is able to make the trip.

The standout offensive lineman does not plan to make a decision until December or January, but he does have one school at the top of his current list.

"Texas Tech has been really big right now," Pancotti said. "They've obviously been showing how much they want me by having one of the coaches text me and I know a lot of them want to come down for the spring game and watch me. They've been dying for me to come out there. Texas Tech has been really big in keeping in contact with me and wanting me to go out. So they're probably by far No. 1.

"Then UofH is the home school I could honestly visit whenver so that's fun. I could go watch the spring game and its really cool to go down there and talk to some of the coaches. Other than that there's Kansas State coming up next that I hope is going to offer. Texas which I hope will offer. Then other schools who have been messaging me."

The spring is expected to be a busy time for Pancotti. He knows several college coaches plan to make their way to Episcopal and he is preparing to make the most of it.

Pancotti is currently ranked a 5.6, three-star, and is No. 86 in the current Rivals.com Texas Postseason Top 100 for 2016.