Pitt lands four-star Ohio WR

Pittsburgh landed its first four-star prospect of the 2016 class when Lima, Ohio, wide receiver Ruben Flowers announced his commitment to the Panthers on Friday.

"The last couple of weeks I was thinking about Pitt, obviously, then Kentucky, Iowa and Illinois," Flowers said. "I took visits to Illinois, Iowa and Pitt the last couple weeks.

"Basically, when I went to Pittsburgh and walked on campus and I just had a feel for it. I was real comfortable with all the coaches. I liked the campus - it's in the city and I liked the landscape and all that."

Before making his decision, Flowers solicited input from his family and determined key factors in choosing his school.

"Me and my mom sat down and had a long talk Monday," Flowers said. "When it came down to it, I didn't want to go too far from home. That was a deciding factor. My mom, my family, my coaches all played a big part in it.

"I think it will be a good experience because, one, it is right beside the Pittsburgh Steelers. If you are able to watch the pros do it, how they got there and their work ethic, that's a learning experience right there. Then, the coaching staff is a good coaching staff with Coach (Pat) Narduzzi the head coach."

One of the catalysts for Flowers' decision was a chance to sit down with his future position coach while visiting Pittsburgh.

"Me and Coach (Kevin) Sherman, the wide receivers coach, we sat down and talked for about an hour," Flowers said. "I felt a connection that he really cared for my best interest. He wasn't one of the coaches that was feeding me b.s., but he really wanted what was best for me."

A 6-foot-4, 191-pound four-star wide receiver prospect, Flowers fit the mold that Pitt was looking for in the 2016 class.

"Coach Narduzzi told me they were only taking two wide receivers in this class - a tall, 6-foot-4 guy like me and a small, speed guy," Flowers said. "They run a pro-style offense and they need a receiver on the outside who can go catch balls and make plays and he said that would be me. That's what they were looking for and that's what I can provide."

First team all-ACC wide receiver Tyler Boyd has filled that role to the tune of over 160 catches over the last two seasons for Pittsburgh, and Flowers certainly is aware of his success.

"I started to watch Tyler Boyd's highlight tape a couple days ago and I saw big plays can be made," Flowers said. "Tyler Boyd is going to be an NFL prospect, so they can put you there."

Flowers put up big numbers of his own this past season, catching 58 passes for 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is ranked as the No. 50 wide receiver prospect and No. 10 player in the state of Ohio for the 2016 class.