July 12, 2013[/B]
Welcome back to another edition of In the Pitt, Panther-Lair.com's rundown of everything going on in Pitt recruiting. Today we're looking at the overall target numbers for Pitt's current recruiting class, the top prospects who could fill those spots, and the chances some recruits take in the process.[/I]
Starting the class[/B]
With the commitment of Elijah Zeise last Wednesday, Pitt's class swelled to 14 recruits, which is a pretty high number for mid-July (at least in terms of recent Pitt history). Obviously the next question is a two-parter:
How many more recruits can Pitt take, and who will those recruits be?
We'll get to those big questions in a second. But first, a word on the 14 recruits who have committed.
Some data points on the 2014 class as it stands:
By position[/B]
Quarterback - 2
Running back - 1
Wide receiver - 1
Tight end - 1
Offensive line - 2
Defensive end - 1
Defensive tackle - 2
Linebacker - 1
Cornerback - 1
Safety - 2
By state[/B]
Pennsylvania - 5
Michigan - 2
Ohio - 2
Connecticut - 1
Delaware - 1
Florida - 1
New York - 1
Virginia - 1
By stars[/B]
Four-stars - 1
Three-stars - 7
Two-stars - 6
That's the nuts and bolts of it. But what really makes up the class? Well, there are a few things to consider. One is the other offers a recruit had. Of Pitt's 14 commits, 5 had multiple BCS offers beyond their Pitt offers. Shane Roy each had two.
The other nine commits had one BCS offer or no BCS offers other than Pitt (six commits had one BCS offer each; the other three had no BCS offers). Later in this report I'll bring back some thoughts I had about offers in the last In the Pitt[/B], but for now, let's just take those facts and work from there.
Simply put - and I don't think it's a stretch to say this - it's not a spectacular class so far. By that, I mean that it's not a class full of superstars and "elite recruits" (for whatever that designation is worth). That's not to say that the class is subpar or that it is falling short of what the coaches are looking for; on the contrary, I think the coaches are very much landing the recruits they want to land.
Consider: of Pitt's 14 commits, seven earned offers in June after working out for the coaches during the prospect camp: Shane Roy. Of the other seven, Grimm attended Pitt's prospect camp last year and this year, as did Briggs. And Zeise worked out at Pitt's camp last year, too.
So, of Pitt's 14 commits, only four - Jalen Williams - didn't work out with the coaches during a prospect camp. Pitt coaches did visit all four of those recruits during the spring evaluation period (although Hayes and Williams already had offers by that point), but the prospect camps are important in the recruiting process, since they give the coaches to work directly with the recruits, working them out in a hands-on setting, putting them through drills, coaching them and teaching them over the course of an afternoon.
The Pitt coaches had that direct, personal experience with and evaluation of Bertke, Maddox, Amara, Herndon, Dintino, Wirginis, Roy, Grimm, Briggs and Zeise and, after that specialized form of analysis, extended a scholarship offer. There's something to said for that vetting process.
So there's that. I also think there are some very good football players in that group. Hopefully you've been checking out our Film Study[/B] series, where I talked to various Rivals.com analysts for some in-depth evaluations of Pitt's commits. If you missed any of the articles, here they are:
Avonte Maddox
Patrick Amara
Connor Dintino
Adam Bertke
Connor Hayes
Wade Freebeck
And we have more coming. But as you look at those articles, I think what you'll see is that, by and large, the analysts like what they have seen from Pitt's commits. The reviews are not 100% glowing: Rivals.com Midwest analyst Josh Helmholdt likes the fact that Bertke has led his team to back-to-back state championships, but he has concerns about Bertke's mechanics. And Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic analyst Adam Friedman speaks highly of Amara's versatility, but concedes that the West Catholic athlete needs to be more explosive.
Overall, though, there are some favorable reviews in there. Even if the class is, by appearance, for the most part unspectacular, it seems to be very solid. The key now is to top it off. Pitt has to take the group it has assembled and add some key pieces at key positions, elite players who can take a solid class and make it spectacular.
So who do the coaches target? And who will they get?
Glad you asked.
Finishing the class[/B]
As always, before we start a breakdown of remaining scholarship spots and target numbers at positions, it's worthwhile to consider a few resources:
The Scholarship Board - Tells you who's on the team now
Commitment list - Tells you who is committed to join the team next year
Offer sheet - Tells you who is still on the board for Pitt to pursue
Those three resources are important for any discussion of filling the remaining spots, and longtime Panther-Lair.com readers are, without a doubt familiar with them. If you're not, then I suggest you open those pages now (at least the Scholarship Board and probably the offer sheet) since we'll be referencing them as we go through each position.
No recruiting happens in a vacuum; the coaches always have to know what they have on the roster and where they need to reload. So if we're talking about those same topics, we need the same working knowledge base.
Okay then…
Quarterback[/B]
This one is pretty easy. The Pitt coaches decided they needed two quarterbacks in the class of 2014, and they got them both last month in Wade Freebeck.
Why two quarterbacks in the class? Here's where the Scholarship Board comes in handy. Consider the QB ranks for the next few years:
2013 - Tom Savage, Trey Anderson, Chad Voytik, Tra Chapman (assuming he returns to the team)
2014 - Anderson, Voytik, Chapman
2015 - Voytik, Chapman
Trey Anderson is a good kid and I think he'll have a good career as a coach, but I don't think he's really a factor in the quarterback competition. He'll be the emergency third quarterback this season, but I don't see him realistically competing for the job in 2014. If you cross him off, then you have two quarterbacks in 2014 (or one if Chapman doesn't return; personally, I think he will be back, depending on the outcome of his legal proceedings).
Two quarterbacks are not enough for a season. And given the fact that you never know who will pan out and who will fizzle, who will grind through a few years as a reserve and who will look for greener pastures, it was almost inevitable that Pitt would sign two quarterbacks this season. I think that would have been the case even if Pitt had landed Keller Chryst.
Chryst, as we all know, committed to Stanford, and Pitt landed Bertke and Freebeck. We've written and talked a lot about those two guys - check out the first episode of The Lair Cast - for some thoughts on Freebeck - so we won't go too far in-depth here. But how Freebeck and Bertke develop over the next four or five years will tell us a lot about the Pitt coaches, particularly quarterbacks coachBrooks Bollinger[/B], who personally evaluated and vetted those two recruits.
With two quarterbacks in the fold, Pitt is done at the position. The coaches will keep an eye out for more potential prospects in case anything happens with Bertke or Freebeck, but as it stands, they hit their target number for the position.
Target number:[/B] 2
Commits:[/B] Adam Bertke, Wade Freebeck
Remaining targets:[/B] None
Running back[/B]
Running back is one of many positions where Pitt needs to upgrade quality and quantity. The Panthers will enter 2013 with four scholarship running backs; one of those four was a walk-on this past spring, and the other is a true freshman.
Like I said, they need quantity and quality.
So far, Pitt has a commitment from Shady Side athlete Dennis Briggs. Early in Pitt's recruitment of Briggs, the coaches weren't sure what side of the ball he projected on, but after seeing him in their prospect camp, they decided he could be a running back. But even that is probably a bit tentative; if the coaches could get two more top-of-the-board backs to commit, they'd take those two and view Briggs as a multi-position "athlete."
So who are the top-of-the-board backs that could pick Pitt?
The first name at the top of the board is the obvious one: Shai McKenzie. The standout from Washington (Pa.) is Pitt's top target at running back and one of the top overall targets on the recruiting board. McKenzie named a top five and Pitt was No. 2 - behind Florida State - and the Panthers should be in it until the end. McKenzie does have interest in the SEC and playing in the south, but Pitt will have a fair shot. I think a winning season and some on-field success can help Pitt with McKenzie as much if not more than any other recruit.
Beyond McKenzie, Pitt is also strong pursuing C.J. Leggett. James has had Pitt in his top two or three since he started naming such things, and he recently said he now plans to take official visits this fall, which is probably a good thing for Pitt.
Ollison has visited Pitt twice since the end of April, and he's got the Panthers in his top five along with Penn State, Rutgers, Syracuse and Wisconsin. Penn State is probably the biggest threat from that group, but the fact that the Nittany Lions offered him a month ago and he hasn't committed tells me - and there have been other reports pointing toward this conclusion - that his offer isn't 100% legitimate at this point. If PSU misses on a few other running back targets, they may open the door for Ollison; otherwise, he probably won't be at Penn State. That should put Pitt in a good position.
Leggett is an interesting prospect with a variety of offers, rankings, and interests, depending on which online source you consult. He seems to be interested in Pitt, but I don't have a strong feel for his recruitment yet. I would say that McKenzie, Ollison and James are the top three targets at running back right now.
If Pitt could get two of those three, I think they would take them. If they could only get one, I think they'd be satisfied with that one and Briggs and not push for another back unless one really jumped off the page. If Pitt misses on all three of those running backs, then I think the coaches will look at Plan B options.
Target number:[/B] 2-3
Commit:[/B] Dennis Briggs
Remaining targets:[/B] Shai McKenzie, Qadree Ollison, Chris James, CJ Leggett
Wide receiver[/B]
Like running back, Pitt needs some quantity and quality at wide receiver. The coaches signed four receivers in the class of 2013, and that was a good start, but they need to add more to the roster this year. They might not have room to sign four, but they'll get a couple and could go as high as three.
Pitt landed its first receiver commitment last week with North Allegheny's Elijah Zeise. While some colleges like Zeise for defense, the Pitt coaches are pretty well committed to using him on offense, and that's what Zeise wants to do. Obviously I know Elijah through his father, so there's a personal connection there, but I really like his game on the field: he's got good size, a frame that can fill out and bulk up, sneaky speed and really impressive athleticism. If he can be more aggressive on the field, I think he can be a very good college player.
For the next spot or two, Pitt is in on some pretty good receivers. Both Jamil Kamara have Pitt in their respective top groups, and the Panthers figure to be in contention for both of them until the end. Both Winfree and Kamara visited Pitt this summer, and both spoke highly of the Panthers after the visits.
Kamara said that he would take official visits before making a decision on college, and Pitt will get one of those visits. Winfree's next step is to cut his list from nine to five; after that, he'll probably take official visits and then decide (although if he visits Georgia this summer, that could change things).
It's definitely a positive for Pitt to be in good shape with receivers like Kamara and Winfree, but it's tough to call the Panthers the favorite at this point. Dorian Baker has been on Pitt's board for a long time, but he seems to be slipping a bit and is definitely behind Kamara and Winfree (and maybe a couple others).
One good possibility for Pitt is New Castle's Malik Hooker. A multi-sport/multi-position athlete, Hooker is a pretty outstanding player who was fairly dominant at Pitt's passing camp in June. He claims offers from Penn State, Ohio State, Nebraska, Michigan and West Virginia, but I think Pitt has a good chance of landing him.
If Pitt could only get one of Hooker, Kamara, or Winfree, I think the coaches would be satisfied with signing that player and Zeise as the receivers in the class of 2013. If two of those three wanted to commit, the coaches might do the dance of joy.
Target number:[/B] 2-3
Commit:[/B] Elijah Zeise
Remaining targets:[/B] Jamil Kamara, Juwann Winfree, Malik Hooker, Dorian Baker, Steve Ishmael
Tight end[/B]
Tight end was another position the coaches addressed heavily in the class of 2013 with three players signed. But those three are each unique: Scott Orndoff is the "traditional" tight end, Devon Edwards is more of a blocker who could eventually move to offensive tackle or the defensive line, and Tony Harper is headed for H-back, where he'll use his athleticism to move between a variety of spots in the offense.
Even though the numbers at tight end are light in the upper classes - only JP Holtz and Manasseh Garner - the coaches probably won't sign another three-man class in 2014. They have a commitment from Brian O'Neill, who is big enough to project on the defensive line, and I suspect they'll target one more, probably another one of the H-back types that Paul Chryst[/B] and Joe Rudolph[/B] favor.
If Pitt adds an H-back to go with O'Neill, the 2014 roster will have four traditional tight ends (Holtz, Ordnoff, Edwards, O'Neill) and three H-backs (Garner, Harper, and another 2014 recruit). That's probably the balance the coaches are looking for at tight end, and it's definitely the overall quantity they'd like to have at the position.
I see two main candidates to the be the H-back recruit in this class. Madison (Wisc.) athlete Marcus Collins is one. He is visiting this weekend, and there's a chance he could commit before he leaves campus.
Pitt is also recruiting Neumann-Goretti's Jamal Custis for the H-back position. Custis is 6'6" 210 and listed in the Rivals.com database as a receiver; he could probably play either position in college, and because of that versatility, I think Pitt will continue recruiting him even if Collins commits.
Right now, those are the two targets I see on Pitt's board for tight end, and I think there's a good chance Pitt will land one or both of them.
Target number:[/B] 2
Commit:[/B] Brian O'Neill
Remaining targets:[/B] Jamal Custis, Marcus Collins
Offensive line[/B]
Pitt made a huge haul - quite literally - on the offensive line in the class of 2013. The Panthers signed five offensive linemen last February, and given the state of the roster that Chryst and Jim Hueber[/B] inherited, they'll try to add a few more this year.
Pitt has two pretty solid commitments thus far in Alex Bookser.
Bookser is a prototypical left tackle and probably not too far away from being ready to contribute in college. He released a top eight recently and then said that Pitt and Ohio State are his top two. From what I've been told, Ohio State's interest in Bookser is legitimate - which is actually a distinction you have to make regarding Ohio State offers - and the coaches in Columbus would like to land him. But even though OSU plans to take 5 or 6 offensive linemen, the class could fill up before Bookser makes a decision.
That would obviously make Pitt's path a lot easier with Bookser, but I think the Panthers have a good chance, regardless. I didn't feel strongly about Pitt's chances with Bookser's teammate, receiver Troy Apke, who committed to Penn State, and initially I was apprehensive about Bookser's interest in Pitt. But the fact that he has the Panthers in his top two is quite telling, and I think Pitt's got a very good shot.
If the coaches could add Bookser to Grimm and Hayes and that was the way the class finished, I believe they would be content with that group. There are a few other names out there that could replace Bookser if he commits elsewhere or who could be added to the group in addition to Bookser, Grimm and Hayes. But the plan right now is to land Bookser, after which they might just call it a day.
Of course, recruiting never ends, and the coaches certainly have a list of targets they'll be watching this fall. You never know who might emerge in their senior seasons, and if the coaches still have room in the class, they could add another lineman with a fall offer.
Target number:[/B] 3-4
Commits:[/B] Mike Grimm, Connor Hayes
Remaining targets:[/B] Alex Bookser
Defensive end[/B]
The defensive line was like the offensive line for Pitt in the class of 2013: numbers, numbers, numbers. Pitt signed five defensive linemen in February, including three defensive ends. So while the coaches would probably like to add three or four more this year, they know it's best to limit to the haul to two.
They already landed one defensive end recruit in Darius Slade, a 6'5" 237-pound end prospect from New Jersey. Slade has Pitt in his top group and plans to visit at some point in the near future, and while he called Rutgers his favorite a few weeks ago, I think Pitt has a good chance.
Robert Bowers is another interesting interesting target. He said recently that Pitt was in his top three, although the Panthers are third behind Michigan State and Purdue and we aren't completely sure that Pitt has been in contact with him much lately. Still, it's interesting that he lists Pitt high on his list.
If Pitt doesn't land Slade and doesn't step up the communication with Bowers, the coaches will probably have to look for some new options at defensive end, since the other listed offers - Justus Reed - aren't really considering Pitt.
Target number:[/B] 2
Commit:[/B] Shane Roy
Remaining targets:[/B] Darius Slade, Robert Bowers
Defensive tackle[/B]
Pitt signed two defensive tackles in the last class, and they need two more in this class. The Panthers graduate two tackles after this year (Aaron Donald and Tyrone Ezell) at which point they will have two upperclassmen (Khaynin Mosley-Smith and Darryl Render) and two second-year players (2013 recruits Jeremiah Taleni and Tyrique Jarrett).
To continue building the roster at defensive tackle, the coaches were looking for two recruits at the position in the class of 2014, and they got them in the last few weeks. Actually, they got them on the same night. First was Connor Dintino committed.
Both Herndon and Dintino earned their offers at Pitt's prospect camps in June. Herndon came back to Pitt for an unofficial visit two weeks after the camp and committed before he left. Dintino got his offer at camp, went home, sat on it for a few days and then decided to commit.
Unless something changes, that will be Pitt's defensive tackle group for this recruiting class. Things could change, of course; Herndon or Dintino could have a change of heart, or the coaches could decide to take three tackles. They also wouldn't turn down a commitment from top tackle recruits likeRicky Walker. But those three aren't likely to pick Pitt, so I think the coaches will stick with Herndon and Dintino.
Target number:[/B] 2
Commits:[/B] Mike Herndon, Connor Dintino
Remaining targets:[/B] None
Linebacker[/B]
Linebacker is an interesting position for Pitt. The Panthers have at least two players at each eligibility level, but that comes with some caveats. In the senior class, I don't expect Dan Mason to return this season. In the junior class, Anthony Gonzalez will be in his first full season at linebacker. In the sophomore class, Nicholas Grigsby is apparently a rumored transfer candidate, as is his brother, redshirt freshman Bam Bradley.
So there are caveats, and those caveats -particularly the ones at the lower levels - have led the coaches to look for two more linebackers in the class of 2014.
Pitt lost two linebacker targets this spring when Jawhaun Bentley as the main remaining linebacker target for Pitt to fill the other spot at that position.
Bentley has been under the radar lately, but he has spoken highly of Pitt in the past. The coaches better hope he is quite high on the Panthers, or else they'll have to uncover some more linebacker prospects.
Iowa State commit Sam Seonbuchner is one intriguing option. He is committed to Paul Rhoads and his staff, but Seonbuchner has expressed an interest in taking some visits, including one to Pitt. At this point, I'm not sure if that visit will materialize, but it's worth keeping an eye on.
Target number:[/B] 2
Commit:[/B] Quintin Wirginis
Remaining targets:[/B] Jawhaun Bentley
Defensive back[/B]
I'm including cornerbacks and safeties together here due to the overlap that often occurs between the two positions, and also because the Pitt coaches feel like they need to address depth in the secondary once again. They signed three defensive backs last season - corners Titus Howard and Terrish Webb and safety Rachid Ibrahim - and the numbers will probably look similar this year.
The issue in the secondary is depth. There are some numbers at cornerback, but the coaches want quantity and quality added to the group. Diminutive speedster Avonte Maddox is already committed, and I think the coaches will try to get one more cornerback.
Safety is particularly thin, with redshirt senior Jason Hendricks, redshirt junior Ray Vinopal, redshirt freshmen Ryan Lewis and Jevonte Pitts, and true freshman Ibrahim. There are considerable holes on the roster at safety, and the coaches will probably try to sign three in this class. They've already got commitments from Jalen Williams, who both project at safety, and they're looking for at least one more.
Elizabeth Forward athlete Montae Nicholson, who have been among Pitt's top overall targets since the coaches started building the class.
Henry has talked about four programs primarily: Pitt, West Virginia, Penn State and Ohio State. Ohio State doesn't appear to be an option, but you'll hear that each of the other three schools is his favorite depending on who you talk to and when you talk to them. One day WVU is the leader. Another day PSU is the leader. And Pitt is always mentioned due to the Panthers' history at Aliquippa.
My gut still tells me that Henry will end up at Pitt, but it's going to take a long time.
Nicholson has a lot of offers, but he also has a very good relationship with the Pitt coaches; it's too early to call a favorite for Nicholson, but Pitt should be in it until the end.
Rasaan Stewart also likes Pitt quite a bit, but I spoke with him on Thursday and he is looking to see what other offers he can bring in before he makes a decision. Pitt's in good shape, but we'll see how long he wants to play out the process.
Target number:[/B] 5 (2 corners, 3 safeties)
Commits:[/B] Avonte Maddox (corner), Jalen Williams (safety), Patrick Amara (safety)
Remaining targets:[/B] Jerrell Foster, Dravon Henry, Phillipie Motley, Montae Nicholson, Jaquan Davidson, Rasaan Stewart
Overall[/B]
So what could this class look like when it's all said and done? Obviously we're still a long ways from Signing Day and a lot can - and will - change. But I think this is a realistic possibility for how Pitt finishes the class.
Quarterback[/B]- Adam Bertke, Wade Freebeck
Running back[/B] - Dennis Briggs, Shai McKenzie, Qadree Ollison
Wide receiver[/B] - Malik Hooker, Elijah Zeise
Tight end[/B] - Marcus Collins, Brian O'Neill
Offensive line[/B] - Alex Bookser, Mike Grimm, Connor Hayes
Defensive end[/B] - Shane Roy, Darius Slade
Defensive tackle[/B] - Connor Dintino, Mike Herndon
Linebacker[/B] - Jawhaun Bentley, Quintin Wirginis
Cornerback[/B] - Jaquan Davidson, Avonte Maddox
Safety[/B] - Patrick Amara, Dravon Henry, Jalen Williams
That's not a prediction, mind you; that's a hypothetical class that Pitt could land. If the coaches sign those recruits, it would be a class of 23, which is right around where I expect this class to be. The coaches could push it to 25 because it wouldn't be a surprise to see more attrition from the current roster. But I think they'll settle around 22-24. Also, while I laid out the breakdown by position, some recruits - like Dennis Briggs, Dravon Henry or Jaquan Davidson - could project at different positions, which changes the layout of the class. But I believe the final number will still be right in that range.
Limited options?[/B]
You'll notice that at some positions, the Remaining Targets[/B] line is a bit small. Offensive line, defensive end, and linebacker certainly stand out for only having one or two names in those areas. There are probably a few other recruits that we haven't uncovered yet, but for the most part, this staff is focused on a small group of prospects.
I have said before that these coaches seem to operate on two basic premises:
1. They can evaluate talent and determine the players who best fit the team.
2. They can coach those recruits up and make them productive players on the field.
I have followed that up by saying that if the coaches are right about both of those premises, then Pitt will be due for some considerable success in the coming years. If they are wrong about one or both, then there could be some tough times ahead.
That will remain to be seen. What I think we can see right now is the crossover between those premises and the current remaining targets. To point No. 1, the coaches have honed in on a select group of recruits who can fit the system and help the team, and they have focused their efforts on those recruits.
I think point No. 2 plays into the recruiting strategy as well. If the coaches miss on some of the top remaining targets - say Alex Bookser, for instance - the coaches are confident that they can find another recruit, coach that recruit, and mold him into a productive player who contributes to the team.
That's an approach that speaks to the coaches' confidence in their own abilities. If nothing else, Paul Chryst and his staff - and Chryst sets the tone for this - believe in doing things their way. They believe that their approaches to football and building a program are sound strategies, and they believe that they can guide Pitt to success. It's conviction, and much like in the Rushel Shell situation, when the Pitt staff operated on its convictions, the results remain to be seen but the conviction is admirable.
The waiting game[/B]
On a final note, I'm going to bring up a phrase I used to use in these In the Pitt[/B] write-ups from time to time. The phrase was "no-matter-what," and the context was that some recruits are "no-matter-what" recruits, which is to say, some recruits could commit at any point during the process and their commitments would be accepted.
Not every recruit is a "no-matter-what" recruit. When the coaches offer a recruit, they are willing to accept his commitment on the spot. But things change over time. Spaces that were allotted to certain positions fill up. And when that happens, a recruit who has an offer might find that the coaches cannot accept his commitment.
That's the case right now with Aliquippa defensive tackle Brock Boxen. Boxen was offered last summer after the prospect camp, and Fields got his offer from Pitt this spring. Both spoke highly of Pitt and made it known that they wanted Pitt offers, but when they got the offers, they did not act.
That's all well and good, but the coaches made it clear to defensive tackle recruits that they only intended to sign two players at the position. So when Mike Herndon committed, Connor Dintino saw the writing on the wall and pulled the trigger shortly thereafter, and Fields and Boxen were, all of a sudden, on the outside looking in.
I suppose the point is that not every recruit can afford to wait. Shai McKenzie can afford to wait. Dravon Henry can afford to wait. Montae Nicholson can afford to wait. Alex Bookser can afford to wait. At defensive tackle, Ricky Walker and Thomas Holley can afford to wait (and Pitt would probably even go above the target number for those two). Fields and Boxen did not have that luxury.
Things can change, as always. Pitt could decide to take three defensive tackles. Something could happen with Herndon or Dintino. Or the coaches could watch senior film of Fields or Boxen and decide that they can't fathom the thought of a 2014 roster without those two guys. But as it stands right now, there is no room for the two local defensive tackles.
I have covered recruiting for eight years now, and I've picked up a few things about the process itself along the way, things I have been told about the process and things I have learned by seeing it happen over and over again. 95% of the recruits in every class have to honestly ask themselves two questions as he goes through the process:
- What schools would I like to play at?
- What schools would I realistically have a chance of getting on the field and being successful with?
The key is to assess those questions honestly; then find the overlaps between the two questions, and if an offer comes from a school that fits the bill on both fronts, take it. That doesn't mean it has to be Pitt; but be realistic about your potential and where you could play and enjoy your college life, and then act on it.
Sometimes waiting pays off. Sometimes a recruit has MAC offers in the summer before his senior season and then has a huge year and signs with a BCS school in February. It happens. But more often than not, something else happens. Usually the recruit signs with a school he had an offer from in June; sometimes the recruit misses his chance to go to a school because he was waiting for another school to offer. When the second school doesn't offer, now the recruit is left looking at his Plan B or Plan C options.
I would never tell Jaleel Fields or Brock Boxen what they should or shouldn't do or what they should or shouldn't have done. That's not my place and, quite frankly, I don't know what they should do or should have done. But what I do know is that Mike Herndon got a scholarship from Pitt, visited, liked what he saw and committed. And Connor Dintino got an offer, liked what he saw and committed. And those two guys have spots at Pitt.
If you made it this far in this week's edition of In the Pitt[/B], I applaud you (and your boss probably wants you to get back to work). Thanks, as always, for reading the site and interacting on the message boards.
This post was edited on 7/12 8:32 AM by Chris Peak
Welcome back to another edition of In the Pitt, Panther-Lair.com's rundown of everything going on in Pitt recruiting. Today we're looking at the overall target numbers for Pitt's current recruiting class, the top prospects who could fill those spots, and the chances some recruits take in the process.[/I]
Starting the class[/B]
With the commitment of Elijah Zeise last Wednesday, Pitt's class swelled to 14 recruits, which is a pretty high number for mid-July (at least in terms of recent Pitt history). Obviously the next question is a two-parter:
How many more recruits can Pitt take, and who will those recruits be?
We'll get to those big questions in a second. But first, a word on the 14 recruits who have committed.
Some data points on the 2014 class as it stands:
By position[/B]
Quarterback - 2
Running back - 1
Wide receiver - 1
Tight end - 1
Offensive line - 2
Defensive end - 1
Defensive tackle - 2
Linebacker - 1
Cornerback - 1
Safety - 2
By state[/B]
Pennsylvania - 5
Michigan - 2
Ohio - 2
Connecticut - 1
Delaware - 1
Florida - 1
New York - 1
Virginia - 1
By stars[/B]
Four-stars - 1
Three-stars - 7
Two-stars - 6
That's the nuts and bolts of it. But what really makes up the class? Well, there are a few things to consider. One is the other offers a recruit had. Of Pitt's 14 commits, 5 had multiple BCS offers beyond their Pitt offers. Shane Roy each had two.
The other nine commits had one BCS offer or no BCS offers other than Pitt (six commits had one BCS offer each; the other three had no BCS offers). Later in this report I'll bring back some thoughts I had about offers in the last In the Pitt[/B], but for now, let's just take those facts and work from there.
Simply put - and I don't think it's a stretch to say this - it's not a spectacular class so far. By that, I mean that it's not a class full of superstars and "elite recruits" (for whatever that designation is worth). That's not to say that the class is subpar or that it is falling short of what the coaches are looking for; on the contrary, I think the coaches are very much landing the recruits they want to land.
Consider: of Pitt's 14 commits, seven earned offers in June after working out for the coaches during the prospect camp: Shane Roy. Of the other seven, Grimm attended Pitt's prospect camp last year and this year, as did Briggs. And Zeise worked out at Pitt's camp last year, too.
So, of Pitt's 14 commits, only four - Jalen Williams - didn't work out with the coaches during a prospect camp. Pitt coaches did visit all four of those recruits during the spring evaluation period (although Hayes and Williams already had offers by that point), but the prospect camps are important in the recruiting process, since they give the coaches to work directly with the recruits, working them out in a hands-on setting, putting them through drills, coaching them and teaching them over the course of an afternoon.
The Pitt coaches had that direct, personal experience with and evaluation of Bertke, Maddox, Amara, Herndon, Dintino, Wirginis, Roy, Grimm, Briggs and Zeise and, after that specialized form of analysis, extended a scholarship offer. There's something to said for that vetting process.
So there's that. I also think there are some very good football players in that group. Hopefully you've been checking out our Film Study[/B] series, where I talked to various Rivals.com analysts for some in-depth evaluations of Pitt's commits. If you missed any of the articles, here they are:
Avonte Maddox
Patrick Amara
Connor Dintino
Adam Bertke
Connor Hayes
Wade Freebeck
And we have more coming. But as you look at those articles, I think what you'll see is that, by and large, the analysts like what they have seen from Pitt's commits. The reviews are not 100% glowing: Rivals.com Midwest analyst Josh Helmholdt likes the fact that Bertke has led his team to back-to-back state championships, but he has concerns about Bertke's mechanics. And Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic analyst Adam Friedman speaks highly of Amara's versatility, but concedes that the West Catholic athlete needs to be more explosive.
Overall, though, there are some favorable reviews in there. Even if the class is, by appearance, for the most part unspectacular, it seems to be very solid. The key now is to top it off. Pitt has to take the group it has assembled and add some key pieces at key positions, elite players who can take a solid class and make it spectacular.
So who do the coaches target? And who will they get?
Glad you asked.
Finishing the class[/B]
As always, before we start a breakdown of remaining scholarship spots and target numbers at positions, it's worthwhile to consider a few resources:
The Scholarship Board - Tells you who's on the team now
Commitment list - Tells you who is committed to join the team next year
Offer sheet - Tells you who is still on the board for Pitt to pursue
Those three resources are important for any discussion of filling the remaining spots, and longtime Panther-Lair.com readers are, without a doubt familiar with them. If you're not, then I suggest you open those pages now (at least the Scholarship Board and probably the offer sheet) since we'll be referencing them as we go through each position.
No recruiting happens in a vacuum; the coaches always have to know what they have on the roster and where they need to reload. So if we're talking about those same topics, we need the same working knowledge base.
Okay then…
Quarterback[/B]
This one is pretty easy. The Pitt coaches decided they needed two quarterbacks in the class of 2014, and they got them both last month in Wade Freebeck.
Why two quarterbacks in the class? Here's where the Scholarship Board comes in handy. Consider the QB ranks for the next few years:
2013 - Tom Savage, Trey Anderson, Chad Voytik, Tra Chapman (assuming he returns to the team)
2014 - Anderson, Voytik, Chapman
2015 - Voytik, Chapman
Trey Anderson is a good kid and I think he'll have a good career as a coach, but I don't think he's really a factor in the quarterback competition. He'll be the emergency third quarterback this season, but I don't see him realistically competing for the job in 2014. If you cross him off, then you have two quarterbacks in 2014 (or one if Chapman doesn't return; personally, I think he will be back, depending on the outcome of his legal proceedings).
Two quarterbacks are not enough for a season. And given the fact that you never know who will pan out and who will fizzle, who will grind through a few years as a reserve and who will look for greener pastures, it was almost inevitable that Pitt would sign two quarterbacks this season. I think that would have been the case even if Pitt had landed Keller Chryst.
Chryst, as we all know, committed to Stanford, and Pitt landed Bertke and Freebeck. We've written and talked a lot about those two guys - check out the first episode of The Lair Cast - for some thoughts on Freebeck - so we won't go too far in-depth here. But how Freebeck and Bertke develop over the next four or five years will tell us a lot about the Pitt coaches, particularly quarterbacks coachBrooks Bollinger[/B], who personally evaluated and vetted those two recruits.
With two quarterbacks in the fold, Pitt is done at the position. The coaches will keep an eye out for more potential prospects in case anything happens with Bertke or Freebeck, but as it stands, they hit their target number for the position.
Target number:[/B] 2
Commits:[/B] Adam Bertke, Wade Freebeck
Remaining targets:[/B] None
Running back[/B]
Running back is one of many positions where Pitt needs to upgrade quality and quantity. The Panthers will enter 2013 with four scholarship running backs; one of those four was a walk-on this past spring, and the other is a true freshman.
Like I said, they need quantity and quality.
So far, Pitt has a commitment from Shady Side athlete Dennis Briggs. Early in Pitt's recruitment of Briggs, the coaches weren't sure what side of the ball he projected on, but after seeing him in their prospect camp, they decided he could be a running back. But even that is probably a bit tentative; if the coaches could get two more top-of-the-board backs to commit, they'd take those two and view Briggs as a multi-position "athlete."
So who are the top-of-the-board backs that could pick Pitt?
The first name at the top of the board is the obvious one: Shai McKenzie. The standout from Washington (Pa.) is Pitt's top target at running back and one of the top overall targets on the recruiting board. McKenzie named a top five and Pitt was No. 2 - behind Florida State - and the Panthers should be in it until the end. McKenzie does have interest in the SEC and playing in the south, but Pitt will have a fair shot. I think a winning season and some on-field success can help Pitt with McKenzie as much if not more than any other recruit.
Beyond McKenzie, Pitt is also strong pursuing C.J. Leggett. James has had Pitt in his top two or three since he started naming such things, and he recently said he now plans to take official visits this fall, which is probably a good thing for Pitt.
Ollison has visited Pitt twice since the end of April, and he's got the Panthers in his top five along with Penn State, Rutgers, Syracuse and Wisconsin. Penn State is probably the biggest threat from that group, but the fact that the Nittany Lions offered him a month ago and he hasn't committed tells me - and there have been other reports pointing toward this conclusion - that his offer isn't 100% legitimate at this point. If PSU misses on a few other running back targets, they may open the door for Ollison; otherwise, he probably won't be at Penn State. That should put Pitt in a good position.
Leggett is an interesting prospect with a variety of offers, rankings, and interests, depending on which online source you consult. He seems to be interested in Pitt, but I don't have a strong feel for his recruitment yet. I would say that McKenzie, Ollison and James are the top three targets at running back right now.
If Pitt could get two of those three, I think they would take them. If they could only get one, I think they'd be satisfied with that one and Briggs and not push for another back unless one really jumped off the page. If Pitt misses on all three of those running backs, then I think the coaches will look at Plan B options.
Target number:[/B] 2-3
Commit:[/B] Dennis Briggs
Remaining targets:[/B] Shai McKenzie, Qadree Ollison, Chris James, CJ Leggett
Wide receiver[/B]
Like running back, Pitt needs some quantity and quality at wide receiver. The coaches signed four receivers in the class of 2013, and that was a good start, but they need to add more to the roster this year. They might not have room to sign four, but they'll get a couple and could go as high as three.
Pitt landed its first receiver commitment last week with North Allegheny's Elijah Zeise. While some colleges like Zeise for defense, the Pitt coaches are pretty well committed to using him on offense, and that's what Zeise wants to do. Obviously I know Elijah through his father, so there's a personal connection there, but I really like his game on the field: he's got good size, a frame that can fill out and bulk up, sneaky speed and really impressive athleticism. If he can be more aggressive on the field, I think he can be a very good college player.
For the next spot or two, Pitt is in on some pretty good receivers. Both Jamil Kamara have Pitt in their respective top groups, and the Panthers figure to be in contention for both of them until the end. Both Winfree and Kamara visited Pitt this summer, and both spoke highly of the Panthers after the visits.
Kamara said that he would take official visits before making a decision on college, and Pitt will get one of those visits. Winfree's next step is to cut his list from nine to five; after that, he'll probably take official visits and then decide (although if he visits Georgia this summer, that could change things).
It's definitely a positive for Pitt to be in good shape with receivers like Kamara and Winfree, but it's tough to call the Panthers the favorite at this point. Dorian Baker has been on Pitt's board for a long time, but he seems to be slipping a bit and is definitely behind Kamara and Winfree (and maybe a couple others).
One good possibility for Pitt is New Castle's Malik Hooker. A multi-sport/multi-position athlete, Hooker is a pretty outstanding player who was fairly dominant at Pitt's passing camp in June. He claims offers from Penn State, Ohio State, Nebraska, Michigan and West Virginia, but I think Pitt has a good chance of landing him.
If Pitt could only get one of Hooker, Kamara, or Winfree, I think the coaches would be satisfied with signing that player and Zeise as the receivers in the class of 2013. If two of those three wanted to commit, the coaches might do the dance of joy.
Target number:[/B] 2-3
Commit:[/B] Elijah Zeise
Remaining targets:[/B] Jamil Kamara, Juwann Winfree, Malik Hooker, Dorian Baker, Steve Ishmael
Tight end[/B]
Tight end was another position the coaches addressed heavily in the class of 2013 with three players signed. But those three are each unique: Scott Orndoff is the "traditional" tight end, Devon Edwards is more of a blocker who could eventually move to offensive tackle or the defensive line, and Tony Harper is headed for H-back, where he'll use his athleticism to move between a variety of spots in the offense.
Even though the numbers at tight end are light in the upper classes - only JP Holtz and Manasseh Garner - the coaches probably won't sign another three-man class in 2014. They have a commitment from Brian O'Neill, who is big enough to project on the defensive line, and I suspect they'll target one more, probably another one of the H-back types that Paul Chryst[/B] and Joe Rudolph[/B] favor.
If Pitt adds an H-back to go with O'Neill, the 2014 roster will have four traditional tight ends (Holtz, Ordnoff, Edwards, O'Neill) and three H-backs (Garner, Harper, and another 2014 recruit). That's probably the balance the coaches are looking for at tight end, and it's definitely the overall quantity they'd like to have at the position.
I see two main candidates to the be the H-back recruit in this class. Madison (Wisc.) athlete Marcus Collins is one. He is visiting this weekend, and there's a chance he could commit before he leaves campus.
Pitt is also recruiting Neumann-Goretti's Jamal Custis for the H-back position. Custis is 6'6" 210 and listed in the Rivals.com database as a receiver; he could probably play either position in college, and because of that versatility, I think Pitt will continue recruiting him even if Collins commits.
Right now, those are the two targets I see on Pitt's board for tight end, and I think there's a good chance Pitt will land one or both of them.
Target number:[/B] 2
Commit:[/B] Brian O'Neill
Remaining targets:[/B] Jamal Custis, Marcus Collins
Offensive line[/B]
Pitt made a huge haul - quite literally - on the offensive line in the class of 2013. The Panthers signed five offensive linemen last February, and given the state of the roster that Chryst and Jim Hueber[/B] inherited, they'll try to add a few more this year.
Pitt has two pretty solid commitments thus far in Alex Bookser.
Bookser is a prototypical left tackle and probably not too far away from being ready to contribute in college. He released a top eight recently and then said that Pitt and Ohio State are his top two. From what I've been told, Ohio State's interest in Bookser is legitimate - which is actually a distinction you have to make regarding Ohio State offers - and the coaches in Columbus would like to land him. But even though OSU plans to take 5 or 6 offensive linemen, the class could fill up before Bookser makes a decision.
That would obviously make Pitt's path a lot easier with Bookser, but I think the Panthers have a good chance, regardless. I didn't feel strongly about Pitt's chances with Bookser's teammate, receiver Troy Apke, who committed to Penn State, and initially I was apprehensive about Bookser's interest in Pitt. But the fact that he has the Panthers in his top two is quite telling, and I think Pitt's got a very good shot.
If the coaches could add Bookser to Grimm and Hayes and that was the way the class finished, I believe they would be content with that group. There are a few other names out there that could replace Bookser if he commits elsewhere or who could be added to the group in addition to Bookser, Grimm and Hayes. But the plan right now is to land Bookser, after which they might just call it a day.
Of course, recruiting never ends, and the coaches certainly have a list of targets they'll be watching this fall. You never know who might emerge in their senior seasons, and if the coaches still have room in the class, they could add another lineman with a fall offer.
Target number:[/B] 3-4
Commits:[/B] Mike Grimm, Connor Hayes
Remaining targets:[/B] Alex Bookser
Defensive end[/B]
The defensive line was like the offensive line for Pitt in the class of 2013: numbers, numbers, numbers. Pitt signed five defensive linemen in February, including three defensive ends. So while the coaches would probably like to add three or four more this year, they know it's best to limit to the haul to two.
They already landed one defensive end recruit in Darius Slade, a 6'5" 237-pound end prospect from New Jersey. Slade has Pitt in his top group and plans to visit at some point in the near future, and while he called Rutgers his favorite a few weeks ago, I think Pitt has a good chance.
Robert Bowers is another interesting interesting target. He said recently that Pitt was in his top three, although the Panthers are third behind Michigan State and Purdue and we aren't completely sure that Pitt has been in contact with him much lately. Still, it's interesting that he lists Pitt high on his list.
If Pitt doesn't land Slade and doesn't step up the communication with Bowers, the coaches will probably have to look for some new options at defensive end, since the other listed offers - Justus Reed - aren't really considering Pitt.
Target number:[/B] 2
Commit:[/B] Shane Roy
Remaining targets:[/B] Darius Slade, Robert Bowers
Defensive tackle[/B]
Pitt signed two defensive tackles in the last class, and they need two more in this class. The Panthers graduate two tackles after this year (Aaron Donald and Tyrone Ezell) at which point they will have two upperclassmen (Khaynin Mosley-Smith and Darryl Render) and two second-year players (2013 recruits Jeremiah Taleni and Tyrique Jarrett).
To continue building the roster at defensive tackle, the coaches were looking for two recruits at the position in the class of 2014, and they got them in the last few weeks. Actually, they got them on the same night. First was Connor Dintino committed.
Both Herndon and Dintino earned their offers at Pitt's prospect camps in June. Herndon came back to Pitt for an unofficial visit two weeks after the camp and committed before he left. Dintino got his offer at camp, went home, sat on it for a few days and then decided to commit.
Unless something changes, that will be Pitt's defensive tackle group for this recruiting class. Things could change, of course; Herndon or Dintino could have a change of heart, or the coaches could decide to take three tackles. They also wouldn't turn down a commitment from top tackle recruits likeRicky Walker. But those three aren't likely to pick Pitt, so I think the coaches will stick with Herndon and Dintino.
Target number:[/B] 2
Commits:[/B] Mike Herndon, Connor Dintino
Remaining targets:[/B] None
Linebacker[/B]
Linebacker is an interesting position for Pitt. The Panthers have at least two players at each eligibility level, but that comes with some caveats. In the senior class, I don't expect Dan Mason to return this season. In the junior class, Anthony Gonzalez will be in his first full season at linebacker. In the sophomore class, Nicholas Grigsby is apparently a rumored transfer candidate, as is his brother, redshirt freshman Bam Bradley.
So there are caveats, and those caveats -particularly the ones at the lower levels - have led the coaches to look for two more linebackers in the class of 2014.
Pitt lost two linebacker targets this spring when Jawhaun Bentley as the main remaining linebacker target for Pitt to fill the other spot at that position.
Bentley has been under the radar lately, but he has spoken highly of Pitt in the past. The coaches better hope he is quite high on the Panthers, or else they'll have to uncover some more linebacker prospects.
Iowa State commit Sam Seonbuchner is one intriguing option. He is committed to Paul Rhoads and his staff, but Seonbuchner has expressed an interest in taking some visits, including one to Pitt. At this point, I'm not sure if that visit will materialize, but it's worth keeping an eye on.
Target number:[/B] 2
Commit:[/B] Quintin Wirginis
Remaining targets:[/B] Jawhaun Bentley
Defensive back[/B]
I'm including cornerbacks and safeties together here due to the overlap that often occurs between the two positions, and also because the Pitt coaches feel like they need to address depth in the secondary once again. They signed three defensive backs last season - corners Titus Howard and Terrish Webb and safety Rachid Ibrahim - and the numbers will probably look similar this year.
The issue in the secondary is depth. There are some numbers at cornerback, but the coaches want quantity and quality added to the group. Diminutive speedster Avonte Maddox is already committed, and I think the coaches will try to get one more cornerback.
Safety is particularly thin, with redshirt senior Jason Hendricks, redshirt junior Ray Vinopal, redshirt freshmen Ryan Lewis and Jevonte Pitts, and true freshman Ibrahim. There are considerable holes on the roster at safety, and the coaches will probably try to sign three in this class. They've already got commitments from Jalen Williams, who both project at safety, and they're looking for at least one more.
Elizabeth Forward athlete Montae Nicholson, who have been among Pitt's top overall targets since the coaches started building the class.
Henry has talked about four programs primarily: Pitt, West Virginia, Penn State and Ohio State. Ohio State doesn't appear to be an option, but you'll hear that each of the other three schools is his favorite depending on who you talk to and when you talk to them. One day WVU is the leader. Another day PSU is the leader. And Pitt is always mentioned due to the Panthers' history at Aliquippa.
My gut still tells me that Henry will end up at Pitt, but it's going to take a long time.
Nicholson has a lot of offers, but he also has a very good relationship with the Pitt coaches; it's too early to call a favorite for Nicholson, but Pitt should be in it until the end.
Rasaan Stewart also likes Pitt quite a bit, but I spoke with him on Thursday and he is looking to see what other offers he can bring in before he makes a decision. Pitt's in good shape, but we'll see how long he wants to play out the process.
Target number:[/B] 5 (2 corners, 3 safeties)
Commits:[/B] Avonte Maddox (corner), Jalen Williams (safety), Patrick Amara (safety)
Remaining targets:[/B] Jerrell Foster, Dravon Henry, Phillipie Motley, Montae Nicholson, Jaquan Davidson, Rasaan Stewart
Overall[/B]
So what could this class look like when it's all said and done? Obviously we're still a long ways from Signing Day and a lot can - and will - change. But I think this is a realistic possibility for how Pitt finishes the class.
Quarterback[/B]- Adam Bertke, Wade Freebeck
Running back[/B] - Dennis Briggs, Shai McKenzie, Qadree Ollison
Wide receiver[/B] - Malik Hooker, Elijah Zeise
Tight end[/B] - Marcus Collins, Brian O'Neill
Offensive line[/B] - Alex Bookser, Mike Grimm, Connor Hayes
Defensive end[/B] - Shane Roy, Darius Slade
Defensive tackle[/B] - Connor Dintino, Mike Herndon
Linebacker[/B] - Jawhaun Bentley, Quintin Wirginis
Cornerback[/B] - Jaquan Davidson, Avonte Maddox
Safety[/B] - Patrick Amara, Dravon Henry, Jalen Williams
That's not a prediction, mind you; that's a hypothetical class that Pitt could land. If the coaches sign those recruits, it would be a class of 23, which is right around where I expect this class to be. The coaches could push it to 25 because it wouldn't be a surprise to see more attrition from the current roster. But I think they'll settle around 22-24. Also, while I laid out the breakdown by position, some recruits - like Dennis Briggs, Dravon Henry or Jaquan Davidson - could project at different positions, which changes the layout of the class. But I believe the final number will still be right in that range.
Limited options?[/B]
You'll notice that at some positions, the Remaining Targets[/B] line is a bit small. Offensive line, defensive end, and linebacker certainly stand out for only having one or two names in those areas. There are probably a few other recruits that we haven't uncovered yet, but for the most part, this staff is focused on a small group of prospects.
I have said before that these coaches seem to operate on two basic premises:
1. They can evaluate talent and determine the players who best fit the team.
2. They can coach those recruits up and make them productive players on the field.
I have followed that up by saying that if the coaches are right about both of those premises, then Pitt will be due for some considerable success in the coming years. If they are wrong about one or both, then there could be some tough times ahead.
That will remain to be seen. What I think we can see right now is the crossover between those premises and the current remaining targets. To point No. 1, the coaches have honed in on a select group of recruits who can fit the system and help the team, and they have focused their efforts on those recruits.
I think point No. 2 plays into the recruiting strategy as well. If the coaches miss on some of the top remaining targets - say Alex Bookser, for instance - the coaches are confident that they can find another recruit, coach that recruit, and mold him into a productive player who contributes to the team.
That's an approach that speaks to the coaches' confidence in their own abilities. If nothing else, Paul Chryst and his staff - and Chryst sets the tone for this - believe in doing things their way. They believe that their approaches to football and building a program are sound strategies, and they believe that they can guide Pitt to success. It's conviction, and much like in the Rushel Shell situation, when the Pitt staff operated on its convictions, the results remain to be seen but the conviction is admirable.
The waiting game[/B]
On a final note, I'm going to bring up a phrase I used to use in these In the Pitt[/B] write-ups from time to time. The phrase was "no-matter-what," and the context was that some recruits are "no-matter-what" recruits, which is to say, some recruits could commit at any point during the process and their commitments would be accepted.
Not every recruit is a "no-matter-what" recruit. When the coaches offer a recruit, they are willing to accept his commitment on the spot. But things change over time. Spaces that were allotted to certain positions fill up. And when that happens, a recruit who has an offer might find that the coaches cannot accept his commitment.
That's the case right now with Aliquippa defensive tackle Brock Boxen. Boxen was offered last summer after the prospect camp, and Fields got his offer from Pitt this spring. Both spoke highly of Pitt and made it known that they wanted Pitt offers, but when they got the offers, they did not act.
That's all well and good, but the coaches made it clear to defensive tackle recruits that they only intended to sign two players at the position. So when Mike Herndon committed, Connor Dintino saw the writing on the wall and pulled the trigger shortly thereafter, and Fields and Boxen were, all of a sudden, on the outside looking in.
I suppose the point is that not every recruit can afford to wait. Shai McKenzie can afford to wait. Dravon Henry can afford to wait. Montae Nicholson can afford to wait. Alex Bookser can afford to wait. At defensive tackle, Ricky Walker and Thomas Holley can afford to wait (and Pitt would probably even go above the target number for those two). Fields and Boxen did not have that luxury.
Things can change, as always. Pitt could decide to take three defensive tackles. Something could happen with Herndon or Dintino. Or the coaches could watch senior film of Fields or Boxen and decide that they can't fathom the thought of a 2014 roster without those two guys. But as it stands right now, there is no room for the two local defensive tackles.
I have covered recruiting for eight years now, and I've picked up a few things about the process itself along the way, things I have been told about the process and things I have learned by seeing it happen over and over again. 95% of the recruits in every class have to honestly ask themselves two questions as he goes through the process:
- What schools would I like to play at?
- What schools would I realistically have a chance of getting on the field and being successful with?
The key is to assess those questions honestly; then find the overlaps between the two questions, and if an offer comes from a school that fits the bill on both fronts, take it. That doesn't mean it has to be Pitt; but be realistic about your potential and where you could play and enjoy your college life, and then act on it.
Sometimes waiting pays off. Sometimes a recruit has MAC offers in the summer before his senior season and then has a huge year and signs with a BCS school in February. It happens. But more often than not, something else happens. Usually the recruit signs with a school he had an offer from in June; sometimes the recruit misses his chance to go to a school because he was waiting for another school to offer. When the second school doesn't offer, now the recruit is left looking at his Plan B or Plan C options.
I would never tell Jaleel Fields or Brock Boxen what they should or shouldn't do or what they should or shouldn't have done. That's not my place and, quite frankly, I don't know what they should do or should have done. But what I do know is that Mike Herndon got a scholarship from Pitt, visited, liked what he saw and committed. And Connor Dintino got an offer, liked what he saw and committed. And those two guys have spots at Pitt.
If you made it this far in this week's edition of In the Pitt[/B], I applaud you (and your boss probably wants you to get back to work). Thanks, as always, for reading the site and interacting on the message boards.
This post was edited on 7/12 8:32 AM by Chris Peak
