Narduzzi and recruiting

[gary2]

Weastern PA doesn't turn out many players these days. Pitt doesn't get enough of the ones it does.

Doesn't faze Narduzzi at all. He goes about his business getting what he needs from wherever he can get it.

Not many coaches coaching at Pitt would be able to do that.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

Weastern PA doesn't turn out many players these days. Pitt doesn't get enough of the ones it does.

Doesn't faze Narduzzi at all. He goes about his business getting what he needs from wherever he can get it.

Not many coaches coaching at Pitt would be able to do that.

Similar to Walt Harris.

 

[President Stache]

Weastern PA doesn't turn out many players these days. Pitt doesn't get enough of the ones it does.

Doesn't faze Narduzzi at all. He goes about his business getting what he needs from wherever he can get it.

Not many coaches coaching at Pitt would be able to do that.

he is certainly one of the better recruiters we had here (and staff)

Feels good to get another one from the peds grasps

 

[gary2]

Similar to Walt Harris.

Not at all. When Harris no longer could recruit locally, he was done. Secondary weak recruiting in Ohio was not going to carry him.

When Harris lost Morelli and the RB from Central that was it.

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

Well all this wonderful recruiting needs to show on the field at some point with something better than 7-7, 8-5, etc.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

Not at all. When Harris no longer could recruit locally, he was done. Secondary weak recruiting in Ohio was not going to carry him.

When Harris lost Morelli and the RB from Central that was it.

Your are wrong. Walt landed Rod Rutherford, Amir Purifoy, Brandon Williams, Tyler Palko, Tutu Ferguson, Lou Polite, Matt Morgan, Shawntae Spencer, Josh Lay, Monroe Weekly, Kevan Barlow, Steve Buches, Luke Getsy, Tyre Young, Chris and Scott McKillop, etc. Walt’s hands were tied at the end. He was not receiving enough administrative support and the football conference was in complete disarray. Walt did well up to that point, and did something similar but with a lot less support.

 

[Jakey_John]

Your are wrong. Walt landed Rod Rutherford, Amir Purifoy, Brandon Williams, Tyler Palko, Tutu Ferguson, Lou Polite, Matt Morgan, Shawntae Spencer, Josh Lay, Monroe Weekly, Kevan Barlow, Steve Buches, Luke Getsy, Tyre Young, Chris and Scott McKillop, etc. Walt’s hands were tied at the end. He was not receiving enough administrative support and the football conference was in complete disarray. Walt did well up to that point, and did something similar but with a lot less support.

I fall more on this side of this argument too. Walt brought the program back from the dead. His downfall occurred because his bosses began to lose interest more than anything else.

 

[gary2]

I fall more on this side of this argument too. Walt brought the program back from the dead. His downfall occurred because his bosses began to lose interest more than anything else.

Did the collapse of the league kill Walt? Was losing the big local kids a result? Did that send the message locally that the league and Pitt by association, was small time?

Not being able to recruit locally was the end of Walt. He didn't have the chops to recruit strong enough elsewhere to survive.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

Did the collapse of the league kill Walt? Was losing the big local kids a result? Did that send the message locally that the league and Pitt by association, was small time?

Not being able to recruit locally was the end of Walt. He didn't have the chops to recruit strong enough elsewhere to survive.

Walt had a FAR smaller recruiting budget and not a lot of money for assistants. His hands were tied, but he still pulled quite a bit of talent out of other areas, in particular FL. The demise of the Big East was a huge hindrance towards the end of his tenure.

 

[gary2]

Walt had a FAR smaller recruiting budget and not a lot of money for assistants. His hands were tied, but he still pulled quite a bit of talent out of other areas, in particular FL. The demise of the Big East was huge at the time.

He got some players from Florida that turned out well, but they were largely players nobody else wanted. They were not the result of winning a recruiting battles.

Walt's problems were first the collapse of the league and second his own personal, off the field failings.

Any problems with the administration were self created.

 

[cashisking884]

He got some players from Florida that turned out well, but they were largely players nobody else wanted. They were not the result of winning a recruiting battles.

Walt's problems were first the collapse of the league and second his own personal, off the field failings.

Any problems with the administration were self created.

That’s an unfair standard to Walt.
Narduzzi isn’t exactly going far away and winning a bunch of 4* battles either.

 

[gary2]

That’s an unfair standard to Walt.
Narduzzi isn’t exactly going far away and winning a bunch of 4* battles either.

I think people are misunderstanding what I am saying about Walt.

No one wanted the Pitt job yet Walt turned Pitt around in one year. What he did with Pete Gonzolez was a miracle. Walt was a great offensive mind and QB developer. His game plans particularly against Vir,Tech were outstanding. Like many of our coaches, his game day coaching left a lot to be desired.

Walt recruited very well locally. His recruiting outside the area with few exceptions was pedestrian.

Walt was doing well. (Though He did have the wasted half season with the failed offensive system change).He was on his way to a big recruiting year, particularly locally, then the league collapsed. I have detailed what that meant. Right here, let's just say it hurt, hurt big time.

Walt might have survived and adjusted to the new reality except for the words of his agent and his personal problems off the field. Any problems with the administration were self inflicted.

All in all Walt was a big plus at a bad time for Pitt. Pitt and Pitt fans should appreciate him.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

Your are wrong. Walt landed Rod Rutherford, Amir Purifoy, Brandon Williams, Tyler Palko, Tutu Ferguson, Lou Polite, Matt Morgan, Shawntae Spencer, Josh Lay, Monroe Weekly, Kevan Barlow, Steve Buches, Luke Getsy, Tyre Young, Chris and Scott McKillop, etc. Walt’s hands were tied at the end. He was not receiving enough administrative support and the football conference was in complete disarray. Walt did well up to that point, and did something similar but with a lot less support.

Purify and brandin Williams were huge recruits too.

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

Did the collapse of the league kill Walt? Was losing the big local kids a result? Did that send the message locally that the league and Pitt by association, was small time?

Not being able to recruit locally was the end of Walt. He didn't have the chops to recruit strong enough elsewhere to survive.

yes, this and not being able to deliver the knock out punch to Penn State when they were on the ropes. PSU had back to back losing seasons, and came out of it recruiting Pozluzny, Morelli, Sean Lee, Shipley, King, all from the WPIAL. and all (with the exception of Morelli) played some at the next level. This was hard to understand, PSU trending down but came out of it recruiting stronger.

Not sure how he failed so badly at the end with those guys. I guess the league collapse hurt, plus laying the huge egg in 2003 didn't help things either. And as always how committed was the admin with the budget for recruiting, facilities, etc?

 

[steelcurtain55.]

Not at all. When Harris no longer could recruit locally, he was done. Secondary weak recruiting in Ohio was not going to carry him.

When Harris lost Morelli and the RB from Central that was it.

1. Who was Morelli going to start over at PITT?

2. Jarvis had his offer pulled when Larod committed. Larod played several seasons in the NFL. Jarvis didn't. If you're talking about Andrew Johnson, he finished up at North Hills - didn't he? He would have struggled to get carries at PITT had he played here.

 

[thebadby2]

He got some players from Florida that turned out well, but they were largely players nobody else wanted. They were not the result of winning a recruiting battles.

Walt's problems were first the collapse of the league and second his own personal, off the field failings.

Any problems with the administration were self created.

I’d say pulling Larry Fitz out of Minneapolis when everyone on earth wanted him, and holding onto him even after he had to do a prep year when OSU was pulling out all the stops to get him, was a pretty impressive recruiting coup by Walt. And interestingly, it was Walt himself who ran point on that one from Day 1.

A lot of short memories on this board. Narduzzi’s recruiting, and his results on the field, have largely been the same old same old. I don’t see any reason to start singing his praises as a recruiter or coach until he puts a legit consistent top 25 team on the field. For that to happen his recruiting on the offensive side of the ball will have to be a helluva lot better than it is now.

 

[PittPoker]

Weastern PA doesn't turn out many players these days. Pitt doesn't get enough of the ones it does.

Doesn't faze Narduzzi at all. He goes about his business getting what he needs from wherever he can get it.

Not many coaches coaching at Pitt would be able to do that.

Um what? His recruiting hasn't been good at all. Don't know what you are talking about.

 

[steelcurtain55.]

Walt recruited very well locally. His recruiting outside the area with few exceptions was pedestrian.

How does PITT fare with out these NFL drafted players Walt recruited that weren't "local"???


Larry Fitzgerald
Antonio Bryant
Bryan Knight
Claude Harriott
HB Blades
Clint Session
Claude Harriott
Gerald Hayes
Nick Goings
Charles Spencer
Kennard Cox
Mike McGlynn
Derek Kinder
Rob Pettiti
Kris Wilson
Andy Lee
Brandon Miree
Torrie Cox
Bryan Anderson
Ramon Walker
Joe Flacco
Rashad Jennings

The 6 guys he recruited that were local and drafted were
Barlow - Peabody
Lay - Aliquippa
Revis - Aliquippa
McKillop - Kiski
S. Spencer - Woody
LSH - Johnstown

The PSU local guys that were drafted during Walt's era were
Lavar Arrington - hard to hold him to that when he was hired in December and signing date was Febuary.
Tyler Reed
Paul Poslunzy
Justin King
AQ Shipley
Sean Lee

In hindsight considering all the circumstances, he did a very good job at PITT. The WPIAL was really hurting during Walt's era. Does anyone remember the CB West and Strath Haven dynasties in HS football during that run? They ran big school football in PA during that run. Parkland and Neshaminy both beat the best Woody High teams of all time.

 

[Jeffburgh]

I think people are misunderstanding what I am saying about Walt.

No one wanted the Pitt job yet Walt turned Pitt around in one year. What he did with Pete Gonzolez was a miracle. Walt was a great offensive mind and QB developer. His game plans particularly against Vir,Tech were outstanding. Like many of our coaches, his game day coaching left a lot to be desired.

Walt recruited very well locally. His recruiting outside the area with few exceptions was pedestrian.

Walt was doing well. (Though He did have the wasted half season with the failed offensive system change).He was on his way to a big recruiting year, particularly locally, then the league collapsed. I have detailed what that meant. Right here, let's just say it hurt, hurt big time.

Walt might have survived and adjusted to the new reality except for the words of his agent and his personal problems off the field. Any problems with the administration were self inflicted.

All in all Walt was a big plus at a bad time for Pitt. Pitt and Pitt fans should appreciate him.

I get what you are saying. Walt did a real service reviving a program thatbhad bottomed out.
But he definitely lost his heart for recruiting at the end, talent level in the program was sparce when Wanny took over, and Walt lasted two years before Stanford jetisoned him, and pretty much dropped out of coaching at that level.

 

[steelcurtain55.]

I get what you are saying. Walt did a real service reviving a program thatbhad bottomed out.
But he definitely lost his heart for recruiting at the end, talent level in the program was sparce when Wanny took over, and Walt lasted two years before Stanford jetisoned him, and pretty much dropped out of coaching at that level.

Who graduated off the 2004 bcs team that was a significant loss?

There was talent.

Depth hurt more.

What is your source that his heart wasn't into recruiting?

 

[pierre93]

There were a few factors that lead Walt Harris out the door here. An agent and the Gottfried factor um you know Would of been interesting to see Walt's team in 2005 but Wanny came in and tried smash mouth football with a pass oriented system.
Pitt needs to stay the course and keep Duzz for along time. He needs a main recruiter in Ohio since there is alot of talent there too.

 

[Pantherguy4]

All, what personal stuff are you talking about in relation to Walt?

 

[Jeffburgh]

There were a few factors that lead Walt Harris out the door here. An agent and the Gottfried factor um you know Would of been interesting to see Walt's team in 2005 but Wanny came in a tried smash mouth football with a pass oriented system.

Wanny definitely under performed that first year with a really experienced team and some decent talent.

No doubt about that.

But, once that group graduated, it was clear the overall talent level in the program had slipped.

Took Wanny a couple years to restock it.

 

[gary2]

1. Who was Morelli going to start over at PITT?

2. Jarvis had his offer pulled when Larod committed. Larod played several seasons in the NFL. Jarvis didn't. If you're talking about Andrew Johnson, he finished up at North Hills - didn't he? He would have struggled to get carries at PITT had he played here.

I was referencing Johnson.

Do not disagree, but it was a matter of perception.

Heralded recruits, good or not, turned their back on Pitt as the league collapsed.

They were saying, and everyone was thinking, Pitt was now small time. That is extremely hard to overcome.

 

[revampedpanthers]

Similar to Walt Harris.

Neither are what I would consider good recruiters. Both were average. Walt was really good at finding under the radar skill guys and his reputation allowed him to recruit QBs at a high level.

DW was a good recruiter, Graham was having a good first season before Penny's sisters cousin needed help in Arizona.

 

[gary2]

How does PITT fare with out these NFL drafted players Walt recruited that weren't "local"???


Larry Fitzgerald
Antonio Bryant
Bryan Knight
Claude Harriott
HB Blades
Clint Session
Claude Harriott
Gerald Hayes
Nick Goings
Charles Spencer
Kennard Cox
Mike McGlynn
Derek Kinder
Rob Pettiti
Kris Wilson
Andy Lee
Brandon Miree
Torrie Cox
Bryan Anderson
Ramon Walker
Joe Flacco
Rashad Jennings

The 6 guys he recruited that were local and drafted were
Barlow - Peabody
Lay - Aliquippa
Revis - Aliquippa
McKillop - Kiski
S. Spencer - Woody
LSH - Johnstown

The PSU local guys that were drafted during Walt's era were
Lavar Arrington - hard to hold him to that when he was hired in December and signing date was Febuary.
Tyler Reed
Paul Poslunzy
Justin King
AQ Shipley
Sean Lee

In hindsight considering all the circumstances, he did a very good job at PITT. The WPIAL was really hurting during Walt's era. Does anyone remember the CB West and Strath Haven dynasties in HS football during that run? They ran big school football in PA during that run. Parkland and Neshaminy both beat the best Woody High teams of all time.

In 2002 Pittt recruited 11 players rated at LESS than 3 stars
2003 Pitt added 7 more at less than 3 stars
2004 Pitt added 18 at less than 3 stars

That is 36 players at less than 3 stars over 3 years

That is recruiting that is bottoming out

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

I was referencing Johnson.

Do not disagree, but it was a matter of perception.

Heralded recruits, good or not, turned their back on Pitt as the league collapsed.

They were saying, and everyone was thinking, Pitt was now small time. That is extremely hard to overcome.

True, more perception than anything. Morelli I thought was always a project. Needed the tutelage of Walt and sit/learn behind Palko. He wasn't interested in that and apparently freaked out at the complexities of a QB meeting that Walt invited him to sit in on. PSU gave him a chance to play earlier (although he still sat for 2 years while if he stayed at Pitt it would have been 3) and one of the easiest playbooks for a QB to understand. But end result was he never developed more than he was in high school and didn't even sniff the league. I think if he put the work in under Walt (and assuming Walt wasn't fired), Morelli could have played in the NFL.

Johnson had one big year at PCC. Another one that was better at promotion than actually playing. Again, the only loss from him was perception. Revis turned out to be better than those two jabornis and it wasn't even close. Should have been more ecstatic about getting Revis than losing those two knuckleheads.

 

[Las Panteras]

While I agree with those that suggest Narduzzis recruiting has been average at best, i also believe it's TRUE a coach needs some years to create his identity and his system.

So on one hand, PN has recruited the way an 7-8 win program recruits,

But OTOH, these past several years seemingly have resulted in a defensive unit with as many as 7 guys in the NFL next year.

It's taken some time getting here, but PN now has a team built in his image.

If they can capitalize on this opportunity, recruiting will take off from here.

 

[cashisking884]

I think people are misunderstanding what I am saying about Walt.

No one wanted the Pitt job yet Walt turned Pitt around in one year. What he did with Pete Gonzolez was a miracle. Walt was a great offensive mind and QB developer. His game plans particularly against Vir,Tech were outstanding. Like many of our coaches, his game day coaching left a lot to be desired.

Walt recruited very well locally. His recruiting outside the area with few exceptions was pedestrian.

Walt was doing well. (Though He did have the wasted half season with the failed offensive system change).He was on his way to a big recruiting year, particularly locally, then the league collapsed. I have detailed what that meant. Right here, let's just say it hurt, hurt big time.

Walt might have survived and adjusted to the new reality except for the words of his agent and his personal problems off the field. Any problems with the administration were self inflicted.

All in all Walt was a big plus at a bad time for Pitt. Pitt and Pitt fans should appreciate him.

I don’t think I’m misunderstanding per se, I just don’t agree that Narduzzi has lived up to this standard that Walt didn’t.

Your argument seems to be that Narduzzi is capable of going far away and building a team, when Walt couldn’t do that.

But Narduzzi hasn’t done that. Narduzzi is good for 5 losses a year, every year. So the idea that he’s going anywhere to “get what he needs” seems misguided. He’s yet to build an actual team.

Do I think Walt could go around the Mid-Atlantic and into Florida and pull in classes with a .85 to .86 average recruit ranking and lose 5 games a year with them? Sure. Most every coach can do that, and probably does do that.

I’m not necessarily disagreeing with you about Walt. That’s a different discussion. I just don’t see where the Narduzzi and his recruiting praise is coming from?

 

[cashisking884]

While I agree with those that suggest Narduzzis recruiting has been average at best, i also believe it's TRUE a coach needs some years to create his identity and his system.

So on one hand, PN has recruited the way an 7-8 win program recruits,

But OTOH, these past several years seemingly have resulted in a defensive unit with as many as 7 guys in the NFL next year.

It's taken some time getting here, but PN now has a team built in his image.

If they can capitalize on this opportunity, recruiting will take off from here.

If they can capitalize on what?

And who are these examples you’re talking about that went 5 to 7 years and then recruiting took off?

 

[gary2]

I don’t think I’m misunderstanding per se, I just don’t agree that Narduzzi has lived up to this standard that Walt didn’t.

Your argument seems to be that Narduzzi is capable of going far away and building a team, when Walt couldn’t do that.

But Narduzzi hasn’t done that. Narduzzi is good for 5 losses a year, every year. So the idea that he’s going anywhere to “get what he needs” seems misguided. He’s yet to build an actual team.

Do I think Walt could go around the Mid-Atlantic and into Florida and pull in classes with a .85 to .86 average recruit ranking and lose 5 games a year with them? Sure. Most every coach can do that, and probably does do that.

I’m not necessarily disagreeing with you about Walt. That’s a different discussion. I just don’t see where the Narduzzi and his recruiting praise is coming from?

Walt, Wanny and Narduzzi are all bad game day coaches.

Narduzzi recruits high 3 stars, very few late reaches less than 3 stars.

Where do Narduzzi's 5 losses come from? Over scheduling and poor game day coaching. The losses to Miami and BC last season were poor coaching.

Narduzzi has been close to much better seasons. Narduzzi has improved from his first season as a game day coach. Hopefully after 2 disasters his OC has learned what to run on first and goal from the one. The staff is the best it has ever been under Narduzzi. Recruiting has picked up as well. I think he is ready to make a leap. I think recruiting is no longer year to year. I think we have a system and program.

My original point was that if a Walt or Wanny or almost anyone else had the local recruiting results Narduzzi has had, we would be looking at 8 or more losses not five.

 

[cashisking884]

Walt, Wanny and Narduzzi are all bad game day coaches.

Narduzzi recruits high 3 stars, very few late reaches less than 3 stars.

Where do Narduzzi's 5 losses come from? Over scheduling and poor game day coaching. The losses to Miami and BC last season were poor coaching.

Narduzzi has been close to much better seasons. Narduzzi has improved from his first season as a game day coach. Hopefully after 2 disasters his OC has learned what to run on first and goal from the one. The staff is the best it has ever been under Narduzzi. Recruiting has picked up as well. I think he is ready to make a leap. I think recruiting is no longer year to year. I think we have a system and program.

My original point was that if a Walt or Wanny or almost anyone else had the local recruiting results Narduzzi has had, we would be looking at 8 or more losses not five.

There’s no real evidence for anything you’re saying though.

“Narduzzi recruits high 3 Stars.”

Naruzzi’s classes have not come close to averaging a high 3 star average. They are middle of the road 3* classes. That’s just a fact.

“Narduzzi has been close to much better seasons.”

1. Who cares?
2. No he hasn’t. Look at Pitt’s S&P+ ranking under Narduzzi. 2016 was the only season where the analytics have us objectively “good” on the field. Every other year under him they have us as a typical 5 loss team in terms of our quality of play.

“The staff is the best it has been under Narduzzi.”

So Narduzzi gets credit for horrible hires? And his OC is an old man that was calling plays in the early ‘80s. I’m not convinced the most important hire he could have made is even an average hire. There’s certainly no evidence for it based on last year.

“Recruiting has picked up.”

There’s no evidence for this. It’s the same .85 to .86 average it’s always been.

As I said, my point wasn’t about Walt per se. I just think you’re misguided about what Narduzzi is doing or where the program is at under him. And then using that misguided perception to find Walt lacking.

 

[steelcurtain55.]

In 2002 Pittt recruited 11 players rated at LESS than 3 stars
2003 Pitt added 7 more at less than 3 stars
2004 Pitt added 18 at less than 3 stars

That is 36 players at less than 3 stars over 3 years

That is recruiting that is bottoming out

You stated the "out of state" recruiting was pedestrian during Walt's time. My point was 2 fold - #1. The out of state recruit recruiting fueled Pitt's success during that time and it was pretty good.

#2, PSU had 6 guys drafted from the WPIAL during that time. It was obvious the WPIAL was way down and forced not only PITT to go elsewhere but PSU too. PSU made their bed in the DMV with great success during this time. PITT went to Florida and Ohio primarily.

 

[steelcurtain55.]

In 2002 Pittt recruited 11 players rated at LESS than 3 stars
2003 Pitt added 7 more at less than 3 stars
2004 Pitt added 18 at less than 3 stars

That is 36 players at less than 3 stars over 3 years

That is recruiting that is bottoming out

Where are you getting Pitt recruited 11 players under 3 stars in 2002? I'm counting 4. https://247sports.com/college/pittsburgh/Season/2002-Football/Commits/

In 2003, I'm counting 6 players
The 2003 class had 6 players drafted in:
Sessions
Blades
K. Cox
Flacco
Clermond
McGlynn

and a few others get FA deals like Lee, McKillop, Grasselle, etc.

The 2004 class had

Revis
S. McKillop
Kinder
Jennings

Strong, Gunn, and Mason all inked FA deals.

Name me how many times in the last 30 years we've had 6 players drafted out of one class. Heck if we were like 2004 and had 4 guys drafted out of one class it would be an improvement over what we've seen in the last 10 years.

 

[steelcurtain55.]

True, more perception than anything. Morelli I thought was always a project. Needed the tutelage of Walt and sit/learn behind Palko. He wasn't interested in that and apparently freaked out at the complexities of a QB meeting that Walt invited him to sit in on. PSU gave him a chance to play earlier (although he still sat for 2 years while if he stayed at Pitt it would have been 3) and one of the easiest playbooks for a QB to understand. But end result was he never developed more than he was in high school and didn't even sniff the league. I think if he put the work in under Walt (and assuming Walt wasn't fired), Morelli could have played in the NFL.

Johnson had one big year at PCC. Another one that was better at promotion than actually playing. Again, the only loss from him was perception. Revis turned out to be better than those two jabornis and it wasn't even close. Should have been more ecstatic about getting Revis than losing those two knuckleheads.

I once saw Morelli have 2 D1 WR's and a D1 tailback and only complete like 4 passes for around 10 yards vs Woody High. He also had an OL that wasn't chump change. I think he would've struggled to play at PITT. That QB room at one time would've been Rod, Palko, Getsy, and Flacco if I'm not mistaken. I just don't see how he beats those guys out.

Morelli reminded me of the kid from PCC that went to FSU a few years ago when he was in HS.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

I once saw Morelli have 2 D1 WR's and a D1 tailback and only complete like 4 passes for around 10 yards vs Woody High. He also had an OL that wasn't chump change. I think he would've struggled to play at PITT. That QB room at one time would've been Rod, Palko, Getsy, and Flacco if I'm not mistaken. I just don't see how he beats those guys out.

Morelli reminded me of the kid from PCC that went to FSU a few years ago when he was in HS.

JJ Cosentino is the guy from CC. Decent comparison.

 

[pierre93]

If they can capitalize on what?

And who are these examples you’re talking about that went 5 to 7 years and then recruiting took off?

If Pitt wins 10 look for a top 25 class the following year(s). Beamer and even Swinney didn't actually light it up their 4th or 5th years either. I've heard that Narduzzi is here for the long haul and that's what needs to happen. Stability, discipline, and graduating players is what the Pitt administration want.

 

[gary2]

Where are you getting Pitt recruited 11 players under 3 stars in 2002? I'm counting 4. https://247sports.com/college/pittsburgh/Season/2002-Football/Commits/

In 2003, I'm counting 6 players
The 2003 class had 6 players drafted in:
Sessions
Blades
K. Cox
Flacco
Clermond
McGlynn

and a few others get FA deals like Lee, McKillop, Grasselle, etc.

The 2004 class had

Revis
S. McKillop
Kinder
Jennings

Strong, Gunn, and Mason all inked FA deals.

Name me how many times in the last 30 years we've had 6 players drafted out of one class. Heck if we were like 2004 and had 4 guys drafted out of one class it would be an improvement over what we've seen in the last 10 years.

That information was from the commitment link provided by this site.

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

If Pitt wins 10 look for a top 25 class the following year(s). Beamer and even Swinney didn't actually light it up their 4th or 5th years either. I've heard that Narduzzi is here for the long haul and that's what needs to happen. Stability, discipline, and graduating players is what the Pitt administration want.

Hopefully. But Narduzzi himself said this class was gonna be the one impacted by the division championship. And the reality is that this class is about right in line with the others so far. But winning can change some things so we’ll see.

 

[Jakey_John]

Did the collapse of the league kill Walt? Was losing the big local kids a result? Did that send the message locally that the league and Pitt by association, was small time?

Not being able to recruit locally was the end of Walt. He didn't have the chops to recruit strong enough elsewhere to survive.

If ever there was a guy who made chicken salad out of chicken **** it was Walt Harris. Between the end of 2001 and the start of 2002 he had a record of something like 12-2 and that included a win over a top 10 VT on the road. Sure, he had game day warts and that was a big contributor to his departure. I would also concede that his career had peaked here but he is arguably the 3rd best coach of the modern era. Walt took a program left for dead to a team that was battling a national champion on the road to literally the last offensive drive. Pitt should forever be grateful for his contributions and accomplishments.