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From the Desk of Jim Snyder
A recruiting update on the football front
There had been a report that wide receiver Oderick Turner (6’ 2” 180) would visit Pittsburgh for the Ohio University game but he did not make the trip. Turner told the Pantherlair that he had spoken to Coach Carmichael who asked that he delay making the trip and come into Pittsburgh in a month or so for an official visit. No date has been set. Could be they are slowing down his recruiting process. His school, Teaneck, plays St Joseph’s Regional from Montclair, NJ this weekend in their opener. USA Today ranks St Joseph’s as one of the top 10 teams in the East Region.
The football game with Nebraska could be a defining moment for the Pitt athletic program. A number of football recruits plus basketball recruit Danny Green are expected to be in attendance. You will recall Pitt brought a number of players in for the Miami game last fall and it did not work out.
A Little Hoops Talks
Apparently the Pitt staff will experiment with Mark McCarroll playing the small forward position this year. We have no doubt that Mark can handle this on the offensive end of the floor but one colleague asked will he be able to defend anyone of the other end of the floor?
One “birdie” indicated that freshman Ronald Ramon had a good shooting performance against weak competition in Toronto earlier this month. That is the good news. Now the bad news. The “birdie” reported that JUCO transfer John DeGroat had trouble guarding players. Maybe that is why he was always in foul trouble in junior college.
When we were talking to St Raymond’s coach Oliver Antigua about his star guard Ricky Torres we also asked about his forward Chris Bethel. We asked if it would be fair to say that Pitt continues to recruit him at half-speed. Coach Antigua confirmed that was the case.
Tough week to be a Griffin
It has been a very tough week for Pitt recruit Bryan Williams and his Buchtel High School teammates. Last Thursday their defensive line coach, Ron Stevenson, collapse and died suddenly. The Griffins then had to play undefeated Warren Harding, which is now ranked No. 4 in the state. Buchtel got waxed 35-0. The Griffins(2-1) must now try to bounce back against No. 10 Cleveland Glenville after attending the funeral of their coach this week.
Birdie lands for a visit
I was talking to a "birdie" this week and linebacker Vernon Smith from Dillard High school is attending a junior college this year. I would be very surprised if you eve see him at Pitt. The "birdie" indicated that running back Rashad Jennings is still working with the NCAA in an attempt to gain huis eligilibilty. Based on my conversation with the "birdie" it is still very possible Jennings will show up at Pitt someday - maybe in January. The "birdie" also confirmed that as reported earlier Craig Bokor is now at Valley Forge Military Academy.
Pitt worked out in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts on a very warm day in Pittsburgh Thurday afternoon. Kicker Josh Cummings appears to have range out to about 45 yards. Punter Adam Graessle has a very big leg. It would not surprise me to see him in the NFL someday.
From the Desk of Jim Snyder
A recruiting update on the football front
There had been a report that wide receiver Oderick Turner (6’ 2” 180) would visit Pittsburgh for the Ohio University game but he did not make the trip. Turner told the Pantherlair that he had spoken to Coach Carmichael who asked that he delay making the trip and come into Pittsburgh in a month or so for an official visit. No date has been set. Could be they are slowing down his recruiting process. His school, Teaneck, plays St Joseph’s Regional from Montclair, NJ this weekend in their opener. USA Today ranks St Joseph’s as one of the top 10 teams in the East Region.
The football game with Nebraska could be a defining moment for the Pitt athletic program. A number of football recruits plus basketball recruit Danny Green are expected to be in attendance. You will recall Pitt brought a number of players in for the Miami game last fall and it did not work out.
A Little Hoops Talks
Apparently the Pitt staff will experiment with Mark McCarroll playing the small forward position this year. We have no doubt that Mark can handle this on the offensive end of the floor but one colleague asked will he be able to defend anyone of the other end of the floor?
One “birdie” indicated that freshman Ronald Ramon had a good shooting performance against weak competition in Toronto earlier this month. That is the good news. Now the bad news. The “birdie” reported that JUCO transfer John DeGroat had trouble guarding players. Maybe that is why he was always in foul trouble in junior college.
When we were talking to St Raymond’s coach Oliver Antigua about his star guard Ricky Torres we also asked about his forward Chris Bethel. We asked if it would be fair to say that Pitt continues to recruit him at half-speed. Coach Antigua confirmed that was the case.
Tough week to be a Griffin
It has been a very tough week for Pitt recruit Bryan Williams and his Buchtel High School teammates. Last Thursday their defensive line coach, Ron Stevenson, collapse and died suddenly. The Griffins then had to play undefeated Warren Harding, which is now ranked No. 4 in the state. Buchtel got waxed 35-0. The Griffins(2-1) must now try to bounce back against No. 10 Cleveland Glenville after attending the funeral of their coach this week.
Birdie lands for a visit
I was talking to a "birdie" this week and linebacker Vernon Smith from Dillard High school is attending a junior college this year. I would be very surprised if you eve see him at Pitt. The "birdie" indicated that running back Rashad Jennings is still working with the NCAA in an attempt to gain huis eligilibilty. Based on my conversation with the "birdie" it is still very possible Jennings will show up at Pitt someday - maybe in January. The "birdie" also confirmed that as reported earlier Craig Bokor is now at Valley Forge Military Academy.
Pitt worked out in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts on a very warm day in Pittsburgh Thurday afternoon. Kicker Josh Cummings appears to have range out to about 45 yards. Punter Adam Graessle has a very big leg. It would not surprise me to see him in the NFL someday.
