Published: May 27, 2007 12:33 am            

Wannstedt sees hope in recruiting, on the field

PITTSBURGH — Pitt football coach Dave Wannstedt and his staff have just returned from three weeks on the recruiting trail and are beginning preparations for the Panthers youth camps in mid-June, but the head coach took time out to talk about the program’s progress as it enters the third season under his leadership.

“We had a good month and covered a lot of territory,” Wannstedt said. “We probably spent a little more time in Ohio – in Akron, Canton – and there are some good kids this year in Youngstown.

“I spent four days myself in the northern Virginia and Maryland area. ... I thought that we didn’t spend as much time in these areas as we did in years past, and those were very productive years for us.”

Wannstedt believed that Pitt was still in the mix on all the top recruits, although he didn’t mention any names.

Presumably, the list includes Aliquippa wideout Jonathan Baldwin, Jeannette quarterback Terrelle Pryor, West Scranton tight end Hubie Graham, Thomas Jefferson lineman Lucas Nix, linebackers Shayne Hale from Gateway and Brandon Beachum from Cardinal Mooney in Youngstown, Ohio, and Altoona wideout A.J. Alexander. The majority of the recruiting talk, however, was off the record.

“I can tell you that we only won six games (last season and were 11-12 in two years), but people are still excited about Pitt football,” Wannstedt said. “And that’s exciting, but it’s a lot of hard work.”

Wannstedt noted that the recruiting talk hasn’t really surrounded wins and losses, although that could change if Pitt doesn’t win more often this season, but most noted that the Panthers just don’t sell out Heinz Field.

“We’ll fill up the stadium,” Wannstedt said. “If we get good teams, we’ll fill it up. During Larry Fitzgerald’s (final) year, we sold out every home game. ... So, as we get better as a team, (and) we’re going to play a great schedule. When we get Notre Dame back on it. Maybe Penn State, who knows.”

The Panthers reportedly have just two verbal commitments to date. Wilmington running back Chris Burns and Greater Johnstown cornerback Antwuan Reed committed early to Pitt.

“We’ll get another four to five guys and have seven to eight (committed) by June after the camps, and then we’ll have another seven to eight to get next year (before signing day),” Wannstedt said.

As far as last year’s recruiting class goes, five players are already enrolled in the initial six-week summer session at Pitt. Those players should all be ahead of their fellow recruits. They are: Quarterback Pat Bostick from Manheim Township; linebacker Max Gruder from Charlotte (N.C.) Country Day School; wideout/kick returner Aundre Wright from Perry Traditional Academy in Pittsburgh and Milford Academy prep school in New York; defensive tackle Tommy Duhart from Glades Central (Fla.) and Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College; and running back LeSean McCoy from Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg and Milford Academy.

Wannstedt believed that all the remaining recruits, except for possibly one that already had a family vacation planned, should be enrolled for the second summer session that begins in mid-June. The early five, though, already have a playbook and are working out with strength coach Buddy Morris.

That will benefit Bostick, who’s competing with Bill Stull and Kevan Smith for the quarterback job, and McCoy, who battles Greater Johnstown graduate LaRod Stephens-Howling for carries at tailback. Duhart is in the mix at defensive tackle. Gruder is a backup linebacker, and Wright could be a key return man.

Despite two solid recruiting classes and immense optimism, Wannstedt wouldn’t make a bold prediction about this season. He expected improvement from the squads who went 5-6 in his first season and 6-6 this past fall.

“I expect us to be a little better,” Wannstedt said. “How much, it all depends on how the quarterback thing plays out. I think we’ll be better up front on defense. I know we’ll be better, and I think we’ll be better (overall) on defense this year. ... So, I expect us to be a little better than we were.

“But we’ve got to find a way to win a couple close games. Every year, we’ve been a quarter or so away from winning one or two more games. Now, you’re into the bowl-game scene. I don’t know how much of it relates to maturity or mental toughness, but we’re trying to address all those areas.”

Wannstedt noted that defensive tackles John Malecki and Mick Williams, linebacker Jameel Brady and defensive back Irvan Brown – still injured in the spring – are doing everything now with Morris. The only three who are limited are offensive lineman Mike McGlynn, linebacker Greg Webster and end Doug Fulmer.

Notes: Wannstedt said that DT Corey Davis and OLB Tommy Campbell, casualties to suspensions during the spring, will not rejoin the team. Both have been placed with other schools, Wannstedt believed. ... There will be just subtle changes to the football uniforms and sports logo, but it won’t be a return to the Pitt script. The arched block-type PITT will remain on the helmet and replace the word Panthers on the jerseys. The Panther head will go through some minor changes as well and eventually be de-emphasized. The primary mark will be the arched, block-typed PITT.

        

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