PantherLair.com Official PITT Football Recruiting Page

Last edited by LongGONE24 on Thu 19 Aug 2010, 5:25 am; edited 6 times in total

2010 PITTSBURGH PANTHER FOOTBALL RECRUITING FRONT PAGE

Positions of need - MLB (1) C (1) P (1)

Positions of interest - S, OL, LB, RB, WR

Coaches Pre-Season Comments

"We're really just trying to develop our defence this season. We're not looking to immediately replace or find the calibre of players that need to neccesarily jump right into our system and will be expected to produce immediately. This year, we simply want to fill some voids of graduating seniors and get a good core group that will have plenty of time to develop and prosper as they spend time in and around our athletic facilities,"

"While we're in no rush to find a replacement running back, we've allready considered the fact that we will need to replace our back Dion Lewis in the near future. Our coaching staff has taken a close look at some prospects we feel can fill Dion's gaping void when he decides to leave, and we've attempted to try to find a prospect that matches his skill set and competitiveness so the transition to a new back won't be as difficult,"

"Running games are built and solidified with the offensive line. We will look to find big, strong, fast linemen who will help us get to the next level and lead the NCAA in rushing. So far, we've received a positive response from the fact that we want to be the best and we hope prep OLinemen realize if they want a legit shot at the next level... it all starts at PITT,"

COMMITMENT LIST

PantherLair.com Official PITT Football Recruiting Page 2010re11

**** T Brian Smith HARD COMMITMENT ESPNU 150
6'4 324 .lbs Athens, OH Chose PITT over FSU, CLEM

**** RB J.J Hall HARD COMMITMENT ESPNU 150
5'10 202 .lbs Glens Falls, NJ Chose PITT over NC, IOWA

**** DE Anthony Thomas HARD COMMITMENT
6'2 243 .lbs Franklin, OH Chose PITT over CIN, WVU

**** WR Kory Rogers HARD COMMITMENT
6'4 185 .lbs South Plainfield, NJ Chose PITT over IOWA, WISC

*** CB Paul Young HARD COMMITMENT
6'1 183 .lbs Carlisle, PA Chose PITT over CIN, CLEM

*** MLB Ryan Bailey HARD COMMITMENT
6'2 226 .lbs Worthington, OH Chose PITT over CLEM, GT

*** C David Hawk HARD COMMITMENT
6'2 315 .lbs Bolivar, TN Chose PITT over UL, VT

*** FS Rodney Allen HARD COMMITMENT
6'3 196 .lbs Lebanon, OH Chose PITT over NEB, CIN

*** SS Brian Curtis HARD COMMITMENT
6'2 225 .lbs Latrobe, PA Chose PITT over PSU, UGA

*** G Anthony Brown HARD COMMITMENT
6'3 258 .lbs Albany, NY Chose PITT over SYRA, TENN

*** OLB Eric Jefferson HARD COMMITMENT
6'4 229 .lbs Bristol, PA Chose PITT over WVU, UF

*** FS Andy Rice HARD COMMITMENT
6'1 175 .lbs Levittown, PA Chose PITT over PSU, WVU

* FB John Anderson HARD COMMITMENT
6'2" 229 .lbs Vero Beach South, FL Chose PITT over GT, NC

Last edited by LongGONE24 on Thu 19 Aug 2010, 9:44 pm; edited 2 times in total

Pitt lands early commitment from local CB

Pittsburgh landed their first commitment of the year in week two after the 42-35 victory over Utah State. Coach Macc reports that after the game was done and the post-game speech was said, he checked his cellphone to have received multiple text messages from Carlisle High defensive back, CB Paul Young. Young who had Pittsburgh on his list of favourites since he considered a college career in football, was the Panther's first commitment of the year and will be a player who could quickly contend for some early playing time.

Young has been acclaimed as the states best cornerback prospect, a three star prospect whose made a name for himself with his skills in man and zone coverage, his ability to play press coverage and his knack for making timely interceptions. Young will need to improve his speed if he wants to be a household name at corner, but his work ethic and former HS coaches praise that he has not only all of the intangibles but a workhorse work ethic that consistently desires to improve.

"Paul's a great kid with a great head on his shoulders. He lead our team defensively at the cornerback and safety spot. He's the type of kid that shows up every day to practice and will do whatever a coach asks him to, in order to win. His middle name is competitiveness," former Carlisle HS football coach said.

"We're looking forward to having Paul as a Panther next year. Everythings in the air depending how our team looks next year but talking with Paul he seems just happy to have the opportunity to play Big East football. He's told me he's a lifelong Panther blood in blood out and the immediate offer of a scholarship was tough to not immediately commit to. Fortunately, he likes the competitive nature of our defensive backs and likes that fact that he'll have to compete to get on the field. If I had to project now, he would be a red shirt next fall... learn the position and our strategy and have playing time in either the nickle or dime formations as a RS FR," Coach Macc said.

Last edited by LongGONE24 on Thu 19 Aug 2010, 9:44 pm; edited 1 time in total

Coach Macc hauls in DE as the Panthers 2nd commitment

Coach Macc returned from the road trip down to Texas Christian and after a convincing victory, received his second commitment of the year from prospect DE Anthony Thomas of Franklin, OH. Thomas was hoping for a scholarship offer from Cincinnati but after being heavily pursued by the PITT coaching staff, he was convinced that the Panthers could be the new beast in the Big East.

"I really wanted to stay home at Cincinnati or even OSU... but it just didn't work out for me. I'm the type of kid that wants to go where I'm wanted and knew this decision wouldn't be easy. I held out for more offers but after the defensive line coaches came and watched all my games, helped with our team practices and basically told my entire team that I was exactly the type of player the new coaching staff at PITT wants, I was convinced it would be a good school for me," Thomas said.

Thomas will vy for a starting spot with two graduating seniors at the defensive end spot for the Panthers and Thomas hopes to follow in the footsteps of All American strongside end, Greg Romeus. The four star Ohio product uses his speed and quickness to make plays off of the line and his strength to push even the biggest of tackles backwards. He's very strong and uses quickness and finese to set himself apart from all other DLinemen. Thomas also has lots of experience playing inside on the defensive line, but there's no question if he were to make that transition he would need to gain some weight and strength.

"Anthony's a very exciting commitment for us because he's such a special player. He can do so many things well on the field and he's very well rounded. He's a DLine coaches dream with his ability to line up at any of the three positions. His quick instinct and high running motor will make him a candidate to replace our two DEs next fall, but if we don't see immediate time for him on the field he'll red shirt only to learn our defensive system and be a three year starter," Coach Macc said.

Coach Macc receives commitment from three offensive linemen

The Pittsburgh Panthers continued to add to their total of committed recruits this week with their addition of T Brian Smith (Athens, OH) who is a 4* prospect that made the ESPNU150 list, ranking 118th overall according to ESPN. Smith is ranked as the countries 13th best tackle prospect and will be expected to play in his second year in the program. Smith dominates defensive linemen at the high school level with his strength (the kid can apparently bench press 470 pounds) and his run blocking skills make him a perfect candidate for the newly structured zone blocking run dominant system at Pittsburgh.

"I look forward to joining the current NCAA rushing leading team, because that's how I garnered all of this attention and it's what I've prided myself on since I was a kid - making gaping holes for running backs to break through. I also have had an amazing relationship with any quarterback I've played with and I promise I'm the type of player who will fight until every ounce of sweat and blood in my body drops to ensure our QBs dont take a huge sack," Smith said.

G Anthony Brown (Albany, NY) has also made a commitment to Coach Macc that he will be a Panther next fall. Brown is a 3* prospect ranked 19th on the overall list of offensive guards. Anthony's pass block footwork and strength in pass block make him an ideal tackle transition... but he lacks the size to play really any offensive linemen position at the college level. Thankfully for Brown, he's been used to being transitioned around all of the OLine spots and has experience playing them all.

"I just hope to come in and learn as much as possible as early as possible so I get my shot to get on the field. What sold me on Pittsburgh is the program's tradition and the tradition in which I see the program headed with Coach Macc at the helm. I know he'll boost my game and give me a legit shot to play in the NFL one day," Brown said.

C David Hawk (Bolivar, TN) finished up the Pitt OLine recruitment when he committed after his week six visit. Hawk is a 3* prospect who is generally recognized as a good pass blocker, however it's his overall skills in all areas of blocking that attracted Coach Macc. Macc see's in Hawk a ton of potential physically and emotionally, as Hawk is a very inspired leader on his Bolivar High team.

"I'd like to think and I've been told from coaches and scouts all over the nation my game awareness is about as good as you could expect at this stage and I really pride myself on being a bookworm. Always in the film room, weight room, lunch room... I'm just an all around football player," Hawk said.

Pittsburgh hauls three skill position offensive players

There is no question that after allready two 1000+ yard seasons with the Pittsburgh Panthers, RB Dion Lewis will be looking towards a future in the NFL after his juniour year. Instead of trying to find a replacement back, Coach Macc & company went out to find a prospect who could vicariously live through Dion's carries and watch intently on the sideline waiting for his opportunity to shine. They found RB J.J Hall (Glens Falls, NY) who committed after the game against Rutgers. Hall has good speed for a running back but won't be blowing by defensive backs in college football just yet, instead Hall uses his big 5'10 200 pound frame to his advantage and when he has open field, he will break down the sideline for big runs.

"J.J is a terrific high school player that we're defenitely looking forward to having on our team. Our coaching staff sees him as the back of our future, and will serve as a goalline back if we happen to find another back along the way with some jets. J.J's skill set is built basically just like Dion's except he may be missing a few strokes in the speed department. While he's been in some trouble with the law and had a few issues with former coaches, there's no doubting the kids skill. Any meeting we've had with him has ensured us he will be on his best behaviour his entire college career," Coach Macc has said.

J.J made the ESPNU150 list and is regarded as the nations #12 overall as an all purpose back. Hall currently ranks as the nations #124th best prospect.

The Panthers coaching staff also used the same strategy when attempting to replace the teams leading, 1000 yard receiver Jon Baldwin. Baldwin's big body, burst of speed and excellent pair of hands have made offensive coordinators and surely QBs jobs much easier with the ability to throw it up in single coverage and Baldwin's tremendous knack at pulling the ball down. Baldwin is just a junior so they won't need to replace him just yet, but certainly in the future the coaching staff hopes WR Kory Rogers can be the teams next JB82.

Rogers (6'4 185.lbs) loves to compete and go up and get balls, just like Baldwin. He's quoted that much of his interest has been garnered from how the offensive style has been changed in Pitt. Rogers is regarded as the naitons #13 wide receiving prospect, and has made a name for himself with his ability to make the big catch and go up and get balls over any corner back. Kory plans to enroll in as many camps as possible to ensure he's in tip top shape for next fall.

FB John Anderson also filled a void for the Panthers, committing when long time friend J.J Hall did. These two will most LIKELY red shirt together in hopes that they have four solid, strong years in the program together.

» 2012 PantherLair.com Official PITT Football Recruiting Page
» 2014 Washington Husky Football Recruiting Page
» PITT Recruiting 2016
» 2018 PITT Recruiting
» 2017 A&M Recruiting Page