As noted by Joel yesterday, Pitt has commit #12:

Joe Thomas, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive guard from Lakewood St. Edward’s who is considered a top 25 prospect in Ohio, became the first out-of-state player from the Class of 2006 to give a verbal commitment to Pitt.

Thomas capped one of the most productive recruiting weeks in recent Panthers’ history by becoming the seventh player to commit in six days and 12th overall.

“That actually put a big impact on it, seeing how good of players they’re getting and wanting to play with those guys,” said Thomas, who was recruited by Pitt defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads. “When I go to Pittsburgh, I feel like I’m at home. Coach Rhoads would always welcome me when I came to Pittsburgh, and he came to my school twice in May. He’s a nice guy, easygoing.”
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“I’m very physical, strong and aggressive,” said Thomas, an All-Cuyahoga County selection as a junior. “I have very good feet. I’m quick off the ball. And I love the game.”

His team will be playing Central Catholic at Gateway at the end of August.

Here are the recruiting profiles for Joe Thomas. Rivals.com has him ranked the #22 prospect in Ohio.

While the Cleveland paper has nothing yet, I noticed that Pitt alum and former linebacker Nick Cole (1998-2001) is joining the football staff at his old high school.

…joining former Brooklyn High football sensation Nick Cole on Tom Sporich’s staff. Sporich will be entering his second season as the Hurricanes coach.
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Cole was a Plain Dealer All-Star and a two-time All-Ohio selection (1995-96) as a running back/safety/linebacker for Brooklyn. He set Hurricanes’ records with 4,212 yards and 44 touchdowns, and went on to play linebacker at the University of Pittsburgh.

Just good to have Pitt guys working in some of the high schools in Ohio. Oddly, in 1999 Nick Cole is also listed as having 0 punt returns for 15 yards.

From an ESPN.com chat with Ivan Maisel:

Jason Jamestown, NY: What’s your take on Dave Wannstedt comming to Pitt. Aside from writers who cover the Big East, it doesn’t seem like he’s getting as much attention as a Myer or Spurrier. Is it because of the conference Pitt plays in . . . or is it something else?

Ivan Maisel: That’s because everyone else in the country has written off the Big East, Jason. Also, Wannstedt is not coming in with a sterling NFL record. I know, neither did Pete Carroll or Al Groh, and both of them have made a good transition. But the Big East is personae non grata, and I have no idea if that’s the correct plural Latin, since I haven’t taken Latin since eighth grade.

Is that fair? Probably not, but he is likely right as to part of the reason for it. I would also suggest that part of the media quiet is that the recruiting successes have all come in Western Pennsylvania — Pitt’s backyard. It limits how much his impact is noticed — for now.

In another piece looking at the reshuffled conferences:

Another winner: The injured Big East got a reprieve when BCS commissioners decided it will retain its automatic berth for at least three years (and probably longer based on new qualification standards).

“When we first lost people everybody was doom and gloom,” Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese said. “What we’ve done is caught our breath and gone about our business. On the football side we have enormous potential.”

When the ACC raided the Big East for the three schools, the Big East acted quickly in luring South Florida, Cincinnati and Louisville from Conference USA.

“When we look back on this 20 years from now this will be a landmark move,” said Louisville AD Tom Jurich. “The Big East is an icon.”

Sometimes image is everything. BC threw an ACC party at Fenway Park on Thursday. Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese is throwing out the first pitch Friday night at a Reds game while in town to welcome Cincinnati.

For those scoring at home, those celebrations were in the houses of defending world champions (ACC) and the last place team in the NL Central (Big East).

I really wish I had a good comeback here, but I’m not completely awake yet.