Apparently there were a couple camps this weekend at Pitt and Penn State. Adidas and Nike. Can’t say I’m shocked that the Nike camp had higher attendance and more coaches from programs watching. Name recognition and the number of coaches/schools sponsored by Nike will do that. It wasn’t supposed to be a challenge between the two, it’s just that Pitt’s UPMC facility has a lot going on.

“Obviously, there’s only so many weekends, and we scheduled this camp two months before any other camp dates were announced,” said Greer Monterastelli of Recruits Unlimited, a Lincoln, Neb.-based company which runs the adidas camps. “Pitt didn’t want us to use this facility on (NFL) draft day, and the Steelers are having minicamp here next weekend.”
…
Coaches from Akron, Buffalo, Pitt, Rutgers, Stanford and Tennessee – all adidas-sponsored schools – were in attendance. Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt made the rounds during the camp, as did most of his staff.

And there are more camps all around the country and Pitt for the next couple months.

The testing is only beginning, as May is the evaluation period for NCAA coaches. Nike has upcoming camps at Rutgers, Stanford, Florida, Clemson and Oregon, while adidas will have camps at UCLA and North Carolina State. The UPMC complex will play host to Joe Butler’s Metro Index camp over the next weeks.

“That’s the nature of the beast,” Monterastelli said. “Kids have so many opportunities that you can do some camp somewhere until the first of June. There will be a lot of kids who will be camped-out.”

And for the kids in middle school, more opportunities are coming.

Akron will host an innovative football camp sponsored and funded by the NFL in June for middle-school students.

Buchtel High will be the site for the NFL Junior Player Development Football Camp, a four-day program in which participants will be in full pads. The camp is free of charge, but limited to 180 youngsters.

The NFL will provide all the equipment. Campers will be allowed to keep their jerseys and will receive a duffel bag and football.

Buchtel coach Claude Brown will run the camp. His assistants will include Damon Beasley (East), Tony Grimes (Kenmore), Bob Sax (Garfield) and Eric Mitchell, head coach at Warrensville Heights and a former assistant coach at Kenmore this past season, along with several Buchtel assistants.

The NFL started the junior development camp to encourage more participation among middle school-age students.

Since it’s an NFL event and being held in Akron, they are trying to get certain NFL players to speak at the event. That would include Pitt alum and current Houston Texan Ramon Walker.

Earlier in the week, Chris Dokish posted that Pitt’s primary target for QB in the 2007 recruiting class, Pat Bostick of Manheim Township, would be holding a press conference on Friday May 12 to announce his choice. Oh, and Dave Wannstedt would be visiting Bostick on May 11. Kevin Gorman also reports that today.

Gorman also reports on probably the top WR recruit in the state’s list.

Valley receiver Toney Clemons also was a standout at the Elite College Combine, and his stock is skyrocketing. Clemons has offers from Akron, Colorado, Connecticut, Michigan, Michigan State, Ole Miss, Pitt and Tennessee. Although he won’t declare a favorite, Clemons wore a Michigan No. 15 jersey (Steve Breaston’s number) to the adidas camp Saturday at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex.

Subtle. Or great misdirection. Considering the way Pitt seemed to load up on WRs in 2006, Pitt should not be targeting a lot this year. That may help in recruiting him.

Hey, it’s the dead time. ESPN.com put out a recap (again?) of the Big East teams’ spring practice answers and fall questions. Actually, it’s not a half bad thing for each team. It does seem to capture a lot of what was focused and discussed during spring practice.

Spring answers: On an offensive line that needed some good news, C.J. Davis provided a dose. As a true freshman in 2005, Davis started the last six games at left guard and showed some promise. He showed even more in spring practice, being named most improved offensive player. Davis looked like a guy who had been around for three or four years. … Pitt fans want to expunge that image of Pat White running around for 220 yards as hated West Virginia poured on 45 points in last year’s Backyard Brawl. The embarrassed Pitt defenders don’t want to forget, though. In every facet of the game, the Mountaineers were simply too fast for the Panthers — and that wasn’t the only time speed gave this unit problems. So that aspect was the overwhelming emphasis during winter conditioning, and anyone who witnessed Pitt’s scrimmages saw a noticeable difference on the field. In addition to tough conditioning, it’s apparent the players are more comfortable in the system and are playing faster, as opposed to thinking about it, then attempting to react. … The linebackers led the way on defense, as they will all season. H.B. Blades is an All-American candidate, but that didn’t come as any revelation. The play of Clint Session sure was a welcome one, though. Saddled with injury and inconsistency the last two years, Session always has been a tenacious hitter, but he’s finally playing smart. And what about the play of converted safety Tommie Campbell? A high school state champion in the sprint, Campbell showed a knack for making plays all over the field and brings a speed and playmaking ability that haven’t been seen on the weak side at Pitt in quite some time. He needs to continue to bulk up, but how often can you say a linebacker is the fastest player on the team? … The unexpected return of senior Mike Phillips late in spring practice was encouraging. A nasty ankle injury in September knocked the then-free safety out for the season. Since he’ll be counted on to replace Tez Morris at free safety this fall, his return to health is welcome news.

Fall questions: It’s really very simple for the Panthers: Can they run, and can they stop the run? They found little success doing either last season. In the backfield, LaRod Stephens-Howling is a decent enough option, but is he really the kind of back Dave Wannstedt was talking about when he said Pitt was going to be a power-running team from day one? Or is it incoming freshman Kevin Collier, who was a recruit of great priority for this staff? No matter who it is, there’s still some work to be done up front — even with the four starters who return. Depth is still an issue, as is the left tackle position after the graduation of Charles Spencer. Will it be sophomore John Bachman or incoming juco transfer Jeff Otah? … As far as stopping the run, the Panthers are going to have to plug some holes in the middle with the loss of both tackles. Truthfully, there were too many holes for the opponent in that area, anyway. And now teams get to take aim at an inexperienced group of four or five redshirt freshmen and sophomores. … QB Tyler Palko lost a major weapon when receiver Greg Lee put his name in the hat for the NFL draft. For the first time in years, is it possible the Panthers won’t have a true go-to guy at that position? Derek Kinder and Joe DelSardo are OK second and third options, but No. 1 material? What about the young guys such as redshirt freshman Oderick Turner and versatile true freshman Dorin Dickerson? Can they contribute right away? … With Josh Cummings gone, who becomes the new kicker? David Abdul held the position from 2002 to 2003, but a car accident caused him to see limited action the next two years. Sophomore Conor Lee had a nice spring and will present a challenge.

In the “3 Things” segment between ESPN.com writers Ivan Maisel and Pat Forde, Pitt doesn’t even merit mention. Louisville QB Brohm coming back from injury, WVU are on both lists. Then questions as to whether Syracuse will actually improve and whether Rutgers was a one-hit wonder with a winning season.