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December 18, 2006

How Many Backs Are Needed?

Filed under: Football,Recruiting — Chas @ 8:37 am

I realize some are heading to position changes, and other RBs presently at Pitt might transfer (just a hunch, but getting stronger), but the 2007 recruiting class now has 4 backs with the verbal from Greg Williams. Plus, there is still the possibility of Bo Williams and/or LeSean McCoy giving verbals. I know you try and get the best possible players, but stockpiling players for both lines seems like the much higher need/priority.

This is not to knock Greg Williams. He seems to be a good back. Both services have him as a 3-star RB. Rivals.com has him as the 44th best RB and Scout.com puts him at #69. He is in the top-100 players in Florida. Plus, we did beat WVU for him. ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc. also likes him (#50 for RBs) and their description is pretty much the type of runner Wannstedt seems to really like (Insider Subs):

This kid is a horse of a back. Williams is tall, well-built and powerful. He has the frame to add at least 20 pounds and could develop into a real force bewteen the tackles. He is very strong at the point of attack and will run right through tacklers who don’t break down and wrap-up. he has a strong lower body and shows he can push the pile and is capable of picking up tough inside yards. He is not a back that will go down easily or on first contact. Shows good initial burst and enough of a second-gear for a bigger back.

Of course, we could have top backs, but it won’t matter if the line can’t do anything.





Make them all into TEs – that way we’ll never run out with the hundreds we’ve already recruited.

I think we’ll see Stinson at LB down the road, and maybe we can expect some RB transfers.

Actually, PSU has had pretty good success moving players around – it seems no one there ever plays the position they did in HS.

Speaking of which – last week Morelli spouted off about how he came about to be labelled “dumb”. Appears it was all his HS coach’s fault. Nothing in the article that addressed the fact that the PSU O coordinator had to drop 75% of the existing bpassing schemes to accommodate Morelli.

Comment by Reed 12.18.06 @ 10:32 am

Heard somewhere that Stinson likely will need a year in prep school.

Comment by Pitt72 12.18.06 @ 10:56 am

You can’t have enough RB’s. They are atheletic players that can move to other postions (usually defense) with ease. This is a good get!

Comment by Frank 12.18.06 @ 12:35 pm

I’m starting to wonder, how Dave can’t recruit a true big time running back….these kids should know they would be the primary back in a running designed offense for 4 years! In the event we strike out with Shady and Bo, what gives, why are we missing out on top notch talent at this position…does anyone have any suggestions?

Comment by Marco 12.18.06 @ 7:00 pm

I think that it is pretty likely that if someone from last class emerges (Collier or even Dickerson), we sign Bo or Shady, or one out of the three already coming to Pitt for this year (Harris, Greg W, and Stinson) emerges, the others will be moved around. Harris and Williams are already being characterized as running backs with potential to play other positions. Williams HS coach even said something to that effect. Who knows if Stinson needs to prep if he will ever even make it here. Besides, recruiting is a crap shoot anyways, and I personally really like the size/speed combos of both Shariff Harris and Greg Williams. I mean in two years they could possibly be 6 2, 225 lb olbs that run in the 4.5 range. I think that they are good pickups.

Comment by Josh 12.18.06 @ 9:33 pm

Another website had a article stating that Andrew Johnson has decide to transfer from U of Miami, is not currently with the team, and had contacted DW to come to PITT – to which DW said “We only want PITT guys”, referring to AJ’s poor decision years ago. He could easily have been a 3/4 year starter here and had a decent shot at the Pros. Might end up at Akron (assuming this reporting is correct).

This goes to the heart of the matter in the posts above in that recruiting really is a 50/50 proposition, on both sides. No coach ever knows who will stand out as a starter or star, and no recruit knows what actually lies ahead at the program he committed to. But I like the verbals of Harris and G. Williams also, both look like players.

I took a look at the 2002, 03, 04 recruiting classes PITT had on Scouts.com and was very surprised how many players don’t last over four years, some of the recruits I had never heard of at all – which means they either never got to PITT at all, or never saw much playing time and quit, transferred, was asked to leave, etc. I didn’t think that happened on the scale it does.

But, DW has had a good track record over the last two years with highly desired RBs in Dickerson in 2006, and Collier & Collins in 2005. Hasn’t used them that well, but did get them to come here. It’s a stretch to think that real top shelf RBs like McCoy or Bo Williams will be making PITT first choice (McCoy less so due to his PA roots) and if DW can land one (doubtful) it would be a real testament to his recruiting skills.

Also, looks like our verbal TE recruit Kyle Hubbard is exploring his options with the new NC coach Butch Davis.

Comment by Reed 12.19.06 @ 5:43 am

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