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January 13, 2008

Sundays are part of the weekend, but it never feels like it. The thought that Monday is around the corner sticks in the back of my mind all day. Ah.

A large number of football recruits visited this weekend for the hoops game against Seton Hall. The list includes verbals like Nix, Burns, and Sunseri plus some hopefuls (most notably AJ Alexander). They were able to pick up their 17th verbal from TE Justin Virbitsky.

Jim Snyder of Pantherlair.com is reporting that TE Justin Virbitsky gave the Panthers a verbal commitment today. Virbitsky is the Panthers 17th verbal commitment. Virbitsky is from Lakeland, Fla. and is being recruited as a “blocking” tight end. Virbitsky was a 3-year starter at Lakeland H.S. and was named to the 1st team Class AA as a defensive end. [PSI]

The “blocking” tight end style is more similar to John Pelusi’s game rather than Nate Byham. Byham is a great blocker but an even better pass-catcher.
Speaking of tight ends (there’s a dirty joke in there somewhere), Darrell Strong played in the Hula Bowl last night. The other Pitt player was Kennard Cox. Two other all-star games will feature former Panthers.

Two-time All-Big East defensive end Joe Clermond will play in the East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 19 in Houston, Texas. The game will be a 7 p.m. (ET) telecast on ESPN. Pitt’s defensive captain, Clermond (Tampa, Fla./Chamberlain) finished the season as the Panthers’ leader in sacks (10.5) and tackles for loss (13). His 53 total tackles tied for fourth. An outstanding pass rusher, Clermond’s .88 sacks per game ranked 11th nationally (tied) and third in the Big East.

Pitt’s starting offensive tackles, Jeff Otah and Mike McGlynn, will play in the Jan. 26 Senior Bowl, held in Mobile, Ala. The game will kickoff at 3 p.m. (ET) and be televised by the NFL Network.

All-star games have never really excited me; now really planning to watch these unless I find myself really in need of something to do. NFL Draft Countdown has Otah going near the middle of the first round and says this about him:

Otah is still very raw and only has two years of division I experience but he has mind-boggling size (6-6, 340) and great athleticism with almost unlimited potential. In college he played left tackle and did a fantastic job but he might have to the right side at the next level and a good way to think of him would be as a poor man’s Jake Long with more longterm upside.

Teams and Detroit and Philly would be two teams drafting in the middle of the round that could use him on their o-line.





We now have 6 QBs and 4 or 5 TEs…wow…

Comment by Stuart 01.13.08 @ 9:33 pm

DW wants competition and is going to get it. That is one thing that was missing under Wlat. They were so thin that good players were slotted (annointed) and did not have to work hard to keep their jobs. DW has fought (and is winning) the battle of culture change. People do not understand what a change this is. There will be no gifting of slots in the 2 deep. He wants competition to make everybody better and make the team more successful… That’s where Buddy Morris fits in at Pitt too. No more softy workouts and practices. That may be how/why they are getting more scholarships freed up next than many expected. Restocking the cupboard with lots quality players willing to work and compete. Picture it when DW has his 5th year seniors…

Comment by PittEE68 01.13.08 @ 11:07 pm

Yeah, but there is a scholarship limit…85…when two positions take up 1/8th of your limit…i just want to know how they’re going to fit all these kids in this year…

Comment by Stuart 01.14.08 @ 2:49 am

Justin Virbitsky 6’5″ and 250 Lbs…it’s not hard to see him three years from now at 6’6″ 280-290 and playing OT or OG. He also has decent speed and is a great student.

Comment by HbgFrank 01.14.08 @ 1:04 pm

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