It’s everywhere.

Pitt defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads is the leading candidate to become the new defensive coordinator at Auburn under head coach Tommy Tuberville.

Rhoads, who was not available for comment, has reportedly not made a decision, but sources within the Pitt football program expect him to take the job.

If Rhoads does leave, the top candidates to replace him are current defensive line coach Greg Gattuso and Carolina Panthers defensive line coach Sal Sunseri.

Please don’t dash my hopes. I’ve already broken out the Dalmore 12 year old. If I was absolutely certain, it would be the last of my Royal Salute.

Now, Gattuso being promoted to DC would not surprise me. I think it makes the most sense and Gattuso has been an outstanding addition for Pitt since he joined the staff. He took over the D-line last season in a minor shake-up and the improvement there was tangible. He has been an outstanding recruiter for Pitt — in no small part to the ties he has in the area as a native to the region and being head coach at Duquesne for years.

I would be fine with Sal Sunseri taking over as DC, but Gattuso seems a natural for promotion.

Though I didn’t see it personally, I’ve already had three people text me about KDKA reporting on their 6pm news that defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads is thisclose to leaving for the same DC job at Auburn. Apparently Rhoads and Auburn HC Tommy Tuberville were seen meeting together today, and there have been rumors of this move happening for a week or so. They’ve been quiet rumors though, and reaction to this from Pitt fans is probably mixed:

— We want to keep him: Pitt held one of the best offenses in the NCAA to 7 points and played and amazing game. There were different blitz packages and schemes and we were able to keep great containment on White, Slaton, and Devine. Actually, we saw enough improvement during the last few games that there was hope for an even better defense in 2008.

On the other hand…

— Up until then, the defense was horrible. We never blitzed, never made any adjustments during the game, and saw almost no improvement. It’s been said that near the end of the year, Rhoads was simply Wannstedt’s puppet, and DW fully controlled the defense using Rhoads as a middle-man. In that sense, maybe having Rhoads leave isn’t so bad. Anyone that replaces him would have a defensive unit that is fully Wannstedt’s.

Again, these are just rumors, but they seem to be gaining some real possibility.

Edit: Really? Chas beat me by 12 minutes. Ah.

Don’t toy with me, Auburn.

Don’t get my hopes up for no reason. I have trouble believing it true. Pitt couldn’t have this many good things happen in one week.

The rumors are rampant that Paul Rhoads may be heading to Auburn to take over as Defensive Coordinator there. He once turned down the job — leading to his huge contract.

A few days ago the Auburn beat writer said this was the search for a new DC was a very tight-lipped affair. More than any other he had encountered covering Auburn. Then he still speculated on some of the names out there.

Pittsburgh coordinator Paul Rhoads: He’s not a serious candidate and hasn’t been. UPDATE: There is talk that Rhoads might be in the picture after all. I doubt that’s the case, but we will see.

Tuberville refused to comment about the job or Rhoads specifically a few days later.

Jarred Holley, as widely expected the last week or so, made it an official, non-binding, verbal to Pitt.

Holley, who scored 48 touchdowns and had 21 interceptions in his four-year career at Easton, took an official visit to Pittsburgh but canceled trips to Iowa and Virginia. “The official visits are the wining and dining part of the process,” he said. “I feel comfortable with my choice.”

More about it later when the full stories and interviews come.

Meanwhile, it seems Josh Jenkins has crossed Pitt off the list and added a different choice.

“We talked this afternoon,” McCullough explained to MetroNews’ Tony Caridi. “And he is no longer considering Pitt.”

Good news for fans of the gold and blue, but not great.

That’s because the Parkersburg standout just returned from what he described as “a great” visit at Florida State, where former WVU assistant coach Rick Trickett now calls home.

On Thursday, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel will be at the PHS football complex, the second time he has visited there.

It is a process that has seemingly gone on for a very long time and one that appears to be headed toward an 11th hour decision.

A decision that likely will come down to two schools—WVU and Ohio State, with FSU lurking in the dark looking to snatch away Jenkins’ services if the other two schools fail.

The chances with Jenkins were always slim. Seeing him ship off to FSU would be fine by me.

I don’t want to say lost in the euphoria, but definitely taking a bit of a back seat to the on-court performance of the basketball team, Pitt added three more football recruits that same night.

Altoona all-purpose back A.J. Alexander, one of the state’s fastest and most highly recruited players, announced his verbal commitment to Pitt during a live chat on Scout.com.

“I just liked everything about it,” Alexander told Scout.com. “I get along great with the players there and I feel like I fit in. My whole family loves (Pitt defensive line coach Greg) Gattuso. After the visit, I just figured why wait? I love the city and I love how (Pitt coach Dave) Wannstedt recruits.”

Alexander was joined in picking the Panthers by Lakeland tight end Justin Virbitsky and West Boca Raton (Fla.) middle linebacker Joe Trebitz. All three took official visits to Pitt this past weekend.

A.J. Alexander is a 4-star athlete/running back who was one of the highest ranked Pennsylvania recruits to still not make a verbal. He had initially verballed to FSU, in the summer, but backed off that. Penn State was the presumptive choice given his proximity and their recruiting of him, but he didn’t like their offense. ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc. (Insider subs.) worries about his size and durability. They see him excelling as return specialist, but also that he is multi-dimensional in an offense.

He is excellent at cutting back against the grain and exploiting cutback lanes. He would make for a great change of pace in the backfield on third downs and passing downs. However, his future is truly as a return specialist. He has a knack for hitting the seam on punt returns. He does not dance — one cut and upfield is his style. He can make people miss and most importantly, he is a home-run threat once he’s in the clear. He has great speed and a second gear in space.

The next two verbals are definitely projects, and almost assured of heading for redshirts.

Joe Trebitz, a linebacker out of West Boca, FL, and was an all-county, first team selection by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. The review from ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc. says he is in need of a redshirt, just to bulk up. They do like his potential.

Trebitz shows versatility playing both inside and outside linebacker, and possesses a high ceiling with his tall, rangy frame. His body should explode with bulk once he attacks a college weight-training program. Displays sound diagnosing skills and sifts adequately well through the lateral trash. Fills hard and brings adequate power and leverage to the point of attack.

Finally, Pitt has a blocking tight end in Justin Virbitsky out of Jermyn, PA. He likes where things are going with Pitt.

“I’m very excited,” Virbitsky said. “Pittsburgh is a football city. They have a good program. Coach is a real nice guy and a great coach. I’m glad to have a chance to play from him.”

Virbitsky, who didn’t start playing football until eighth grade, moved up to the varsity as a freshman where he played for the District 2 Class AA championship team as a tight end. He started the next three years at both tight end and defensive end, helping the Chiefs to another district title in 2006.

Last season, Virbitsky had 56 solo tackles with four sacks and earned a spot on The Associated Press Class AA all-state first-team defense.

From the ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc. commentary,  they see him as further along as a blocker than a receiver right now. They also think that he will be a great fit with a little work in a run-oriented offense.

Excels on drive blocks where he blends good upper and lower-body strength with proper leverage. Consistently generates enough power to wash down defensive ends creating good run perimeter run lanes. We like the tenacity this kid plays with as a blocker– he finishes blocks and constantly looks for more up-field. Receiver skills show potential with some polish. Hands are reliable and most of his grabs come away from the body. Shows good ability catching the ball in stride and in traffic. Utilizes his big body to absorb the hit and continue with forward progress. Demonstrates good concentration for big tight end prospect; he does a nice job adjusting to the difficult throw. However, he is currently limited athletically in some phases as a pass catcher.

Quickly, through a couple other things.

Jarred Holley will be announcing his choice today: Iowa, Pitt or Virginia.

DE Logan Shultz out of Gettysburg still lists Pitt as one of his choices.

Josh Jenkins attracted a parade of coaches coming through Parkersburg.

On Monday, new West Virginia University head football coach Bill Stewart and even newer recruiting coordinator John ‘Doc’ Holliday were at PHS to meet with all-America lineman

…

Today, University of Michigan recruiting coordinator Tony Gibson — who not long ago was recruiting Jenkins on behalf of WVU —will visit the Big Red football complex.

On Wednesday, University of Pittsburgh coach Dave Wannstedt —whose Panthers upset West Virginia in the regular season finale and knocked the Mountaineers out of the National Championship game, will be in Parkersburg seeking the services of Jenkins —who is scheduled to make his official visit to the Pittsburgh campus this weekend.

Finally, on Thursday, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel will be back in Parkersburg, taking his final shot at Jenkins.

Wheee.