Pitt has the press release announcing the 2009 football signing class.

“We have been fortunate to sign some quality recruiting classes the last four years,” Wannstedt said. “I believe our 2009 edition is a continuation of that strong pattern.

“While recruiting these young men, the message we continually received was they want to be part of what we are building here at Pitt. This past season was a big step forward for our program. These recruits noticed that and believe they can help us make even greater strides in the future. That’s the goal and that’s why we put such a heavy emphasis on recruiting outstanding players and people.”

Pitt’s class is comprised of players from six different states. In addition to Pennsylvania, the Panthers’ recruiting arm stretched to New Jersey, New York, Florida, Texas and Maryland.

Pitt’s 2009 class includes:

· Four players named All-Americans by national recruiting analyst Tom Lemming, including tight end Brock DeCicco (Thomas Jefferson), defensive lineman Tyrone Ezell (Steel Valley), defensive lineman Jack Lippert (Central Dauphin) and wide receiver Todd Thomas (Beaver Falls).

· A total of six players named All-Americans by either PrepStar or SuperPrep recruiting annuals, including linebacker Dan Mason (Penn Hills), who was honored by both publications.

· Nine players who earned Associated Press All-State honors in Pennsylvania. Todd Thomas was named AP All-State each of the last three years at Beaver Falls — and at three different positions (receiver, running back and defensive back).

· Five of the top 12 prospects in Pennsylvania according to Rivals.com, the most of any school.

· Five players from New Jersey high schools, the Panthers’ most signees from the Garden State since the mid-1980s. The group is led by PrepStar All-America all-purpose back Ray Graham (Elizabeth).

Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

Scout.com put’s Pitt class at #28.

Rivals.com is not as high on the class, as Pitt checks in at #47.

Around the Big East, WVU might be the top class — Rivals.com, #27; Scout.com, #22 (not ranked in ESPN/Scouts, Inc., top 25.

Or Rutgers — Rivals.com, #38; Scout.com, #29; ESPNU/Scouts, Inc., #19.

Or USF — Rivals.com, #29; Scout.com, #24; ESPNU/Scouts, Inc., #24.

Just eyeballing things, I’d put the order of the top 4 classes as:

1. WVU
2. USF
3. Rutgers
4. Pitt

As for the rest:

Cinci — Rivals.com, #59; Scout.com, #53

UConn — Rivals.com, #75; Scout.com, #71

Louisville — Rivals.com, #76; Scout.com, #63

Syracuse*  — Rivals.com, #113; Scout.com, #91

Syracuse still has a good shot to move up a bit if they can get Oku, but he appears to be leaning Auburn.

Louisville’s class is tricky to judge with 8, count them, 8 JUCOs.