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February 1, 2011

Still More Recruits

Filed under: Football,Recruiting — Chas @ 8:04 am

Well it’s time to put a couple more in the verbal category.

Nicholas Grigsby out of Ohio gave a verbal to Pitt. A four- to three-star outside linebacker. He had offers from Michigan St., Mizzou, and Louisville. Plenty of potential (Insider subs.).

We like his acceleration when tackling, can knock’em back where they came from. Demonstrates good blitz production with sacks and turnovers; displays good timing with a closing burst off the edge. We see promise as a zone and man coverage player; flashes good underneath route recognition; breaks up on the ball well while demonstrating good ball skills. Shows the ability to man up and run with inside receivers; is especially competent at getting his head around and locating the ball in flight. This guy’s motor and intensity create turnovers while causing havoc in the backfield. His range and ability to play in space is what we look for when evaluating the OLB position. Grigsby may not be an immediate starter however it won’t take long before he makes his presence known on the field.

Then there was the verbal from Jevonte Pitts.

A 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior, Pitts visited the campus over the weekend, along with his cousin, Lafayette, who remains committed to Rutgers.

Pitts will be the fifth Wolverine from this class to land an FBS (formerly Division I-A) football scholarship, joining LaFayette Pitts, Quinton Jefferson (Maryland), Ejuan Price (Ohio State) and James Price, who committed Monday to Akron. Jevonte Pitts was not being recruited by the Panthers until Todd Graham became coach.

“He was overshadowed by some of the other players,” Woodland Hills coach George Novak said. “Lafayette, Quinton and Ejuan got all the recognition, but when people started looking at tapes of Jevonte, they saw what a great athlete he is.”

The move to get Jevonte Pitts is cynically seen as part of luring Lafayette Pitts back to Pitt.

Woodland Hills coach George Novak said Lafayette Pitts is still committed to Rutgers, but acknowledges that Lafayette’s recruiting saga might not be over. “It might come down to [signing day],” Novak said of Lafayette Pitts’ decision. According to a source close to the family, Lafayette Pitts is strongly considering Pitt again now that his cousin is headed there.

Or it could be to help reel in a different Woodland Hills player. Linebacker, Ejuan Price, who had committed to Ohio State might be a last minute switch. Some OSU blogs are almost assuming as much at this point.

Adding to the intrigue on Signing Day tomorrow: all the bad weather. Will kids be able to get to a fax machine?





great work chas… i thought i might beat yuo to the punch on grigsby

any update on Eubank? im not seeing anything… this kid’s tape is unreal…

hats off to Graham… what a class with so little time to put it together

Comment by DeVanzo 02.01.11 @ 8:13 am

also… when was the last time we had the Ohio State boards shaking in their boots about stealing a commit??

Comment by DeVanzo 02.01.11 @ 8:18 am

The Grisby type recruit would be the recruiting bomb that I was predicting Graham was going to drop on signing day, I wonder if he has any more aces up his sleeve for tomorrow, hmmm? Graham so far is very impressive. He swoons everybody in his initial press conference, shows up in the Oakland Zoo wearing their T-shirt during home basketball games, pulls together a decent recruiting class out of his bum hole in the last couple of weeks before signing day. Whats next? Maybe this guy can bring a lasting peace to the middle east. The thing in recruiting that just jumps off the page is the national scope of his commits. Out of the dozen or so recruits that he has brought in only two are from PA. That kind of recruiting, in a couple years, could have a huge influence in both the quality of players on this team as well as Pitt’s profile on the national stage. If he can coach the team anywhere near the way he has pulled Pitt football back from the debacle that SP thrust it into at year’s end then he’s got my vote for BE coach of the year!

Comment by Dr. Tom 02.01.11 @ 8:41 am

I like the fact that we got a couple of Ohio kids. It would also be nice to keep some of the better local prospects here as well. The fall-out from the Wannstedt firing and the Haywood mess sure messed things up. You would have thought that some of the players would have wanted to stay with Pitt because they liked the school, rather than follow the assistant coaches. They have no idea that they’re just salesmen. There is no way in hell that I would have followed an assistant coach to Rutgers rather than staying with Pitt. I guess that gives you a glimpse into the minds of 17 or 18 olds.

Comment by Justinian 02.01.11 @ 8:46 am

Wow – tomorrow is sure shaping up to be a great one in Pantherland. When was the last time that we may steal OSU recruits? Maybe just maybe Graham WILL be the man to build the fence around the best players in WPA and not just pay lip service. Of course, winning is the most impactful way to accomplish that.

Comment by Big A 02.01.11 @ 9:20 am

Interesting article:

link to nj.com

Comment by BigGuy 02.01.11 @ 10:12 am

Well, we all knew that Hafley was an excellent recruiter. Heck, Dion Lewis and Ray Graham are Ney Jersey kids. When Haywood got the job, he wasn’t going to retain anyone, which was foolish on his part. Keeping a few guys from Wannstedt’s staff to retain the recruiting class would have been the prudent move. That left everyone on the staff scrambling for a job and they took whatever recruits they could, with them. We got lucky that Graham and his staff were able to do the same in a very………… very short window.

Comment by Justinian 02.01.11 @ 10:49 am

Need some help with some info i was told in any one year that a team could only have 25 recruits is that true? The reason i ask i saw a team listed with 27. Also did not so cal lose some scholarships taken away bye Ncca. they also have 25 recruits.

Comment by FRANKCAN 02.01.11 @ 11:24 am

scholarships are limited, recruits are not. my guess is walk-ons and preferred walk-ons round out those classes.

Comment by TJ 02.01.11 @ 11:26 am

TJ thanks for info but are scholarships a max of 25 per year.

Comment by FRANKCAN 02.01.11 @ 11:47 am

Frank,
I think it has something to do with a bunch of complicated things like grayshirts and so forth. So you sign a guy, but he doesn’t enroll until the spring semester. Then he counts towards your limit the next season.
There are a few other tricks that coaches use to get around the “25 player limit.”
There are tons of articles out there on how coaches get around the limits. I’m attaching one that just explains grayshirts.
link to recruiting-101.com

Comment by Lollard 02.01.11 @ 11:53 am

@Frankcan, just read the la times about the southern cal recruiting situation. Because they are appealing the ncaa sanctions, they can sign the maximum and take the hit in 2012, 2013, and 2014 if the sanctions are upheld.

Comment by Scott 78 02.01.11 @ 11:54 am

Frank,
Another thing I’ve heard happens is coaches will “overbook” the class, almost like an airplane oversells its seats. So if a coach is looking at 5 kids who are all borderline to be eligible academically, he can reasonably assume that one of them won’t make it. So he’ll go ahead and sign them all anyway. Now if they all make it, I’m not sure what happens. I guess one of them would then have to grayshirt.

Comment by Lollard 02.01.11 @ 11:57 am

WWMHHD???

As in What Would Michael Haywood Have Done?

I would hate to see what signing day would have looked like with Haywood still at the helm. We would be reading message boards of Central, Eastern, and/or Western Michigan about Pitt snagging their recruits on signing day.

Great job Coach Graham and staff! Can’t wait to see the final class tomorrow morning.

HAIL TO PITT!!!

Comment by FlipToScript 02.01.11 @ 12:02 pm

link to sports.espn.go.com

#134

Rankings mean nothing.

Comment by Pauly P 02.01.11 @ 12:11 pm

Lollard and Scott thank you both for the info

Comment by FRANKCAN 02.01.11 @ 12:13 pm

I was just listening to espn radio the other day and they mentioned how Alabama “overbooks” their recruiting class every year. Eventually as the class begins to stabalize some offers are revoked and the kid is basically told to find another place to play. Kind of cruel but I guess its no different than the kids having the right to go elsewhere right up until the last minute. Although, you would think an institution of higher learning would be more inclined to keep their promises and show a little more integrity but thats pretty naive…

Comment by Coach Ditka 02.01.11 @ 12:14 pm

Everyone has an opinion. I spoke with a former ND player (not a recent player) who spoke highly of Mike Haywood. He Thought that Hatwood would have done a good job at Pitt.

Comment by BigGuy 02.01.11 @ 12:17 pm

Hafley may be a great guy and terrific recruiter, but Pitt’s secondary looked like they had no coaching at all last year. Rutgers wanted him for his recruiting but apparently haven’t assigned him to anything else.

Comment by 66Goat 02.01.11 @ 12:27 pm

Pitt’s secondary, linebackers and O line looked like they had little or no coaching last year…

Comment by Dan 72 02.01.11 @ 1:46 pm

Rutgers can have all the recruits they want, same with UCONN, they’ll still be Rutgers and UCONN, methodical bores!!!!! At least we won’t be in that category anymore!!

Comment by Dan 02.01.11 @ 2:05 pm

For those of you that chatted about schools seeming to have more recruits than allowed…… read this SI article about flagrant oversigning of recruits:

link to sportsillustrated.cnn.com

Comment by mtoolmn 02.01.11 @ 2:31 pm

BigGuy

how long ago was this player at ND?

surely he wasnt there when Haywood had the clipboard pulled from him for being incompetent and then was pushed out by boosters for saying he could recruit the south and then not recruiting the south

Comment by DeVanzo 02.01.11 @ 2:54 pm

im hitting refresh too much… have you guys seen the Eubanks video? this guy is unreal… i forgot what a good downfield pass looks like:
link to youtube.com

it will be nice to see our NFL receivers get balls thrown to them over 10 yards on target

Comment by DeVanzo 02.01.11 @ 2:55 pm

“how long ago was this player at ND?”

DeVanzo, it was a former QB that played decades ago (and had a nice career with ND). I do not know what his current affiliation (if any) is with ND. My comment was that everyone has an opinion. Obviously, Pitt’s administration had a high opinion of Mike Haywood at one time.

Comment by BigGuy 02.01.11 @ 3:18 pm

@DeVanzo, here is another highlights video that shows some high school QB potential. Only difference between Eubank’s video and this one is that my kid is ALREADY on Pitt’s roster. If Graham recognizes talent like I thinks he does, this is Pitt’s next starting QB, MarkMyers.
link to youtube.com

Comment by Dr. Tom 02.01.11 @ 3:33 pm

P-G says Rivals has Grigsby rated as 16th best outside linebacker in the country. Way to go, Coach Graham.

Comment by Scott 78 02.01.11 @ 4:17 pm

I am not sure if i understand the worry abought the O LINE Pitt has on the team now 14 O Line men who will be on team next year and if you count the commits from this class it goes to 16 and all but two 300 pounds or over if you are a good OL coach you should be able to coach up at least 9 of them to give you a good line if not you should quit. i dont think you need to worry abought it they wont have to hold there blocks that long in this offensive system the ball is going to come out quick.

Comment by FRANKCAN 02.01.11 @ 6:43 pm

I’m pretty sure that FB has a max allowance of 85 scholarships for a given program .. just as BB has a max of 13.

The SEC teams are notorious for going over the limits of commits to scholarships, and then showing the door to the less productive upperclassmen .. not unlike Jamie has been doing recently.

Comment by wbb 02.01.11 @ 7:19 pm

OL DEPTH:

Nix, Jacobsen, Gibbs (returning starters/seniors)
Gaskins (sr) Turnley and King (Jr)
Lippert and Hollins (Soph)
Sacco, Rotheram and Doaks (RS FR)

according to Zeise, Sacco and Lippert are two to watch

Comment by wbb 02.01.11 @ 7:24 pm

FrankCan, I concur, three returning starters, Sacco will be a future stud, coach the rest up and we’ll be fine on the O line. Our weak spot on the offense this year was the QB. What are we going to do about that???

Comment by Dr. Tom 02.01.11 @ 7:31 pm

DR. Tom we have 4 QB on team forget theone that played this year any of outher 3 will be great and two of them should be really good they were really good in high school will be ok.

Comment by FRANKCAN 02.01.11 @ 7:41 pm

The problem with Wanny was his planning for HIS OWN future and sacrificing the present along the way.

Sitting Myers this year was incredibly selfish.

I really think more than anything that was what got him fired.

Comment by steve 02.01.11 @ 7:44 pm

I’m looking forward to the open competition this year. It will be interesting to see how many of last year’s starters survive.

Comment by Scott 78 02.01.11 @ 7:50 pm

I think Bostick or Myers start at QB next year and sals kid moves to safty because he has no arm.

Comment by FRANKCAN 02.01.11 @ 8:06 pm

steve, seriously, do you really think a natural freshman with 3 weeks of pre-season practice would have done better than Tino?

I do agree that Wanny was really looking forward to next year … he all but said that last summer after he questioned why Pitt was consensus No. 1 BE pick (which is of course complete opposite of Jamie’s philosophy)

Comment by wbb 02.01.11 @ 8:12 pm

ment safety missed a key

Comment by FRANKCAN 02.01.11 @ 8:14 pm

Sitting Myers was selfish?? A freshman QB? I mean, I hope the kid is good, but freshman QB don’t start in college…even PSU pulled Bolden from the starting lineup for a walk-on!! Don’t be stupid, Myers needed a redshirt year, and it’s far too early to say how he’ll be as a Panther.

Comment by merlin 02.01.11 @ 8:47 pm

wbb, because a QB with real talent was forced to redshirt it demoralized everyone on the team.

Comment by steve 02.01.11 @ 8:47 pm

so now it demoralized everyone on the team — get real!!!

meanwhile, more good news?

link to blogs.sites.post-gazette.com

Comment by wbb 02.01.11 @ 8:50 pm

merlin, see above.

Comment by steve 02.01.11 @ 8:51 pm

Get real??? Get facts, wbb.

Comment by steve 02.01.11 @ 8:54 pm

Myers would have been better than Tino at least he can throw a football more than 20 yards.

Comment by FRANKCAN 02.01.11 @ 9:04 pm

alright,it’s always the backup QB that is so much better, right … just like last year when so many on this very site was booing Stull and screaming for Tino to replace him.

you people just never learn

Comment by wbb 02.01.11 @ 9:11 pm

Some local kids in this class would be nice….

Comment by POLE 02.01.11 @ 9:13 pm

Even before tomorrow’s big announcements, I am very excited about what Graham and his new staff have done with only 3 weeks to recruit. We already have 16 and may end up at 20! We have recruited speed and athletes at key positions including RB, LB, S, and CB! Just wait until this staff has an entire year to recruit and until they start showcasing the new offense in action! Good luck tomorrow – fingers crossed! Would love the get the big QB from CA, at least one of the kids from Mckeesport, the other Pitts, Desimon Green, and another surprise! Hail to Pitt! Go Graham!

Comment by dish 02.01.11 @ 9:19 pm

We should be thanking Wanny that he didn’t blow Myer’s redshirt like he did with the freshmen D-linemen.

There is no doubt that Myers may be more accurate that Tino, throw a better ball and have more physical tools, but coming into play FBS Level football straight out of high school, make reads, call audibles at the line, manage the play clock and know where everyone on the offense needs to be is an incredibly tall order for a freshman.

Wanny made plenty of mistakes, just don’t think this was one of them.

Comment by TJ 02.01.11 @ 9:25 pm

TJ, as it turns out you’re correct on your first point.

Football doesn’t have to be that complicated. I remember making plenty of yards on “33 on 3.”

Comment by steve 02.01.11 @ 9:46 pm

Coach Graham will be puting on a show at Heinz field feb 2 for the commits and fans if you go let me know if it was first rate and if they got a big crowd i cant go but would like to know how things went.

Comment by FRANKCAN 02.01.11 @ 10:20 pm

There is no doubt that Myers may be more accurate that Tino, throw a better ball and have more physical tools, but coming into play FBS Level football straight out of high school, make reads, call audibles at the line, manage the play clock and know where everyone on the offense needs to be is an incredibly tall order for a freshman.

Wanny made plenty of mistakes, just don’t think this was one of them.
Comment by TJ 02.01.11 @ 9:25 pm

This is exactly what they did to Pat Bostick.
The kid was totally mismanaged by Wanny and his staff. Palko’s development was also stunted by Wanny & staff. If Myers isn’t ready and the kid from California doesn’t come, I’d really like to see Bostick get a shot to be starting QB. He will certainly pickup Graham’s offensive system teh quickest and I still believe he has the ability to be good.

Comment by melvinbennett 02.01.11 @ 11:45 pm

TJ – you said…

“…make reads, call audibles at the line, manage the play clock and know where everyone on the offense needs to be is an incredibly tall order for a freshman.”

Aside from one other thing your list is exactly what Tino Sunseri could NOT do for the Panthers last season.

Oh, that one other thing – throw a deep pass to our most potent big play threat. Tino Sunseri effectively did the defense’s job for them with his inability to throw a long enough or accurate enough deep ball.

I don’t think Myers should have played as a true FR either – that’s a lot to ask any new college player to do. But, IMO Sunseri should immediately be put back into the middle of the pack of QB competitors and have zero advantage from his one year of starting – we have a completely different offense being installed and it’s too important to give it to someone solely because DW hand picked him without competition at the position.

Comment by Reed 02.02.11 @ 3:44 am

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