Among the roughly 70 programs in the 5.5 major conferences only a handful of programs have just two recruits: Nebraska, Colorado and West Virginia. At one solitary recruit: Oregon State, UCLA, Indiana and Pitt.
Yes, Pitt is in the mix for many key players. In their top-3, -4, -5, -8. So far that hasn’t done much good. Pitt struck out twice over the weekend with two important targets. They weren’t 5-star elite talent, but they were good players in areas of need from Pennsylvania. They were players that it had at least appeared Pitt had placed something of a priority on securing their commitments.
Is there reason to panic? Absolutely not. There’s an entire summer. There are the camps. Most of Pitt’s biggest targets have not made a choice. Not to mention, unlike last year, Pitt can’t give out 25+ scholarships. There are only 18 seniors on this roster. This is not going to be a particularly high volume class.
But is there reasons to be concerned? Oh, hell yes.
Justin laid out some of the concerns last week. But over the weekend Pitt missed out on two linebackers. Chase Winovich from Thomas Jefferson. A local kid decided to go to Michigan. Then there was Zaire Franklin from the Philly area. Both of them were high 3-star recruits with the potential to finish their high school careers as 4-stars.
In both cases Pitt finished in the top-3, but not the final choice.
“What I liked is that I got a sense from the Syracuse coaches that they needed me instead of just wanting me,” Franklin said. “They made it clear how important I was to them.”
Franklin visited Syracuse from Thursday to Saturday morning.
“I woke up Sunday and knew this is what I wanted to do,” he said. “Everything just felt right about it.”
The 16-year-old, who lives near Broad and Ogontz in West Oak Lane, said Temple and Pittsburgh were the runners-up. He called off possible visits to Connecticut and Arizona, which contacted him Wednesday.
Winovich, rated a three-star prospect by rivals.com, had 21 scholarship offers, but recently trimmed his list to Michigan, Ohio State and Pitt. He said he telephoned Pitt offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph and Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickel with the news.
“Those were two of the toughest conversations I’ve ever had,” he said. “Rudolph is one of the greatest coaches, most trustworthy coaches I have met through this process. He said he was disappointed in my decision, but he appreciated the call.”
Winovich called Fickel “one of the greatest linebacker coaches in the United States.”
“It was an honor to be recruited by schools such as Stanford, Ohio State and Pitt,” he said. “It’s never an easy process, but I had to do what was best for me.”
In reading these kids comments, I couldn’t help but think back to what may be the best piece written on Chryst and how he views recruiting.
“To me, getting guys to buy in means you’re trying to sell something, and we’re not trying to sell anything,” Chryst said. “We’re in a process of creating a culture and we’re here to help players be the best players they can be and to represent this University with the best football team it can (be) and do it the right way. But I never felt like we had to sell anything or get them to buy in.”
For Chryst, the key to affecting real change in the players is not through convincing them or persuading them; it comes from a personal choice made by the players. The players have to decide for themselves, Chryst believes, if they are truly going to commit to an ideal.
… It’s not a “soft sell” or a passive approach; rather, Chryst believes a coach should provide express his interest in a recruit, provide information about the school, and let the prospect make his own decision. Only then, in Chryst’s opinion, is a recruit truly committed to a school when he makes a decision.“I think your job as a recruiter is to identify and then inform,” Chryst told Panther-Lair.com. “They should pick the best place for them, and I’ve never thought that coaches should tell someone what’s best for them. Our job is to inform, paint an accurate picture of who we are, how do you fit in; I think there’s that. But I think it truly is, you have to inform them of who you are and what you are, and they need to know who you are and what you’re about, and I think they then pick.
“I don’t want to say that’s the purest way, but I think it’s done right when people are picking it because it’s the best fit for them. Our job is to let them know everything, who and what is Pitt.”
[Emphasis added.]
The piece includes some interesting quotes from some recruits back in December.
Among the recruits were Cincinnati (Oh.) La Salle cornerback Jaleel Hytchye and Deland (Fla.) running back Jojo Kemp; each is at the top of Pitt’s recruiting board at his position, and each heard the same points from Chryst on the visit.
“He said he’s really confident in Pitt and the coaching staff, but you have to do what’s right for you,” Hytchye said. “So he said if I have to take more visits, then go ahead and do what’s right for me. But he wants me to come to Pitt.”
“He wants me to make the best decision for me,” Kemp said. “He wants me to visit the other schools so that when I pick them, I do it because I want to do it, not because they forced me.”
Whether that approach is effective with Hytchye and Kemp remains to be seen.
It wasn’t, as both chose Kentucky and the new coach there, Mark Stoops.
And when I read the comments by these kids after they verbal elsewhere, Chryst’s words about wanting them to have the information and make the decision for themselves almost feel like they are thrown back at him (and Pitt).
It’s a noble ideal. Very respectable. Clearly it makes an impression on these kids to think long and hard about wanting to play for him. Playing for Pitt. Franklin knew Pitt wanted him, but Syracuse made him feel needed. Winovich said he chose Michigan because it was best for him.
Chryst has a luxury most other recently hired coaches don’t. Time. For all the talk of coaches not getting enough time anymore. The money, the demands, etcetera. He came into a Pitt situation where the coaching situation had become so unstable that there is no choice but to give him five years. Barring an absolute Paul Hackett/Johnny Majors II performance on the field, he’s got that time simply to make sure the program isn’t undergoing another round of churn so soon.
He has has the time to really do it the way he thinks it should be done. Pitt is his own laboratory experiment.
We have been to 5 straight bowl games and we came within a couple boneheaded plays from coach & qb from keeping Notre Dame from playing for the NC and knocking them from being ranked #1.
Realistically even with said QB, PITT should have been at least 8-4 last year. (only counting losses that should have been wins against YSU & Syracuse) One could also easily argue that had PITT taken care of business and beat UConn and held on against ND, that would be 10-2.
The difference between 6-6 and 10-2 was very slight. As I see, we didn’t play with confidence.
Confidence usually comes down the chain of command.
He apparently has a lot of credibility in that state judging by his recruiting, and it would be hard to believe that Louisville will not be near the top in the AAC and ACC in the near future.
We get Syracuse every year…..blah
As Louisville proved in the Sugar Bowl (tearing up the SEC #2 team Florida), the Big Least wasn’t as bad as it was made out to be by the national nitwit media. Cincy won their bowl game too, and Cuse tore up the Hoopies of the supposed vaunted big 12 in the Pinstripe.
Pitt’s bowl game was in effect, the Notre Dame game. As most of the Nation was tuned into that and 80k were in the stands. We also proved the big least wasn’t the least.
I believe Rutgers also won their bowl game.
ESPN could have been backstabbing the BigEast all these years, by portraying the conf. as a weak one in football, thereby leading to it’s demise and ultimate breakout. Thereby they could then let their other more valuable conf. partners cherrypick the more viable tv ratings bigeast schools into their conferences.
3rd line from last….and ultimate breakup !
NOBODY WANTED THIS GUY FOR A HC…even Pitt didnt want him the first time around….but he was the safe date; the guy who wouldn’t hurt the vulnerable girl. lolololol
Love that one.
Net net PC has to recruit AND win games
particularly conference games and those
games against legitime non conference
competition.
more but I really don’t see it happening.
I thought from the beginning of the Shell saga that it would hurt us more with the locals than our overall recruiting. I hope not though!!!
Thanks.
Not to upset at Syracuse, for the simple reason, I had heard that last year. Maybe they finally put it down on paper, I guess??
Would have liked to have someone new, but you gotta give a little.
Personally, I love our division. Some nice road trips!!!
Don’t forget, we’re gonna play a team from the other division at the end of the year in the championship game too!!
Refreshing.
As for PSU, the situation they’re in is such a bummer, I can’t even make fun of them.
Yup is speaking of head coaches, which is what I was asking.
So 2 I guess. Illinois and Pitt the first time???
The way he was talking, I assumed he had been passed over by 20 or 30 schools.
Ok, 2. Keep me updated.
Throw in Kansas. Looks like 0 for 4 but don’t know if Chryst was or was not interested to be fair to him.
Certify him/her as a Therapy Dog.
Take him/her to schools, nursing homes, hospitals, wherever. Enjoy the smiles your dog brings.
Then with the time you have left over, come here to bitch and moan. You’ve deserved it.
I’m not even really defending Chryst, I stated above I’m concerned about his recruiting style.
However, when I see something silly like “no one wanted him”, I have to call it out.
You said you should be fair to him, and you’re right, doesn’t say anything about being interviewed by Kansas.
Again, I’m talking about head coaching positions which is what yup was talking about.
So, we’re back to Illinois and Pitt previously.
That’s 2.
The way his post read and the bumbling idiot comments I thought Chryst was blackballed or something??
I don’t want “he was interviewed by many” from yup.
I want the names of the schools, since “no one” wanted him.
As a matter of fact, in the linked articles, it says………
Paul Chryst is one of the hottest head coaching commodities out there!!!
Again, no problem with you, and I’m not even sure I believe that Chryst can do anything here, I’ll know more in a year or two.
Actually have no problem with YUP, start listing the schools please, because the way you’re commetning, it’s like he had the plague or soemthing.
No one wanted him list for head coach.
1. Illinois
2. Pitt the first time.
Texas, Ohio St. ND, Michigan, Alabama etc. pretty much have their pick of the litter when it comes to them wanting a coach and recruits.
Like a guy being turned down for a date by Cindy Crawford. I mean how bad can your ego be bruised or your reputation be tarnished??
The bottom line however remains that the lack of numbers of commits as of today (June 4) is not necessarily a problem based on Pitt’s past history overall.
Now, the fact that some local recruits of Pitt interest have committed elsewhere is of at least some concern (even though it has never been possible for Pitt to land all or most of the best local prospects); but that’s a topic separate from the numbers issues.
June 4
2014–1
2013–4
July 4
2014–1+?
2013–12
The 2003 to 2012 numbers remain unchanged.
A source close to Chryst told the State Journal that Chryst spoke with Kansas about the head coaching job that became open when the school fired Turner Gill after two seasons.
The issue is about recruiting not whether or not Chryst should be hired. The article by Chas is quite clear. It is near “alarming” status.
Comment by Dan 06.04.13 @ 5:33 pm
Yea I forgot about that Dan-o !
Unless all the top local recruits (like the ones Frankcan posted) commit to someplace else before then.
As Dan posted some time ago, we have been beat down so long, most of us feel like schleprock.
Everyone was looking at 2014 to be the class of good recruits. There were excuses for 2012 and 2013.
2012 class, everyone said that was remanents of Graham class that Chryst didn’t have enough time to make it his.
2013 class, everyone said he got a late jump on recruiting because he couldn’t do anything on 2013 recruiting until after Feb due to signing and final push for 2012 class.
So, what are the excuses going to be for 2014?
I will reserve all judgment until Labor Day, at least, further judgment until January, and final judgment until LOI day.
I could care less about where the recruits come from but if Chryst can’t land the top recruits from his backyard then he can’t land them from outside of wpial.
The basis for evaluating the 2014 recruiting efforts is to compare #commits of Pitt to other like programs. Most have 7-10 commits so far and mostly highly rated.
And before you say, commits don’t matter only LOI day matters. Over 95% of commits will stick unless there is a coaching change.
So, to quote Chas.
“But is there reasons to be concerned? Oh, hell yes.”
These young guys who are being recruited by schools like Mich, OSU, ALA, etc are not going to choose Pitt over any of those schools at this point. The man has coached one single year, and people can actally predict what the man is going to do going forward?
We should all be happy that the man stayed around to try and clean up the mess that the football program has become. You all called Graham a snake oil salesman and all sorts of names, by the way he sold Pitt to the players, and most if not all of you was pushing for Pitt to get someone who would promote Pitt, and get players who wanted to come here. Now Chryst is trying to promote Pitt and you guys are now complaining that he should be a snake oil salesman.
If you all think that these players are not coming to Pitt, because Chryst is a soft sale and not promoting Pitt, then that goes to show you, how stupid it is to come on and post some of these insane comments. I now this is a discussion board, but no-one is discussing anything. It’s all about people acting like they no how to do something that they’ve never done themselves. It would be like Chryst, making comments about how you all need to do this or that at your jobs.
Give the man a chance before we make these out of the world statements about what kind of a coach, and person he is
and Upitt, points taken, enjoy your banter, agree with both of you lots of times.
No problem with criticisms of Pitt, I do it myself.
My thing wasn’t even with Chryst or recruiting.
When a commenter starts to sound like a 12 year old, or a troll though, I gotta call them out.
Pitt went on to sign TJ Clemmings, Pat Murphy, Todd Thomas, K’Waun Williams, Mark Rotheram, Shane Johnson, KK Mosley Smith, Art Doakes, Anthony Gonzalez and Brandon Ifill … all who have contributed or should play a prominent role in this year’s team.
On the other hand, Wanny took a chance on 2 kids with already-troubled backgrounds (Knox and Peeler) that blew up in his face. This class also produced Carswell and Eric Williams who saw a lot of action the past 2 years before the recent drug bust.
All in all, a lot of talent was reeled in after June 5th … so the jury should still be out on HCPC.
and, us native were getting ‘restless’ … (and probably wreckless also)
This blog has become nothing but know-it-alls incessantly spewing the SAME nonsense over and over and over and over. I used to post a few times a week, now I barely post 1 or 2 per month because of it.
PC and Pitt had a recruiting class ranked in the 21-40ish range this past year (really can’t believe Scout has them at 21 for the 2013 class). For all the coaching turmoil since DW left, that’s about all one can expect. It just amazes me the folks expect the recruits to line up outside the SouthSide office chompin at the bit to sign with Pitt.
It’s really time to face reality. Right now, no one in their right mind could expect Pitt to keep up with OSU, Mich, Ala or even PSU!
Unless Pitt has less than 6-8 wins the next couple years, PC will still be here. So will all the recliner coaches dribbling suds on their keyboards while cutting and pasting the same crap on this blog.
I have been saying for a few years now that there has been a delusion of grandeur from the Pitt faithful who believe things can revert back to late 70s glory days … and that the stability of a coach like Wanny was underappreciated … especially considering he provided the program its best 3 year run since those glory days.
Pitt was ranked 35 in Rivals for 2013, however, it was a huge class of 27. You get more points for quantity.
However, if you look at the “quality” or average star, the ranking is in the 50’s.
Just say’in
Rivals and Scout boards delete any comment that is negative. This board has both which I appreciate.
PC’s first true recruiting class was ranked from the low 20s to the 40s (dan83 – point taken). What was Pitt’s power ranking in the season prior? I’ll be willing to bet we were lower than 50. Until Pitt produces on the field, that’s about all any reasonable person can expect.
PC is learning how to be a HC. I’ll agree that Pitt wasn’t prepared for a few games last season. But I would put that on the players as well as the coach. There were criminals and malcontents in that locker room and PC is weeding them out. I doubt that even Chuck Noll would have won more than 6 with that team.
wbb – I wholeheartedly agree there are many with delusions of grandeur regarding Pitt. Have they really forgotten this was a less than middle of the road program from the mid 80s until Walt was hired? Walt got us above average and DW just slightly above that. Then the woman beater and slimeball coaching fiascos occurred.
We should be thanking our lucky stars we got someone as highly regarded as Chryst to coach here. I WANT Pitt to win now, but I’m not going to start questioning him until he has time to build HIS program.
I’m concerned that we don’t have more verbals than we do at this point, but the numbers that matter are the ones signing with Pitt on LOI Day.
I agree with others that say that recruiting is the life blood of any viable football program and HC Paul Chryst has to produce, for 2014, a top 30 recruiting class or Pitt is going to be in trouble going forward. This is especially true considering the house cleaning that is going on with dismissals and transfers.
The Jury is out on his win-loss record for a couple years but Chryst HAS to be successful NOW in the recruiting department. No excuses for 2014 in recruiting.
I think some of you guys are Hoopie fans making negative comments so that any possible recruits reading this blog (and don’t say it doesn’t happen) read some of these ridiculous comments and no wonder they pick another school.
C’mon people…it’s not drinking the kool aid to be positive and patient. It’s sane… Get lives.
Who in the hell are you, Pederson’s executive assistant?
When there are actual substantial PITT football issues to discuss it is the best website there is. During “The Doldrums” of May-July it is always is a down period. Thus the only posters who want to spout stuff are the pot-stirrers who post outrageous thoughts and then scream when no one actually agrees with them.
Come summer training camp we’ll have the players to discuss – especially the ones who are new to the program or are in-line to see playing time for the first time in their careers. That is when we can start commenting and speculating with a kernel of hard news as a starting point in a discussion.
As far as Chryst being a loser, bumbling fool, etc… you should note that on the message boards and on here the posters who are stating that are almost always guys who wanted someone else hired rather than Chryst.
I’ve concerns about Chryst as a HC also but I’ll hold off any real negative criticism until there is a actual reason to do so. The fact is he inherited a team with major morale problems, player cliques and bad attitudes.
I’ve been screaming on here that there were very real institutional problems (from the admin through the HC & Staff down to the players and their parents)in the program as far back as the end of the 2009 season and people didn’t want to believe it… well, now we see writ large that not only did they exist but they set the program back as far as any real growth goes. Believe me when I say what the average PITT fan saw and knew about over the ’09 -’11 years was the just tip of the negative iceberg.
On top of that the actual football talent level Chryst had to work with was such that we had 7-5 and 6-6 regular seasons before he got here. Not the best of situations to start with and our 2012 6-7 season wasn’t a shocker at all. Lots of people, including myself, wondered if we could have a winning season and that didn’t happen. The same applies for this upcoming season IMO..
So all this is what Chryst was hired to deal with and those types of change – real honest change that is – doesn’t happen in one season.
This staff will fill out the roster with players they want to have with skill sets they need. That is pretty obvious so far. Just because a few three star local kids go elsewhere is no reason to panic at all. If we don’t see some quality recruits by Nov-Dec then I’ll worry. But until then this is much ado about nothing and is nothing but a topic for people to bitch about in lieu of substance.
Chas does a great job here as is Justin. Chas allows expression of opinion from everyone as long as it isn’t too over the top – but what we are seeing and reading now is the same deal every spring… it’ll get better in August.
Thanks for adding some sanity to the blather. There have been way too many “chicken little” posts by folks who appear to take anything less than full instant and early gratification on the recruiting front as a sign that the end of the world (or at least their world) is imminent.
I’m not a ‘full-time’ poster by any means, but I do read daily and will continue to do so because the folks who run the site do a great job.
GO PITT
(Although I may sneak in an article or two every so often…)
I rarely order steaks out, for they’re vastly overpriced. But when I do, it would be at Capital Grille or Mortons. Overpriced, for sure, but a real quality cut of beef and it’s consistently good.