Here is a post I had in draft form and forgot to put up. I did it before that “Art of Recruiting” series of last week. Discuss-able info as far as stars awarded and Pitt player – present and past.
YR | Player | Position | Stars | Nat’l Rank | Top 3 Schools |
2003 | Larry Fitzgerald | WR | 4* | 15 | OSU |
2003 | Andy Lee | P | NR | NR | |
2006 | H. B. Blades | ILB | 3* | 32 | Auburn, Iowa State, VA |
2007 | Scott McKillop | ILB | 3* | 31 | Nebraska, PSU, VT |
2007 | Jeff Otah | OT | NR | NR | Pitt |
2008 | Scott McKillop | ILB | 3* | 32 | Nebraska, PSU, VT |
2009 | Dorin Dickerson | TE | 4* | 8 (ATH) | PSU, Michigan, Tennessee |
2010 | Jabaal Sheard | DE | 3* | 23 | Auburn, AZ State, RU |
2013 | Aaron Donald | DT | 3* | 37 | Akron, RU, SYR |
2014 | James Conner | RB | 3* | 26 (DE) | YSU, Ohio, E. Michigan |
2014 | T. J. Clemmings | OT | 4* | 16 | ND, PSU, Florida |
2014 | Tyler Boyd | WR | 4* | 12 | ND, PSU, Wisconsin |
This is an interesting list I think. As I was looking up the All-Americans I also jotted down the lower rated kids who have become either stars or real solid producers for us.
Here is the top few from as far back as I could find recruiting listings for (by year):
YR | Player | Position | Stars |
‘03 | G. Lee | WR | 2* |
‘03 | Clermond | LB | 2* |
Session | OLB | 3* | |
McGlynn | OL | 3* | |
‘04 | Strong | TE | 2* |
Kinder | WR | 2* | |
Revis | DB | 3* | |
‘05 | Mustakas | DL | 2* |
CJ Davis | OL | 2* | |
‘06 | Romeus | DE | 2* |
Pinkston | OL | 3* | |
Wright | DB | 2* | |
‘07 | Gruder | ILB | 2* |
Hynoski | FB | 3* | |
‘08 | Taglianetti | DB | 2* |
Turnley | OL | 2* | |
‘09 | Street | WR | 2* |
Hendricks | DB | 2* | |
‘10 | Mosley-Smith | DL | 3* |
S. Johnson | OL | 3* | |
‘11 | Bennett | RB | 2* |
‘12 | Caprara | LB | 2* |
Holtz | TE | 3* | |
‘13 | Blewitt | K | 2* |
Webb | DB | 2* | |
‘14 | Wirginis | LB | 2* |
Blair | DE | 2* | |
Ollison | RB | 3* |
Here is a very strange article by Cardiac Hill that, as far as I can tell, doesn’t impart any real info… but interesting numbers none the less.
Chris Dokish has some good info on what he considers needs and wants for the roster in the future. Chris is pretty knowledgeable about recruiting (before the kid sets foot on a football field in a Pitt uniform) so I enjoyed reading this. I don’t necessarily agree with this part though but then again it has been a while since Pitt has had an above average QB behind center.
So when he says Pitt “Pitt’s program can go far with a good quarterback” I have to scratch my head. We haven’t “gone far” in a decade.
Not to much too much pressure on him, but it’s not an understatement to say that the success of the Pat Narduzzi era pretty much depends on the success of MacVittie. Of course there’s always a chance that somebody else comes in out of the blue, and that someone could be either someone on the roster already, or not on the roster currently, but as of now it pretty much comes down to MacVittie. Pickett could also turn into a very good quarterback but that’s at least three years down the road. Pitt’s program can go far with a good quarterback but an All-American quarterback can take them to a completely different level.
ESPN has a lot of ‘filler’ articles during the offseason- here is a piece talking about Pitt and Miami’s offenses…
Phil Steele released his annual ranking of returning offensive line starts earlier this week, with a number of ACC teams faring well. Add that with production at the skill positions, however, and two teams truly stand out.
In fact, look around the entire country, and only two Power 5 programs return a QB who threw for 2,000 yards, a running back who topped 1,000 yards, a receiver with at least 500 yards and 60 or more starts on the offensive line. Those two teams: Pittsburgh and Miami.
That in-quote reference to Phil Steele’s Offensive Line Starts is here and lists Pitt as the #12 team with the most OL starts returning with 99. I guess that is exciting and is why everyone and their brother seems to think our OL will be fantastic this season (especially Pitt fans) but I do wonder.
I seem to remember that fans were pretty excited about the OL at this time last off season also. But the bald fact is that we gave up 29 sacks last season (73rd nationally) for a loss of 196 yards. Granted that isn’t the horrendous sack totals we saw in season just a few years ago, but every time we get excited about our OL it seems to come up short.
OC Matt Canada is going to go long in the passing games this season – therefore Peterman has to have more time to get the ball downfield. If not we’ll be looking at the same results in the passing game as we had last season and that won’t be sufficient.
Oh yeah – one of our recruits took off; 3* DB Exree Loe.
Save
T.J. Clemmings was recruited strictly as a D-Lineman only to end up making his name and now his NFL career as an O-Lineman.
Similar, I think… to how James Conner was primarily recruited as a D-End/Outside Linebacker… except by Pitt.
Common denominator?
Paul Chryst and Joe Rudolph.
Interesting.
Major fail.
There is great potential for sure, but I see big question marks and unproven young guys.
Connor is the biggest question mark. I am in Reed’s camp on his comeback. It may take until mid season before we see true beast mode again.
Ollison, in my opinion, isn’t as good as his rookie award would indicate. He really doesn’t break many tackle for a big back and he is not fast. Credit the O line for his numbers. The O line is exceptional at run blocking.
Ibraham has been a sub or 3rd down back.
Hall is always given a lot of praise for a guy that has played little and is so young.
Moss has never played a game.
Sure, there is depth, but this is not a back field full of guys with superstar potential. I don’t see a guy with break away speed or great moves.
I will take a great OL and average RBs over the reverse scenario of a mediocre line and a great back any day. It sure would be nice to see Pitt have both for a few years. Maybe we will see it the second half of the year when Connor is at full speed.
So my point, PN needs to keep recruiting that RB position, give Hill a shot come fall and pull in some 4 star OL to keep the OL great.
Piece of cake, LOL.
HTP!
Sure there are questions with Conner coming back from cancer and knee surgery, also Ibrahim with surgery, but I have no doubt we will have a great running game. With Conner and Ollison for power and the other three for speed we will be great.
Who knows, maybe PoD’s pick will beat them all out. But my bet is there are not enough carries to go around with this bunch.
I really can’t wait to see Ibrahim, now that he is a man and no longer a skinny kid.
Here are some all time stats. Ollison #27 all-time after one year. Looks like top ten in yards per carry. Seriously, this guy is good.
Conner was the game plan and ran behind Clemmings and Rotherham, with a year of experience under his belt.
Ollison started the year as a back-up, was benched on several occasions, Iowa, Miami to try other guys. Had no previous college experience, ran behind Bisno and Johnson, and was overlooked in several games (UNC).
He also had to take a lot of toss plays that went for no yards, thanks to Chaney’s stubbornness. Played for a coach that preferred the pass over the run.
Peterman should easily go to the top ten QB’s this year (statwise) Pretty sad list.
Ford with a chance to crack the top twenty
Blewitt will be numero uno all-time
Better days ahead for Pitt FB.
HTP!
Admirable.