I’m sure some have been wondering why I haven’t posted about Coach Wannstedt and Pitt getting their first verbal for next year, a little more than 2 weeks after NLI day.
That Chris Jacobson wanted to play football at Pitt was one of the worst-kept secrets in Western Pennsylvania. The Keystone Oaks offensive lineman revealed his intentions before Signing Day.
Jacobson finally made it official Saturday.
The 6-foot-3, 285-pound guard made a verbal commitment to Panthers coaches at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex on the South Side, becoming Pitt’s first recruit from the Class of 2007.
“That’s where I want to be,” said Jacobson, who also had a scholarship offer from West Virginia and was drawing interest from Miami (Ohio) and Penn State. “I wanted my family and coaches to be involved in my college education so they can be a part of it.”
The timing of Jacobson’s announcement is perfect for the Panthers, who are planning to play host some of the state’s top juniors on Saturday.
Jacobson can now turn recruiter for the Panthers. He said he plans to start with teammate Myles Caragein, a tight end-linebacker projected to play on the defensive line and Seton-La Salle offensive lineman Gino Gradkowski, a fellow Dormont native.
I am very happy that the first verbal is a lineman. Pitt or any team will not excel unless they have the players on the lines. The fact that the kid has wanted to be a Panther and was ready to go is great.
“He doesn’t want to go anywhere else or look anywhere else. He wants to be a hometown kid,” said Keystone Oaks coach Nick Kamberis. “With the recruiting class Pitt got this year, it’s really kind of a no-brainer. They’re going to be good.”
Kamberis accompanied Jacobson to Pitt yesterday, along with Jacobson’s parents. They met with Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt.
“If you’re a WPIAL kid and you go in and talk with coach Wannstedt, you’re coming out of that meeting wanting to go to Pitt,” Kamberis said. “He’s just awesome. After sitting with coach Wannstedt, if I had some eligibility left, I’d be going to Pitt as well.”
Of course, long-term hearing a local high school coach rave about Coach Wannstedt is even better. Even Bruce Feldman at ESPN.com took note at the early start (Insider subs).
I don’t know what to think at this point. I mean, it’s great that Pitt can get out in front with some of these kids this quickly. It can only help further juice ticket sales — hopefully — for Pitt football.
My mind is barely ready to discuss recruiting, though. I know Junior Day is this weekend and the Scout.com combine will be the following weekend. Then maybe a month or so before Spring practice?
It has a hot-stove league feel to it, but there is real sport going on with the basketball team that is less speculative and fantasy about what could be. Of course the b-ball team is off for the week, so now I can crack open the door a bit. Honestly, this is the first opening to take some time on it.
And yes, I know about the Zeise Q&A. I’ll get to it later.
