Pitt's Top Targets

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A little old (6/28), but still a good read...

http://www.pghsports.com/PSR-News/sh...plate=Keystone

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

1. Terrelle Pryor, QB, Jeannette - When the best prospect in the country is in your backyard and you strike out, it hurts. That’s what happened with the Panthers as Pryor simply decided he wants to get away from Pittsburgh. A commitment from him would have had major repercussions both on and off the field. Without him, the Panthers are hoping that Pat Bostick can deliver.

2. Shayne Hale, LB/DE, Gateway - The Panthers are in a desperate need for playmakers along the front seven, and whether it’s at linebacker or defensive end, Hale has the physical skills and size to be dominant right away. He recently eliminated the Panthers, however. Combined with Pryor’s previous elimination, it puts a major damper on the Panthers otherwise excellent start to the recruiting season.

3. Lucas Nix, OT, Thomas Jefferson - That loud sigh of relief you hear is from the Pitt coaching staff, as well as from every Pitt fan in the country. The program is quietly adding some excellent offensive line prospects for the future, but the vital left tackle spot was open until Nix committed to the Panthers last week. Has the potential to be a star at one of the most crucial positions on the field.

4. Ryan Williams, RB, Stonewall Jackson (Manassas, VA) - Yes, the Panthers have LeSean McCoy, and soon they will have Chris Burns – but the great programs are deep with excellent backs. The program will not reach new heights without a great running game, and the more talent at the position, the more likely the success. Williams is a game breaker that can be a star in his own right. He has visited Pittsburgh and loved the campus and the city, but it remains to be seen whether or not the presence of a talent like McCoy will help or hurt Pitt’s chances.

5. Andrew Sweat, LB, Trinity - Linebacker recruiting has been a real weak spot during the Dave Wannstedt regime, and one excellent prospect could make a huge difference. It won’t be Sweat, however, as he decided to go to Ohio State.

6. Reggie Ellis, DT, Dunbar (Washington, D.C.) - Ellis could be crucial for two reasons. One, he is a dominating interior lineman and the Panthers could use one. Two, he is the best player in D.C. this year and it would help immensely for the Panthers to make a statement in the area.

7. Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Aliquippa - While Pitt has some good receivers on the roster, currently only Maurice Williams has star potential, and he hasn’t even learned to play the position yet. Any time one of your pipeline schools has a 6’5” receiver who can run, catch, block, and jump…you better get him.

8. Mike Yancich, LB, Trinity - There are better players behind him on the list, but once again the linebacker corps is the biggest question mark in the program. Yancich’s speed would have helped a lot, but he will instead use that speed at Penn State.

9. Jarred Holley, CB, Easton - You can never have enough cornerbacks, especially one as good, quick, and advanced as this one. The Panthers still have a shot at him.

10. Chris Burns, RB, New Wilmington - Before they saw his tape, the Pitt coaching staff probably had no idea how much of a “must get” he was. Now that they got him, he will team with McCoy to give the Panthers two backs that can break it at any time.

11. Chris Henderson, DT, Milford Academy (New Berlin, NY) - Underrated by national recruiting sites because his offer list is short. That offer list is only short because of grades and some off-field issues. That’s why he will head to Milford Academy this summer, just two months after leaving Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg for Harrisburg High. But make no mistake about it, this 280-pound defensive tackle is strong as an ox and runs like a deer. He says the Panthers are his current favorite, despite the fact that the Panther coaching staff is waiting to offer until they are convinced he has his act together. Michigan has already offered, however.

12. Chris Hayden-Martin, CB, Greensburg Central Catholic - Was considered a mid-major prospect until exploding on the camp circuit. Cover corners are hard enough to get, but when they are over 6’0” tall, close to 200 pounds, and can fly like Hayden-Martin, then they become essential for a program to get to the highest level. Hayden-Martin committed to Pitt in June.

13. Hubie Graham, TE, West Scranton - Tight end is not a dire need thanks to Nate Byham, but both on this list are so good that they are impossible to turn down. Graham gets the slight nod here because he is the better athlete, and yes, despite the presence of Byham and Nic DiLillo, the Panthers still want him as a tight end.

14. Nick DiLillo, TE, Madison (Madison, OH) - Already verbally committed to the Panthers, DeLillo, like Graham, is a high character person as well as a talented player. Of the two, DiLillo is the more complete player at this time.

15. Averin Collier, RB, Churchville-Chili (Churchville, NY) - He is listed at running back here, but he could also end up at wide receiver or safety. All you need to know is that he is an excellent athlete and you can never have enough of them. Pitt appears to be the favorite.

Other prospects that just missed the list, but would still be excellent pick-ups, are:

Marcus Sales, WR, Syracuse, NY

Vaughn Carraway, WR, Muhlenberg (Laureldale, PA)

Mike Cruz, TE, Bishop McCort (Johnstown, PA)

Kaleb Ramsey, DE, Laurel Highlands (Uniontown, PA)