Well, it’s here. The day the servers for recruiting sites brace for the crush. Signing day for college football. College football’s version of the NFL Draft and Free Agency period, all condensed into one day.

Unlike last year, there does not appear to be much in the way of big surprises or disappointments for Pitt’s recruiting class. The only real question at this point is about Cedric McGee, a WR prospect from Plantation, Florida. Otherwise, things seem relatively calm.

I had asked before about how Pitt suddenly had so many scholarships to offer, well it seems for at least one recruit, he will be “grayshirted.”

After accepting more commitments than he has scholarships available, new Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt offered [Kevin] Hughes the option to enroll in January 2006. When Wannstedt explained the virtues of such a move — it ultimately allows an extra semester of eligibility — Hughes became more receptive.

“Obviously, any kid wants to go in and get a chance to show what you’ve got,” Hughes said. “It’s only going to help me get that much bigger, stronger and faster. And I’ll get situated with school.
…
Grayshirting, in fact, has become one of the hottest trends in college football recruiting. By delaying enrollment as a full-time student — which requires a minimum of 12 credits — by a semester, a prospect can participate in spring drills and still have five years to complete four seasons.

It still means there will be one less scholarship to offer in 2006, though.

Another story looks at two Pitt recruits who had academic issues, but are now qualified after a year.

National signing day a year ago was the day when the dream of Pitt recruits Craig Bokor and Rashad Jennings — to play Division I football — became a reality.

The dream for both players was shattered, however, when they were declared academically ineligible at the start of training camp. A year later, it is signing day again, and this time the two are sure they’ve got it right.

That’s because rather than quit in August, both dug in and accepted responsibility for their classroom failures. As a result, they are more mature and better students, and that eventually should translate into them becoming better football players.
…
In Jennings and Bokor, the Panthers are getting two of their most talented players from last year’s class. Bokor is a rare combination of size (a svelte 295) and athleticism (he is quick and was an excellent basketball player in high school). Jennings, whose older brothers Bryan and Butch made it to the NFL, is a big bruising tailback.

Although Bokor and Jennings were recruited by Walt Harris, they are excited about playing for new coach Dave Wannstedt. Both stuck with Pitt despite the coaching change even though they had other attractive offers — Bokor from Michigan and Penn State; Jennings from Virginia Tech and North Carolina.

Hopefully, this will not be too strange a day.