Tom Luginbill for ESPN.com looks teams (Insider subs.) that need big years on the field and teams on the rise with regards to recruiting. He finds Pitt somewhere in the middle of those classifications. As he lists them as part of “Other Notables” (with Penn St.).

Pittsburgh: Are the Panthers for real? Was the 2006 class a fluke? Well, the bottom line is that if coach Dave Wannstedt and his staff proved anything, it is that they can do a fantastic job of recruiting locally.

They dominated in the state of Pennsylvania, with top prospects like tight end Nate Byham (Franklin), wide receiver Dorin Dickerson (Imperial-West Allegany) and defensive tackle Jason Pinkston (Pittsburgh-Baldwin). It was a strong and deep class across the board and a great way to start the Wannstedt tenure.

The 2007 class of early commitments stands at three, and all are Pennsylvania kids. Headlined by quarterback Pat Bostick (Lancaster-Manheim Township), the class so far is entirely on the offensive side of the ball.

The question many fans have is whether Wannstedt can get it done on the sideline. A repeat of last season’s disastrous start will not help in recruiting over the long haul. If Pitt gets back on track in terms of win-loss record in 2006, expect another impressive class in 2007.

I don’t think Pitt has to have a monster year (yet). Progress, though, has to be made. Not just in terms of wins and losses. The team has to actually look like one. Competency in the game plan and the execution at a minimum. Even in several of the wins last season, it often seemed more on the greater incompetency of the opposing team (Syracuse) or lesser talent (Cinci).