The big HS All-Star game is as much about some top players having a bigger stage to announce their verbals. A little extra publicity, and maybe drama. That is unless the news hasn’t been steadily leaked for a while.

The big thing Pitt can expect from the US Army All-American Bowl is that Shayne Hale will make his decision known. And that Pitt will be the hat he puts on. Even the Virginia papers are acknowledging this.

Several other highly touted players will be making college decisions Saturday in San Antonio. Shayne Hale, a 6-3, 235-pound defensive from Gateway High in Monroeville, Pa., will decide between Virginia, Ohio State and Pittsburgh. He is expected to choose Pittsburgh.

My only promise if the announcement comes is that I will avoid the obvious post headline of “Hale to Pitt.”

The big question mark and potentially huge coup, though, would be if OG Josh Jenkins from Parkersburg, WV were to select Pitt.

Jenkins, who led Parkersburg to back-to-back state titles, said Pitt entered the picture mainly because it’s close to home. He will visit Pitt on Jan. 18 and he said it would take an exceptional visit to sway him toward the Panthers.

“It’s going to have to blow me away probably, so it’ll be interesting if they do,” he said.

Unfortunately, Pitt basketball will be at Cinci on the 19th, so no Oakland Zoo treatment to help the case. I wouldn’t be surprised with the hiring of Bill Stewart by WVU, if it doesn’t swing him back to the Mountaineers.

The game is on at 2 pm tomorrow on ABC (whoops, mistake made) 1 pm on NBC. There’s an Under Armour All-star HS game on ABC at 2pm.