I don’t want to say lost in the euphoria, but definitely taking a bit of a back seat to the on-court performance of the basketball team, Pitt added three more football recruits that same night.
Altoona all-purpose back A.J. Alexander, one of the state’s fastest and most highly recruited players, announced his verbal commitment to Pitt during a live chat on Scout.com.
“I just liked everything about it,” Alexander told Scout.com. “I get along great with the players there and I feel like I fit in. My whole family loves (Pitt defensive line coach Greg) Gattuso. After the visit, I just figured why wait? I love the city and I love how (Pitt coach Dave) Wannstedt recruits.”
Alexander was joined in picking the Panthers by Lakeland tight end Justin Virbitsky and West Boca Raton (Fla.) middle linebacker Joe Trebitz. All three took official visits to Pitt this past weekend.
A.J. Alexander is a 4-star athlete/running back who was one of the highest ranked Pennsylvania recruits to still not make a verbal. He had initially verballed to FSU, in the summer, but backed off that. Penn State was the presumptive choice given his proximity and their recruiting of him, but he didn’t like their offense. ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc. (Insider subs.) worries about his size and durability. They see him excelling as return specialist, but also that he is multi-dimensional in an offense.
He is excellent at cutting back against the grain and exploiting cutback lanes. He would make for a great change of pace in the backfield on third downs and passing downs. However, his future is truly as a return specialist. He has a knack for hitting the seam on punt returns. He does not dance — one cut and upfield is his style. He can make people miss and most importantly, he is a home-run threat once he’s in the clear. He has great speed and a second gear in space.
The next two verbals are definitely projects, and almost assured of heading for redshirts.
Joe Trebitz, a linebacker out of West Boca, FL, and was an all-county, first team selection by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. The review from ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc. says he is in need of a redshirt, just to bulk up. They do like his potential.
Trebitz shows versatility playing both inside and outside linebacker, and possesses a high ceiling with his tall, rangy frame. His body should explode with bulk once he attacks a college weight-training program. Displays sound diagnosing skills and sifts adequately well through the lateral trash. Fills hard and brings adequate power and leverage to the point of attack.
Finally, Pitt has a blocking tight end in Justin Virbitsky out of Jermyn, PA. He likes where things are going with Pitt.
“I’m very excited,†Virbitsky said. “Pittsburgh is a football city. They have a good program. Coach is a real nice guy and a great coach. I’m glad to have a chance to play from him.â€
Virbitsky, who didn’t start playing football until eighth grade, moved up to the varsity as a freshman where he played for the District 2 Class AA championship team as a tight end. He started the next three years at both tight end and defensive end, helping the Chiefs to another district title in 2006.
Last season, Virbitsky had 56 solo tackles with four sacks and earned a spot on The Associated Press Class AA all-state first-team defense.
From the ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc. commentary, they see him as further along as a blocker than a receiver right now. They also think that he will be a great fit with a little work in a run-oriented offense.
Excels on drive blocks where he blends good upper and lower-body strength with proper leverage. Consistently generates enough power to wash down defensive ends creating good run perimeter run lanes. We like the tenacity this kid plays with as a blocker– he finishes blocks and constantly looks for more up-field. Receiver skills show potential with some polish. Hands are reliable and most of his grabs come away from the body. Shows good ability catching the ball in stride and in traffic. Utilizes his big body to absorb the hit and continue with forward progress. Demonstrates good concentration for big tight end prospect; he does a nice job adjusting to the difficult throw. However, he is currently limited athletically in some phases as a pass catcher.
Quickly, through a couple other things.
Jarred Holley will be announcing his choice today: Iowa, Pitt or Virginia.
DE Logan Shultz out of Gettysburg still lists Pitt as one of his choices.
Josh Jenkins attracted a parade of coaches coming through Parkersburg.
On Monday, new West Virginia University head football coach Bill Stewart and even newer recruiting coordinator John ‘Doc’ Holliday were at PHS to meet with all-America lineman
…
Today, University of Michigan recruiting coordinator Tony Gibson — who not long ago was recruiting Jenkins on behalf of WVU —will visit the Big Red football complex.
On Wednesday, University of Pittsburgh coach Dave Wannstedt —whose Panthers upset West Virginia in the regular season finale and knocked the Mountaineers out of the National Championship game, will be in Parkersburg seeking the services of Jenkins —who is scheduled to make his official visit to the Pittsburgh campus this weekend.
Finally, on Thursday, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel will be back in Parkersburg, taking his final shot at Jenkins.
Wheee.
link to blog.pennlive.com
It could be a lot worse…look at what’s happening 90 miles south…Rich Rod…what a classless individual…shredding documents.
I can state this as a fact…if Wanny did ever leave Pitt he would not disgrace his character by shredding documents no matter how contentious his departure was.
Now onto the real good stuff…it has been years since I have been this excited and hopeful about Pitt football.
I would say since Walt’s first few years as a HC was the last time (the lack of growth in the last years of his administration was frustrating as all hell).
I think Wanny is learning how to be a good college coach…and no one has ever been a better recruiter at Pitt (since the 70’s)
My God–he is recruiting 4-star and 5-star athletes with consecutive losing records…man imagine what this guy can do with a BCS victory under his belt.
I want it to be the Fall already 🙂
DaveD
Very well put. However, i don’t think Wanny will ever leave Pitt unless he’s fired. He truly loves his school and this is his last stop.
If this is so, who do you think Pitt will finish their recruiting season with. I think they have 2-3 scholarships left. I think Carraway and Pead will be the last two to commit to Pitt. Anyone with any other possible surprises?
1) QB position is wide open;
2) Pitt plays pro style offense (for NFL QB future)and Wildcat Offense which would let him run wild;
3) Pitt’s South side facility is shared with Steelers and his pal Charlie Batch would be there everyday;
4) his Dad in a wheel chair could see him play lots;
5) His girlfriend is a freshman at Pitt Greensburg;
6) Would play on a top 10 basketball team at the Pete;
Amazing Pryor refuses to give Pitt serious consideration !
7) Sharing a backfield with a beast of a running back in LeSean McCoy. That’s a 1-2 punch that could make Pat White-Steve Slaton seem like nothing.
8) Wannstedt has coached at the NFL level, unlike any of his other choices.
9) The chance to jump into a program at just the right time. If this was one year ago, I wouldn’t blame him. But next year *could* be a huge year, and the years after that could be even bigger. For a program that has struggled to find an identity for the better part of the last 30 years, Pryor would have the chance to step right in and help put this program back on the map nationally.
link to footballrecruiting.rivals.com