Just a quick thank you to everyone. I’m not sure if there has been a busier day at this site. A lot of people came here yesterday for recruiting and the basketball stuff. That’s very humbling and still surprising even after many years doing this. That so many of you come here for Pitt information, thoughts and discussion; welll, it really does mean a lot to me.

Best quote of the day from Pitt’s 2010 football recruiting class came from Eric Williams.

Eric Williams had announced his intention to head to the University of Pittsburgh earlier in the summer. But that didn’t diminish the sense of pride on Wednesday morning when he faxed his paperwork to the university from the counselor’s office at Pennsbury High School.

“When the fax was done going through, I realized that I was a Pittsburgh Panther,” Williams said. “And I couldn’t begin to tell you how great a feeling that was. It’s something that you dream about and you understand what it means.”

Others were just glad to have the whole process over and done.

Arthur Doakes, a lineman for Lebanon, made his decision to go to Pitt official in the morning. Doakes, a 6-6, 330 offensive guard, signed with his mother, siblings and coaches around him.

“A lot of relief,” Doakes said of the signing. “Now I don’t have to worry about it anymore.”

Doakes made his verbal commitment in July. He said that the professional coaching experience of Panther head coach Brian Wannstedt and offensive line coach Tony Wise was one of the factors that helped him choose Pitt.

Yes, I know. “Brian” Wannstedt?

Two of Pitt’s commits played for the national high school champions Don Bosco prep — Brandon Sacco and Bryan Murphy.

Not only is Murphy, who is 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, one of the most highly recruited prospects at the football factory that is Don Bosco, he’s regarded as one of the best to ever play for the Ironmen.

“Bryan is one of the most dominant players to ever play at Don Bosco, probably the greatest lineman,” Don Bosco coach Greg Toal said. “He’s just a tremendous leader, a tremendous worker. He’s tough and hard-working. Bryan is as high character a guy as we’ve ever had here, and he’s going to make us proud at Pitt.”

Murphy verbally committed to Pitt, which finished 10-3 and ranked 15th in the nation last season, in June. Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt visited Murphy at Don Bosco, an all-boys Catholic school in Ramsey, N.J., and at his Washingtonville home.

“I just felt really comfortable at Pitt,” said Murphy, a two-time all-state selection who had 47 tackles and nine sacks as a senior. “They run the same defensive schemes as Don Bosco, and I just liked the city. To play Division I football is great, to play at one of the top teams is even better. I want to play good enough to at least rotate in.”

At their team signing ceremony they got additional congratulations.

The Jones entourage included former Passaic Tech star Gerald Hayes of the Arizona Cardinals, who came by to support his fellow Paterson native. Hayes also congratulated Bryan Murphy and Brandon Sacco, who’ll be attending his alma mater, Pittsburgh.

Despite the snow in the Maryland-DC area DeMatha was determined to hold their signing day ceremony that included Pitt commits Shane Johnson and Jeff Knox.

Here’s a 1 minute signing day video from St. Joe’s (Montvale, NJ) which includes K’Wuan Williams.

Plenty more later.