Yes, we all know that the class rankings after you get out of the top 15 or so become very nebulous and subject to wild swings based on whatever formula a recruiting site uses. Scout.com — for example — places a higher emphasis on quantity than most sites. Something that hurt Pitt in their rankings last year, but gives Pitt a huge boost this year. That said we, like to know where Pitt is considered to be compared. Especially within the conference.
I have to say that it was and is taking some getting used to seeing Pitt listed as an ACC team. I understand it since Pitt will be playing there in the fall. It’s just having Pitt still playing and competing in the Big East in basketball. Not to mention that the official joining doesn’t take place until July (and a reminder to Pitt: don’t do any stupid videos about joining like Texas A&M did for the SEC).
So how did the four major recruiting sites view the Pitt class as a whole? And how did it compare to others in the ACC?
Scout.com — They loved the volume, volume, volume. So Pitt came in with the 22d ranked class. So compared to the rest of the ACC, it’s the 3d best class behind Clemson (#12), FSU (#16) and ahead of Miami (#28), UNC (#30), VT (#35), Virginia (#41) and Maryland (#49).
ESPN.com — Not so much. The Panthers landed outside the top-40 at #41 and about 7th in the ACC. They ranked FSU (#9), Clemson (#13), VT (#19), UNC (#20), Miami (#21) and Virginia (#34) ahead of Pitt. Maryland was #45.
Top prospect: OT Dorian Johnson. Pitt needed to bulk up within the trenches and did so by landing Johnson, the No. 2 OT, who has dominating run strength and overall physical tools to develop into a valuable lineman.
Breakdown: Paul Chryst did well in western Pennsylvania and upgraded his team’s talent in the trenches, as his first full recruiting class at Pittsburgh is filled with linemen. Johnson headlines the class, but three more three-star prospects are committed along the offensive line, including Alexander Officer, a real mauler at offensive guard. Three-star QB-DT Tra’von Chapman, a top-20 player at his position, and ESPN 300 athlete Tyler Boyd are playmakers who will make a big impact no matter where they line up on the field.
Rivals.com — Is somewhere in the middle. They put Pitt at #33. Florida State (#9), Clemson (#14), VT (#22), Virginia (#26) and Maryland (#30) were ahead of Pitt. UNC (#39) and Miami (#44) were behind.
247Sports.com — Also found the middle with Pitt at #32. Florida (#8), Clemson (#13), Miami (#17), VT (#20), UNC (#28) and Virginia (#29) finished ranked ahead of Pitt. Maryland was behind Pitt at #34.
Gotta be patient though. This class isn’t going to turn Pitt into a perennial 10 win team in a year. I don’t think 4 years of this class will either. This has to be the jumping off point..so more hope than confidence right now.
When I talk about stars and recruits, I’m not trying to sell the lesser recruits short, because I’m sure some of them will turn out to be really good football players.
I’m sure some jockeying going on to make this happen, the big reason the ACC schedules have not been released yet (as they usually are by now), Syracuse and Duke still trying to fill one spot a piece on their respective schedules.
Everyone else has 12, those two still finalizing, will be released from ACC as soon as those games are finalized!
yeah, the vibe out of WVU you just have to wonder about… as other said here well… travel 800+ miles every time to small stadiums in ‘dust bowl’ parts of the country… that play great offense. Another year of Football and BB butt kicking in those places is going to make it tough to get any kid excited about that…
… well, at least the coach is an understanding guy.. o0ps, well, when your not catching spittle in your face from him flipping out on the sidelines…
… although at least they are in the dynamic city of Morgantown… opps, well… great hiking and backpacking… and the couch burning parties are a blast…
I hate change.
Wanted to pass along these two websites to you. I usually do this once a year.
They are absolutely fantastic, especially for the college football junkie and they have a little NFL on them too.
The first one link to fbschedules.com is a college football scheduling site.
Absolutely fantastic. Puts up several little blurb articles a day dealing with schedules.
The blurb (for lack of a better word???) is actually about the Pitt-FSU game.
Also has future schedules, and if you click on the 2013 schedules, gives you a nice schedule with the opposing teams helmets. All of them are up, except the ACC.
For example, has the 4 helmets of Pitt’s OOC games up, still waiting for the others.
I will post the other one on my next post.
**I would not suggest a site, unless I really thought you guys would really enjoy them**
By the way, I have no vested interest in these and they do not cost anything. Purely to pass along a little enjoyment to my Panther brothers.
link to nationalchamps.net This one, has schedules and future schedules. Also does some top 25 things, some articles.
Also has a very cool thing, called the “Helmet Project”.
I don’t know how the guy did it, but he has pictures of every teams helmet, including the NFL, Div II, DivIII, NAIA, Canadian League, and including all of their past helmets.
Had to be a passion and a labor of love.
Warning, Pitt script fans, if you go to the Pitt page for helmets, you’ll boil to as why we ever change when you see those things of beauty. He even has the face guard color changes.
Anyhow, I think if you popped on these sites, you probably couldn’t get away from them.
Lots of archives too.
One thing for sure, though, it would definitely give this team a very focused goal to strive towards in Spring ball and fall camp knowing that FSU was coming in for a nationally televised game to kick off the season.
Just saw a thread today that says the DC is between Elko and Coyer. Could be total garbage. Saw it on a Scout board.
And, take the risk on Labor Day against FSU. The upside is enormous. Risk and return baby.
Guess my memory is shot!!
Elko is about half his age but impressive resume for someone so young
I too remember the FSU monsoon game. One of my earliest memories of Pitt fandom angst. I could be wrong but was there an insect issue after the rain?
if it were offered he would think abought it
if it is any of them i would he very glad.
good experence is what they all have.
What I don’t like: He looks too much like Dana Holgorsen of WVU and that freaks me out
“Mike Elko begins his fifth year as the defensive coordinator with the BGSU Falcons after holding the same position at Hofstra from 2006-08. He is entering his second year as the safeties coach.
Elko’s defense has been known for two things since arriving at BGSU, forcing turnovers and stopping teams on third down. In the past four seasons, Elko’s defense has forced 84 turnovers (1.7/game) and the opponent has converted on third downs just 36.1 percent (250 of 693) of the time.
2012 was a banner year for the BGSU defense, finishing the season ranked sixth in the country in total defense (296.6) and 10th in scoring (16.7). The Falcons held the opposition to under 100 yards rushing in nine contests as the Falcons had six different players earn All-MAC Honors, including three first-team members (Chris Jones, Gabe Martin, BooBoo Gates). Jones would go on to be named a first-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).
The 2012 defense would finish as the fourth-best third down defense in the nation, allowing a first down on just 28.1 percent of the time. Their fourth down defense was as good, finishing fifth in the country at 26.3 percent. They would end the season ranked 11th in sacks (38), 12th in rushing defense (106.5), 13th in pass defense (190.1) and fifth in first downs allowed (15.1). All of this was accomplished with just two senior starters.
In his first year with the Falcon defense he took eight first-year starters and transformed them into a unit that forced 12 turnovers in the last three regular season games in 2009. Elko’s defense was also tops in the MAC on third downs, allowing a success rate of just 36.5 percent.”
chryst is going to go with mat housr and chris
harring as co DC WITH MATT HOUSE CALLING THE PLAYS
you talk abought dumb moves a first year db coach a a man who was in high school as a coach 2 years ago as are DC .
this is fucked there we go chryst is showing his
inexperence now we will lose every game in the ACC AND WHEN HE RELIZES HIS MAYSTAKE WE WILL HAVE WASTED A YEAR WHAT A DUMB ASS MOVE.
Relax. Do not Panic.
link to twitter.com
“The report about #Pitt coach Paul Chryst promoting 2 current assistants to co-defensive coordinators is not true.”
i all most had a stroke
We WON the monsoon game!!!
The game that soured all of our stomachs was in 1980. We were ranked #4 and undefeated, went into Tallahasse and got upset by FSU 36-22!! It also is ranked by a FSU web site as an FSU top 5 home victory!!! “FSU dumps Marino”!!!
The monsoon game was two years later in 1982, which Pitt won, 37-17.
“Rivers were running down the aisles to an already flooded field, with small lakes scattered throughout”.
Never give away a chance to play a big time foe on national TV with little competition.
Publicity is publicity is publicity.
Pitt v ND 1975
I am more concerned about where this class ranks 2 years from now.
We have a chance to fundamentally change the soul of this program from chronic underachiever to perpetual overachiever.
HTP
You certainlt bring up some good points … believe you menat Pitt – ND ‘1976’ (31-7)
I did mean ’76.
Take the TV exposure, pay off the refs and don’t look back.
WVU signed 7 JUCOs.
While Pitt signed 14 of the top 50 PA players, it was a down year for the WPIAL which only had 18 sign with D1 schools. There was quality (Foster, Kugler, Boyd, Johnson) but not quantity. However, scouts are saying next year will be a banner year for WPIAL talent, many of which were at Pitt’s junior day last week. Chryst seems to be making some inroads here so it seems to bode well for next year.