masthead.jpg

switchconcepts.com, U3dpdGNo-a25, DIRECT rubiconproject.com, 14766, RESELLER pubmatic.com, 30666, RESELLER, 5d62403b186f2ace appnexus.com, 1117, RESELLER thetradedesk.com, switchconcepts, RESELLER taboola.com, switchconceptopenrtb, RESELLER bidswitch.com, switchconcepts, RESELLER contextweb.com, 560031, RESELLER amazon-adsystem.com, 3160, RESELLER crimtan.com, switch, RESELLER quantcast.com, switchconcepts , RESELLER rhythmone.com, 1934627955, RESELLER ssphwy.com, switchconcepts, RESELLER emxdgt.com, 59, RESELLER appnexus.com, 1356, RESELLER sovrn.com, 96786, RESELLER, fafdf38b16bf6b2b indexexchange.com, 180008, RESELLER nativeads.com, 52853, RESELLER theagency.com, 1058, RESELLER google.com, pub-3515913239267445, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0
May 17, 2013

Last spring, Monessen QB Chavas Rawlins was one of the first commits to the Hoopies. The athletic, dual-threat QB was so enthusiastic about the decision that he was an early enrollee.

Things have changed.

Freshman quarterback Chavas Rawlins will transfer from West Virginia, his former high school coach at Monessen confirmed with the Post-Gazette this afternoon.

Coach Andy Pacak said Rawlins was recruited by and had developed a strong relationship with former quarterbacks coach Jake Spavital who left to take a position at Texas A&M earlier this year.

“Everyone at West Virginia was great to him, but as you now he came in right when Jake left. His initial decision was I’m gonna go down there and make the most of it, but that (loss of Spavital) weighed on him a little bit,” said Pacak.

It also just happens that WVU took in a Florida State QB transfer, Clint Trickett this spring. Trickett is considered a talented QB who could have the job after sitting this year. Not to mention another highly ranked QB verballed to WVU this spring.

Whether any of that played a role or not is unknown. Just as the undercurrent that part of why Rawlins chose WVU was assurances that he would be a QB, but by spring practices they were already pushing him to consider playing defensive back.

Obviously Pitt would be considered to be in the mix for Rawlins since he is local. Add in the questions with the status of Tra’von Chapman and it makes sense. Oh, and this.

Others also heard this.

There’s the primary question, though, of whether WVU would give Rawlins permission to transfer to Pitt. That can’t be assumed (right, Rushel Shell?).

Then there is the fact that Rawlins seems to want to be a QB. Pitt gave him no such assurances, and that probably hasn’t changed. Especially with the QBs Pitt is already looking to bring in the 2014 class.

One other factor is that Chavas Rawlins has a younger brother, Justice Rawlins. He is a linebacker and is a solid 3-star recruit. He already has an offer from Pitt and Rutgers, with more on the way. Depending on what kind of priority they have for young Justice, his older brother’s transfer status becomes a factor.





Obviously means Travon Chapman is all but gone.

Nice that Rawlins is coming in to fill the void, but think Pitt may have lost out in the trade as far as playmaking ability goes.

Hopefully Rawlins will more than make up for the difference by proving to be a player committed to exuding high character not just talking about it.

Comment by PittofDreams 05.17.13 @ 9:23 am

Now you see the potential harm of blocking transfers to other schools. If Pitt blocked Shell from WVU, then they may reciprocate now. Maybe we can trade Rippy for this guy

Comment by wbb 05.17.13 @ 9:55 am

Chapman has a pending court date so we will see what happens. My guess is HCPC is aware of the facts as tole to hm by Chapman but he has to let the process go through. The drug busts were incriminating and they were serious enough to dismiss said players. I really hope WVU blocks him so it is a non issue. He is not someone who didn’t have an opportunity to commit to Pitt so good luck wherever he ends up but not Pitt.

Comment by chethejet 05.17.13 @ 10:36 am

Pittofdreams…looks like you are jumping the gun there…

I do agree Chap should be gone…he choked a woman…police report included that she had visible marks around her neck…what the hell else do you want in terms of evidence.

Anyway, Im sure WVU wont release him here.

Comment by yup 05.17.13 @ 11:13 am

how about a post on doug whaley? pretty cool story. HELLO?

Comment by towerbabbo 05.17.13 @ 1:18 pm

pitt alum is an NFL gm. anyone?

Comment by towerbabbo 05.17.13 @ 1:19 pm

link to pittsburghpanthers.com

This is from Pitt web site with a very interesting picture of Pitt’s coaching staff under Sherill.

Not only does it include Foge and Joe Moore, it also includes future HCs Ron Dickerson (Temple), Kirk Ferentz (IOwa) and Bob Davie (ND and current New Mexico.)

You may remember when Majors’ staff back then had the likes of Sherill, Pat Jones (Ok St), Jimmy Johnson and a GA Wanny .. pretty sure I’m missing 1 or 2 more.

Comment by wbb 05.17.13 @ 2:06 pm

Nice that top kids consider Pitt! The telling comment is the track coach saying Pitt is where he should have gone all along.

That tells me that PC’s approach is precisely a good recruiting approach because if the HS coaches believe in the competency and honesty of Pitt’s staff then the recruiting will follow …

Comment by Pittscript 05.17.13 @ 2:34 pm

PittofDreams,
This has nothing to do with the Chapman situation. Rawlings is not a D-1 QB period! WVU promised him a chance to play QB and Pitt did not.

Chas,
Trickett doesn’t need to sit out this year. He graduated from FSU so he’s able to play ASAP.

Comment by Dub 05.17.13 @ 2:49 pm

Not particularly sure how Rawlins would pan out as a D1 QB.

Comment by Mailman 05.17.13 @ 3:13 pm

Don’t remember WVU being on the list of schools Shell could not transfer to. Thought it was just ACC and the 2 Arizona schools.

Comment by JCE 05.17.13 @ 6:09 pm

Baseball loses 2nd in a row against lville.

Comment by Upittbaseball 05.17.13 @ 9:04 pm

When you get beat tip your hat to the victor. the ville showed their stuff cudos to them. Way more baseball to play so lets go get them men. Finish hard! Go Panthers! UPone

Comment by UPone 05.17.13 @ 10:49 pm

Upone…if we don’t win tomorrow the auto bid is out, heck it’s probably already out so next is big east championship. Way more baseball will mean 3 to 4 games then its lights out if our boys don’t start playing ball.

Comment by Upittbaseball 05.17.13 @ 10:52 pm

I agree we may need the win tomorrow… but if we win a couple in the Big East tournament it will be tough to keep a 42 win team out regardless of SOS and RPI.

Comment by Pantherman 05.17.13 @ 10:55 pm

link to post-gazette.com

Pretty revealing info. For FY ending 6/12, Some pretty big payouts for the BB and 2 FB HCs, not to mention for their boss

Comment by wbb 05.18.13 @ 5:43 am

Rawlins is not a D1 QB, probably not even a 1-AA QB. WVU lied to him, telling him he can come in and be the next Geno Smith just to get him on campus. I hope Pitt tells him they’ll take him as WR or DB and makes him no promises that he’ll play QB.

Comment by SMF 05.18.13 @ 6:18 am

not sure if someone like Rawlins (and/or Chapman) wouldn’t make a real good situational QB for short yardage and goalline purposes.

Comment by wbb 05.18.13 @ 6:45 am

SMF, Rawlins is maybe a D2 QB. He had terrible stats as a QB and couldn’t hit the side of a barn. he also played in a non-competive HS division of wpial Single A.
He was recruited by Pitt and others as “athlete”.
He may have a premadonna attitude. Look, he quit after 5 months at WVU knowing he won’t be QB.
So, if he wants to be QB, Cal of PA is in his future.

Comment by Pitt.Dan83 05.18.13 @ 7:19 am

Doug Whaley is a pretty cool success story. In this town, it’s not a story period. Checked everywhere (blather, cardiac hill, pg, trib, etc…) and no one is covering it. What a shame.

Comment by towerbabbo 05.18.13 @ 7:20 am

Pederson makes 840k is a joke. I wouldn’t hire him to manage athletics at a middle school.

Comment by Upittbaseball 05.18.13 @ 7:55 am

For his sake, Rawlins better be able to throw a pass.

He does not look athletic enough to compete for playing time at wide receiver.

Comment by PittofDreams 05.18.13 @ 9:35 am

WTF…How does a first year coach who won six games earn a “bonus and incentive” package worth $900K? I can see the $1.25M DW buyout, but I guess the words “bonus” and “incentive” in coach contract language have very different meanings than what applies to the rest of us.

Comment by HbgFrank 05.18.13 @ 9:47 am

Chryst got paid for making Tino look like a quarterback.

Comment by PittofDreams 05.18.13 @ 9:53 am

POD…The linked article was for Pitt’s last FY. Current year will end in June. So it was TG that received the $900K bonus. I’m sure PC will get a similar bonus…And you are right, he earned it!

Comment by HbgFrank 05.18.13 @ 11:49 am

Baseball looking very bad on TV. Bad coaching, no hitting, bad pitching. Ugh

Comment by Upittbaseball 05.18.13 @ 12:14 pm

The real question is why a coach that had 27 wins in the previous 3 seasons in the BE worth half of a coach who had 26 wins in CUSA?

Comment by wbb 05.18.13 @ 1:03 pm

rephrase …. why is a coach who won 26 the previous 3 years in CUSA worth twice what the coach who had won 27 the previous 3 years and was fired (and an alum)?

Comment by wbb 05.18.13 @ 1:24 pm

Former McKeesport DT Delvon Simmons transferring from Texas Tech…reportedly has interest in Pitt.

Comment by Outlaw 05.18.13 @ 1:39 pm

smh about Delvon Simmons.
He originally signed LOI with UNC. There was a coaching change, he got out of his LOI and went to Texas Tech along with 2 others from wpial.
He played as true frosh.
Starter as soph… so why transfer? He had a tough time getting through NCAA clearinghouse… not cleared until August prior to frosh season.
Reports he is interested in USC, PSU, and Miami.

Comment by Pitt.Dan83 05.18.13 @ 2:14 pm

Swept
…. 0 for 4 last 4 games = no bueno

Comment by Upittbaseball 05.18.13 @ 2:20 pm

@Pitt.Dan83
A shame to see local talent go elsewhere just to see it not work out for them. I am sure there are a variety of reasons, but there are times (not always the case) when the support of family combined with the sense of being close to your childhood community can make all the difference.
Regardless of his choice, I wish him well.

Comment by Outlaw 05.18.13 @ 3:31 pm

It just my gut, no firsthand knowledge, it just seems to me that kids from this region (midatlantic, and northeast) are not going to want to play in Texas and the southern portion of the midwest…

i.e. B-12. Simmons is an example… Gee play at USC… or in the region where I came from… or play in the middle of No wheeeeere…

This is why WVU is screwed and we should do them no favors by playing them or giving them any lifeline back into PA.

Comment by Pittscript 05.18.13 @ 3:32 pm

Also think that is why it was a joke that FSU or another school would have truly pulled the trigger and gone B-12… great conference for the schools out there (in the middle of no where) and who grow up playing that style of football… if you come from that part of the country.

Comment by Pittscript 05.18.13 @ 3:35 pm

Outlaw,
Simmons was a starter as a sophmore!
His teammate from McKeesport is also on the team.
Texas Tech did have a coaching change but was still slated to start.
So, seems there is more to the story. Perhaps he has “Shellitis”

Comment by Pitt.Dan83 05.18.13 @ 5:05 pm

Was at the airport the other day with Texas Tech players. They absolutely love having Klingsberry as there coach. The kids said he is a no nonsense coach but they have fun and will put up points!

Comment by Upittbaseball 05.18.13 @ 5:45 pm

No doubting the talent and potential Pitt.Dan83. If he seriously is interested in coming home and attending Pitt, it certainly is not a bad thing.

Comment by Outlaw 05.18.13 @ 6:30 pm

Simmons went along with Desimon Green who was last seen at CalifUniv and Branden Jackson. Chryst needs to create a consistent approach to handling transfers back to the area. I agree that we shouldn’t be the back up plan if things don’t work out for recruits. You either want to be here or you don’t. If you don’t, no hard feelings. If you do, welcome and let’s get to work. I would like to get some of these studs back in the fold because we need help!

As far as baseball is concerned, I note that the boys won 40 games. Unfortunately Pederson fixed a schedule that has been ranked outside the top225 in college bball. Pederson remains a joke.

Comment by dhuffdaddy 05.18.13 @ 6:34 pm

dhuff/outlaw,
I agree, Chryst should have a consistent plan regarding wpial recruits who go elsewhere… it didn’t workout… then Pitt is a fallback.
My first reaction… No.
But I think a reasonable approach is, if you want to play for Pitt, pay the full boat while you sitout the year and Pitt considers giving that person a scholarship after 1 year.
EJBanks (Montour) transferred back to Pitt last year from Notre Dame. He paid last year. Probably in line to get scholarship this year. He got a lot of playing time at spring game.

Comment by Pitt.Dan83 05.18.13 @ 6:55 pm

40 wins with our schedule = 28 with a legit non-con and a legit Baseaball Conf. That will kill our chances at a regional and 0-4 over last week. Pederson is a joke duffdaddy. Wouldn’t hire him to run a jr. High Athletic Dept

Comment by Upittbaseball 05.18.13 @ 7:46 pm

Our only chance is to win the tourney for the bid.

Comment by Upittbaseball 05.18.13 @ 8:35 pm

It’s going to be normal for a lot of 18-19yr kids to want to leave the region where they grew up. Normal that some of those will become homesick or decide they want to be back home.

You guys are right to have a consistent policy to handle these situations… which may be going on more now as the program gets established.

Comment by Pittscript 05.18.13 @ 8:51 pm

do you really think you’re going to scare 17 and 18 year olds into staying home? Do you really think that when they commit to a school that they care where they are going to go when they transfer in 2 years?

If so … which one do you want to buy … Fort Pitt or Liberty?

Comment by wbb 05.18.13 @ 9:03 pm

It’s not about scaring kids. It’s about establishing your program. How many transfers does Ohio STate bring back? Michigan? Alabama? Why would Pitt want to be a fall back proposition for athletes. That is for CalU.

Some of these kids commit to other schools and actively recruit against Pitt. Sorry fellas, can’t see why we would want to bring them into the fold. Unless they pay the price. Pay the year, earn your teammates respect. Prove yourself to the team, the coaches and to the fans. Paul Chryst wants kids who want to be at Pitt and I agree with that. We all live with our decisions. The last few years have been a cluster with Pederson’s mess at head coach, so I would be more lenient right now, but start to close that window of transfer back opportunities. You wanna be a top program, start acting like one! First thing though is to get rid of our AD. He just doesn’t fit!

Comment by dhuffdaddy 05.18.13 @ 9:51 pm

so if Robert Foster doesn’t like it down south and wants to come back next year, we’re going to say no thanks?

Comment by wbb 05.18.13 @ 10:30 pm

Webb, I don’t you you need to worry about foster. I bet he gets PT this year and in front of 100k people and a few soured belles to take his mind of Pa winters.

Comment by Upittbaseball 05.18.13 @ 10:40 pm

*southern belles

Comment by Upittbaseball 05.18.13 @ 10:41 pm

*wbb

Comment by wbb 05.18.13 @ 10:56 pm

speaking of local players transferring home, read the attached

link to triblive.com

still not sure if Jeter is coming to Pitt but maybe Gorman knows something

Comment by wbb 05.19.13 @ 6:29 am

wbb,
If Foster came back, I would first say, “told you so”.

I would then say the following. He will have to sit out a year. For that year, Pitt will help him get any and all financial aid available. It may end up a free ride based upon financial need.
After that, he will get guarantee athletic scholarship for the remaining years of eligibility.

Comment by Pitt.Dan83 05.19.13 @ 8:30 am

Why can’t you guys be happy for Foster? The kid is going to the best program in the best football conference.

Comment by Upittbaseball 05.19.13 @ 8:52 am

I wouldn’t mind at all if Foster does well at Bama … the scenario brought up above was just for argument’s sake

Comment by wbb 05.19.13 @ 8:58 am

On Adams from NBA combine a NBA GM said this
abought adams offence game were did that come
from i can say i was stunned.
also this Adams jump shot was hidden by the Pitt
system and his role in the system.
this is why dixon does not and should not get
many 5 star players.

dixon needs his kind of player 3 stars that he can coach up.

also this from same post i fill cheated that i did not get to see adams whole game when he was at pitt.
and when some on here said dixon does not know how to use great players you would jump us
well there it is in black and white.

Comment by FRANKCAN 05.19.13 @ 9:17 am

Frank,
If you went to Greentree, you would have seen that in Adams.
In fact, all the players looked good at Greentree. This year was frustrating to watch Pitt play after seeing their potential at Greentree.
Dixon had everyone on a short leash it seemed. They were afraid to take open shots early in the shot clock, Adams was over-thinking, etc. I feel Adams handlers stepped in and decided Dixon was not in Adams best interest so they declared for the draft.

Comment by Pitt.Dan83 05.19.13 @ 9:38 am

PittDan83 could be
i am not sayimg dixon is a bad coach just saying
he does not know how to use a really good player.

dixon has a system and as you say if you step outside the system you end up on the bench.

that is why 5 stars would be screwed if they come here.

what dixon needs is his kind of players thoes
who are a step below the great players the
kind who red shirt for a year and can be coached up who are taught the system and bye the time they are JR are good players in the system and he will win with thoes players as he has in the past.

but it is not in dixons best intrest nor the 5
star player to play in that system.
he need players he can mold hike a pice of clay.

not many of that kind will go to the NBA but
he will win games and that is what it is abought.
nothing wrong with that they get free school
we have them for at least 4 years they are not one and done it is a win win for all.

Comment by FRANKCAN 05.19.13 @ 10:10 am

@Upittbaseball – it looks bad but there is still hope. Yale lost in the ECAC hockey tourney and only squeaked into the NCAA tourney because Michigan lost to Notre Dame in the CCHA final and didn’t get an autobid. (ND was already in the field.) Yale then went on to win it all.

Keep the faith. H2P!!!

Comment by Pitt Dad 05.19.13 @ 10:20 am

There are a myriad of reasons kids transfer. The main reason is that they don’t see the field or crack the two deep and it becomes “in the best interest of the kid and the program” if they go elsewhere. Frees up a scholly for the original school and gives a kid a chance at a lesser school. I would guess that is what happens the majority of the times. Homesick, not so much!

That is why Chryst needs to look at and develop a practice on this subject. This is where we as fans get caught up in the star system. We think that if a 4 or 5 star wants to transfer, it is great news. The fact is, the four and five star just might not be a good football player and can’t see the field at his “first choice”. The flaw is not studying the two and three deep before committing. That is on the players and their parents. Getting enamored with big name programs is great if you are good enough to make it work.

Pitt’s recent history of taking transfers is not good. One need only look at the nfl draft to see that Pitt hasn’t gotten the players to sign out of high school or transfer in. I hope Foster does well at Alabama. If he doesn’t and wants to transfer back, my inclination is to say no, unless it is homesickness. Outside of that, if he is not good enough to crack the two deep at Alabama, he shouldn’t be good enough to start and excel at Pitt. If he sees the field at Alabama and wants to transfer because of homesickness, then welcome him if everything else off the field checks out.

History proves this out. How many transfer ins does Duke, Kansas and NC take in Bball? Why should Pitt? It would have to be a special opportunity for it to work. These are just opinions. Let the bashing begin!

Comment by dhuffdaddy 05.19.13 @ 12:10 pm

Powered by WordPress © PittBlather.com

Site Meter