As former Pitt head coach Michael Haywood said, “Recruiting is the lifeblood of the… As former Pitt head coach Michael Haywood said, “Recruiting is the lifeblood of the program.” And earlier this season, the Panthers had a highly regarded class of 17 athletes committed to playing football at Heinz Field.

But many of those recruits were impressed with Dave Wannstedt and, after Wannstedt resigned under pressure in December, the number of prospective recruits dropped considerably from 17 to six.

Former Pitt commit Ben Kline said that he was first attracted to Pitt because of “the people involved.”

“Those were some of the best people I’ve ever met,” said Kline, a three-star linebacker from Dallastown, Pa. “Not just in recruiting, but in general.”

Kline has since committed to Penn State and remains solid with that commitment.

Kyshoen Jarrett, a four-star cornerback, has also committed to another school, Virginia Tech. Jarrett cited Pitt’s coaching staff as the reason he originally chose the Panthers.

“Definitely the coaching staff,” Jarrett said. “Pitt’s coaching staff was just great.”

But when Wannstedt resigned, at least 11 players opened up their recruiting process again.

The players who remain committed to Pitt said they do so because they were attracted to the school’s traditions, academic support and sense of family — qualities Pitt might use to draw other players..

“I really just liked the city. It’s a great city,” Jarrett said. “Also, the team was really a family.”

Other recruits echoed this statement as well, such as homegrown cornerback Lafayette Pitts.

“There’s just a family-like feel there,” Pitts said.

Although Pitts reopened his recruitment, he confirmed that his hometown team is still very much in the running.

“I like the University. It’s my hometown, and I have always felt connected there,” Pitts said.

Fellow Woodland Hills graduate Khaynin Mosley-Smith, who completed a standout season at prep school Milford Academy, is one of the six remaining committed members of this year’s class.

“My first attraction to Pitt is the tradition,” said Mosley-Smith, a four-star defensive tackle. “Pitt offers so much help and tutoring that other schools don’t.

“Pitt will always be in the running for me. This is my hometown — nothing comes before Pitt. I will sit down with the new head coach and have a long conversation.”

Running back Jeremiah Bryson has, at least for the moment, kept his commitment to Pitt. The tradition, as well as the coaching staff at Pitt, wowed him.

“I was attracted to the history of it,” Bryson said. “That, along with the chance to play for a great coach.”

Highly touted defensive tackle Marquise Wright has begun looking at other schools, with a list of notable colleges to choose from, including Michigan State. Despite his collection of offers, he initially chose Pitt because he was impressed with Wannstedt and the city.

“My first attraction to Pitt was the coaches and the campus,” Wright said. “Pittsburgh is truly an awesome place. Pitt offers everything I want. It just seems to be too unstable right now.”

The next Pitt coach could offer the class some stability by bringing in players with whom he’s developed a relationship. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that both Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley and Alabama assistant head coach for defense Sal Sunseri met with University officials this week. Pitt couldn’t be reached for additional comment. On Wednesday, Pitt denied rumors that it had hired Bradley as its new head coach. Multiple outlets are reporting that he’s still in the running.

Bradley has spent 33 years at Penn State, is one of its premier recruiters and already has a start on some of the athletes that Pitt will seek to recruit for 2012.

One top recruit for 2012 is Rushel Shell from Hopewell in Aliquippa, Pa. Shell is a potential top-10 recruit nationally and could have an impact much like Terrelle Pryor, who started a string of other high-profile commitments at Ohio State.

Shell has developed a close relationship with Bradley and is still considering Pitt.

“[Pitt is] still one of my schools just because it’s at home,” Shell told the Post-Gazette. “I still have to figure out some things and talk to the new coach there. I’ll see what my relationship is with him.”

Kline also offered kind words about Bradley.

“I really like Tom Bradley,” Kline said. “He’s a great coach, and he’ll do really well there [at Pitt.]”

Wright echoed Kline’s statement, saying that Bradley is “a great guy” and he’ll listen to what the coach has to say if Bradley takes over at Pitt.

Mosley-Smith, who is still committed to Pitt, agreed.

“Tom Bradley is a great guy and has good coaching background,” he said. “I would be happy to have him as my new head coach.”