Craig: Pitt fills voids with key recruits, misses out on several others

Feb. 4 was National Letter of Intent Day, the day that high school football players from all… Feb. 4 was National Letter of Intent Day, the day that high school football players from all around the country officially commit to their respective universities. Over the past few years, there’s been an unprecedented increase in the number and scope of recruiting services and talent evaluators. The amount of information available concerning these high school athletes is enough to make a casual fan’s head spin.

Fans that don’t have the time to comb through dozens of scouting reports on different Web sites can find a streamlined overview of Pitt’s recruiting class right here.

This past season, the Panthers finished with the best record in the Dave Wannstedt era. But according to multiple recruiting services, Wannstedt and his staff followed up their winningest season with their most underwhelming recruiting class. A lot of that can be attributed to the number of scholarships Pitt had available, as the Panthers only signed 20 players last week.

Another factor that should be taken into account before taking these evaluations too seriously is the arbitrary star and point system these recruiting services use. Keep in mind that Pitt defensive back Andrew Taglianetti was rated a two-star prospect by both Scout.com and Rivals.com. And despite those evaluations, Taglianetti spent his freshman season as an invaluable force on special teams and as a member of the Pitt two-deep roster.

With that being said, Rivals.com currently rates Pitt’s recruiting class as the 47th best in the nation, while Scout.com has the Panthers ranked at 31. Even the discrepancy between these two sites indicates how ranking recruiting classes is a less-than-perfect science.

The class contains nine all-state football players from Pennsylvania and six players who have been awarded some variety of an All-American honor.

Here’s a look at several recruits and the impact they might have when next season begins.

Instant Impact

It’s not a coincidence that three of the 20 Pitt signees are running backs. The Panthers’ coaching staff planned for LeSean McCoy’s departure, though it was nonetheless detrimental. With McCoy and LaRod Stephens-Howling gone, these three true freshmen will have an opportunity to see early playing time:

Raymond Graham (Elizabeth, N.J.): As the highest rated running back of Pitt’s recruiting class, Graham will be expected to make a strong push for playing time. It will be interesting to see if he can fight any carries away from Shariff Harris, Kevin Collier or Chris Burns, who all have experience in the Pitt system.

Rankings: Scout.com: 4-star; Rivals.com: 4-star

Dion Lewis (Albany, N.Y.): Lewis enrolled in Pitt this January and is already working with the team. He is only 5 feet 8 inches tall but has shown impressive power during his time at Blair Academy in New Jersey.

Rankings: Scout.com: 3-star; Rivals.com: 3-star

Jason Douglas (Weston, Fla.): An absolute burner with 4.4-speed, Douglas is undersized but explosive. There’s a lot to be said about a player who is able to find success in one of Florida’s toughest divisions. With his speed, Douglas might become an instant asset in the return game.

Rankings: Scout.com: 2-star; Rivals.com: 3-star

Other than the running backs, the one other recruit who may make an immediate splash is Beaver Falls’ Todd Thomas. At 6-foot-3, Thomas is an all-state football player and a basketball star. Thomas’ athletic abilities could translate to success on either side of the ball. Wannstedt said last week that he’ll begin as a wide receiver.

Rankings: Scout.com: 4-star; Rivals.com: 4-star

Other Key Additions

Brock DeCicco (Jefferson Hills, Pa.): The brother of Pitt safety Dom DeCicco, Brock is one of the most highly rated tight ends in the nation. DeCicco figures to play a big role in filling the gap that will be left after the graduation of Nate Byham and Dorin Dickerson next season.

Rankings: Scout.com: 4-star; Rivals.com: 3-star

‘I think Brock is as good [a tight end] as there is in the state, as good as there is in the country, really,’ said Wannstedt.

Dan Mason (Pittsburgh, Pa.): In Wannstedt’s 4-3 defense, there is no position more important than middle linebacker. Mason appears to be a future star at middle linebacker for Pitt, which is good, considering that the Panthers will be scrambling to replace all-American Scott McKillop.

Rankings: Scout.com: 4-star; Rivals.com: 4-star

Shane Gordon (Weston, Fla.): Considering Pitt had to convert a wide receiver into a starting outside linebacker last season, it wasn’t a bad idea to snag another promising recruit at linebacker. Gordon was a teammate of Jason Douglas and, like Douglas, has been making plays at one of the highest levels of high school football in the country.

Rankings: Scout.com: 3-star; Rivals.com: 3-star

Names to Remember

Fernando Diaz is a hard-nosed player from the Bronx. At 6 feet 2 inches tall and 275 pounds, Diaz might be a major factor on the offensive line in a couple years. On the other side of the ball, Tyrone Ezell is a tremendous physical specimen who might turn into a prolific pass-rusher after a few seasons of coaching.

The Ones that Got Away

Dorian Bell and Corey Brown (Monroeville, Pa.): The recruiting ‘wall’ that Wannstedt has talked about putting around Western Pennsylvania doesn’t seem to be Jim Tressel-proof. A year after signing Cameron Saddler and Shayne Hale from Gateway High School, Wannstedt lost both Bell and Brown to Ohio State.

Jordan Hill (Steelton, Pa.): After wavering on his commitment to Rutgers, it seemed like Hill was Pitt-bound. But Penn State swooped in at the last moment and picked up this promising defensive lineman.

Josh Evans (Irvington, N.J.): Evans had offers from major college programs across the entire country. Evans commitment would have greatly changed the perception of this class. However, he chose to travel down south to the defending national champion Florida Gators.