PITTSBURGH - For the third straight year, Pitt compiled an impressive number of off-field victories. Panthers coach Dave Wannstedt hopes it begins adding to his on-field win total.
Bolstered by a season-ending win over West Virginia, Pitt put together another strong recruiting class - a 19-player group that signed binding National Letters of Intent Wednesday.
Pitt's previous two recruiting classes were rated among the nation's best and many scouting services designated this year's class among the top 25.
"It doesn't have the numbers that we had the previous two years. We knew that going in," Wannstedt said during a press conference inside the Pitt locker room at Heinz Field. "We got into Ohio. We got into Florida. We got into New Jersey. We had the opportunity to get a couple players from New York but, because of numbers, we just couldn't take them."
Mostly, Pitt got into Pennsylvania, where 13 of the 14 recruits were all-state talents.
Three of the more heralded recruits are from traditional WPIAL powers.
Offensive lineman Lucas Nix (Thomas Jefferson) was one of Pitt's first commitments, a Parade All-American and he played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
The biggest prize may be Aliquippa receiver Jonathan Baldwin, a 6-5 playmaker who also fielded Division I offers in basketball. Baldwin was the nation's No. 14 prospect according to SuperPrep and ranked 20th by Scout.
Gateway's Shayne Hale, who announced his commitment at the U.S. Army game, was a first-team All-USA selection by the USA Today. Rated among the nation's top 44 prospects by three recruiting services, Hale is one of two Gateway recruits. The other is kick returner/wide receiver cam Saddler.
Nix, Baldwin and Hale could be immediate contributors though Wannstedt said only five freshmen from last year's class saw significant playing time in 2007.
"(Nix) made Parade All-American and he was one of five linemen in the entire nation on that team. That kind of got put to the side after we started getting these other guys," Wannstedt said. "All three of those guys will come in physically ready to compete."
Also among the recruiting class is Pittsburgh Central Catholic's Andrew Taglianetti, who lives in the South Fayette School District and whose twin brother Jon is an invited walk-on.
Taglianetti, son of former Penguins defenseman Peter Taglianetti, was offered a grayshirt, meaning he could enroll in January and his scholarship would be honored at that point. After a couple players who committed to Pitt signed elsewhere, those plans may change though Wannstedt said he has not made that decision.
"You want to talk about a highlight tape. Andrew Taglianetti's is as impressive as any I saw," Wannstedt said. "He scores touchdowns. He make plays. The thing I really like about him is anytime it seems someone makes a play, you look up and it's him."
Pitt's class, ranked 21st in the nation by ESPN, also addressed several immediate needs.
Two quarterbacks were signed, junior college standout Greg Cross and Pittsburgh Central Catholic's Tino Sunseri, son of former Pitt assistant coach Sal Sunseri. Cross figures to factor into Pitt's Wildcat formation.
"Greg Cross brings athleticism to the position that we don't have," Wannstedt said.
Wannstedt also said that he considered Billy Stull, who suffered a season-ending hand injury in the season opener, the number one quarterback but maintained the position is open. Pat Bostick, one of the top recruits from the 2007 class, is the most experienced quarterback entering spring practice.
Nix is among three offensive linemen and all-state cornerback Jarred Holley is among four defensive backs.
"This is the third year in a row that we were in the top 25 or top 20 classes in the nation," Wannstedt said. "There's not one player that we started recruiting after the West Virginia game. What that game did do for us was it made it easier for some of the recruits to announce that they were coming to Pitt."