Thursday, January 17th, 2008 by Matt Felser
We can stop fooling ourselves now about Terrelle Pryor
“Pitt’s out, period. I won’t go there, for sure.”
I think that should put an end to all speculation about Terrelle Pryor attending the University of Pittsburgh.
After initially committing to Pitt during his sophomore year, the #1 recruit in the nation and Army All-American Bowl MVP changed his mind last year and reopened his recruitment. While Pitt never made the list of Pryor’s top five schools after he decommitted, Panther fans have been desperately holding out hope, especially after Pitt’s success on the recruiting trail this year. Even though positive signs for Pitt appear to be everywhere, Pryor has repeatedly shot them down. At the All-American Bowl, Pryor roomed with Pitt-commit Jonathan Baldwin (”I wasn’t in the room a lot, so I didn’t really talk to him.”). He attended the Pitt-Georgetown basketball game last week and everyone at The Pete chanted his name (”I was there to watch ‘Big Fella.’ They’re still trying to recruit me. They’re just doing their job. That’s no knock on them.”).
Last night, KDKA reported that Pryor would make an official visit to Pitt despite not actually considering the Panthers. This seemed very odd at the time and most Panther fans (myself included) figured that something was up. I was preparing to write a post about how Pryor wants to be the kid who gets a lot of attention by changing his mind right before his national press conference. Then, however, I saw that both the Post-Gazette and the Tribune-Review were reporting that the story was untrue and that Pryor was not actually going to visit Pitt. It also dawned on me that Pitt only has one scholarship remaining, and quarterback is definitely one of their deeper positions (six players, at last count, including Pat Bostick, last year’s five-star QB; Greg Cross, a four-star JUCO recruit; and Bill Stull, last year’s starter who looked like an excellent fit in the offense, was injured at the beginning of the year).
It seems to me that Pryor will be heading to Michigan, even though the Wolverines were not even on his radar until Rich Rodriguez was brought on board as the new head coach (Pryor was considering WVU before Rodriguez and his spread offense infamously left Morgantown). Last night, after denying the Pitt rumors, Pryor stated “I want to play in a college town, a facility that has 100,000 and is packed.” Only two schools, Michigan and Penn State (another finalist), fit that description. But don’t get too excited Nittany Lions faithful. Pryor turned down Penn State’s invitation to visit, saying that they “asked me to come on the [January] 18th, and I never answered. I’ve been there so many times, I don’t need to see anything.”
Even Ryan Mallet, Michigan’s five-star freshman quarterback from last season, saw the writing on the wall, and has arranged a transfer to the University of Arkansas.
Still, this is no reason for Pitt fans to be upset. Almost every sports network put out an extremely early preseason top 25 list this week, and Pitt was on most of them. For your convenience, I’ve excerpted them all below.
Sports Illustrated - #25
Who’s back: RB LeSean McCoy, WR Derek Kinder (injured in ‘07), DE Greg Romeus, LB Scott McKillop.
Who’s not: T Jeff Otah, DE Joe Clermond, S Mike Phillips.
Skinny: The young Panthers provided a glimpse of the future with upsets of the Big East’s top two teams, West Virginia and Cincinnati, and fielded the nation’s No. 5 defense.
ESPN - #22
The Panthers have reason for optimism after upsetting West Virginia 13-9 in the regular-season finale, a loss that cost the Mountaineers a chance to play for the BCS championship. Dave Wannstedt failed to produce a winning record in his first three seasons as coach of his alma mater, but the Panthers seem ready to turn the corner in 2008. Pitt lost four games by seven points or fewer in 2007. Seven starters are expected back on both offense and defense. Tailback LeSean McCoy ran for 1,328 yards and 14 touchdowns as a freshman, and freshman quarterback Pat Bostick was much improved by season’s end. Receiver Derek Kinder and defensive tackle Gus Mustakas will return from season-ending knee injuries. Linebacker Scott McKillop led the country with 151 tackles and led a defense that showed bite in 2007.
ESPN (Most Improved) - #2
All hail the ’stache! The Panthers emerged from a four-game losing skid to upset No. 23 Cincinnati and finished off the season by wrecking the title hopes of West Virginia in Morgantown. Pitt will return many of the leaders of the nation’s No. 7 defense as well as one of the country’s top young running backs in LeSean McCoy. They also hope to get back smooth WR Derek Kinder, an All-Big East pick in 2006, who underwent season-ending knee surgery during training camp. QB Bill Stull, another former starter, also will return from injury, and he will try and beat out Pat Bostick, the talented true freshman who finished the season as Pitt’s starter. DT Gus Mustakas, a rugged inside presence, missed the final 10 games of the season after knee surgery and also should be back, as will tackle machine Scott McKillop. I think the Panthers’ patience with Dave Wannstedt will pay off with a return to the Top 25 next season and maybe even a Big East title.
CBS Sportsline - #22
Momentum from the West Virginia win carries over. So do two stars from the future — tailback LeSean McCoy and linebacker Scott McKillop, the Big East Defensive Player of the Year.
Why here? Sure, it’s a reach but Dave Wannstedt is making great strides in recruiting.Defining game: TBA vs. West Virginia
Sporting News - #25
Believe it: Exciting TB LeSean McCoy carries the Panthers — and beleaguered coach Dave Wannstedt — into the elite of the Big East.
Scout.com - #21
2008 will be their breakout season. It’s time for the Panthers to turn the corner. They will contend with West Virginia and South Florida for the Big East title. If not, they could be looking for a new coach.
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