DE Jones looking at other schools

Defensive tackle/offensive guard Derrell Jones verbally committed to Walt Harris and Pitt a few months ago. Now that the head coaching spot has been shaken up, where does Jones stand?

"Coach Wannstedt actually just called me today and he sounds real enthusiastic about the job. He feels fortunate to have it and thinks he can do some good things there. He talked about wanting to keep some of the coaches if he's able to, so there might not be a huge change in terms of assistants. He seemed glad that I had committed to Pitt and he wanted to keep me with them.

"I've been thinking about leaving the door open to a few others schools though. I think I'll probably take an official visit to Pitt on Jan. 14, just to see more of the school and get to know the coaches. But some schools like Nebraska, Michigan State, UConn and Syracuse have all stayed in contact with me and let me know they're still interested."

The 6-foot-2, 290-pound lineman from Waldorf (Md.) Westlake didn't know exactly whether to label himself as a solid verbal, a soft verbal or uncommitted.

"With the change that's taken place I just want to look everything over again. Coach Wannstedt is a good coach from what I know of him, but it was a little upsetting to have Coach Harris leave. I'll see what's out there, and if I find Pitt is the right place for me then I'll end up there."