McLean creating strong ties

The Pittsburgh Panthers continue to be active on the recruiting trail. Coach Chryst and company offered 2015 Watch List member Adam McLean earlier this week.

"One of the coaches messaged me on Facebook and I gave him a call," said the 6-foot, 266-pound McLean. "We talked about my game and he put me on the phone with Coach Engram and they extended the offer.

"I know a little bit about the history of the school with Larry Fitzgerald coming from the school," he said. "My former teammate Rachid Ibrahim plays there now. I'm developing a relationship with the coaching staff there and they've been telling me about the school and the program."

The defensive tackle from North Potomac (Md.) Quince Orchard also added an offer from Syracuse recently.

"I know that Syracuse has an older team so they are looking for some younger guys," McLean said. "One of the coaches told me that I would have a chance to come in and start early. I'm also developing a relationship with that coaching staff."

McLean is making sure he is getting to know the coaches that are recruiting him.

"I'm definitely developing a relationship with Coach Fisher at Oregon," he said. "I also have very good relationships with coaches at Pitt, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Vanderbilt, Tennessee and some other schools. I've talked to those coaches on a regular basis. I'm going to try to get to a Maryland game soon. I'd like to get up to Pitt."

There is one school that McLean is really hoping to hear from.

"Auburn is one of my top schools and my uncle and I have an agreement that I'd take a visit down there if they offer me," said McLean. "I would love to get down there. My uncle is a collector and somehow he got an Auburn National Championship ring and gave it to me. A close family friend graduated from Auburn and I know they've been up and down recently but the tradition they have there is overwhelming. I'm really big on tradition."

McLean thinks that Georgia Tech, Oregon and Vanderbilt could be close to offering.