Panthers add local LB Webster

The Pittsburgh Panthers have added another local product to shore up their defense in Woodland Hills linebacker Greg Webster.

The 6-foot-1, 217-pounder told the Pittsburgh staff on Friday, told Rivals.com on Monday but waited until today to officially announce his decision. Webster asked us to hold the story until this morning. What stood out about the Panthers?

"They have a really good recruiting class already and they were the first school to offer me. I know they'll be good in years to come with this class," he said. "I feel good about the program now and it's close to home. I like Virginia, but they have four linebackers that have verballed and Pittsburgh is more convenient and close to home. Overall, I felt good with that decision."

Coach Wannstedt has been able to keep western Pennsylvania talent right in the area. What are Webster's thoughts on that?

"I think that's good, he's sticking to his roots and getting who he can," he said. "He's trying to get all the good players to stay and we have a lot of talent around here. I feel if you keep it here, that's one hell of a team and it'll be a great team."

Next season Webster is planning to attend at least two or three home games. What is the linebacker going to be looking for when he sees his new team in action?

"I'll probably watch the defense and see the schemes they run, how the linebacker moves and how they run to the ball," he said. "I want to see how they move in drop back pass coverage and read the ball because when you play middle you have to know all that, you're just like the quarterback of the offense."

Webster hopes to bring the same attributes to Pittsburgh as he showed at Woodland Hills.

"I hopefully can bring the team together to get great team chemistry. I'll also bring big hits and everything I did at Woodland Hills."

The middle linebacker even had some words for Panther fans.

"I'm going to go up there for four years and do everything I can do to make the team better," he said. "Hopefully we'll go to the Big East championship and get Pittsburgh back up to the top. With all these players they are getting now, we'll have great teams for years to come and hopefully we'll make our team a championship team."

The Panthers are still after the biggest recruit in the region in Webster's teammate Darrin Walls. How is Webster working on the talented prospect?

"He has so many choices, but Pittsburgh is still in it from what he told me," he said. "His top five is outstanding, but I try to whisper in his ear a little bit."

Webster plans to take his official visit to Pittsburgh after the season. As a junior, he recorded 134 tackles, nine sacks and two interceptions as a junior. He was named first team All-Quad East.

Webster chose Pitt over offers from Virginia, West Virginia and Connecticut.