Pitt, Louisville interest Baker

After sending Rivals250 wide receiver Shelton Gibson to West Virginia in the class of 2013, Cleveland Heights (Ohio) High is prepping for the recruitment of another Division I receiver prospect.

6-foot-3, 205-pound Dorian Baker got off to a fast start with his recruitment, landing an offer from Pitt last summer.

"Pitt is probably one of my top schools right now seeing as they are showing me the most love," Baker said. "They gave me my first offer, and to have a D1 offer be my first offer at the end of my sophomore year was phenomenal."

Baker has since traveled down to Pitt on several occasions, most recently attending their junior day where he spent time with wide receivers coach Bobby Engram.

"Coach Engram being the receivers coach is good. He has been to that next level and can teach me where I need to be," Baker said. "They share a facility with the Steelers so it will be a good experience for me to meet some players, know what it is like to be at that next level and see what the game speed is like."

Besides Pitt, Baker has reeled in offers from Minnesota, Akron, Buffalo and Ohio University. Several more schools continue to maintain close contact.

"I have been talking to Louisville and have a really good connection with them," Baker said. "I've known Coach [Tommy] Restivo since the middle of my sophomore year. He wants me to come down for spring practice and said he is going to recruit me pretty heavy."

Baker also made a junior day visit to Louisville this winter, and that trip heightened his excitement about the Cardinal's program.

"Going down there I felt like it was home," Baker said. "I got along well with the coaching staff, I liked the facilities and what they stand for… everything was phenomenal."

Other schools showing interest in Baker include Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. He expects to attend a spring practice or game at Michigan, and wants to get back down to Louisville and Pitt for spring practices as well. Baker is also planning to camp at Minnesota over the summer.