Three-point stance: Jimbo, Pitt and a five-star flip
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It's been a good few days for the Pittsburgh Panthers football program. Let's start with recruiting, where the Panthers landed a key commit in the 2017 class from four-star defensive back Paris Ford (above) from Pittsburgh (Pa.) Seton LaSalle. Ford is ranked No. 33 in the country and is the highest-ranked Pitt commitment since offensive lineman Dorian Johnson back in 2013, which I think was 10 Pitt coaches ago (I jest). Prior to that you have to go back to 2008 and wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin to find a higher-rated Pitt commitment and he's already played his college career, been a first-round pick and is out of football.
Pitt followed that up Monday with a commitment from high three-star athlete Kaezon Pugh from the home of Darrelle Revis in Aliquippa. In between, they beat Georgia Tech to go 5-1 on the season and were ranked in the AP poll for the first time since before the 2010 season.
And let's not forget the memorable jab head coach Pat Narduzzi took at Penn State at his weekly news conference when asked about his quarterback's accuracy. "You could have a talented quarterback with a bad play-caller and make him look bad," Narduzzi said. "You see that around the country, some closer than others." Narduzzi was clearly referring to James Franklin's Nittany Lions program and the struggle of former five-star quarterback Christian Hackenberg. I've moaned about Bret Bielema not being able to keep his mouth closed in the column before and I don't condone the trash talk of Narduzzi, who should focus on his own team. But coaches will be coaches it appears and it's been a long time since it's been this good at Pitt so maybe he's riding that high a bit. Congrats on the ranking, the wins and the recruiting coach -- now you had better beat Penn State next year at home or you'll be getting an earful.
3. Five-star flip in works?
I'm no genius, but I've been covering recruiting long enough to see when things appear to be lining up for a big move. Five-star running back Kareem Walker (above) has been committed to Ohio State since he did so at halftime of the Buckeyes national championship win last January. However, Walker took an official visit to Michigan a couple of weekends ago, the Wolverines pulled their football scholarship offer to oft-injured running back Matt Falcon recently. Couple that with the fact that the Buckeyes added four-star running back Antonio Williams, who became a focus after Walker's official to Ann Arbor.
So if you're reading the tea leaves, Michigan feels good about their chances in flipping Walker and is clearing space so-to-speak and Ohio State doesn't feel so confident now and is making sure they don't get shut out for a premier running back in 2016. Walker is downplaying the drama and keeping things close to the vest, but with Michigan's success in New Jersey so far this year and defensive tackle Rashan Gary leaning their way as well, two plus two equals four here, right?
Mike Farrell
National Recruiting Director