Wannstedt nabs hometown DT

Dave Wannstedt has made his presence felt in Pennsylvania already with some impressive commitments. So it's certainly not surprising that the former NFL and current Pittsburgh Panther head coach is also recruiting his former high school hard too. That's where the Panthers latest, and most important to date, commitment comes from.

Pittsburgh picked up their seventh commitment of the season to help solidify the defensive line by adding Baldwin defensive tackle Jason Pinkston.

The 6-foot-5, 273-pounder was really impressed with many aspects of the Pittsburgh program.

"Their medical academics are really good for me and that'll be a great help. That's what I want to pursue in college," he said. "The coaching staff there is really good too and almost everyone on their staff knows what it takes to get things done and win a Super Bowl or something. The fact that coach Wannstedt is there helped a lot in my decision."

Pinkston officially told coach Wannstedt about his intentions Friday.

"He was so excited," he said. "I was out at Home Depot in the last couple of days and I ran into coach Partridge and Hill and I told them that I decided to go to Michigan instead. They dropped their heads down and seemed a little worried and then I told them I was joking and they started joking with me just a little bit too."

The decision to stay close to home at Pittsburgh was an easy one for Pinkston.

"I know it's going to be easier for my mom because she can't afford to follow me wherever I play," he said. "It's a good program there and I am really excited about it. I feel good now because I can get more focused on my upcoming senior season and that's the biggest thing."

Next season Pinkston is looking to improve a lot.

"I want to get more in shape," he said. "I'm pretty physical, but I get tired at the end of games. I want to be able to go longer and that's the biggest thing I want to work on. I want to be able to go in the fourth quarter and finish the game out and help my team win even more."

Pinkston has high hopes for himself and the Panther program in the future.

"I think I'm a good pass rusher and I make a lot of plays. I get in the game and win and I just want to get in and win the Big East," he said. "I want to win the national championship with Western Pennsylvania players. That's everyone's dream and I think we can do it because we can play."

Pinkston is already working on helping to improve Pittsburgh's recruiting class even more.

"I'm working to get (Woodland Hills) Greg Webster and (Gateway's) Aaron Smith to come in too."

The quick defensive tackle will be paying close attention to his new team next season.

"I'm going to be watching the defensive side of the ball a lot and learn the plays and watch the position," he said. "I want to watch the players on the next level, especially guys I went against in high school and see how they play now."

Pinkston plans to attend every home game.

The Baldwin star was named to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Terrific 25 and was also a first team All-Quad East lineman after recording 100 tackles, seven sacks and two fumble recoveries.