D6SN District Six AAA Championship Preview.

The Site - Saint Francis University

The Records - Somerset (15-8)  Johnstown (14-7)

What's at stake - One berth will be handed out for the PIAA tournament. District Six is matched with the seventh place entry from District Three.

Regular Season Battles - Johnstown raced out to a big lead and held on in the first meeting 73-65 on January 4 in Johnstown. The second game was closer throughout, but the Trojans were able to take a hard fought road victory of the Golden Eagles once again, 69-60 on January 30 in Somerset.

The Rematch - The 2012 District Six AAA crown was also settled between Somerset and Johnstown. The Trojans won their fourth straight District Six title over Somerset by a score of 72-64. Overall, Johnstown has a ten game winning streak against the Golden Eagles.

Starters

--JOHNSTOWN: 5-5 SR. G Daniel Bardfield. 5-5 SR. G Damean Bardfield. 5-9 SR. G Phillip Madison. 6-2 SR. F Dalvin Williams.  6-6 SR. F Roshon Fields.

--SOMERSET: Jake Close 6-0 SR. G. Dylan Barnes 5-11 FR. G. Brett Barron 6-1 SR. F. Michael Flye 6-3 SR. F. Jordan Wilkow 6-4 SR F.


              Somerset abnd Johnstown will square off once again for the AAA title. Johnstown has won four straight District Six crowns, but plenty of new faces are fueling this run. The Trojans lack size, but make up for it with quickness. It all starts with 5-9 senior, Phillip Madison. Madison was one of the stars of last season's team, and his leadership has been extremely valuable. Madison is very quick with the dribble, and has a nice outside shot. Daniel Barfield and Damean Barfield join Madison in the backcourt. The two twin brothers stand at 5-5, but do not sleep on these guys. Both are not afraid to take the open three, and they will knock a few down. Johnstown brings another 5-5 guard, Antoine Lanzendorfer, off the bench, He is another solid outside shooting threat. The main threat to the Trojans' attack is the 6-6 Center, Roshon Fields. Fields has really elevated his game this season, and is scoring 11 points a game, and being the primary rebounder for Johnstown. He is the one true inside presence Johnstown has. Johnstown has found a bright spot on their bench in freshman, Jeremy Updyke. The young freshman has come on strong lately, and forms a solid bench duo with Shaquan Reid.
           Somerset is looking to end Johnstown's reign atop District Six AAA. The Golden Eagles have a senior dominated team that has the confidence to pull it off. Jake Close is the key to it all. Close is the primary ball handler, and averages 15 points as well. He can be a dangerous outside shooter if he gets a rhythm. Brett Barron is the team's leading scorer, and he can do it in a variety of ways. After that, Somerset has been dealing with injuries. Jordan Wilkow has done a solid job this season, but has missed some games recently. Dylan Barnes is a freshman guard that has played very well, but he too has been hurt of late.  Somerset has some solid role players in Michael Flyte and Zane Helsey, that have picked up the slack lately.

                             Johnstown has won both meetings so far, and it is for a few reasons. Somerset has not been able to take away the three point shot from Johnstown. Johnstown made eight three's in the first meeting. The Golden Eagles need to have a more concerned effort to slow down that aspect from the Trojans. The problem with taking away the three's, Johnstown can use their speed and quickness to drive the lane. Johnstown is severely undersized, but that just makes them difficult to guard. Madison can slash and shoot, he creates difficulty for Somerset. The Golden Eagles need to assert their size on offense, and perhaps slow down the tempo. Close and Barron need to take shots within the offense. This should be another entertaining game. Both regular season battles were settled by less than ten points, expect another close one. It is very difficult to take a team down three times in a season.

Prediction- Johnstown.

D6SN District Six AA Boys Basketball Playoff Preview.

The Favorites - Bishop McCort and Penn Cambria look to be the top dogs coming into this playoff field. Bishop McCort is the two time defending District Champs, and the foundation for that success is still around in juniors Nemo Trexler and Billy Hipp. Team those two with a group that is accustomed to winning, and the Crushers certainly have the firepower to win another one. Penn Cambria has a veteran group that looks poised to make a run at a title. Led by senior AJ Leahey, the Panthers have a formidable squad. Mack Behe is a guy that will do all the little things. They have the size to take District Six after some early exits the past two years.

The Unknown - Bald Eagle enters the postseason with a gaudy record, a balanced scoring attack, and a big 6-7 man in the middle of it all. Still, it would be difficult to label this team as a favorite just yet. Bald Eagle is coming off an 11-12 campaign, and they do not have the playoff experience some other proven teams have. Dennis Fisher is going to be a tough match for anyone, and the Bald Eagles will not be an easy out.

The Other Defending Champs - Bishop McCort won the AA title last season, but they are not the only defending champion in the playoff field. The Northern Cambria Colts won the class "A" crown last season. They have an experienced crew led by Adam Polites and Jeff Hogan. They would love nothing more to show the area they are ready to compete with the AA field.

Dark horse Candidate - Cambria Heights may be able to spring some upsets. The Highlanders are a senior led team that has taken some lumps this year. They lost to some of the best teams in the LHAC, but those are all thrown out the window for the postseason. Isaac Vescovi is a versatile big man that is dangerous anywhere on the court. Nathan Bearer is another tough scoring option for coach Eric Nagel. Keep an eye out for the Highlanders.

Missing Pieces - Bellwood-Antis has had a tremendous season. The Blue Devils were certainly leaning on one player for success, and that was Noah Davis.  Davis is 6-4 athletic big man that will be taking his career to Division II Seton Hill next season. Arguably the best player in the district, Davis is leading the Blue Devils with 22 points and 10 rebounds per game. The problem is that Davis is down with an injury, and it is very unlikely he will be seen in the District playoffs. Bellwood still has some athletes, and they can certainly make things interesting without their star, but the odds are stacked against them.

Big Man's Game - It seems as though if you are going to win the title, it is going to be on the back of a talented big man. Check out some of the "big" stars of the postseason....

-- 6-4 Nemo Trexler leads Bishop McCort with 18 points, and 8 rebounds a game.
-- 6-7 AJ Leahey of Penn Cambria, averages 19 and 11.
-- 6-7 Dennis Fisher of Bald Eagle Area goes for 17 and 8 a night.
-- 6-4 Bellwood-Antis Center, Noah Davis was going for 22 and 10 before the injury.
-- 6-3 Jeff Hogan of Northern Cambria averages 13 a game.
-- 6-4 Isaac Vescovi of Cambria Heights averages 22 and 7.
--6-7 Alec Bloom from Ligonier paces the Rams with 16 and 9.

-- Road Trippin' - The deep field is very diversified with teams spanning from Indiana to Centre County.  Ligonier Valley and Marion Center from the West to Bald Eagle and West Branch in the East, and all spots in between. The area has very few sites where the games are played. Richland, Bishop Carroll, Central Cambria, Hollidaysburg's Junior and Senior Highs seem to be the most frequented gyms this time of the year. The Altoona Fieldhouse, Greater Johnstown HS, and Tyrone may also have to see some use.

First Round.  
1. Bald Eagle- Bye
8. Cambria Heights over 9. Marion Center
4. Tyrone over 13. West Branch
5. Northern Cambria over 12. Richland
3. Bellwood-Antis over Blairsville
6. Bishop McCort over Central
7. Penns Valley over 10. Ligonier Valley
2. Penn Cambria- Bye

Second Round
1. Bald Eagle over 8. Cambria Heights
5. Northern Cambria over 4. Tyrone
6. Bishop McCort over Bellwood-Antis
2, Penn Cambria over 7. Penns Valley

Semi Final Round
1. Bald Eagle over Northern Cambria
2. Bishop McCort over Penn Cambria

Championship
Bishop McCort over Bald Eagle Area.
Analysis- District 6 AA is deep, and strong. Bishop McCort has the two time defending factor to play off of, and their leading scorer from both of those runs is still around. Bellwood's Noah Davis could throw a wrench into things if he plays. Penn Cambria is also capable of winning it. Plenty of talent in this field.

D6SN District Six A Boys Basketball Playoff Preview.

-- The Favorites - I am going to name Bishop Carroll as my favorite to win this bracket. The Huskies have good coaching, solid guard play, and a good big man. BC has some big time wins under their belt, and Cosie Aliquo has this team clicking this season. Marcus Lee is a steady 6-5 big man. Brandon Martinazzi is a cool sophomore guard that can make big shots. This team has it all, and despite a recent loss to BG, I'm sticking with the Huskies.

-- The Contender - With all that said, Bishop Guilfoyle deserves some love. Coach Chris Drenning really changed the program overnight seemingly. The Marauders play a tough grind it out style that has been very effective. BG was able to post some impressive wins over Bishop McCort, Bellwood-Antis, and Bishop Carroll during the regular season. They have solid guard play that should carry them, and set up a very interesting third battle with Bishop Carroll.

-- Pistol  Pete, No....Dalton - Dalton Cesarz of Blacklick Valley is without a doubt the most prolific scorer in this tournament. The senior averages 25 a contest, and his play has made Blacklick a factor this season. The remarkable thing about his season is that he does not have an excessive amount of three pointers, Cesarz gets to the rim and does his work all over the floor. He will need to have some lights out performances to lead the Vikings to a District title, but hey, its the postseason....anything can happen.

-- Turning it Around - Ferndale mustered all of three wins last season, but find themselves in the postseason this time around. Ryan Durham has to be up for some coach of the year awards in my book. Ferndale is not an easy place to win, but he is building something special. Chad Eisenhuth is a reliable senior leader for the Yellow Jackets. Ferndale also has a talented freshman in Rakwon Hinton. Good to see a coach put in the work, and have it pay off.

-- Hard Core, back at it - After a bit of a down year with only eight wins, the Homer Center Wildcats will be able to make some noise in the postseason once again.  Could the HardCore fans aid in a run to a District Title?  Hey, it could happen....



Project the tournament.


Opening Round.
Glendale over Saltsburg.

First Round.
1. Bishop Carroll over 8. Glendale.
4. Blacklick Valley over 5. Juniata Valley
3. Homer Center over Williamsburg
2. Bishop Guilfoyle over 7. Ferndale

Semi Final Round
1. Bishop Carroll over Blacklick Valley
2. Bishop Guilfoyle over Homer Center

Championship
Bishop Carroll over Bishop Guilfoyle.
Analysis-- I like the Huskies the whole way. They have strong coaching, and the best talent within the tournament. Don't sleep on BG in that tournament game. The two teams have split the regular season meetings.

Monday 2/11: My College Basketball Top 25.

              The college basketball season has been a wild ride to this point. We are coming off of a week where nearly half of the top 25 lost a game. The debate is out there, who will be #1 this week?  Duke is the highest ranked team to not have lost, should they take the top spot? The best thing about my top 25, I don't have to follow the previous week. I have no obligation to rank Duke in the top spot. This is essentially the best 25 teams to this point in time, as decided by yours truly.

1.  Miami 19-3 - The Hurricanes may not be the best team in the country, but they are certainly playing like it. They are 10-0 in the ACC, and have a 30 point win over Duke to their resume. The Canes have some head scratching losses, but it seems they are over it. Miami plays at Florida State and at Clemson this week, two winnable, but tricky games.

2. Gonzaga 23-2 - The Bulldogs have raced out to a very good start, but how many good wins do they really have? Kansas State and Oklahoma State appear good, but not many others. The Zags can't afford anymore losses in the regular season if they want a number one seed. With that said, this is a good team that has scoring all across the board.

3. Indiana 21-3 - The Hoosiers have three losses by a grand total of nine points. Indiana has talent at all five spots on the floor. Zeller can carry the team, Oladipo is a human highlight reel, and Hulls can make a three at any given time. Indiana is built to win in March.

4. Syracuse 20-3 - Syracuse is coming together. James Southerland is coming back into the fold after a suspension, and they should get Dajuan Coleman before March as well. The 2-3 zone is tough when the shortest player is 6-5. They have experience, but the Big East is a grind. I think at full strength this is the best team in the Big East.

5. Duke 21-2 - Despite some conference losses, Duke has what it takes to raise the banner in early April. The Blue Devils have depth, size, and scoring. They won't be losing by 27 anytime again in the near future. They get Miami March 2, and you can beat the Devils will be geared up for that.

6. Michigan 21-3 - Michigan has has two tough Saturday losses in a row. The Wolverines are a young, but talented bunch. Trey Burke is having a Naismith caliber season. They are as good as anyone else, and they will be set to make a big run. They have a big one with Michigan State on Tuesday.

7. Florida 19-3 - The Gators were looking unstoppable until last week, and then Arkansas ran them off the floor. That Florida team is still there, and they are still that good. This is a very experienced team that can win it all. They are head and shoulders still the best team in the SEC, and they can prove it Tuesday night by beating Kentucky.

8. Arizona 20-3 - Arizona is the best team in the Pac 12, but they have few good wins on their resume. This is a young, but talented bunch. They can be a player in March, because of their depth and athletic ability.


9. Michigan State 20-4 - The Spartans have won 9 of 10, and they are contending to be the best team in the tough Big Ten. Much of the fanfare has been with Michigan and Indiana, but these Spartans could eb the best of them all. Big time matchup with Michigan on Tuesday.

10. Butler 20-4 - Despite a few slip ups lately, Butler is still a very good basketball team. They are at full strength, and they have a very winnable road ahead in the Atlantic 10. They need to beat VCU, and do well in the A10 tourney for a good seed.

11. Kansas State 19-4 - K-State has a chance to take down their arch nemesis Kansas, tonight. The Wildcats have a solid team, and Bruce Weber has them playing really well of late. Is K-State the best team in the Big 12, they could make that claim with a win tonight.

12. Louisville 19-5 - Louisville has not played all that well of late, but they are still a strong team. They have a good Center in Dieng, and tough veteran guards in Peyton Siva and Russ Smith. This team made a Final Four last year, and they have the tools to do it again.

13. Marquette 17-5 - I do not think anyone thought Marquette would be this good. Yet, the Golden Eagles are towards the top of the Big East standings. This is just another typical Buzz Williams team. They are athletic and quick, and have plenty of reliable guards. They have a big test with Georgetown tonight.

14. Oklahoma State 17-5 - Oklahoma State has won five in a row, and they are looking like a real good team. Marcus Smart is playing like the best freshmen in the country, and the Cowboys could be the best team in the Big 12.

15. Pittsburgh 20-5 - Pitt has won seven of their last eight, and they remain one of the hottest teams in the country. The young Center, Steven Adams, is coming around. Pitt should find themselves back in the tournament this time around, and could climb the rankings further.

16. Ohio State 17-6 - Ohio State has a dangerous team, but they have come short on almost all of their toughest tests. The Buckeyes need to prove they can handle big games a little better. Aaron Craft is a great leader, and Deyshaun Thomas is the best scoring threat in the Big Ten. They have some big games ahead in the Big Ten, it would be nice if they could win a few of them.

17. Kansas 19-4 - The Jayhawks are free falling. Still, they are a top 25 caliber team. There is no excuse for the three game losing streak, ecpecially to TCU. Bill Self will have things figured out at the right time. A big rivalry victory over Kansas State tonight would be an excellent start to fixing things.

18. Georgetown 17-4 - The Hoyas are riding a five game winning streak. They have a tough team to matchup with, because they star four 6-8 forwards. They have a big game tonight against a very good Marquette team.

19. Notre Dame 19-5 - The Irish are coming off a wild victory in 5 OT's against Louisville. They have had an up and down ride, but that win showed character. The Irish may not be able to win it all, but they can bother a lot of teams.

20. Wisconsin 17-7 -   The Badgers have taken some lumps this season, but most of their losses are really not that bad. They have some excellent wins as well, as beating two top five teams in Michigan and Indiana. They have proven they can take down anyone, so I can not really imagine anyone wants to see Bo Ryan's team in their bracket.

21. Kentucky 17-6 -  This team is getting better, and that is not good for anyone. The Wildcats are getting outstanding production from Nerlens Noel of late. They lost three games to very experienced teams in Duke, Notre Dame, and Louisville early in the season. The Wildcats have improved to the point where they could play with, or beat any of those teams, at least I think they can. We will find out Tuesday when they play on the road at Florida.

22. UCLA 18-6 - UCLA has some really bad losses, but some pretty good wins. This team will be dangerous come March. Ben Howland better make a good run, or this could be his last one in Westwood. Shabazz Muhammed may be he best player in the country, when he wants to be. They have plenty of winnable games left, and a high profile home game with Arizona on March 2.

23. Oregon 19-5 - The Ducks recently ended a three game losing streak, otherwise this has beena  widely successful season. They have already taken down Arizona and UCLA on the season, so they are certainly a team that can take down anyone in a one game setting. The schedule is more than managable the rest of the way, as the Pac 12 is very down this season.

24. New Mexico 20-4 - New Mexico has a tough team that will be a tough out for anyone. They are coming off a loss to San Deigo State, but the Lobos are still the team to beat in this league. They have the type of schedule remaining that they could potentially run the table heading into the Mtn. West tournament.

25. VCU 19-5 - VCU will not be sneaking up on anyone this year. They play tough defense. The Rams have rebounded with three straight wins after a two game skid. VCU has some close losses to quality opponents like Duke and Missouri.

Ranking the Pitt recruiting class

27. Ryan Winslow P Wnydmoor, PA. - It is not everyday you sign a punter to a scholarship, but Pitt did just that. Paul Chryst had the numbers to make this happen. Winslow is a big guy at 6-5 215, and did well in preseason camps. He very well could be a four year punter after redshirting this season.

26. Chris Blewitt K Alexandria, VA. - Blewitt has a name that just screams that he will miss a big kick at some point, but until then.....  Pitt needed a Kicker, and Blewitt may be able to compete for the job right away.

25. Jeremiah Taleni DT Kailua, HI. - Hawaii typically is not a Pitt recruiting area, but they walk away with a big defensive tackle. Taleni was lightly recruited, but still picked Pitt over Hawaii and Washington State. He is big at 6-2, 315. Pitt needs interior linemen, and this risk may be able to pay off.

24. Terrish Webb Ath Clairton, PA. - Terrish Webb is one part of the "Killer T's" from Clairton. Obviously the kid is a winner, and was a big part of three straight state championships in high school. Webb picked Pitt after initially committing to Kent State. He was not highly recruited, but the kid has very good athletic ability. They may try him at either corner or receiver.

23. Zach Poker LB Ocononiwic, WI. - Paul Chrust was able to go to his home state for this prospect. at 6-4 220, Poker would be a very big outside linebacker. He is a very bright kid, as he was accecpted into West Point. He was another lightly recruited player, but has lots of potential. It is worth it, simply so Paul Chryst has some ties back home.

Jaymar Parrish

22. Jaymar Parrish FB Monroeville, PA. - Parrish will come to Pitt as a Fullback. Obviously with a pro style attack, the Fullback plays an important role. Parrish has good hands, and good size. He can be an offensive threat, and not just a blocker. Gateway is an important school to have a connection with, and having some players on the roster is a good start. He picked Pitt over his only other offer, Akron.

21. Carson Baker OL Fairborn, OH. - Buffalo and Toledo were the only other offers for Carson Baker. He brings good size into the program, at 6-6 315. He is definitely a Paul Chryst style linemen. Pitt needed to add depth up front, and Baker should add to that.

20. Aaron Reese OL Chambersburg, PA. - Aaron Reese is another big linemen that should help improve and replinish the line depth. Reese is listed at 6-5 290, so he can fit the big linemen role. He did not receive any other offers other than Pitt, but he committed very early, so some teams backed off early.

19. Jester Weah WR Madison, WI. - Chryst went back home, and came back with a very intriguing prospect. Jester Weah barely had any offers, but seems to possess plenty of athletic ability. He is a 6-3 receiver with a solid vertical. This could be one hell of a steal by Chryst. Pitt needs receivers, and Weah could potentially work his way into playing time sooner rather than later at Pitt.

Zach Challingsworth

18. Zach Challingsworth WR McDonald, PA. - Challingsworth has been a great recruiter and ambassador of the recruiting class. He seems to be ready to play for his hometown team. He is  fast, and has good size. I think he is pretty underrated. Pitt got a talented player from right in their backyard. Again, the Wide Receiver depth is nothing special at Pitt, he could challenge to play soon.

17. Titus Howard CB Clairton, PA. - Part two of the "Killer T's" Titus Howard could be a good corner down the road. He needs to add bulk, but all the tools are there otherwise. Howard has the frame to put on the size, and being 6-2 could make him a tough CB in the future. He can lay the wood, so maybe a Safety down the road.

16. Tony Harper TE Toledo, OH. - Harper could be moved to Safety, but Pitt thinks they may have found a versatile H-Back. Harper may not be an every down tight end, but he can bring something else to the table. He selected Pitt over some MAC offers.

15. James Conner  RB Erie, PA. - Conner comes from McDowell High School in Erie. Most websites list James as a Defensive End, but he will get a chance to play Running Back at Pitt. Conner is a big guy at 6-2, 230 and he had a very good campaign as a rusher this past season. Pitt missed out on some other backs, but Conner could be more than just a fall back plan. His size makes him very intriguing.

14. Rachid Ibrahim S Gaithersburg, MD. - Ibrahim could end up being another steal by Paul Chryst. He chose Pitt over Boston College and Iowa. He should be an athletic member of the secondary, and could see some time after a redshirt this season.

13. Matt Galambos LB Havertown, PA. - Pitt added some very talented linebackers in the previous recruiting class, but Galambos could add some more young talent to the program. He will be an inside linebacker coming from the prestigious prep league in the Philadelphia area. He chose Pitt over Syracsue, Rutgers, Harvard, and Yale. So, yeah, he's a smart guy.

12. Luke Maclean DE Grand Blanc, MI. - Paul CHryst and his staff added another Midwestern kid, this time from Michigan. Maclean is 6-3 230. He will at least get a chance to see some time this season, because the defensive end spot is still rather thin. Maclean chose Pitt over Indiana, Georgia Tech, Cincinnati, and Kansas.

Reggie Green

11. Reggie Green WR Cranford, NJ. - Pitt found a pretty good athlete from the Garden state. Green is a 6-3 200 athlete, that should get his first chance as a receiver. Despite his low ranking as a two star, he managed to get BCS level offers from Michigan State, NC State, Rutgers, and Boston College. Green is a little better than the amount of stars next to his name. I think he will be a good one for Pitt.

10. Tyrique Jarrett DT Pittsburgh, PA. - Jarrett is a big boy, 6-4 310. He hails from the Pittsburgh City League, but he is coming to Pitt after one season at Milford Academy of New York. Jarrett was originally committed last year, but never wavered from that verbal. He is already enrolled at Pitt, and will get a great chance to see some snaps this Spring.

9. Devon Edwards TE Columbus, OH. - It is always nice to step into the heart of Ohio, and pick up a quality player. Chryst is big on Tight Ends, and he sure is replenishing the position this class. Edwards is severely underrated as a two star, but holds offers from West Virginia, Nebraska, Purdue, NC State, and Kentucky. The offer sheet should be a more telling sign, than stars by the name. Edwards is a big guy at 6-5 240, and if Tight End doesn't work out, his size translates to Defensive End.

8. Justin Moody DE Philadelphia, PA. - Pitt was able to snag Justin Moody away from Rutgers and Syracuse. He is a tweener, in that, he could play interior line or end. He has good size, and played for a good George Washington HS team in Philadelphia. Moody will add depth, and should figure prominently into the future.

7. Alex Officer OG Rochester, NY - Officer is another big bodied linemen for the Panthers. He figures to be a Guard in college.Officer is a big presence at 6-4 320. Pitt needs to build that aspect up, and they were able to this recruiting class. Officer chose Pitt over Rutgers, Syracuse, UConn, Boston College, and Purdue.

6. Shakir Soto DE Wilkes Barre, PA - Shakir Soto is already enrolled at Pitt, and he could see the field this season. Soto has been a good ambassador for Pitt, and helped recruit some of his fellow classmates. Soto has good size, and he is a bright kid. He had offers from Virginia, Maryland, and Boston College, but opted for Pitt.

Jones-Smith

5. Jaryd Jones-Smith OT Philadelphia, PA. - Jones-Smith has not played football for very long, but he sure knows how to make an impression. He is a big 33 selction out of Philadelphia West Catholic. He is a giant, literally. 6-7 300. This is an excellent addition for Paul Chryst and his staff. He was a big win as he picked Pitt over fellow ACC program, Virginia. Jones-Smith also had offers from Michigan, Arizona, NC State, Wisconsin, and Vanderbilt. Philadelphia is a nice place to have some in roads, and Chryst landed a few of the bigger prospects from the area.

4. Scott Orndoff TE Pittsburgh, PA. - Scott Orndoff was the very first commitment of this class, and he was a good one. Orndoff picked Wisconsin very early in the process, but followed Chryst to Pitt. He had offers from Michigan, Michigan State, West Virginia, and Virginia. He is a big prospect at 6-6 245, and many believe he can play right away. Orndoff was not one of the absolute elite WPIAL players this season, but he was surely up there. It was a big signing for Pitt.

3. Tra'von Chapman QB Kent, OH. - Pitt was able to lock down a four star quarterback for the second consecutive season. Chapman is not a downfield gunner, but a very athletic QB. He can make plays on the run very well. Chapman is 6-2 200, so he is not a tiny player either. He picked Pitt over Arizona, Illinois, Northwestern, and Wisconsin. Chapman will likely redshirt, but he is enrolled early, and he is serious about competing this year. He is the type of player you would want in the program. He is the son of a coach as well, and very knowledgeable in the game.

Tyler Boyd

2. Tyler Boyd WR Clairton, PA. - Tyler Boyd gave Pitt quite the scare about switching schools, but stuck with the hometown Panthers. Boyd is a top 100 prospect, and was very highly sought after. He is the most important part of the "Killer T's" of CLiarton High School. He never lost a game at Clairton, and broke the all time touchdown mark in the WPIAL. Boyd is an absolute burner, and a game changer. He will play receiver at Pitt, but will see time in the return game, and may see snaps out of the backfield. He had offers ranging from the Big Ten, SEC, and Big 12. He was a national recruit, and a big plus for Pitt to keep him home.

1. Dorian Johnson OT Belle Vernon, PA. -  Way back when, Dorian Johnson pledged to Penn State, but the sanctions made him rethink that decision. Pitt beta out Ohio State and Virginia Tech for his services. Johnson played in the Under Armor All American game in Orlando and made quite an impression. He skyrocketed up the Rivals.com rankings, after frustrating one of the best recruits in the country. Johnson will get an opportunity to start right away. He certainly needs to bulk up, but Pitt's best recruit being an offensive linemen is tremendous.