Panthers Add a pair of Defensive Recruits.

James Conner

                  Pitt coach Paul Chryst has landed two more verbal commitments for his 2013 recruiting class. Luke Maclean is a 6-3 230 pound Linebacker/Defensive End combo player that verbally committed on August 12. He is a consensus three star recruit by Scout,Rivals, and ESPN.  He is from Grand Blanc, Michigan and had offers from other BCS schools in Cincinnati,Georgia Tech, Indiana, and Kansas. He is a rare recruit from the state of Michigan.  Pitt also has received a commitment from Defensive End, James Conner. Conner is from McDowell High School in Erie and is listed at 6-3 225 pounds. He is rated a three star by Rivals.com and is listed as the 12th best player in Pennsylvania and the 24th rated weakside defensive end. He is unrated by ESPN, and a two star by Scout.  Conner did not have any other BCS level offers, but held a number of MAC offers.
              Pitt landed two players in positions of need. The Defensive Line is thin with the Panthers, and Pitt had not gotten a Linebacker commitment for 2013. They certainly are not the blue chip recruits Pitt fans are looking for, but they do not appear to weak links. Pitt needs defensive players to add, and the other names out there do not have Pitt leans. These guys could turn out to be productive players. Maclean's highlight tape is rather impressive, and it looks like he has a Scott McKillop knack for the ball.  I know fans expect big things right away, and Chryst is not delivering. The guy is not Urban Meyer and he is not outspoken. I do not think that means he is not trying to get top flight players, it means he is having a tough time selling Pitt. Pitt has not been the place for stability of late. They have been through seemingly a million coaches in the past three seasons, and recruits obviously have noticed. Pitt has been able to attract top local talent through the years, and there is no doubt Chryst can still do that in time. Robert Foster, Dorian Johnson, and Tyler Boyd are still out there for this season, and could still end up with the Panthers. Chryst could still please the casual fans with grabbing some of those type of guys, but he is quietly adding depth until that happens. Pitt has room for 23 incoming recruits without counting early exits or transfers. Pitt has 15 commitments so far, so there is room to add eight more guys. I hope he can continue to add depth on both sides of the line. The big recruits will happen in the future, I'm not worried they aren't jumping on board right away.