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.