Panthers Had Head Start on 2002 Recruiting Class
By Tony DeFazio

Things look much the same for the Pitt Panthers' football program in February 2002 as they did one year ago. Coming off their second consecutive 7-5 season, Pitt has again spent a good portion of the off-season fending off other schools for highly regarded local recruits as well as members of the coaching staff. Last year, Alabama and Ohio State came looking for head coach Walt Harris. This year it was Auburn offering a defensive coordinator position to Paul Rhoads, who holds the same post for the Panthers. Even some of the recruiting targets are the same.

Some of the top names in Pitt's 2002 recruiting class are familiar from their 2001 class, or at least the Panthers hope they are. Defensive back Josh Lay of Aliquippa and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald of Minnesota were probably Pitt's top two recruits one year ago. Neither blue-chipper qualified academically to play at Pitt last season and both spent the fall prepping at Valley Forge Military Academy. Lay is already enrolled at Pitt and will be on the field when the Panthers open spring practice next month. Fitzgerald, however, re-opened the recruiting process and visited Ohio State in January. The Panthers hope to receive a letter of intent from him on national letter-of-intent day, February 5.

A third member of last season's class, Pine-Richland OL Jason Capizzi, is enrolled at Pitt and will participate in spring practice.

At the head of Pitt's 2002 class is not Lay and Fitzgerald, however, but West Allegheny quarterback Tyler Palko. Recruited nationally for at least two seasons, Palko is possibly Walt Harris's greatest "get" yet. He was rated by Super Prep as the third best QB in the nation, and with the amount of talent in Western Pennsylvania, landing Palko should legitimize Pitt as viable choice for the nation's top recruits.

Recruiting coordinator Bryan Deal has been doing just that. Deal helped Pittsburgh lure a 23-player class in 2001 that The Sporting News ranked among the top 25 in the nation. At press time, Pitt's current class was ranked 31st by one recruiting organization, FansOnly.

Several players who have given the Panthers' coaching staff oral commitments to attend the university may be asked to contribute immediately. Lay and Fitzgerald could be two such players. Recent developments on the Panthers' team may have an impact on both Valley Forge recruits.

The graduation of Mark Ponko and R.J. English, combined with the early departure of Antonio Bryant and Ramon Walker, could potentially mean early playing time for Fitzgerald and Lay. Pitt will replace both starting receivers and both starting safeties next season, and Lay and Fitzgerald, if he attends Pitt, would probably vie for time.

Returning senior Lamar Slade, junior-to-be Yogi Roth, and sophomore-to-be Roosevelt Bynes are the only returning receivers who saw action in 2001. Fitzgerald would potentially compete with those three, as well as redshirt sophomore Donny Patrick and redshirt freshman Joe Stephens for a spot at receiver. Fellow recruit Billy Gaines could have an impact.

In the defensive secondary, Corey Humphries, Gary Urschler, and Ty Gilliard are the leading returning candidates to replace Ponko and Walker. There is no reason to think that Lay could not at least compete for, and possibly win, one of the two starting jobs, especially given the fact that he'll be on the field for spring practice. Lay is a natural corner, but cornerback is possibly Pitt's deepest position, with Shawntae Spencer, Torrie Cox, Shawn Robinson, Tutu Ferguson, and Taron Gray all returning. Lay has said that he prefers cornerback, but he'd welcome a move to safety if it meant the chance to play. His speed at free safety would be a boost to an already solid Pitt secondary.

At quarterback, many Panther fans are already talking about Palko making an impact as a freshman. Not so fast.

"I'm not sure that even a full year in Coach Harris's system is enough for a quarterback to fully run the offense," says Palko's father and West Allegheny head coach Bob Palko. "A redshirt is probably ideal for any quarterback as a freshman. But you never know what will unfold during the course of a football season, so you better be prepared."

Either Palko or Steel Valley's Luke Getsy will likely serve as at least the third string quarterback this season, however, which means either or both could see the field if the position is hit with even a minor rash of injuries. The Panthers enter spring practice with Rod Rutherford and Pat Hoderny as the only scholarship quarterbacks on the roster.

The recruit with the best chance to play right away though is kicker David Abdul of Masillon, Ohio. Abdul holds several school records, and will most likely dual with J.B. Gibboney for the chance to replace Nick Lotz. The job may even be Abdul's to lose.

Finally, Alabama transfer Brandon Miree could be another newcomer with a chance to play right away. Freshmen Ray Kirkley, Marcus Furman, and Mike Jemison all had significant roles last season at tailback, but Miree is talented enough to make his presence felt. Keep an eye on him this spring, as he may force some position changes for some current tailbacks. In addition to the three freshman from last season, several redshirt freshmen will enter the spring looking to make noise at tailback. Miree, though, may be the best of the bunch. He'll certainly give Kirkley, Furman and Jemison intense competition.

Some other newcomers along the defensive line could contend for playing time, including Ohio products Eric Fritz and Andy Alleman.

Pitt's Woodland hills pipeline got clogged this recruiting season as the Panthers lost two potential recruits in Steve Breaston, who committed to Michigan, and lineman Brian Borgoyn, who will attend Penn State.