VERBAL COMMITTMENTS
by Chris Dokish

Dorin Dickerson, WR
Imperial, PA/West Allegheny HS
6-2, 212
PITT VERBAL
As we first reported on Tuesday night, Dickerson will hold a press conference at the West Allegheny High School cafeteria at 5 PM on Thursday where he will become Pittsburgh’s sixth commitment of the season. His other finalist was Michigan. Others who offered include Penn State, Florida, Tennessee, Ohio State, LSU, Nebraska, Purdue, Michigan State, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Virginia. Dickerson will play wide receiver for the Panthers.

Nate Nix, LB
Pleasant Hills, PA/Thomas Jefferson HS
6-3, 215
PITT VERBAL
Nix became the fifth western Pennsylvania player to commit to the Panthers. He chose the Panthers over Iowa, Purdue, and West Virginia, who all offered verbally.  Nix has great athleticism and good speed. He also excels in pass coverage. He was recruited to play outside linebacker.

Josh Neubert, DE
Lansdale, PA/North Penn HS
6-4, 240
BOSTON COLLEGE VERBAL
Neubert has good speed for a DE – 4.86 forty – and had 10 sacks as a junior for powerful North Penn. Northwestern and Indiana also offered, but he was also getting interest from North Carolina, Wake Forest, and Duke.

Chris Dokish recently chatted with four of the top players in the state: Woodland Hills corner Darrin Walls, one of the top talents in the nation, Lebanon defensive tackle Jared Odrick, Franklin tight end Nate Byham, and QB Kevan Smith of Seneca Valley, one of the region’s rising stars. Here’s what they had to say.

Darrin Walls, CB
Pittsburgh, PA/Woodland Hills HS
6-0 ½, 175

Keystone Recruiting: How many offers do you have now?

Darrin Walls: About 30.

KR: I know you have been asked this a million times but, for the record, who are your favorites?

Walls: I wouldn’t say I have favorites. It’s just that three teams stand out right now.

KR: And they are?

Walls: Michigan, Florida, and Notre Dame.

KR: So it’s still the same three that it’s been for awhile now.

Walls: Yeah, I’m open to everybody but those three have been standing out the entire time.

KR: A lot of Michigan fans think you are going to Michigan and a lot of Notre Dame fans think you are going to play at Notre Dame. They are often battling it out.

Walls: (laughs) Yeah, I know, it’s a pretty good rivalry.

KR: Have you been to all three yet?

Walls: No, I’ve been to Michigan and Notre Dame but not Florida yet. I will probably take an official visit there later.

KR: What about Pitt or Penn State?

Walls: If I had a top 5, Pitt would be in there. They wanted me to come to camp this week but we are going to another passing camp down at WVU. I was just there and talked to the coaches. I’m supposed to talk to Coach (Paul) Rhoads again soon.

KR: Did Dorin (Dickerson) try to get you to come to Pitt with him?

Walls: Yeah, he was over my house on Monday and he told my dad that we were going to Pitt together (laughs).

KR: How did you do in the 7 on 7 passing camp at Pitt last weekend?

Walls: My team did well but I didn’t do as good.

KR: You had trouble with Nate Byham, huh? 

Walls: Yeah, he is a big boy. And he plays basketball and he really knows how to use his body and his hands. (Note: Byham is a member of the prestigious Pittsburgh J.O.T.S 16 and under AAU basketball team).

KR: Some people are questioning your size and say you aren’t 6’1”. How tall are you?

Walls: Well, at Nike (Camp at State College) I was measured at 6’0-½” but they put down 6’1”. And I’m 175 pounds.

KR: Are you qualified?

Walls: Yes.

KR: Thanks Darrin and good luck for the rest of the season.

Walls: Thanks.

Keystone Recruiting: How many offers do you have now?

Jared Odrick: Around 40.

KR: Have you narrowed your list some?

Odrick: Yeah, to around 10 or 15.

KR: Do you want to name them?

Odrick: Florida, Penn State, Virginia, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Miami, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, and USC.

KR: What about Pitt?

Odrick: Yeah, Pitt, too.

KR: Have all of those schools offered?

Odrick: All but USC officially.

KR: Do you feel that there is pressure to go to Penn State since they are so close to you?

Odrick: I wouldn’t call it pressure. But there are a lot of Penn State fans around here so I know they would like me to go there.

KR: I assume you have been there many times?

Odrick: Yes.

KR: How was it?

Odrick: I liked it.

KR: And you were at Pitt last year?

Odrick: Yeah but for a short time. I went to the Virginia Tech game there.

KR: Are you planning on going back again to visit?

Odrick: I wouldn’t mind getting back there. But they are on the bubble to be honest.  They are really almost off the list.

KR: When do you want to decide?

Odrick: I don’t know. If I get selected to the All-American game in San Antonio, I might do it there.

KR: Thanks for your time, Jared.

Odrick: No problem.

Keystone Recruiting: Any more offers lately?

Nate Byham: No, none for awhile.

KR: How many do you have now?

Byham: About 20.

KR: Who are your current favorites?

Byham: Pitt, West Virginia, Miami, USC, and Iowa.

KR: Have they all offered you?

Byham: Yes.

KR: Any of those five stand out more than the others?

Byham: Well, Pitt. I have always liked them the most. They are always so nice to me there.

KR: You just attended Pitt’s 7 on 7 camp where you broke your finger. How bad is it?

Byham: I’m getting surgery on Friday. They are putting pins in. But I will be back before football season.

KR: How did you enjoy the camp?

Byham: I always love it there at Pitt. I was having a great time until I broke my finger. I had four touchdowns against (Darrin) Walls, so that was exciting because he is such a good player.

KR: Are you qualified?

Byham: Yes.

KR: When would you like you make your decision?

Byham: I could make it at any time. I am just going to relax for the rest of the summer.

KR: Figured you proved yourself enough, huh?

Byham: Exactly.

KR: Thanks a lot, Nate.

Byham: Any time, man.

Keystone Recruiting: I understand today was a big day for you. (Pittsburgh offered a scholarship).

Kevan Smith: (laughs) Today was just nuts for me. My head’s spinning in circles now.

KR: How did it happen?

Smith: I was throwing some and they took me on a tour. Then they took me into Coach Wannstedt’s office and I said, “Oh man, this is it.” Then he told me that I was the kind of quarterback that was going to bring him championships. It was so awesome. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

KR: What other offers do you have?

Smith: Toledo and Central Michigan offered me yesterday. And at Michigan’s camp, Coach Carr singled me out. I couldn’t believe it. But he is supposed to talk to me soon.

KR: Pretty crazy stuff for somebody who only played two games last year. (Note: Smith, who broke his hand, took the cast off with the help of his friend so that he could help his winless team. They won the last two games of the season behind Smith’s 520 yards and 7 touchdown passes).

Smith: I know. Nobody knew who I was and now my name is going around everywhere. It’s so exciting to know that I won’t have to pay for college.

KR: How are your grades?

Smith: 3.8, 3.9. You can’t be stupid and play quarterback. They showed me the playbook at Pitt and I couldn’t believe it.

KR: Have you heard from Penn State yet?

Smith: No, but maybe I will now. They are probably wondering where I came from.

KR: Your mother says you were a Penn State fan growing up.

Smith: Well, my brother-in-law is a huge Penn State fan and he would give me a lot of stuff. I like both (Pitt and Penn State). I was born after the battles between the two schools.

KR: Do you know when you will commit?

Smith: Hopefully before the season starts.

KR: Well, congratulations, Kevan, and enjoy the ride.

Smith:  Thank you, I will.

Remember to send your scoops to Doke.

Keystone Recruiting is always looking for any scoops, inside info or leads that our readers can provide. Email Chris Dokish at doke88@yahoo.com with any info.

Our good friends at EasternPAFootball.com thought it would be fun for the fans to decide who would be the greatest PA State Champ since 1988. EasternFootball.com is running a fantasy state championship using the past champions that fans pick.

Pick out of a list of 32 teams from Class A and AA and 32 teams from Class AAA and AAAA. Decide the winners of each game based on how you think these teams would have matched up, although these match-ups will never happen. For example, you will decide the winner of Pittsburgh Central Catholic 2004 vs. Berwick 1992. Wow!

Check it out at http://www.easternpafootball.com/fantasytournament.html.