Blue Chip Receiver Makes It Official
by Tony DeFazio

“As you all already know, I’m committing to the University of Pittsburgh.”

With those words, West Allegheny wide receiver Dorin Dickerson gave a verbal commitment to the Pitt Panthers. The 6-2, 212-pound Dickerson held a low-key press conference in his high school gymnasium on Thursday evening in front of his family, friends, teammates and media to announce his college decision. Pitt and Michigan were his finalists, although Dickerson had over 20 offers from such schools as Florida, Ohio State, LSU, Penn State, Nebraska, Purdue, Michigan State, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Virginia.

Dickerson said he came to the conclusion he wanted to play for Pitt about three weeks ago after an hour-plus talk with Panthers receivers coach Aubrey Hill.

“We talked about everything, not just football, and I knew then where I wanted to go,” Dickerson said. “But I wanted to really think about everything and make sure this was what I wanted before I made any announcement.”

His coach, Bob Palko, said he thought his star receiver had started to grow weary of the recruiting process.

“Last week he started to talk about how he was getting tired of the process – the text messages, cell phone calls, emails…everything. It’s really a grueling process if you are a national recruit, like Dorin is, and I really think he was tired of it and he knew in his heart what he wanted,” Palko explained. “So he said he was ready, and my first response was ‘Dorin, are you sure? Are you sure you’re sure?’ And he said he was sure.”

Just two summers ago, Pitt received verbal commitments from two of the WPIAL’s biggest stars – North Hills running back Andrew Johnson and Penn Hills quarterback Anthony Morelli – only to see both sign elsewhere on Letter of Intent Day. Could that happen with Dickerson?

“No chance,” says the West A star. “I’m a Pittsburgh guy and I want to play here. I respect the people in Pittsburgh, the fans and especially the players on the team.”

When asked the same question about his player, Palko simply shook his head and said, “He wasn’t raised that way. The young man was not raised that way.”

Dickerson will play wide receiver for the Panthers, although he’s willing to play wherever the coaching staff wants him.

“If they need me there I’ll play there,” he said. “If there is an open position on the field, I’ll play where the coaches need me.”

Keystone Recruiting has confirmed that Baldwin High School stars Jason Pinkston and Justin Hargrove will hold a press conference at the South Hills Country Club on Monday at approximately 7:00 PM to announce their college choice. While PSR was informed of the decision, the young men prefer to make the public announcement themselves, so out of respect for their wishes, we will let them do that.

The 6’4-½”, 280-pound Pinkston is considered one of the top defensive tackles in the country and one of the top five players in the state of Pennsylvania. He has approximately 20 written offers, including Pittsburgh, Penn State, West Virginia, Ohio State, Michigan, Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida, LSU, Louisville, Iowa, and Wisconsin.  His final three are Michigan, Pittsburgh, and Georgia.

Hargrove is a sleeper, as he missed all but two games during his junior season due to a high ankle sprain. He was expected to get many more offers during the upcoming season, but decided that he already found the school that he wanted to attend.

“I was always a fan of them so I figured I would just do it now,” said Hargrove in a recent interview.

Hargrove says he is now 6’4” and between 240-245 pounds and recently ran a 4.52 forty at Joe Butler’s Metro Index Camp. He has offers from Pittsburgh, Marshall, Akron and Kent State. Last season at Baldwin, he started at halfback at the end of the season and he is expected to start at that position again this fall. He also played tight end, linebacker and defensive end. He is being recruited as a defensive end by most, though Pittsburgh recently told him that they have some interest in him at outside linebacker also.

The emergence of linebackers Paul Posluszny and Dan Connor last fall left no doubt that, despite a down season or two, Penn State is still Linebacker U. Only two backers were added in last season’s recruiting class – although Jerome Hayes and Upper St. Clair’s Sean Lee both have bright futures – so expect the Lions to go heavy at the position this season. At least half a dozen prep linebackers have been offered scholarships by Penn State thus far. Keystone Recruiting takes a look at each.

Navorro Bowman, LB
6-0, 218
Suitland/Suitland MD

With over 20 offers, Bowman has become one of the hottest players on the east coast. Back to back performances at Penn State Nike Camp and New Jersey’s Elite Camp – where he was said to be even more impressive than at Penn State – have vaulted him to blue-chip status by several recruiting services. He was named Maryland’s Defensive Player of the Year after recording 165 tackles and 9 sacks as a junior – to go along with 1,250 yards rushing and 22 touchdowns.

Local school Maryland once seemed to be the team to beat for Bowman, although Virginia Tech appears to have closed the gap. Bowman has said that he loves the ACC and is only considering a few schools outside the conference, including Penn State, Tennessee and Texas. Oklahoma, Illinois, Michigan State, Connecticut and Syracuse are also in pursuit.

Coached by Nick Lynch at Suitland, Bowman has already qualified to play as a freshman.

Bani Gbadyu, OLB
Gaithersburg, MD/Quince Orchard HS
6-1, 205

The Nittany Lions are among six schools Gbadyu (pronounced BAHD-joo) considers as possible leaders, along with LSU, Virginia Tech, Ohio State, Nebraska and Boston College. Clemson, Georgia, Oklahoma and N.C. State are also in the mix. He plans to take official visits to LSU and Nebraska in September. Three other schools will also get a visit, although he’s not sure which ones they will be. Expect Ohio State and the ACC – particularly Virginia Tech and Boston College – to make a strong run for his services.

Penn State plans to be right there as well. Gbadyu is impressed with – not surprisingly – Beaver Stadium, Joe Paterno, and the tradition that is Penn State football. Larry Johnson is recruiting him and that also appears to bode well for the Lions. Gbadyu plans to visit Penn State this week.

Jeremiha Hunter, LB
Manheim, PA/unknown
6-2, 220

Hunter, rated No. 9 in Pennsylvania by Keystone Recruiting, has over 30 offers including Penn State, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, West Virginia and Connecticut.

Hunter runs a 4.55 forty and has been impressive on both sides of the ball, piling up 143 tackles, 5 sacks and 4 interceptions his junior season – in addition to gaining 1,100 yards and scoring 24 touchdowns on offense. Ohio State, Georgia, Florida and Georgia Tech, among others, have talked to him about playing running back. Most schools project him as a linebacker, however, including Penn State.

So where do the Lions fit in?

Apparently right there with the other top schools. Hunter attended the Blue and White Game this past spring, and his father Brian, who has been impressed with the Penn State coaching staff, mentions that geography is always an issue. Larry Johnson is recruiting Hunter.

Initially, Michigan was a clear favorite for Hunter, but that changed when Wolverine defensive line coach Bill Sheridan took the same position with the NFL's New York Giants in February. Since his departure, Hunter says Michigan has fallen a bit.

Hunter’s summer is going relatively slow, as he had a second surgery on his arm May 5 to repair some broken bones that were not healing well. The setback won’t allow him to resume workouts until July, but should not be a hindrance to his senior season.

It’s not only his college choice that has people paying attention to Hunter, though. The star linebacker has withdrawn from Pennsylvania Triple-A power Manheim Central and plans to transfer into a program closer to the Harrisburg area, where his father works. There have been plenty of rumors about where he will wind up, the most common of which is Bishop McDevitt, although Harrisburg High has also been mentioned.

Andrew Moten, OLB
Gwynn Park, MD/ Suitland HS
6-2, 193

Penn State is one of three schools to offer a scholarship to Moten, along with Maryland and Illinois. Moten, who has added about 15 pounds since last spring, impressed college scouts at Maryland’s camp, where he showed enough athleticism and versatility that some recruiters believe he can play strong safety despite not playing the position in high school. Moten will play tight end and linebacker for Suitland this season, where be will line up with highly sought-after teammate Navorro Bowman. Moten boasts a 3.25 GPA and is also interested in Georgia Tech, Stanford and Vanderbilt.

Colin Neely, LB
Bethlehem, PA/Freedom HS
6-2, 250

Neely currently projects as a linebacker, but his athleticism and his size could make him a tight end or even a defensive end eventually. He caught 20 passes for over 400 yards and 4 touchdowns as a junior, and recorded 60 tackles – including 10 sacks – on the defensive side of the ball.

While Neely often mentions Virginia as being one of his favorites, the Cavaliers have not offered a scholarship just yet. He has also talked about Penn State, Michigan State and Syracuse as schools near the top of his list. Penn State’s close proximity will certainly be a factor in his final decision, which he would like to have out of the way before his senior season. West Virginia, Rutgers, Boston College, Maryland, Pitt and Iowa have also been involved.

Penn State recruiting coordinator Mike McQueary is recruiting Neely.

Andrew Quarless, OLB
Uniondale, NY/Uniondale HS
6-4, 200

One of the top prospects in the state of New York, Quarless is being recruited as both a tight end and outside linebacker. In addition to the Nittany Lions, Quarless entertains offers from Boston College, Miami (FL), Rutgers, Syracuse, Virginia and Big 10 rival Wisconsin. He has no real leaders at this stage, although he is expected to camp at Penn State this month and take an unofficial visit this summer. Safeties coach Brian Norwood is handling his recruiting.

Apparently, the new trend of committing to Pitt has not been lost on Gateway High School athlete Aaron Smith. The 5’11”, 175-pounder has 17 written offers and a new leader.

Keystone Recruiting: Do you have a leader yet?

Aaron Smith: Yeah, Pittsburgh now.

KR: I know you are friends with Dorin Dickerson. Did he try to recruit you to Pitt?

Smith: No, not yet. But (Jason) Pinkston talked to me a few days ago. If he commits to Pitt on Monday, then Pitt is my leader for sure.

KR: Do you think you would commit to them, or anybody else, soon or wait it out some?

Smith: If Pinkston commits on Monday to Pitt, then I will probably commit before school starts.

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.

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