Being right in the middle of the season, sometimes it is tough to write about certain aspects of the team. With the new coaching staff, one aspect that should be in the back of all Panther fans' minds are some guys that could possibly help out next year, despite the fact that they are neither part of last season's recruiting class OR seniors in high school, who are in this year's recruiting class. They are the transfers. Pitt had several big ones come from other schools and could have an impact next season. I recently asked Post-Gazette beat writer, Paul Zeise about the transfers. He said he has a planned blog on the red-shirt diaries coming and that should be interesting. Zeise has great insight on the program and the parts of it that most people don't see. So be on the look out for that, but until then, let's revisit these guys:
Of course, there is a player contributing this season, in senior running back Zach Brown. Brown transferred from Wisconsin and was granted immediate eligibility due to graduating and obtaining his degree from the Badgers. Unfortunately he will not be around next year, so he is one and done.
EJ Banks - EJ Banks is the other transfer that was granted eligibility right away. Banks was granted a hardship, as he took a medical red-shirt with the Irish first, and then did not play last year. There is an illness in the family and Banks wanted to be closer to that situation. The 2009 senior was a 3 star recruit according to Rivals and was the 45th ranked athlete and 13th in the state of Pennsylvania. Notre Dame won the recruiting war for Banks, and the list of offers included Pitt, Florida State, Ohio State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, and WVU. While he has not made an impact this season, it should be interesting to see how Banks adjusts with a full year under his belt and while he may be in the defensive backfield, he could be changed to receiver.
Tom Ricketts - This is a big one. When Ricketts committed to Penn State, it was seen by many (not me, as I believe a senior in high school should do what HE wants to do, not what others did before him or what others want him to do) in the Pitt community as treason. His father was a star at Pitt and many felt it was a given he would come to Pitt. It probably hurt more because he is at a position of need, in offensive tackle. Ricketts was ranked 6th in the state and the 19th offensive tackle in 2010. He was not granted eligibility this season. The former 4 star recruit was being pursued by Pitt and Penn State of course, but also had offers from Florida State, Standford, and Boston College. He dealt with some injuries at State College and also had trouble adjusting up there. Maybe his heart was always with the Panthers. Hopefully this year off and then coming into spring ball, he can provide some competition at the tackle position. God knows the Panthers need it badly.
Brandon Felder - This North Carolina recruit loved it down in Chapel Hill. This move did not have much to do with football. There is an illness in the family and Felder wanted to be closer. Unfortunately, the heartless robot, known as the NCAA, did not grant him a hardship and he is sitting out the year. The 2010 3 star recruit was offered by Boston College and Syracuse, in addition to Pitt and UNC. He was ranked by rivals as the 13th best player in Pennsylvania and the 47th athlete overall. He is also at a position that is struggling this season...wide receiver.
Ray Vinopal and Cullen Christian - Two players followed Tony Gibson from Michigan to the Panthers. These 2010 recruits were both in the defensive backfield and know the system Gibson is teaching well. One year away from it, will help get them comfortable at Pitt and give the Panthers even more depth in a very crowded defensive backfield. With these two eligible next season, Pitt's safeties and cornerbacks will be very deep, with a lot of competition. Christian was a very hot recruit in 2010, and received a 4 star rating from rivals. He was also ranked 2nd in the state of PA and the 8th cornerback overall. In addition to Pitt and Michigan, Christian held offers from UCLA, Ohio State, and WVU. Vinopal was not as highly touted coming out of high school and only held offers from Kent State and Bowling Green and received 2 stars from rivals. The scouting services obviously overlooked Vinopal, as he started 4 games as a true freshman last season and played in 6 games.
While only Brown and Banks are eligible this season, it should be interesting as the above players will have a full year in the Panthers system, on top of the fact, that they spent last season at other BCS level programs. They are allowed to participate in practice and conditioning and are on the team, except they can't play in games. This will give them a leg up as they are not spending this year adjusting to being a college student. They have been in a college program previously, so while they are getting to know the Panthers' program, they are not exactly wide eyed freshman coming in. Hopefully they can help Pitt in some areas of need next year, and not be exactly newbies to the college level.
Before I finish this blog post, a twitter thread has indicated that WVU fans are trying to invade Heinz Field on Wednesday for the UConn game. Why? Well, have you been to Morgantown? What else are they going to do? My thoughts...who cares...I don't. If they want to make Pitt look better on a nationally televised game by filling seats and make UConn look like they travel better then they do (so that maybe the ACC looks at them harder), and wants to donate to the Pitt football team....so be it. Once again, Mountaineer fans showing their true intelligence.
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