Pitt Football Recruiting: Top Position Needs for 2011

Pitt coach Todd Graham will create the 2011 Panther offense around new recruits and existing personnel. He is not planning to run a spread but something “spread like.”

Graham will probably use three receivers and a version of the H-back. At Tulsa last season, the H-back played a dual role of running back and wide receiver.

Graham also likes his quarterback to produce high yard totals. His 2010 Tulsa QB G.J. Ginne was Tulsa’s leading producer on offense and won Conference USA honors.

Pitt’s 2010 quarterback Tino Sunsersi demonstrated ability to gain rushing yards but in limited situations producing low numbers.

Three key players on the 2010 squad opted for the NFL draft. Replacing flanker Jon Baldwin, full back Henry Hynoski, and tail back Dion Lewis, along with finding a junior college center will be Graham’s first priority.

Pitt Fans Will Finally See Fair Competition For Quarterback

Pitt’s fickle fans called for Tino Sunseri to start at the outset of the 2009 season when Bill Stull appeared to be continuing his dismal performance from the Sun Bowl.  Stull improved with the guidance of offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti and posted a 19-7 record overall and sixth in school history with 5,252 career passing yards.

Unlike former coach Dave Wannstedt who may have awarded the job to Sunsersi based on his ties to Tino’s father Sal Sunseri, Graham has promised an open competition at this position.

Vying will be Sunseri, Anthony Gonzalez, and Greg Myers. Gonzalez had an outstanding senior season at Liberty High in Pennsylvania two years ago and Myers was the top quarterback prospect from Ohio.

Jon Baldwin's Exit Leaves Big Hole at Wide Receiver

Flanker Jon Baldwin decided to turn pro as most fans expected.

Like many highly touted players in the Wannstedt system, he never reached his potential and slacked off a little this past season.

With an enhanced role in Graham’s system, the wide receiver position is critical. Mike Shanahan is the same height as Baldwin, 6’5”, and the sophomore showed great promise last season as a split end.

Devin Street and Cameron Saddler are two other receivers who could have prominent roles in Grahams offensive schemes.

Mike Cruz, another 6’5” sophomore, returns in his tight end position. If Cruz can stay clear of trouble, he could have a very productive 2011 season.

Ray Graham Will Anchor New Running Backs With Lewis Exit to NFL

Dion Lewis made the decision to turn pro prior to the BBVA Compass Bowl. He intends to prove the naysayers wrong. He isn’t too small to play pro.

His partner from 2011 Ray Graham returns. Graham had a break-out season in 2010 and will share time with another running back this season. Graham is talented and adaptable and those traits will help him excel in Pitt’s new offense.

Graham’s two tailbacks only accounted for 588 yards on 146 carries last season. Lewis had 197 carries by himself.

Optioning more for the pass could reduce the role of the running back at Pitt.

Graham Auditioning JUCOs For Crucial Center Position

Walk-on Alex Karabin was Pitt’s senior center last season. Pitt has a critical need at this position for 2011.

Pitt had a critical need at this position at times in 2010 like the West Virginia game when Karabin snapped the ball over Sunseri’s head at a key point in the game.

Pitt had used a junior college transfer at the center spot for the 2008 and ’09 seasons.

Karabin’s backup last season was freshman Jack Lippert who played sparingly. 

There are no center prospects listed on Pantherlair’s hot list for Pitt.

Halfback Or H-Back In Graham's Spread-Like Offense?

Henry Hynoski decided to turn pro around the same time Dion Lewis announced his decision.

Hynoski played a strong full back position for Wannstedt. He sustained a concussion in the Louisville game but came back to finish the season.

Graham may decide to use an H-back instead. He may look at junior Chris Mike who played backup for Hynoski to fill the H-back slot.

Graham brought in three running back candidates this week and may be looking for one of them to fill the H-back position.

Replacing Left End Jabaal Sheard Is No Easy Task

Jabaal Sheard just completed a stellar career at Pitt playing left end. It will be difficult for Graham to find someone as talented as Sheard at that position.

Sheard’s back-ups -- junior Justin Hargrove and freshman Bryan Murphy -- are ready to step up.

Newcomer Khaynin Mosley-Smith could also be slated for the left end position.

Pitt Looking For Corner To Replace Experienced Ricky Gary

Ricky Gary was one of Pitt’s most experienced players in the secondary. This past season he started at cornerback, a position he was prepared for having made 10 career starts prior to last season.

The highlight of Gary’s year was his 80-yard interception return for a touchdown at Syracuse.

Pitt has some talent at this position but no one with Gary’s experience.

Junior Buddy Jackson is waiting to step up along with freshman K’Wuan Willians.

Antwuan Reed returns for his senior season at the other cornerback position.

Double-Booked Kicker Dan Hutchins Leaves Big Feet To Replace

One Pitt specialist will be sorely missed in 2011.

Dan Hutchins doubled as place kicker and punter. He was selected first team All Big East at punter and was a semifinalist for the Ray Guy award.

He led Pitt in scoring with 85 points and converted 16-of-23 field goals for a 69.6 percent average.

His PAT kicking percentage was 100 percent, tying him for first place in the conference.

His backups sophomore Kevin Harper and freshmen Matt Yoklic have negligible experience.

If Pitt fans are still dreaming about Hutchins as the 2011 season wears on, there will be a problem for Graham. 

Pitt Needs a Real Game Day Coach Who Adapts & Utilizes Talent

After five years of decent recruiting under Dave Wannstedt the talent level at Pitt, even after graduation and NFL-departures, is still high.

Pitt's most critical need is for a well-prepared game-day coach who will make decisions that help the program win.

Pitt needs a coach who will:

Put the best players on the field regardless of how many times their dads have golfed with him.

Motivate the team to excel and take action like benching  players who are clearly out of the zone.

Know how to manage the clock and know when to take time-outs.

Serve effectively in the role of authority figure, father figure, and friend to players.

Get off a dead horse when he isn't moving and saddle up a live one.