Football Recruiting - Southeast Region: Pittsburgh Panthers
RB McKenzie preparing to cut list to seven 
May, 17, 2013
May 17
12:30
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
At the end of the March, Washington (Pa.) High running back Shai McKenzie cut his list of more than 30 offers to 15. He's just about ready to snip that list in half once again.
The 5-foot-11, 212-pound back is looking to name a top seven soon, most likely after summer trips to Georgia, Georgia Tech and possibly Florida State. He knows two teams that are in great shape to make the cut already.
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Clemson offer blows ESPN 150 WR's mind
April, 30, 2013
Apr 30
7:57
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Adonis Jennings almost could not believe it. He might have been the MVP of a recent Nike football camp and rated an ESPN 150 prospect, but the Erial (N.J.) Timber Creek receiver was in more in awe about Clemson offering Monday night.
“It’s mind blowing they offered,” Jennings said. “I know the head coach is Dabo Swinney and he’s a great coach and I heard a lot about him. I’ve seen a lot of Clemson games on TV.”
“It’s mind blowing they offered,” Jennings said. “I know the head coach is Dabo Swinney and he’s a great coach and I heard a lot about him. I’ve seen a lot of Clemson games on TV.”
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Nicholson's recruitment has Steel City feel
April, 4, 2013
Apr 4
2:00
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
When Stanford and Vanderbilt offered ESPN Watch List athlete Montae Nicholson (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway), it immediately caught his attention. Both programs have the athletics, but more importantly the academics, he is looking for in a school.
“I understand there’s life after football,” Nicholson said. “If I’m blessed enough to make it to the NFL, I’ll be done by the time I’m 35 if I’m lucky. So I have 25 years after that until I retire.”
Academics will only be part of the equation for Nicholson, whose recruitment has a very local flavor despite offers from all over the country.
“I understand there’s life after football,” Nicholson said. “If I’m blessed enough to make it to the NFL, I’ll be done by the time I’m 35 if I’m lucky. So I have 25 years after that until I retire.”
Academics will only be part of the equation for Nicholson, whose recruitment has a very local flavor despite offers from all over the country.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Outside linebacker Jacob Pugh (Tallahassee, Fla./Godby) isn’t exactly sure of how many offers he has. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound junior has not counted them. Once he had received over 30 offers to the top programs in the nation, there really seemed no point in doing so. Pugh is more concerned about the five that he has on top.
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Adonis Jennings (Erial, N.J./Timber Creek) has offers up and down the Atlantic Coast, and he is willing to go to any school interested.
Massachusetts, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Temple and UCF are the Watch List receiver’s five FBS offers, and he has two more FCS offers from Delaware and Old Dominion. He has visited some of those schools but wants to get out to several more, including UCF.
Massachusetts, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Temple and UCF are the Watch List receiver’s five FBS offers, and he has two more FCS offers from Delaware and Old Dominion. He has visited some of those schools but wants to get out to several more, including UCF.
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Alex Bookser (Pittsburgh/Mt. Lebanon) was wandering the halls when his high school coach told him he had a phone call to make and to head to the athletics office. Ohio State wanted to get in touch with him.
The 6-foot-6, 295-pound two-way lineman was a little surprised. Not that the Buckeyes were interested but that his coach Mike Melnyk, a former Michigan placekicker, was telling him about it.
The 6-foot-6, 295-pound two-way lineman was a little surprised. Not that the Buckeyes were interested but that his coach Mike Melnyk, a former Michigan placekicker, was telling him about it.
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Watch List QB, Pitt commit talks Tide, Vols
February, 27, 2013
Feb 27
8:59
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Following two days of visits to Alabama and Tennessee, quarterback Chandler Kincade (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk) added a few physical and mental exercises he can take back to Western Pennsylvania with him.
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PITTSBURGH -- At the beginning, all of the local usual suspects were on 2014 two-way lineman Alex Bookser (Pittsburgh/Mt. Lebanon). Maryland, Pittsburgh, Rutgers and West Virginia were among the first schools to offer.
But right before the contact period ended, new Florida State assistant coach Sal Sunseri came through Mount Lebanon and had good news for Bookser.
But right before the contact period ended, new Florida State assistant coach Sal Sunseri came through Mount Lebanon and had good news for Bookser.
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ESPN RecruitingNation has signing day covered. Follow ESPNU’s coverage, chat with analysts and get breaking news on our Signing Day Live page beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET through 7 p.m. ET. For more on what to expect on signing day, check out the ACC conference breakdown 
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Bold prediction: Virginia Tech will climb back toward the top of the conference after signing a strong 2013 class.
Boston College
Biggest need: Playmakers at running back.
Biggest recruit: Three-star athlete Myles Willis will make the transition from high school option quarterback to running back for Steve Addazio’s spread offense.
Clemson
Biggest need: Playmakers on defense.
Biggest recruit: While the Tigers’ chances at four-star prospect Montravius Adams are slipping, there are some quality recruits on board, including ESPN 150 defensive end Ebenezer Ogundeko.
Duke
Biggest need: Defensive backs for the 4-2-5 package.
Biggest recruit: Three-star cornerback Evrett Edwards should be able to come in and play early.
Florida State
Biggest need: Offensive linemen and front-seven depth.
Biggest recruit: Florida State lost ESPN 150 offensive lineman Austin Golson a week ago and has been frantically trying to get him to recommit.
Georgia Tech
Biggest need: Team speed.
Biggest recruit: Several options here, but three-star wide receiver Ricky Jeune should find a spot on the field quickly.
Maryland
Biggest need: Playmakers and depth.
Biggest recruit: Junior college wide receiver Deon Long should be able to line up across from Stefon Diggs and give the Terps another major vertical threat.
Miami
Biggest need: Run-stopping defenders.
Biggest recruit: Five-star prospect Matthew Thomas is the most coveted prospect in the eyes of Hurricanes fans, but four-star defensive tackle Jay-nard Bostwick fits an even bigger need.
North Carolina
Biggest need: Playmakers on defense.
Biggest recruit: At the top of the class are two ESPN 150 prospects in cornerback Brian Walker and defensive tackle Greg Webb. Both will get early looks.
North Carolina State
Biggest need: Athletes for spread offense.
Biggest recruit: Three-star wide receiver Johnathan Alston leads a very good class of skill players.
Pittsburgh
Biggest need: Speed on offense.
Biggest recruit: Four-star offensive lineman Dorian Johnson is one of the best in the nation.
Syracuse
Biggest need: Quality depth on defense.
Biggest recruit: Junior college linebacker Luke Arciniega has the potential to be a big-time contributor in the fall.
Virginia
Biggest need: Defensive backs.
Biggest recruit: ESPN 150 running back Taquan Mizzell and four-star defensive back Tim Harris are two players to watch early.
Virginia Tech
Biggest need: Team speed on defense.
Biggest recruit: ESPN 150 prospect Kendall Fuller leads one of Frank Beamer’s best classes.
Wake Forest
Biggest need: Playmakers on defense.
Biggest recruit: Four-star linebacker Lance Virgile is the sort of physical presence Wake Forest’s defense will need in the future.
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Bold prediction: Virginia Tech will climb back toward the top of the conference after signing a strong 2013 class.
Boston College
Biggest need: Playmakers at running back.
Biggest recruit: Three-star athlete Myles Willis will make the transition from high school option quarterback to running back for Steve Addazio’s spread offense.
Clemson
Biggest need: Playmakers on defense.
Biggest recruit: While the Tigers’ chances at four-star prospect Montravius Adams are slipping, there are some quality recruits on board, including ESPN 150 defensive end Ebenezer Ogundeko.
Duke
Biggest need: Defensive backs for the 4-2-5 package.
Biggest recruit: Three-star cornerback Evrett Edwards should be able to come in and play early.
Florida State
Biggest need: Offensive linemen and front-seven depth.
Biggest recruit: Florida State lost ESPN 150 offensive lineman Austin Golson a week ago and has been frantically trying to get him to recommit.
Georgia Tech
Biggest need: Team speed.
Biggest recruit: Several options here, but three-star wide receiver Ricky Jeune should find a spot on the field quickly.
Maryland
Biggest need: Playmakers and depth.
Biggest recruit: Junior college wide receiver Deon Long should be able to line up across from Stefon Diggs and give the Terps another major vertical threat.
Miami
Biggest need: Run-stopping defenders.
Biggest recruit: Five-star prospect Matthew Thomas is the most coveted prospect in the eyes of Hurricanes fans, but four-star defensive tackle Jay-nard Bostwick fits an even bigger need.
North Carolina
Biggest need: Playmakers on defense.
Biggest recruit: At the top of the class are two ESPN 150 prospects in cornerback Brian Walker and defensive tackle Greg Webb. Both will get early looks.
North Carolina State
Biggest need: Athletes for spread offense.
Biggest recruit: Three-star wide receiver Johnathan Alston leads a very good class of skill players.
Pittsburgh
Biggest need: Speed on offense.
Biggest recruit: Four-star offensive lineman Dorian Johnson is one of the best in the nation.
Syracuse
Biggest need: Quality depth on defense.
Biggest recruit: Junior college linebacker Luke Arciniega has the potential to be a big-time contributor in the fall.
Virginia
Biggest need: Defensive backs.
Biggest recruit: ESPN 150 running back Taquan Mizzell and four-star defensive back Tim Harris are two players to watch early.
Virginia Tech
Biggest need: Team speed on defense.
Biggest recruit: ESPN 150 prospect Kendall Fuller leads one of Frank Beamer’s best classes.
Wake Forest
Biggest need: Playmakers on defense.
Biggest recruit: Four-star linebacker Lance Virgile is the sort of physical presence Wake Forest’s defense will need in the future.
Tyler Boyd struggling with final decision
February, 5, 2013
Feb 5
1:26
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
With less than 24 hours until signing day, ESPN 300 athlete Tyler Boyd (Clairton, Pa./Clairton) is still wrestling with his decision.
That decision will come at 10 a.m. Wednesday at his high school with his teammates, his mother, Tonya Payne, told ESPN.com in a text message.
Earlier Tuesday, Payne said it was up in the air whether Boyd, No. 165 in the ESPN 300, would announce at 10 a.m. ET Wednesday at his high school with his teammates. Boyd will fax his letter of intent to Pittsburgh, Tennessee or West Virginia.
That decision will come at 10 a.m. Wednesday at his high school with his teammates, his mother, Tonya Payne, told ESPN.com in a text message.
Earlier Tuesday, Payne said it was up in the air whether Boyd, No. 165 in the ESPN 300, would announce at 10 a.m. ET Wednesday at his high school with his teammates. Boyd will fax his letter of intent to Pittsburgh, Tennessee or West Virginia.
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The recruitment of four-star athlete Tyler Boyd (Clairton, Pa./Clairton) has taken another major turn.
Boyd and his family were scheduled to host West Virginia for an in-home visit Friday night, but his mother Tonya Payne said she spoke with the West Virginia coaches Wednesday night and that plan has changed.
Boyd and his family were scheduled to host West Virginia for an in-home visit Friday night, but his mother Tonya Payne said she spoke with the West Virginia coaches Wednesday night and that plan has changed.
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Queiro names leader among three offers
January, 24, 2013
Jan 24
10:15
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
It was the best game of Cameron Queiro’s career. The Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic athlete was all over the field making tackles.
The last tackle he would make that game also would be the last of his season. In the season’s fifth game, Queiro suffered a concussion and then a seizure on the field.
“Any seizure is no activity for two to three months,” Queiro said.
So he missed the state championship game, one Bergen Catholic could have used Queiro in as its defense allowed a late touchdown that cost them a title.
Queiro said he is back to 100 percent healthy. He’s lifting and back to doing physical activity. He gained some muscle, too, and he said a lot of people think he looks different but in a good way.
The last tackle he would make that game also would be the last of his season. In the season’s fifth game, Queiro suffered a concussion and then a seizure on the field.
“Any seizure is no activity for two to three months,” Queiro said.
So he missed the state championship game, one Bergen Catholic could have used Queiro in as its defense allowed a late touchdown that cost them a title.
Queiro said he is back to 100 percent healthy. He’s lifting and back to doing physical activity. He gained some muscle, too, and he said a lot of people think he looks different but in a good way.
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Vols' big recruiting weekend dealt a blow
January, 24, 2013
Jan 24
6:50
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Knoxville has been teeming with top 2013 prospects since Butch Jones began hosting visitors in January, but the new Tennessee coach will no longer be bringing in a top target on campus as planned.
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ESPN 300 ATH, Pitt commit visiting Vols?
January, 24, 2013
Jan 24
12:12
AM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
When ESPN 300 athlete Tyler Boyd (Clairton, Pa./Clairton) committed to Pittsburgh on national TV, he did it with the disclaimer he would make official visits to other programs.
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Three-star DT Gibbs on NC State official
January, 20, 2013
Jan 20
1:23
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Kenton Gibbs (Detroit/Cass Tech) made his first visit to NC State this weekend.
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RECRUITING NATION SOUTHEAST COVERAGE
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