A whole season has passed and Pitt's recruiting class (unlike last season's catastrophe), is coming along nicely thanks to some real leadership amongst the commits. Let's take a look at Pitt's current list of commits and where they can pick up a few names between now and National Signing Day on February 1st. Pitt currently has 15 seniors set to leave the team before next season and is four scholarships under the 85 allowed to FBS programs.
QB: Chad Voytik
Just like all of the current commits, Voytik committed to Fraud Graham before he decided to leave for his next dream job. But Voytik stuck around because he, and the rest of the commits, believe this class can do something special. There's a lot to like about Chad. He's got a laser of an arm and is fairly capable of completing deep passes. He mainly throws out of the shotgun, so he may have some adjustment going into a pro-style offense. But he will likely have a season to learn the offense as (much to the dismay of some readers) I don't think he will surpass Tino on the depth chart. But you never know...
RB: Rushel ShellHere he is. The guy Pitt fans can't wait to see in a Panther uniform. Shell is a strong, yet elusive running back who, for seasons, tormented the high school ranks in Pennsylvania with his ability. Now he brings that to a unit already stocked at running back and will make it one of the best in the country. He is already the top rusher in Pennsylvania high school football history. Could he be top rusher in Pitt history by the time his collegiate days are over? We can only hope so.
WR: Demetrious Davis, Chris Davis, Corey Jones, Trenton Coles
Pitt actually will not be graduating any wide receivers this season, so the team is adding talent and depth there ... and that's desperately needed. Part of the problem with the receivers was that they weren't meant to play in a spread. Typically, the number of different routes is significantly more in that type of offense as opposed to a pro-style. But with these guys, Pitt will get a good mix of speed and pass-catching abilities needed to excel under Paul Chryst.
The top prospect is Demetrious Davis, who is a quick and versatile playmaker. He was a quarterback in high school, but will likely line up as a slot receiver in college.
Next is the speedy receiver from Penn Hills, Corey Jones. Again, speed, speed, and more speed. He gets into the open field, watch out. Jones has good hands and can turn on a dime if needed.
Chris Davis, twin brother of Demetrious, doesn't quite offer the same skill sets his brother does, but he is just as versatile and quick. Trenton Coles is not as quick as the others, but has great hands and is elusive enough to make DBs miss for big gains. He isn't as strong, but is tall (6'3") so with a season or two in the weight room, he can become a red zone target in the future.
TE: No current commits
Pitt is still quite young at tight end, with only one upperclassman (Hubie Graham). So the fact that they may not add another one here isn't all that alarming. But a name to keep an eye on is local prospect J.P. Holtz, who was originally a Penn State commit before reopening his recruitment after the scandal broke - he's reportedly high on the Panthers. Holtz is more of a blocking tight end, but is a decent receiver as well.
Offensive line: Brandyn Cook (C), Adam Bisnowaty (T), Adam Pankey (T)
The position most in need of some solid talent influx is this one. Pitt will lose four linemen unless Chris Jacobson gets a 6th year of eligibility and has no current guard commits. But what Pitt has coming in next season is a start. The headline is Bisnowaty, a local prospect who is more of a run blocker, but will need to work on his ability to slow down fast pass rushers. Still, he is physical and strong and with time can be a solid lineman. Pankey is a bit of a wildcard - after Graham left, he was contacted by other schools and currently is set to take an official visit to West Virginia this weekend. Should Pitt retain his commitment, he will have to develop a bit to be good at the collegiate level, but with Bob Bostad's ability to churn out linemen, Pankey will definitely get better. Fans have been clamoring for Pitt to finally recruit a true center and they have one in Cook. A top prospect from Ohio, Cook is physical and has experience snapping the ball out of the shotgun or with the QB under center.
As for future commits, you'd like to see Pitt grab the commitment from a few more prospects, preferably at the guard position. Remember that Pitt will also have the services of Tom Ricketts, a Penn State transfer. Several of Pitt's top targets have committed elsewhere, but the new staff could bring in a few players, specifically Pennsbury OT J.J. Denman, who is a Wisconsin commit, but could easily flip.