WEEK TIL SIGNING DAY SPECIAL

This year was a year where recruiting was on the back burner due to Pitt winning 9 games. However, the Floss has been following. The Floss will rank the Pitt recruits in order of importance/skill/coolness. Then the Floss will predict who will become a Pitt Panther in the final week of the 2009 recruiting season.

2009 PANTHERS

19. JASON HENDRICKS**, CB, JERSEY CITY, NJ

A recent commit to the Panthers. He projects as a corner at the college level even though he was listed as a running back. This was a confusing prospect to say the least. The positives are that he is a fast, tall(er) corner, and might open some more doors in New Jersey. The negatives are that when you take lower ranked recruits from out of state, they have a high transfer ratio if they don't get into the depth chart. The Floss doesn't see much from this kid, hopefully he opens some doors in Jersey for the future.

18. ED TINKER**, WR, PITTSBURGH, PA

The former Brashear standout was always on the Panthers radar even after committing to Colorado as a senior in high school. He went to prep school in North Carolina with Greg Blair, brother of Grizzly Blair. A lot of Pitt fans are high on him. I see grade issues possibly coming back. He never seemed like a high end talent in high school. If he can come out of prep school and be as good as Aundre Wright, that would be a plus.

17. DEVIN STREET**, WR, BETHLEHEM, PA

A camp offer from the Panthers who pulled the trigger early in the process. He is a tall WR who can run. He might be able to play defense. The Floss saw him win a state title. He wasn't even close to as good as Liberty's QB Gonzalez, who already has early offers from Penn St. and Pitt. That kid looks like a really solid football player. Street might be able to bring him here, which would probably be his best contribution.

16. JASON DOUGLAS***, RB, WESTON, FL

5'6 running backs are always interesting players to take a gamble on. He actually could be much higher on the Floss' list if he wasn't the third RB in this class. You can't teach Florida speed, and he had a few low level SEC and B12 offers. This kid actually might turn into a good one. J Doug as he is more formally known could impress.

15. KEVIN ADAMS**, LB, MONTVALE, NJ

Another Jeff Hafley Jersey Boy. He got rave reviews as the season went on. He was another camp standout. The Floss likes RB's turning into LB's after the Greg Williams experiment. He is also a reported stud in the classroom. Gotta make them grades baby, just ask Moelicious about that.

14. CORY KING***, OL, STONEBORO, PA

Cory King looks like a fat, lazy, slob. He did well at camp, however, his body leaves much to be desired(see Beverly from ROL3). He didn't have many offers. He is another camp guy. He loves the Panthers. I hate kids from schools that normally don't produce D1 talent. I could see Cory suffering from the small fish in a big pond syndrome once he gets down to Oakland. He just looks like a softy. Actually he would be my 3rd choice to not make it 4 years just ahead of Hendricks and Tinker.

13. WILL CLARKE**, DE, PITTSBURGH, PA

Will is definitely a project recruit at DE. He currently stands 6'6, 250. That is huge. He also runs around a 4.8, 4.7 forty. He screams Greg Romeus. He is actually bigger than GRom was coming in as a freshmen(weight). Gattuso is one of the best D-Line coaches in the country and I expect BIG things from Clarke. He is also mentored by former Pitt stud hoopster and NFLer Sam Clancy.

12. FERNANDO DIAZ**, C, BRONX, NY

Not many recruits come out of the Bronx, at least for football. Fernando Diaz is another reported solid student, which is important if you are coming out of the Bronx. He also looks like a physical specimen, which is more important than technique in the Floss' eyes, especially with projects. Fernando will redshirt next year and will battle Jared Martin and Greg Gaskins for the C position in 2010. Hopefully he lives up to the Floss' hype.

11. CARL FLEMING***, S, REISTERTOWN, MD

A confusing offer when he jumped onto the Panther train early on in the process. He actually had one of the best years of all the Pitt recruits. He was a beast on both sides of the football. He actually got a star bump from Rivals, which was nice for Carl. The Floss is a huge fan of Fleming. He also starred in the Crab Bowl, which is the Maryland all star game.

10. DION LEWIS***, RB, BLAIRSTOWN, NJ

Dion is already enrolled at the great University of Pittsburgh. He is a 5'7 RB, who has a fucking awesome highlight video. Lewis looks like an absolute stud. He may only be 5'7, but he is a built kid. The Floss could see him not even redshirting next year if he impresses in spring ball. He will be one of the players to watch for in the Spring Game on April 11th. He plays a position where it is wide open going into next year, but if you aren't a junior or senior, Wanny usually doesn't like you. Lewis also enrolled early, which should be an advantage in the classroom as long as he doesn't Ronald Hobby himself out of here.

9. JUANTEZ HOLLINS***, OL/DL, ALIQUIPPA, PA

Just another Quip, another Panther. Pitt has had much success with Quips in the Floss' lifetime. Josh Lay, Darrelle Revis, Jonathan Baldwin, and Brandon Lindsey. Tommie Campbell was an aberration when it comes to Quips. A big, physical, quick lineman who could play either way is always a valuable asset. A redshirt will benefit him. He will probably play by his 3rd year at Pitt. The Floss expects a 2 or 3 year starter out of Juantez. Great pickup for the Panthers.

8. BROCK DECICCO***, TE, JEFFERSON HILLS, PA

Another Cherpak kid coming to the Panthers. Brock DeCicco could easily be higher on this list, but since TE is just another lineman in Cav's system, the Floss doesn't see a huge need. When I watched Brock DeCicco, the Floss came away very very impressed. He is a big kid that goes up and gets the ball. He isn't on the level of first team all BE TE Nate Byham, but he should have a very solid career for the Panthers.

7. KOLBY GRAY***, QB, HOUSTON, TX

Easily the most talked about player in the 2009 Panther class due to the GLARING hole at the QB position. He won't come in and be able to make an immediate impact however. He might actually never get a chance until his senior year, that would be awesome. It would mean that Tino Sunseri is the one. He adds some much needed competition to the QB spot. Also, if Matt Cavanaugh gets the ax any time soon, Wanny may hire an OC who believes in the spread offense. Kolby could really succeed in a spread offense. Who doesn't love this Texas gunslinger? The sad truth, not much of the B12.

6. BERNARDO NUNEZ***, DE, HOBOKEN, NJ

Jeff Hafley and the Oakland campus worked hard for Mr. Nunez. He had some big offers early. Penn St. was definitely involved at one point. He actually might come in and make an impact as early as his RS FR year. He sadly is playing the most competitive postion on the team. Romeus and Sheard both have 2 years left. Hale has 4, Tucker has 3. He might not get a chance til later, but he will be a great player for the blue and gold.

5. JACK LIPPERT****, DE, HARRISBURG, PA

A kid whose recruitment I never got. He put up numbers, always stayed highly ranked, tore up some camps, but never got his PSU offer. No shame in admitting that this kid would have been a Cryin Lion had the offer came. The Floss still believes in Jack Lippert. I see a RS in his future, to put on weight. I think with Lippert's 6'4 frame, he can carry about 280 lbs. I see him contributing in the middle of the Panther's D-Line. He should be a great player, and I hope Penn St. hates themself for Mr. Lippert.

4. TODD THOMAS****, WR, BEAVER FALLS, PA

Todd Thomas is a WPIAL star who could make an impact early. He will probably RS, but he might be good enough to play. The Floss had bigger hopes for Thomas. The Floss thought he might get close to Terrelle Pryor level in recruitment. Another terrible thing about Thomas is his character. He also couldn't play RB on his team, which is weird and scary. He makes plays though. I really don't know what to expect from Todd Thomas. He could honestly be an All American or he could be off the team in less than two years. Weird kid, but definitely tons and tons of talent.

3. TYRONE EZELL***, DL, MUNHALL, PA

6'5, 255. Ezell is a big kid. Physically he is very intimidating. His ranking would be 4 stars and much higher had he not been hurt much of his senior season. The Floss could see him playing either way for the Panthers, but I think his future is on the D-Line. I could see him starting as a RS FR alongside Myles Caregein. He will definitely be in the 4 man DL rotation by his sophomore year. He was one of my favorite players in the class, as seen by his 3rd ranking.

2. RAYMOND GRAHAM****, RB, ELIZABETH, NJ

Probably one of the few people excited about Shady leaving. His highlight tape is off the chains. Ray Ray as he shall now be known could play next year. If Wanny lets the best players, and youngest players play, Graham could play next year. The only way he redshirts is if Dion Lewis is a stud. I think the staff believes in Shariff Harris and Kevin Collier, but they are really pumped about Ray Ray. Ray Ray should get some touches next year in the Floss' eyes, again, unless Dion Lewis is an absolute stud.

1. DAN MASON****, MLB, PENN HILLS, PA

Pitt hasn't really pulled a Penn Hills kid in a while. Probably because Neil Gordon hid their letters or something. He is kind of undersized, but that shouldn't matter seeing as HB Blades was very undersized as well. Mason probably won't be allowed to come in and play as a true frosh, but he might. Mason might not see time next year, but he will definitely be a name Pitt fans remember, just like Scott McKiller, HB, and Gerald Hayes. Hail to Pitt.

WHO MIGHT STILL BE COMING?

SHANE GORDON***, LB, WESTON, FL

The high school teammate of Jason Douglas. Pitt has been on him for some time now. The Floss really likes Gordon because of Florida speed. The only real competition here is South Florida if he wants to stay closer to home. He would be a great player for the Panthers at OLB. He would be about number 6 on the Floss' list if he was committed. The Floss puts our chances at 74.5%.

MALCOM BUSH***, TE, HACKENSACK, NJ

A weird recruitment to say the least. He committed early to Slutgers, but he realized that they blow balls. Now he is down to UNC and Pitt. UNC has something like 29 committments. Bush is a big TE that would be a great player alongside Brock. Pitt is really thin after next year at TE and they use a lot of double tight sets. Bush would look great in a Panther Uni. The Floss puts our chances at 89.6%.

ISAAC HOLMES****, DL, HOBOKEN, NJ

He is an absolute beast. The amount of linemen being stockpiled is getting ridiculous, but their is definitely room for the big guy. He is actually the scariest looking big man ever. He could definitely have a future as a bouncer at Peters Pub. He could also be a valuable addition to any rap group's entourage. The only real player here might be Maryland. He took a hometown visit to Rutgers, but he's tryna leave the Dirty Jerz, IMO. The Floss puts our chances at 66.6666666%.

JOSH EVANS****, S, IRVINGTON, NJ

The number one player on any true Pitt fan's radar. Josh Evans would be number one on the list if he committed. He had a great time in Gainesville last weekend. If Pitt can just get him to come on his visit this weekend(crossing fingers), we have a punchers chance. He is a huge safety that runs like a WR. Evans is such a freak. Literally, he could start alongside Dom DeCicco next year and it wouldn't surprise me. This is the first time in my memory that a recruitment is coming down to the wire that Pitt is legitimately FIGHTING the NATIONAL FUCKING CHAMPIONS for a recruit. Not too mention it's Florida. Hot chicks, hot chicks, warm weather, Tim Tebow, and hot chicks. Right now it is a stunning 26 degrees and it is ice storming outside on top of a few inches of snow. This seems like a very uphill battle. If Jeff Hafley lands Evans, Nunez, Holmes, Bush, Graham, and all the other Jersey guys, he is my official favorite coach ever. I also would never count out the Recruitinator Dave Wannstedt. Let's just hope he makes it to the Burgh. Either way the Floss will watch this kid become a STUD. The Floss puts our chances at 34.3%.

Either way this should be a really fun week leading up til Signing Day. Another tragedy, the floss has a test on Signing Day and the day after. Therefore no drinking again on signing day. Damn shame. Did I mention that the Super Bowl is Sunday?