Calling this weekend important for Pitt would be an understatement. It's vital, perhaps more so than any game coached so far by new head man Paul Chryst.
A trio of in-state recruits will be making the trip and Pitt will roll out the red carpet.
The highest rated player is Dorian Johnson, the star offensive tackle out of Belle Vernon (Pa.) High School. In a recent article examining the top uncommitted offensive line recruits, I had this to say about Johnson:
Johnson is perhaps the most athletic offensive tackle recruit in the country. The former Penn State commitment has great length at 6'6 and should eventually see his 270-pound frame north of 300 pounds. Johnson is thought to be favoring Pitt, though Ohio State cannot be counted out of the race. The Nittany Lions are no longer a factor after the NCAA bombshell. Johnson has more than 30 offers and would be a major coup for Pitt. The work that Pitt's staff did at Wisconsin with offensive linemen plays a large factor here for Johnson, as does the hometown advantage.
The other megastar making the trip is receiver Robert Foster of Monaca (Pa.) Central Valley High School. Foster has long been seen as a battle between Alabama and Pitt, with Ohio State as a major dark horse. Most with insight into this one believe Alabama will be tough to beat, and Pitt will need to roll out the red carpet to impress Foster.
Make sure to track Foster's recruitment in his story stream.
The third major visitor will be Tyler Boyd, of Clarion (Pa.). SB Nation's Pitt Panthers blog had the following thoughts on Boyd:
Tyler Boyd has always been believed to be going elsewhere, but there has been a positive vibe coming from him lately. Unlike Foster and Johnson, Boyd has not given a final list. He is weighing all options, but it would be nice if the three athletes mesh well this weekend and fall in love with the thought of bringing their hometown team to prominence.
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