NCAA Recruiting Scoop

Okay, Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Dave Wannstedt hasn’t exactly ripped things up since coming to the Panthers. In fact, he’s never even had a winning record in the three seasons he’s been with the club. That said, he sure can recruit, can’t he? It seems to have something to do with that killer charm of his. But you’ve got to think that ruining West Virginia’s chances to play for the national championship in the Backyard Brawl did something for recruiting as well.

Jonathan Baldwin, a 6-foot-6, 233 pound tight end from Alquippa, Pennsylvania (Alquippa High School: AAU Pittsburgh Storm) has verbally committed to play for the Pittsburgh Panthers next season. Baldwin runs the 40 yard dash in 4.4 seconds and reportedly possesses a 3.35 GPA. Thus, he’s one fast tight end.

As a junior in high school, Baldwin caught 21 balls for 370 yards and five touchdowns. As a senior, he improved on those marks, hauling in 41 balls for 613 yards and nine touchdowns. Heck, the guy even had a 44.4 yard kickoff return average as a junior and is an excellent blocker. Thus, the sky’s the limit.

Altogether, Baldwin currently falls in at number 34 on the 2008 Rivals 100. He is also considered the third best tight end in the nation and fourth best player coming out of the state of Pennsylvania in 2008.

In the end, Baldwin chose the Panthers over the Southern California Trojans, Florida Gators, Miami of Florida Hurricanes, Michigan Wolverines, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Interestingly, his soon to be head coach Wannstedt was born in Baldwin, Pennsylvania. Does that mean anything? Probably not. But still, you have to admit that it is interesting.

And we like interesting here at NCAA Recruiting Scoop.