PITTSBURGH Defections discouraging

The Panthers didn't sign a single player who was highly recruited nationally.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Pittsburgh's recruiting was much like its season: a fast start followed by a fading finish.
The Panthers appeared ready to land one of their top recruiting classes ever when two nationally sought players, quarterback Anthony Morelli and running back Andrew Johnson, gave verbal commitments last summer.
But when Pitt lost three of its final four games to finish 8-5, Morelli and Johnson had second thoughts and began looking elsewhere. Both Pittsburgh-area players wound up signing elsewhere Wednesday -- Morelli with Penn State, Johnson with Miami.
Exposure fizzles
So much for the positive national impact that Heisman Trophy runner-up Larry Fitzgerald's big season was supposed to bring to Pitt. Instead of bringing in two Top 10 players at their positions, the Panthers didn't sign a single player who was highly recruited nationally.
"Pitt took a real hit," said StudentSports.com's Doug Huff, who has tracked national high school recruiting for nearly 40 years.
Coach Walt Harris was asked repeatedly Wednesday about the last-minute defections, which were uncommon on a day when most players signed with the schools to whom they previously gave verbal commitments.
"We were excited about those young men, but if they feel like they'll get coached better someplace else or like another university better, we wish them well," Harris said. "We hope they accomplish their dreams, but we're going to move on with our group."
Analyst's opinion
"It was a double-barrel disaster for Pitt, losing those two players," said recruiting analyst Allen Wallace of SuperPrep magazine. "They lost a quarterback who had been committed for months and, all that time, they were relaxed and happy. Now you find out that, with no time left, you don't have a critical part of your recruiting class."
Pitt also lost yet another recruit when wide receiver Johnny Peyton of Dade City, Fla., signed with incoming Big East football member South Florida. Peyton committed to Pitt last fall.
Pitt's class is headed by several other Pittsburgh-area players, including Aliquippa High's Darrelle Revis, Hopewell defensive end Craig Bokor and defensive back Adam Gunn of Kiski.
Strong on board
Pitt did keep one player from defecting: Darrell Strong of Plantation, Fla. He previously committed to Pitt, but had said several days ago he planned to sign with Auburn.
The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Strong mostly played quarterback in high school, but is expected to be a tight end at Pitt.
"Darrell was in a hard recruiting battle and he had some personal family situations that added to the challenge of him coming all the way up to Pitt, versus staying close to home," Harris said.