Photo by: Robert K. Yosay

The Vindicator (Youngstown)

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Poland WR Darius Patton committed to the University of Pittsburgh.

By Jon Moffett

jmoffett@vindy.com

POLAND

The city of Pittsburgh got a huge win in football days before Super Bowl XLV.

The University of Pittsburgh landed top-rated Mahoning Valley prospect Darius Patton, who will sign his letter-of-intent with the school today. Patton, a wide receiver from Poland High, is the No. 23 ranked prospect in the state, according to the recruiting website scoutingohio.com.

Patton, 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, caught 49 passes for 800 yards and 12 touchdowns for the 7-4 Bulldogs. He also returned kickoffs for the team and acted was the quarterback in the team’s Wildcat formation.

Mark Porter, who created the website five years ago, raved about Patton and said the speedy wideout could become an impact player for the Panthers almost immediately.

“He’s not the biggest guy in the world, and that’s something a lot of guys will notice,” Porter said of Patton. “But that’s what makes him so special. He’s fast and quick and he plays bigger than he is. He explodes out of his breaks, which leads to getting open and getting catches.”

According to the website, Patton runs a 4.43 time in the 40-yard dash. Patton also entertained offers from West Virginia, Michigan, Boston College, Michigan State and Wisconsin among others.

But Porter said the Panthers can be an ideal fit for Patton, who could be an All-Big East receiver in time.

“It’s a level he can play at and actually excel at,” Porter said. “He’s kind of like the perfect slot receiver, which means you don’t have to be the starter right away. He should be a good fit in the offense, which will throw a lot.”

Porter said Patton’s hands, on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best, are an 8.5-9, and his speed makes him an ideal candidate for the slot receiver role. Patton could also return punts, Porter said.

Speaking of hands, Porter also had plenty to say about Girard receiver Landon Smith, who will commit to Ohio University. Porter said Smith can also contribute right away.

“Landon has unbelievable ball skills. On his film, he just dominated it,” he said. “He was just a statistical anomaly. He was almost too good.”

Porter said Smith’s hands are just as good as Patton’s and the former is a “natural outside receiver” who could start immediately at the No. 1 or No. 2 option.

Porter got defensive about one recruit: Salem’s Trent Toothman.

Toothman will make the switch from quarterback at Salem High to linebacker at Ball State. Toothman played linebacker for the Quakers, but most of his tape came from the offensive side of the ball.

But that’s not a bad thing, Porter said.

“Without knocking him, I never thought he was an offensive prospect,” Porter said. “In his younger years, I always thought of him as a bruising fullback in an offensive role. But at linebacker, if you look at his body, he’s built like a linebacker.”

Porter said Toothman’s athleticism makes him an ideal candidate as an inside linebacker. His change of direction and burst to the ball also stood out on film, Porter said. He also described Toothman as a “knock-down” tackler instead of a “drag-down” tackler.

That mean’s he’ll be bringing the hits. Hard.

“His knowledge from offense when he brings it over to the defensive side of the ball is going to give him a half-step advantage,” Porter said.

And it wouldn’t be “foot” ball without the specialist.

Mooney’s A.J. Fox with commit to Akron and will probably be the Zips’ starting punter, Porter said. Fox can boom the ball.

“He’s a weapon,” Porter said. “When you see him, you can actually hear the thump on the ball.”

Fox was the placekicker, punter and kickoff specialist for the Cardinals. He may handle the kickoff duties as well, Porter said.

“It’s the hidden yardage that people don’t talk about,” Porter said. “That’s where he wins things.”