Dave Wannstedt's record as Pitt's coach is below .500, but he has proven one thing. He can recruit.

Yesterday was the first day high school players could sign a letter of intent with colleges, and Pitt's class of 25 players was ranked in the top 25 by most scouting services. One service, scout.com, ranked Pitt No. 9. ESPN.com had the Panthers' class No. 17, Super Prep No. 15 and national talent scout Tom Lemming No. 19.

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Rivals.com placed Pitt's class No. 25 and Prep Star had Pitt "on the cusp" of the top 25.

It's the second year in a row Pitt's class has received top-25 marks. Last year, at least two services had Pitt in the top 15. This is Pitt's best back-to-back classes since the Mike Gottfried era in the mid-to-late 1980s.

"I think Pitt's a big surprise because two years in a row they're in my top 20," Lemming said. "To me, that's unbelievable because of their [11-12] record the past two seasons. One more class like this, and they could be ready to join Louisville and West Virginia in the Big East."

Super Prep's Allen Wallace said: "Pitt, along with Illinois, would be two programs who are surprises because of their records. North Carolina is another school that hasn't done well on the field but proved anything can happen in recruiting. They were another big surprise."

Of Pitt's 25 recruits, 16 were from Pennsylvania. Linemen were a priority for Pitt in this class, and the Panthers signed nine -- five defensive and four offensive. A few of the offensive linemen weren't highly recruited, but Pitt's coaches liked their size and potential.

The headliner in the class is running back LeSean McCoy of Milford Academy in New Berlin, N.Y. When he played at Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg in 2005, he was ranked as one of the top running backs in the country and was recruited by colleges nationwide.

McCoy committed to Miami last year, but he attended Milford to improve his academics and also to recover from a leg injury his senior year.

	Listen In Pitt football head coach Dave Wannstedt addresses the media Wednesday on the Panthers 2007 recruiting class: Wannstedt's entire press conference Prep sports gurus Mike White and Colin Dunlap discuss the college football recruiting classes of Penn State, Pitt and WVU with online sports editor Dan Gigler: Hear & Now: Recruiting

When asked to comment on McCoy yesterday, Wannstedt said, "Get him here as fast as we can and give him the ball."

McCoy is not academically qualified to be eligible as a freshman, but Wannstedt said, "he'll qualify, for sure."

Another highly rated Pitt recruit is Pat Bostick of Manheim Township in Lancaster, ranked the No. 5 quarterback in the country by Super Prep. Wannstedt talked as if Bostick will be given an opportunity to compete for playing time as a freshman.

"The more competition you create, the better off you're going to be," Wannstedt said.

Wannstedt is expecting defensive lineman Tommie Duhart of Coffeyville Community College to compete for a starting job this season. He also said McCoy, receiver Aundre Wright of Milford (graduate of Perry) and receiver Maurice Williams of Erie Strong Vincent could see playing time early in their careers.

Two other top players in this class are offensive linemen Chris Jacobson of Keystone Oaks and defensive lineman Tony Tucker of Washington, D.C.

Pitt signed three other WPIAL players besides Jacobson -- defensive back Dom DeCicco of Thomas Jefferson, linebacker Brandon Lindsey of Aliquippa and defensive lineman Myles Caragein of Keystone Oaks.

A year ago, Wannstedt signed 10 from the WPIAL, the most since 1988.

"We've made a hard push into the central and eastern part of the state," Wannstedt said.

The Panthers finished off their class yesterday by landing defensive lineman Jabaal Sheard of Hollywood Hills, Fla.

"Players win games. You have to have talent to win," Wannstedt said. "I can't wait until we start winning eight, nine, 10 games a year. Coming off a six-win season, and to have two classes like this is a credit to a lot of people."

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Pitt recruits (25)
Pat Bostick, Lancaster, Pa. (QB, 6-3 1/2, 220); Myles Caragein, Keystone Oaks (TE-DE, 6-1, 265); Dom DeCicco, Thomas Jefferson (WR-DB, 6-3, 206); Tommie Duhart, Coffeyville, Kan. (DT, 6-2, 275); John Fieger, Pennsburg, Pa. (OL, 6-5, 275); Greg Gaskins, York, Pa. (OL, 6-4, 280); Jordan Gibbs, Millersville, Pa. (TE, 6-7, 290); Max Gruder, Charlotte, N.C. (LB, 6-2, 220); Justin Hargrove, Baldwin (DL, 6-4, 245); Shariff Harris, Bayonne, N.J. (RB, 6-2, 190); Kyle Hubbard, Lakewood, Ohio (TE, 6-4, 220); Henry Hynoski, Southern Columbia (FB, 6-1, 248); Anthony Jackson, Weston, Fla. (DB, 6-1, 170); Chris Jacobson, Keystone Oaks (OG-DL, 6-3, 290); Wayne Jones, Johnstown (DL, 6-2, 315); Brandon Lindsey, Aliquippa (RB-LB, 6-2, 220); Dan Matha, Erie, Pa. (OT-DL, 6-7, 315); LeSean McCoy, New Berlin, N.Y. (5-11, 205); Sherod Murdock, Tampa, Fla. (DB, 5-11, 165); Tristan Roberts, Perkasie, Pa. (LB, 6-0, 205); Jabaal Sheard, Hollywood Hills, Fla. (DL, 6-4, 240); Tony Tucker, Washington, D.C. (DE, 6-2, 225); Greg Williams, Naples, Fla. (RB, 6-2, 205); Maurice Williams, Erie, Pa. (WR-QB-DB, 6-0, 185); Aundre Wright, New Berlin, N.Y. (WR, 5-10, 175).

-- signed last year, but enrolled in school in January.