One of the rules for the Big 33 all-star football game says teams must throw 40 percent of the plays. Art Walker, the offensive coordinator for the Pennsylvania team, likes the rule for two main reasons.

First, Walker has a penchant for running a spread offense and throwing the ball.

The second is Jonathan Baldwin.

Baldwin, an Aliquippa High School graduate and Pitt recruit, is one of the receivers for the Pennsylvania team that will meet Ohio in the 51st annual Big 33 at 7 p.m. today in Hershey. Baldwin has been a star in practices this week and has opened the eyes of Walker, the head coach at North Allegheny.

"Obviously, we're going to try and do some things to get him the ball because he can make a difference," Walker said. "I think Pitt has a definite gold mine with him. They should be extremely excited they have him."

Walker believes Baldwin could have an impact at Pitt early in his career. Baldwin is listed on the Big 33 roster at 6 feet 6, 215 pounds.

"Once he'll be able to just work on being a receiver every day, he'll be able to work on little things, like routes," Walker said. "But he has a great knack already to just go after the football. I have not seen him wait for a pass yet. He goes and gets it, and his hands are amazingly soft for how big they are.

"But the most impressive thing about him, besides being a tremendous athlete, is he is so coachable. We'll run something, and he'll say, 'Coach, I never really ran that route before. Will you show me?' "

Baldwin, a two-time Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 selection, also has opened the eyes of his Big 33 teammates.

"I'm in love with Jonathan Baldwin because this dude is freakish," said Gateway slotback Cam Saddler, also a Pitt recruit. "As long as the ball is in the air and it's intended for him, he's going to get it."

Saddler, never at a loss of words, is one of the emotional leaders of the Pennsylvania team. "At the beginning of the week, Jon was real sensitive,.

"I was throwing jokes at him, and he was taking them deeply. I said, 'This dude is super sensitive.' By Tuesday of this week, he caught on. That was the last day he got mad at me."

Pennsylvania's other starting receiver is Norwin's Mike Shanahan, is a Pitt recruit, too.

"I'll tell you what, Shanahan is a good player, too," Walker said. "He's almost the same size as Baldwin, but Mike is actually more polished with his routes. Jonathan just has more speed. I think [Shanahan] is a real sleeper at Pitt."

Another player who has impressed Walker is Central Catholic tight end Quentin Williams, a Northwestern recruit.

Baldwin, Shanahan, Williams and Saddler are four of a possible six offensive starters from the WPIAL. North Allegheny's Austin Fedell will start at guard. Walker was unsure whether Central Catholic's Tino Sunseri (Pitt) or Parkland's John Laub (Richmond) will start at quarterback.

NOTE -- McKeesport lineman Dan Kessler was added to Pennsylvania's roster to replace Trinity running back Mike Yancich, who was injured in practice Monday.