Pitt's football program received a verbal commitment this afternoon from defensive end Tony Tucker, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound senior at Washington D.C.'s St. John's High School.

In choosing coach Dave Wannstedt's program, Tucker spurned offers from, among others, Virginia Tech, Clemson and Tennessee.

At tight end this past high school season, Tucker had 23 catches for 435 yards and three touchdowns, but his future is on defense where Pitt's staff is counting on his athleticism and 4.6 40-yard dash speed to make him an effective pass rusher.

First Published: January 6, 2007, 5:00 a.m.