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Pitt lands Philadelphia offensive line recruit

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Rebuilding the line

Here are the five offensive linemen from the Class of 2013 who have given Pitt a verbal commitment:

Player Ht., Wt. High school Ranking*

Carson Baker 6-5, 315 Fairborn (Ohio) 2 stars

Dorian Johnson 6-6, 280 Belle Vernon 4 stars

Alex Officer 6-4, 300 Eastridge (N.Y.) 3 stars

Aaron Reese 6-5, 290 Chambersburg 3 stars

Jaryd Jones-Smith 6-7, 320 West Catholic (Pa.) 2 stars

* — according to Rivals.com



By Jerry DiPaola

Published: Tuesday, January 15, 2013, 3:38 p.m.
Updated: Tuesday, January 15, 2013

The rebuilding of Pitt's offensive line continued Tuesday when Jaryd Jones-Smith of Philadelphia's West Catholic High School became the fifth offensive linemen to join the Panthers' Class of 2013.

Pitt hasn't recruited five prospects for that position since 2003 when the Panthers added five, led by Mike McGlynn, who's currently with the Indianapolis Colts.

When Pitt offensive line coach Jim Hueber was recruiting Jones-Smith, he made a list of the NFL players he has coached and showed it to him.

“I thought the list was going to go on and on,” said Jones-Smith, a 6-foot-7, 320-pound tackle.

After considering the list, Jones-Smith chose the Panthers over ACC rival Virginia, his other finalist.

“It helped narrow it done,” said Jones-Smith, who was rated a two-star prospect by Rivals.com. He also had scholarship offers from N.C. State, Wisconsin, Arizona, Michigan, Temple, Central Florida and Vanderbilt.

Jones-Smith also is the biggest player among a group that averages 6-51⁄2, 301.

Pitt has 24 players on this year's prospect list.

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