“I had a great time this weekend at Pitt,” stated Gino Gradkowski (6-foot-4 inches, 280 pounds). “The facilities are amazing there and I really like the coaching staff.”
Gradkowski projects as a guard on the next level due to his height. He’s known for his physicality on the football field. Gino’s friend and neighbor Chris Jacobson (6-foot-3 inches, 290 pounds) from Keystone Oaks High School in Pittsburgh, PA was the first class of 2007 player to commit to Pitt.
“Coach Wannstedt met with me and my family. He talked about where he wants the football program to go and the tradition. It was great talking with him one on one. I was offered a scholarship at that time.”
Despite Gradkowski’s friendship with Craig Jacobson, he also has ties to West Virginia and Toledo. Carmen Connolly, a freshman receiver at WVU, happens to be Gino’s cousin. Connolly is actively recruiting him and hoping to see him in a Mountaineer uniform. Gino’s brother Bruce was a record setting quarterback for Toledo the last two seasons. He is generally considered one of the top prospects in the up coming NFL draft.
“I thought the staff did a good job. The event was set up well on Saturday. Pitt helped themselves and I see them differently now. I’m still open but the Panthers are going to remain as one of my top choices. It’s just a little too early for me to make a decision.”
Harry G. Psaros can be contacted at harrypsaros@msn.com.