Not long after Dieffenbach and Ricketts gave verbal commitments to Penn State, Wannstedt snatched T.J. Clemmings, a 6-foot-6, 266-pound defensive lineman from Paterson (N.J.) Catholic who was also sought by Penn State, Notre Dame, Florida, Tennessee and Rutgers.

Also giving a commitment was Jeff Knox, a safety from DeMatha Catholic in Maryland who was being recruited by Penn State, Michigan and Michigan State. Pitt also landed one of Pennsylvania's top wide receivers, Salath Williams of Harrisburg Bishop McDevitt, McCoy's former school. Williams had more than 20 offers.

"I think we're right where we need to be," said Wannstedt, who isn't permitted by NCAA rules to discuss specific recruits until February. "The key is to get a few of those top guys, wherever you can get them, and then hit on those bottom 10 guys or so, the ones who aren't as highly ranked.

"We're not going to have a good (recruiting) class, we're going to have a great class."

The off-field incidents may not substantially hurt Pitt's in-state recruiting, if only because Penn State €" despite its resurgence €" has had more such incidents in recent years. ESPN broadcast a piece last summer that outlined the Nittany Lions' numerous arrests, yet they went on to win 11 of their first 12 games.

Pitt's players are expected to take part in community work, with some donating time this summer to the Mel Blount Youth Home and others helping on fundraising for the three Pittsburgh policemen who were shot to death last spring.

"It helps support the right way to do things," Wannstedt said. "I don't tolerate these kinds of (disciplinary problems), but I believe they are behind us," he said. ۩