Recruiting: Back yard fine for Dickerson

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By Mike White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Remember that "backyard" project Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt has talked about so often? It's the one where he cleans up Western  

Pennsylvania's top high school football players.

Wannstedt had started to manicure the lawn a little this year, getting verbal commitments from four Western Pennsylvania players in the class of 2006. But yesterday, Wannstedt cleaned up a much bigger chunk of the yard.

West Allegheny High School star Dorin Dickerson made a verbal commitment to Pitt. Dickerson, who will play receiver at Pitt, is one of the most heavily recruited players in Western Pennsylvania and scouting services rank him among the top players in the state. He had more than two dozen scholarship offers, including ones from Michigan, Florida, Tennessee, LSU and Penn State.

Dickerson is 6 feet 2, 210 pounds and plays running back, receiver and linebacker for West Allegheny. Rivals.com ranks him the No. 8 athlete/receiver in the country.

"I was thinking about waiting awhile to make a decision, but then it just came to my mind that I might as well get it over with now," Dickerson said. "I know where I want to go. Now I can just spend the rest of my senior year with my friends and teammates, just worrying about playing."

Dickerson said the main reason he chose Pitt was the coaches.

"I just liked the way they talked to me and I was able to talk to them," he said.

Dickerson said Pitt receivers coach Aubrey Hill has become "like a big brother."

"We had a camp at our school a few weeks ago where some college coaches came," Dickerson said. "I went off to the side and talked with coach Hill for about an hour-and-a-half. We talked about everything and not just Pitt football. I just said to myself, 'I want to play for this guy and coach Wannstedt.' "

Dickerson is best recognized for his play at running back. He has been a starter since his sophomore year and last year rushed for 1,036 yards on 141 carries. But he often lines up in the slot or at receiver. He was West Allegheny's second-leading receiver last year with 25 catches for 517 yards.

Some colleges weren't sure what position Dickerson would play. Pitt, though, wanted him as a receiver.

"My favorite position is always going to be running back, but I'll switch over," Dickerson said. "I'm blessed to have the athletic ability to switch."

West Allegheny coach Bob Palko believes receiver is Dickerson's best position. He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds and can bench press 330 pounds.

"Remember how teams couldn't press [former Pitt receiver] Larry Fitzgerald at the line of scrimmage because he was too strong? That's the way it is with Dorin," Palko said. "He's very strong and he has great hands. Most running backs don't have great hands, but he has the best hands probably of any kid I have ever coached. That's why I think he'll be a great wideout."

Pitt's other four recruits from the WPIAL class of 2006 are Gateway linebacker Dan Loheyde, Thomas Jefferson linebacker Nate Nix, Franklin Regional lineman John Malecki and Johnstown lineman Scott Corson.

Dickerson believes a few more Western Pennsylvania players might commit to Pitt soon, including Baldwin defensive lineman Jason Pinkston.

"I talk to him all the time," Dickerson said. "I think he could be close [to committing]."

Seniors can't sign binding letters of intent with a school until February.