The Dave Wannstedt firing at Pitt has its first official casualty, as Dallastown (PA) LB Ben Kline has changed his commitment from the Panthers to Penn State. Other recruits have begun wavering on their commitment to Pitt, but Kline appears to be the first to officially name a new school. Of course nothing is official until National Letter of Intent Day in February, but few doubted that the Wannstedt firing wouldn't have recruiting repercussions.
As for Kline, the 6'3", 225-pound linebacker held offers from Penn State, Pitt, WVU and Michigan, among others, before committing to Pitt earlier in the process. Sean Fitz at Lions247.com had the story:
↵↵↵My parents and I sat down today and I talked to my coach and I'm going to go to Penn State," he said Wednesday evening. "I really enjoyed my visit this weekend, I was up there, I really liked everything and all the coaches and the whole situation.
↵"I was weighing my options and everything and trying to figure out everything that I wanted to do. Obviously with Coach Wannstedt being let go, I love those guys out there and everything and I really feel for them, but once that all happened it just kind of solidified that Penn State was the place for me."
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Unfortunately for Pitt, there are more rumors circulating, as some of their other recruits have either expressed concern or have been contacted by other schools, seeking to get back into the recruiting process.