Jeannette's Pryor in high demand

Wednesday was another normal day for Terrelle Pryor. Normal in the sense that another major-college coach visited Jeannette High School to evaluate the junior two-sport star.

Terrelle Pryor, whose quarterback skills remind some of Vince Young, is the most sought-after high school football prospect in the country. Not only is every major college trying to recruit Terrelle Pryor for football, but many want him for basketball or, possibly, both sports.

The 6-foot-6 Terrelle Pryor had a breakout junior year in which he led Jeannette to the WPIAL Class AA football title and a PIAA runner-up finish and an appearance in the WPIAL Class AA basketball final, where it lost to Aliquippa.

Yesterday morning, Alabama football coach Nick Saban met with Jeannette football coach Ray Reitz and athletic director Bob Murphy at the school. West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez and recruiting coordinator Tony Gibson are scheduled to visit today.

"It's probably easier to list who hasn't been here," Murphy said. "There have been a lot of big-time coaches here."

The list is long, but it includes Notre Dame's Charlie Weis, Pitt's Dave Wannstedt, Ohio State's Jim Tressel, Michigan's Lloyd Carr, Connecticut's Randy Edsall, Wisconsin's Bret Bielema, USC assistant coach Brennan Carroll, Tennessee assistant David Cutcliffe, Texas offensive coordinator Greg Davis and Penn State assistants Tom Bradley and Jay Paterno. Reitz said USC coach Pete Carroll, Rutgers coach Greg Schiano and other head coaches are expected to visit soon.

From April 15 to May 31, college coaches are allowed two visits in a month to a recruit's school to check on his academics and evaluate his play during the season and at camps. They cannot speak to the prospect at school, but they are permitted one telephone call. Coaches also can send mail to a prospect and, until a new NCAA rule takes effect Aug. 1, communicate by cell phone text messages. Prospects are permitted to call coaches.

Reitz said every interested school except Notre Dame -- which told Terrelle Pryor he would get a shot at quarterback or be moved to wide receiver -- is recruiting Terrelle Pryor as a quarterback.

"What the coaches love about Terrelle Pryor when they watch him on film is how he seems to glide when he runs," Reitz said. "They said the game seems to slow down for him. They also like his strength and calmness under pressure."

Terrelle Pryor, who has given no hint on what schools he likes most, is enjoying the recruiting experience. He has at least 55 football offers and he said he doesn't know how many basketball offers.

"It's nice to get all this attention," said Terrelle Pryor, who constantly is asked by different recruiting services for interviews. "I've received a lot of mail and text messages from coaches over the past six months. I don't always return phone calls for interviews.

"All the attention can be overwhelming, but I deserve all the attention because of all the hard work I've done."

Reitz said Terrelle Pryor and Florida football coach Urban Meyer were text messaging each other during the NCAA basketball championship game between Florida and Ohio State.

Where the recruiting blitz has become routine, it hasn't caused Terrelle Pryor to break from his daily schedule. He goes to class, then lifts weights, attends a learning center to improve his testing skills for the SAT and practices basketball. Terrelle Pryor attended his school's prom Friday, opting not to participate in the Nike Training Camp at Penn State the following day. Terrelle Pryor continues to play AAU basketball, which, he said, constitutes his summer vacation.

Jeannette principal Sharon Marks finds the attention surrounding Terrelle Pryor to be exciting.

"I don't get to meet big-time coaches all of the time," Marks said. "I worry about Terrelle and all the students being overwhelmed by recruiting. I want them to be a student and experience high school as much as they can.

"In Terrelle's case, he does a nice job keeping up with his academics. He's concerned about his grades and works hard in the classroom. I'm proud that he's been able to handle the notoriety."

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