CPD
COMMITMENTS
Eagles' best pick Pitt, Ball State
Monday, December 11, 2006 Eddie Dwyer
Plain Dealer Reporter
Kyle Hubbard and Frank Edmonds, two of the linchpins for St. Edward's "Big Green Machine," have made decisions concerning their football futures.
Hubbard, one of the premier wideouts in Ohio, has orally committed to Pittsburgh and Edmonds, the Eagles' dynamic tailback, said yes to Ball State.
Edmonds and Hubbard, both seniors, cannot sign national letters of intent until the NCAA signing period in February.
"The biggest influence I had was Joe Thomas," said Hubbard, referring to St. Edward's former All-Ohio offensive lineman, who starts at guard as a true freshman for Pittsburgh. "He was in my ear all day [during the visit] - 'Pitt, Pitt, Pitt is it.' I went down there on my official visit and just loved it, because it's a lot like Cleveland. The people are the same, dedicated fans and such.
"People have asked me if I go to Pitt, who am I going to root for, the Browns or the Steelers? I said I'm just going to stay neutral and go to the game."
The 6-5, 220-pound Hubbard, who totaled nearly 60 receptions over the past two seasons, said Minnesota and Kentucky also were high on his list and North Carolina and its new coach - former Browns head man Butch Davis - are making a late pitch to get him to make a visit. But he says his commitment is to Pittsburgh. Hubbard also is a mainstay on St. Edward's highly ranked basketball team.