[Buckskin86]

http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-.../s_288263.html

Since taking over as Pitt football coach, Dave Wannstedt is trying to convince Walt Harris' holdover recruits to stay committed to the Panthers.
Wannstedt landed his first recruit in Lakeworth, Fla., linebacker Steve Dell - one of three prospects planning to enroll in January - but another pulled a reverse Wednesday by committing to Minnesota.

Akron (Ohio) Buchtel cornerback Bryan Williams has decided to join Columbus (Ohio) Brookhaven cornerback Dominic Jones by reneging on his Pitt commitment to play for the Golden Gophers.

"I talked to (Wannstedt) - it was a regular conversation," Williams said. "He really didn't know me. He said he'd be trying to come see me in the next week or two. I didn't know what to do. I was like, 'New coach, new staff.' That was my first thought."

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04366/435118.stm

Akron Buchtel cornerback Bryan Williams, who previously had committed to the Panthers, now has committed to Minnesota.

http://www.cleveland.com/hssports/pl...5541166873.xml

Buchtel's Williams shifts gears
Saturday, January 01, 2005
Tim Rogers
Plain Dealer Reporter
A coaching change and a timely in-house visit by a familiar face have caused Buchtel's Bryan Williams to change his college plans.

Williams, a cornerback and running back who had made an early verbal commitment to attend the University of Pittsburgh, has changed his mind and will instead attend the University of Minnesota, Buchtel coach Claude Brown said Friday.

Williams was named to The Plain Dealer's Best of the Best all-star team on defense after making 24 solo tackles and intercepting eight passes last fall in helping the Griffins reach the playoffs for the 11th time.

Brown said a chain of events led to Williams changing his mind. First, Walt Harris resigned as head coach at Pitt to become the head coach at Stanford. A short time later, Minnesota coach Glen Mason made an in-house visit to the Williams' home. Finally, Pitt hired Dave Wannstedt as head coach.

"A lot of the assistant coaches that Bryan liked at Pitt are not sure where they are going to end up and that worried him," said Brown. "Nothing against coach Wannstedt, but we really don't know what he will do. Bryan didn't want to get left in an uncertain situation."

Mason, the former head coach at Kent State, visited Williams on Dec. 16.

"I think coach Mason was very convincing," said Brown. "He even told Bryan that he would give him a shot at playing running back."

Williams, 5-11, 185 pounds, ran for 1,897 yards and scored 26 touchdowns but always has been considered a better defensive player.