PITTSBURGH — Pat Narduzzi had less than six weeks to cobble together his first recruiting class at Pittsburgh.

And while the former Michigan State defensive coordinator and his staff raced across the eastern half of the country at breakneck pace through January, Narduzzi’s most important job might have been keeping the Panthers’ biggest verbal commitment in house after Paul Chryst bolted for Wisconsin.

Turns out, Narduzzi’s top target was also the easiest one to keep. Coveted defensive back Jordan Whitehead never wavered from wanting to stick close to home, and the Central Valley High star — the top-rated prospect in the state — was one of the first to send in his letter of intent when the signing period began Wednesday morning.

“He wasn’t one of the guys where every day you walk into the office saying `Is he in or is he out?” Narduzzi said.

Other top Panther recruits include Darrin Hall, RB, Austintown Fitch in Youngstown, and Ben DiNucci, QB, Pine-Richland.