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Their public comments alone give the impression that Penn Hills quarterback Anthony Morelli and North Hills tailback Andrew Johnson are on the verge of making verbal commitments to Pitt.

But their actions speak louder.

Morelli has narrowed his choices to Pitt, Notre Dame and Florida State, while Johnson will choose between Pitt and Ohio State. They have repeatedly stated that they would like to play for the same college.

Pitt is the only common candidate among their finalists.

"It factors somewhat," Johnson said. "I know where he's considering. I still have to make my decision. Wherever I pick, I'll try to talk him into going there."

Added Morelli: "If me and Andrew stay home, the other guys will stay around, too. Whatever we do might affect other people. If I can go to school and bring other players with me, that's great."

The duo created a buzz at the Walt Harris skills camp last weekend, conducting themselves like future Panthers in their interaction with the Pitt coaching staff.

And it wasn't lost on the other campers.

It's no coincidence that Hopewell defensive lineman Craig Bokor and Pahokee, Fla., cornerback Alphonso Smith renewed their commitments to Pitt during the camp.

Nor is it that the Panthers' other recruits -- Peabody linebacker Corey Davis, Kiski Area safety Adam Gunn and linebacker Scott McKillop and Akron Buchtel cornerback Steve Walker -- made appearances at the camp.

Or that several other high-profile prospects showed interest in the Panthers, who had five of the Rivals Top 100 prospects at camp in Glenville, Ohio, cornerback Ted Ginn Jr. (No. 4), Morelli (10), Reading linebacker James Bryant (61), Butler linebacker Tyrell Sales (73) and Johnson (75).

"Those guys are players," Morelli said. "If we all ended up at the same place, I don't think there would be too many teams that could beat us."

Don't think that Morelli and Johnson weren't whispering that in the ears of Bryant, Ginn and Sales last week.

Now, you're probably asking, what makes you so sure Morelli and Johnson are going to end up at Pitt and not somewhere else, like Ohio State or Notre Dame?

For one, their indifference toward the Big East-Atlantic Coast Conference saga and whether Pitt will lose its BCS bid if Miami follows Virginia Tech to the ACC.

Morelli: "It really doesn't bother me. You're going to be playing on a good team, for good coaches."

Johnson: "I'm done worrying about that. I can't control all that stuff. Pitt is going to be Pitt, regardless."

Another reason is that they aren't planning to attend any more team camps. Johnson, who will announce his choice in early July, went to Ohio State for a one-day session.

Here was his report:

"It was decent, nothing great," said Johnson, who then compared the schools: "Pitt is on the rise. It has great coaches I really get along with, especially running backs coach Dino Babers. And it's home. I'm not leaving my family. Ohio State already is on top. They've experienced a national championship and know what it takes to win."

Morelli will wait until after he returns from the EA Sports Elite 11 Quarterback Camp in California on July 23-27 to make a formal announcement on his college choice. That's because he plans to return from it as the nation's No. 1 QB.

Talk about drawing power.

While Morelli and Johnson have been questioned by critics for their sub-par play in their teams' biggest games, college coaches recognize their talent and see them as the prototypical players at their respective positions.

The strong-armed Morelli is 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, can make every throw and has passed for 3,595 yards in Penn Hills' run-dominated offense. Johnson is powerfully built at 5-11, 200 pounds, has sub-4.4 speed and rushed for 2,300 yards in Central Catholic's pass-oriented offense.

Imagine if they had played in systems better suited to their style. Now, imagine them playing in the same offense.

That's what Pitt would call another 'Dream Backfield.'

Kevin Gorman's recruiting column appears Sundays in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

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