Ranking the classes 2003-17: No. 8

As we get closer to the top half of the rankings in our countdown of Pitt's recruiting classes from 2003-17, the separation is getting slimmer. Sometimes it can be one or two players who make the difference, and that's the case with the class that checks in at No. 8:

The class of 2010.

With 24 recruits, Dave Wannstedt's final class was ranked No. 33 in the nation - an improvement from the class of 2009 that ranked in the 40's.

Here are the recruits that Pitt signed in February 2010.

The Class of 2010

Player	Position	Hometown	Stars

Todd Thomas	WR	New Berlin, NY	4
Bryan Murphy	DE	Ramsey, NJ	4
T.J. Clemmings	DE	Paterson, NJ	4
Mark Myers	QB	Cleveland, OH	4
Derrick Burns	RB	New Wilmington, PA	3
Aaron Donald	DT	Pittsburgh, PA	3
Andrew Carswell	WR	McKees Rocks, PA	3
Matt Rotheram	OL	North Olmsted, OH	3
Andre Givens	RB	Hubbard, OH	3
Anthony Gonzalez	QB	Bethlehem, PA	3
Salath Williams	WR	Harrisburg, PA	3
Kevin Weatherspoon	WR	Clairton, PA	3
Eric Williams	WR	Fairless Hills, PA	3
Shane Johnson	OL	Hyattsville, MD	3
Brandon Ifill	ATH	Pittsburgh, PA	3
Jeff Knox Jr.	ATH	Hyattsville, MD	3
K'Waun Williams	DB	Montvale, NJ	3
T.J. Peeler	RB	Ashburn, VA	3
Khaynin Mosley-Smith	DT	Pittsburgh, PA	3
Brendan Carozzoni	TE	Rocky River, OH	3
Arthur Doakes	OL	Lebanon, PA	3
Dan Schneider	TE	Avon Lake, OH	3
Saheed Imoru	DB	Houston, TX	3
Brandon Sacco	OL	Ramsey, NJ	2

The highlight of the class is obviously Aaron Donald. A local three-star prospect, Donald went on to lead Pitt in sacks for three years from 2011-13 and established himself as the premier defensive tackle in college football - a feat he has topped by establishing himself as the premier defensive tackle in the NFL.

Donald is arguably the best overall player to sign with Pitt in the 15 recruiting classes we're considering, and his presence alone elevated the class of 2010 to No. 8 on the list. If not for Donald, this class might not crack the top 10.

TJ Clemmings and K'Waun Williams were good players at Pitt; Clemmings was a fourth-round draft pick, while Williams went undrafted but has carved out a nice career in the NFL. He'll enter his seventh season as a pro this fall after putting in a very strong performance on San Francisco's NFC Championship defense.

But after Donald, Clemmings and Williams, the class tapers off pretty quickly. Anthony Gonzalez and Matt Rotheram were multi-year starters and players like Bryan Murphy, Todd Thomas, Eric Williams and Kevin Weatherspoon contributed, but overall, the group left a lot to be desired.

The four-star quarterback (Mark Myers) ended up having a nice career at John Carroll. Neither tight end (Brendan Carrozzoni or Dan Schneider) made an impact; nor did the receiver from Sto-Rox who moved to tight end (Andrew Carswell). Or any of the running backs in the class.

The list goes on. The 2010 class was like the 2004 class that had Darrelle Revis and Scott McKillop backed up by some solid starters and not much else.