Jon Baldwin

Aliquippa High has produced several successful Pitt Panthers over the years, from NFL Hall of Fame tight end and Super Bowl-winning head coach Mike Ditka to current Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis. Baldwin followed those alumni to the Panthers, putting his own stamp on the program during his three-year career. He played in all 13 games as a true freshman, starting the final three, and had 18 receptions for 414 yards (22.4-yard average) and two scores. Baldwin really broke out as a sophomore, earning first-team All-Big East honors and All-American notice with 57 receptions for 1,111 yards and eight touchdowns. His final year at Pitt was not as productive as scouts would have liked (52-810-5), but he still was named first-team All-Big East and the team's quarterback play was below-average. The departure of his head coach and unhappiness with the team's offense led Baldwin to leave school early, but unless he proves his straight-line speed and coaches overlook his inconsistency, he might be disappointed to be drafted lower than he expects.

after the catch

One of the areas in which he needs work. Gets the most out of plays when on the run, eluding oncoming defenders by allowing them to slide past. Long arms allow him to hold off smaller defenders. Flashes the balance to keep running after high-pointing a pass down the sideline. Height and average strength takes away his ability to elude NFL-caliber tackles in short areas. Jumps when unnecessary, taking away run-after-catch chances. Takes circuitous routes on comeback routes.

route running

Runs most of the route tree. His specialty is the nine route, but is also used on shallow and intermediate crosses. Willing to sit down in the zone over the middle. Gives head fake to get inside position on skinny post and seam. Could tighten up his footwork, rounds into and out of crossing routes instead of plant-and-driving. Must prove the quickness to run jerk routes inside.

intangibles

Scouts will have questions about his attitude and maturity. Charged with misdemeanor indecent assault, harassment and disorderly conduct in May 2009 after an incident involving a female student on campus shuttle bus; charges eventually dropped. Father was a defensive lineman for the Panthers in the early 1980s. His cousin, Charles Fisher, played defensive back at West Virginia in the late 1990s and played in the NFL.

hands

Capable of making sensational catches but dropped catchable passes when the team needed plays. Can snag high throws using height and vertical leap, also lays out for passes using great length. Fails to high-point jump balls consistently, too often waiting until they fall into his chest. Senses when big hits are coming.

release

Gets off the line quickly considering his long, lanky frame. Presses corners when they play off -- which was commonplace at Pitt -- forcing them to turn their hips. Stutters around his man to get the sideline and separate when let free off the line. Locked up in press by smaller corners, however, must learn to use his hands to get off jam.

blocking

Shows promise as a blocker with better effort. Usually takes aggression to the defender, churning his legs to push him back 10-15 yards at times. Has the length to hold off his man. Lacks flexibility to mirror NFL defensive backs and is very inconsistent moving his feet to sustain throughout the play.

One of the country's elite receiver prospects and multi-sport stars

selected to play in the 2008 U.S. Army All-American Bowl

SuperPrep All-American and Northeast Offensive Player of the Year

PrepStar "Dream Team"

Scout.com All-American

rated one of the country's top 40 overall prospects by SuperPrep (No. 14), Scout (No. 20), Rivals, (No. 26) and PrepStar (No. 38)

among national receiver prospects, was rated No. 3 by SuperPrep, No. 5 by Rivals and No. 6 by Scout

named to The Associated Press Pennsylvania Class AA All-State Team (first team)

rated the No. 2 prospect in Pennsylvania by SuperPrep, Rivals, Scout and Keystone Recruiting

rated No. 3 on Scout's East Top 100 list

had 41 receptions for 613 yards (14.9 avg.) and nine touchdowns as a senior

compiled 62 catches for 1,083 yards (17.5 avg.) and 14 touchdowns his final two years

helped team to a combined 19-4 record (.826) as a junior and senior, including berths in the WPIAL Class AA playoffs each season

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Fabulous 22"

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Terrific 25"

Harrisburg Patriot-News "Platinum 33"

played under Coach Mike Zmijanac. Selected to play in the Big 33 Football Classic

in addition to being a national football recruit, also had several Division I scholarship offers in basketball, including Marquette

the first-team all-state performer averaged 21.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and two blocks a game his senior year

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Fabulous Five" and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Terrific 10" honoree

was an AAU basketball teammate of fellow Pitt recruit Mike Shanahan

was a member of the Quips' PIAA and WPIAL champion 400-meter relay teams in track

earned a combined eight varsity letters at Aliquippa High, including four in basketball, three in football and three in track

Baldwin is the latest in a long line of Aliquippa products to sign with Pitt, including redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Brandon Lindsey and freshman offensive lineman Juantez Hollins

other recent Quips at Pitt include cornerback Darrelle Revis (2004-06), who now plays for the New York Jets, defensive lineman Sean Gilbert (1989-91), who went on to a decade-long career in the NFL, and All-Big East cornerback Bernard "Josh" Lay (2002-05)

legendary Hall of Famer Mike Ditka is another Aliquippa product who played at Pitt (1958-60).

Jonathan Dupree Baldwin, born 8/10/89, is the son of Jeffrey and Tezmalita Baldwin

has two sisters

father was a defensive lineman at Pitt from 1981-84

cousin, Charles Fisher, was a standout defensive back at West Virginia (1995-98) who went on to play with the Cincinnati Bengals (1999-2000)

enrolled in the School of Arts and Sciences.