PITTSBURGH (AP) - Former Ohio State recruit Ejuan Price is now heading to Pittsburgh.

The 6-foot, 235-pound linebacker originally signed with the Buckeyes in February but was recently granted his release.

Price, a second-team Class AAAA All-State pick from Woodland Hills High, was ranked among the top 15 linebacker prospects in the country by Scout.com.

Pitt coach Todd Graham calls Price "an explosive player" who will fit in well with the Panthers.

Price is one of four Woodland Hills players to sign with the Panthers this year, joining defensive lineman Khaynin Mosley-Smith and defensive backs Lafayette Pitts and Jevonte Pitts.

Jeff Evans

Pittsburgh's non-conference schedule is slim these days.

In five years, Pitt will renew its interstate rivalry with Penn State.

But that's five years from now, what about sooner?

Who should the Panthers take on from other conferences to ultimately boost their credibility in the BCS rankings?

Here are eight opponents I would like to see Pittsburgh take on in the future.

Begin Slideshow

Jeff Evans

Wow, we have already had our first upset of the season. Number 15 Pittsburgh was defeated by unranked Utah 24-27 in overtime. So were the panthers upset, overhyped, or are the Utes for real and a team to keep your eye on?

Brian Johnson

The Big East may be the premier college basketball conference, but it absolutely stinks in college football. Last season, a Big East team got to go to a BCS game even though no teams in the Big East were in the final BCS Top 25. This year, only the West Virginia Mountaineers are currently ranked, and they are only the 23rd best team in the nation. In my opinion this is undeserving of a BCS Bowl Game and allowing them to go is rewarding mediocrity. 

Chris Rutledge

After two devastating losses, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish got its first win versus the Michigan State Spartans, and they hope to make it two in a row when they travel to Pittsburgh, PA to take on the Pittsburgh Panthers. The Irish can break even for the season with a win over the Panthers.

Brian Johnson

June 23, 2011

PITTSBURGH—College football expert Phil Steele likes the Pitt Panthers to capture this year’s Big East championship and advance to a BCS bowl in Coach Todd Graham’s inaugural season.

In his annual preview magazine Steele writes, “Pitt has my No. 1 rated defense in the league and Graham will get the most out of an offense that has talent.”

Steele actually predicts a tie atop the Big East standings between the Panthers and USF Bulls. He says, however, the Panthers will win the league’s tiebreaker and advance to the Orange Bowl.

Pitt and USF will square off in a huge ESPN Thursday night encounter on Sept. 29 at Heinz Field. The Panthers have won the last three meetings against the Bulls.

Steele also named two Panthers to his All-America Team. Senior offensive lineman Chris Jacobson (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) is a third-team selection, while senior defensive end Brandon Lindsey (Aliquippa, Pa./Aliquippa) was named to the fourth team.

In 2010, Steele predicted Tulsa would be the most improved team in the country under Graham. The Golden Hurricane responded by going 10-3, including a victory at Notre Dame and bowl win over nationally ranked Hawaii, to finish No. 24 in the final Associated Press poll.

—PITT—

Jeff Evans

SUNRISE, Fla. - The Florida Panthers have re-signed former Michigan State forward Tim Kennedy, who was acquired from the Rangers in a deal last February, to a one-year, two-way contract.

Kennedy, 25, spent most of last season with the Rangers' farm team in Hartford, Conn., in the American Hockey League. He had one assist in six games with the Panthers last season after a brief stint with Rochester of the AHL.

Kennedy played for new Panthers coach Kevin Dineen in 2008-09, his first season as a pro. He had 67 points for Portland of the AHL before landing a spot with Buffalo the following season. Kennedy was declared a free agent in 2009 and signed with the Rangers.

Kennedy played at MSU from 2005-2008 and set up Justin Abdelkader's game-winning goal to give the Spartans the 2007 NCAA title.

"Tim is a young, skilled forward who we are pleased to have re-signed,'' Panthers GM Dale Tallon said in a statement. "We look forward to Tim's continued development and growth within our organization.''

Jeff Evans

True Blood started with only vampires and shape shifters. However, they have since added werewolves, panthers, and ferries. Of all the supernatural beings in True Blood, which would you rather be?

Tom Fisher

Urban Meyer has won at every school he has ever coached at in college football. He began his career as head coach at Bowling Green. He immediately turned the Falcons around by going to a bowl in both his two seasons and had a total record of 17-6. 

Brian Johnson

The Chicago Blackhawks have traded defenseman Brian Campbell to the Florida Panthers for forward Rostislav Olesz.

The deal was finalized late Friday, after the first round of the NHL draft.

The 32-year-old Campbell had 19 goals and 38 assists over three seasons with the Blackhawks.

He was the third-highest paid player on the team last season at $7.142 million behind Duncan Keith and Marian Hossa. Campbell just completing the third year of an eight-year contract that will pay him more than $56 million. He had five goals and 22 assists in 65 games last season, averaging nearly 23 minutes per game.

The 25-year-old Olesz was the seventh overall pick by the Panthers in the 2004 draft. The native of the Czech Republic had six goals and 11 assists in 44 games last season, completing the third of a six-year contract that pays him $18.75 million.

The Blackhawks had a busy day. They traded left wing Troy Brouwer to the Washington Capitals for the 26th pick in the first round, giving them two selections.

"We're fortunate in our organization that we've got a lot of young players who we need to find spots for," general manager Stan Bowman said, adding: "We're excited that we added a first-round pick. It's not easy to do that these days the way those are valued around the league."

Jeff Evans

As the #1 overall pick for the Carolina Panthers in the 2011 NFL Draft, Cam Newton is in a quarterback battle with Jimmy Clausen not only over who will be the starter but also over the #2 jersey. 

George Davis

Mel Kiper says Nick Fairley will be the first player drafted in the 2011 NFL Draft. The Defensive Tackle recorded 11 1/2 sacks and 24 tackles for a loss this year for the National Champion Auburn Tigers.In many games, he seemed unblockable, destroying offensive lines and taking over games. Some say he is as quick as Warren Sapp when coming off of the line. 

Jamison Ingle

Steelers vs Jets

rich parrish

•15. J.T. Miller, C, U.S. Ann Arbor-based U-18 — Rangers.

•20. Connor Murphy, D, U.S. U-18 — Coyotes.

•21. Stefan Noesen, RW, Plymouth Whalers — Senators.

•22. Tyler Biggs, RW, U.S. U-18 — Maple Leafs.

•30. Rickard Rakell, RW, Plymouth Whalers — Ducks.

•33. Rocco Grimaldi, C, U.S. U-18 — Panthers.

•39. John Gibson, G, U.S. U-18/Michigan recruit (2011) — Ducks.

•40. Alexander Khokhlachev, LW/C, Windsor Spitfires — Bruins.

•43. Brandon Saad, LW, Saginaw Spirit — Blackhawks.

•64. Vincent Trocheck, C, Saginaw Spirit — Panthers.

•78. Brennan Serville, D, U-M recruit (2011) — Winnipeg.

•81. Anthony Camara, LW, Saginaw Spirit — Bruins.

•94. Josh Shalla, LW, Saginaw Spirit — Predators.

•95. Robbie Russo, D, U.S. U-18 — Islanders.

•99. Reid Boucher, C, Grand Ledge/MSU recruit — Devils.

•123. Garrett Meurs, C, Plymouth Whalers — Avalanche.

•129. Blake Pietila, LW, Brighton/Michigan Tech recruit (2011) — Devils.

•163. Matt Mahalak, G, Plymouth Whalers — Hurricanes.

•196. Zac Larraza, LW, U.S. U-18 — Coyotes.

Jeff Evans