Pitt senior guard John Malecki was one of the first players to commit to the Panthers from the recruiting class of 2006, but at the time he was an unheralded player at Franklin Regional High School, so his college decision didn't make a splash.

It made no difference to Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt that nobody really knew much about Malecki or that he didn't have any other offers. Wannstedt knew he had a hidden gem.

"I remember talking to John the first time I met him and thinking to myself, 'If we are going to build a foundation, this is the kind of blocks that you want to build on top of to be successful,' " said Wannstedt. "He was a winner, an attitude guy, he had ability, he was a good student. And you think to yourself, 'This is one of those cornerstone type of guys.'

"After he committed, he went out and had that great senior year and might have been the best lineman in the state by the end of his senior year."

Malecki hasn't let Wannstedt or the Panthers down, becoming one of the most consistent and steady players on the roster through all of the ups and downs the past four seasons.

He began his career as a defensive lineman but was moved to offense after his sophomore season to fill a need and has been a two-year starter. He has been described as a "meat and potatoes" kind of player, but he also is an outstanding student, earning All-Big East Academic Team honors last season.

Make no mistake: There are players with bigger names than Malecki on Pitt's roster. There are players with more NFL potential. But Malecki is the player from that fantastic recruiting class of 2006 who personifies the blue-collar, hard-nosed approach to football that the Panthers (9-1, 5-0 Big East) have taken.

In fact, when you ask anyone around the program to list the most physical players on the team, Malecki's name is usually at or near the top of it.

When asked to find the best word to describe Malecki, Pitt offensive line coach Tony Wise said without hesitation: "Tough."

Malecki's toughness and work ethic earned the respect of his teammates. Tight end Nate Byham said Malecki is "maybe the toughest football player I've ever been around. He loves smash-mouth football and loves to hit people."

Malecki expresses little concern about lack of recognition.

"There is so much talent on this football team, it is unbelievable," he said. "I kind of like being the underdog. You are always underestimated, and I take that mindset when I play the game: If you don't know my name, that is your fault, and I'm going to come out and try to smack you in the mouth. So you better be ready to play.

"That's just how I play, and I've felt like over my career that I've taken pride in [it]. It doesn't matter if nobody knows who I am. I know who I am and how I am going to play, and my teammates do, too. And really, the only thing that matters is, I get my job done every Saturday and we win the game."

Byham said of Malecki: "He's a great leader because he is crazy on the field, but off the field he is very smart and doesn't get into trouble. He does all the right things, which is why he is a favorite of the coaches and everyone likes him. He really does all the right things both on and off the field."

Malecki will play in his final Backyard Brawl Friday night in Morgantown. For him, the game is particularly special because West Virginia (7-3, 3-2) was one of the few teams that also recruited him. But he said this is the game in which Pitt legends are made because it is the Panthers' most important rivalry.

"The reason I love this place is, once you are a Pitt guy you are a Pitt guy for life," Malecki said. "Former players are part of the family, and if you win the Backyard Brawl it is something that is talked about for years to come. I think the commitment we all made as freshmen and the way we've all matured since then is special, but we have unfinished business and we know it is all for nothing if we don't win these next two games."

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