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2004 MAC Football Recruiting - Ohio Bobcats

Overview

Ohio University brings in 21 players from nine states in to their 2004 class.  This class features ten players from Ohio, and three junior college transfers.  Most of these players are being brought in to add to develop and add depth, but in certain areas, like TE, WR and DL, a few of these players will likely be playing this fall for the Bobcats.  Ohio has changed offensive philosophies, going away from the option attack they have run for nearly a decade, and going to a more traditional open spread attack that is becoming so popular now.  The offensive players in this class are suited for this new offense.  Mark Petruziello is the QB prospect signed and he was an all-Ohio QB as senior, tossing for over 2,500 yards and 24 TDs.  He also rushed for over 1,000 yards.  He will do well in this new offense.  The three JUCOs are TE and DE prospects.

Highlights

• Zach Kiesch has had an interesting ride since high school.  The Minnesota native originally enrolled in a Navy Prep school, then transferred to Toledo, before leaving there and going to Fullerton Junior College in California.  Now he is in Athens, and the 6-6 265-pound DE force should contribute this fall.  Other big defensive line prospects who should contribute right are DT Jeff Browning, a top-100 player in the Midwest, Landon Cohen, an all-state player from South Carolina, and Jacob Williamson, a multi-dimensional defensive player from Georgia.
• Ohio signed a nice group of offensive linemen, led by Cleveland St. Ignatius alums Steve Miller & Mike Eynon.  OU also nabbed Scott Rouse, one of the top players in Cincinnati and a graduate of football power St. Xavier High School.
• Ohio signed a nice group of playmakers on both sides of the ball.  Offensively, Joshua Abrams, Felix Adeyeye, and Todd Koenig, can become game breakers, which OU has lacked for a long time.  Defensively, Dustin Tatum & Chris Hall are fast DBs who will be needed to go against the talented spread offensives throughout the MAC.
• The LBs in this class are very athletic.  Austin Addington-Strapp was a 2^nd team all-Ohio selection, while Michael Brown is super quick OLB from Cincinnati Elder.  RB/DB Joshua Abrams holds high school track records in the state of Georgia.

Final Thoughts

Ohio has needed to scrap the option for a long time and it’s good to see them finally do so.  By making this change, the talent of the offensive skilled players is much higher than it has been in recent years.  Also, Ohio did a nice job at recruiting the offensive line and TE areas.  Defensively, Ohio is brining in several players who can play multiple positions, from ILB to DE, OLB to SS.  The Bobcats signed one of their better classes in recent memory and if these players can stay healthy and continue to develop, this class that currently rates as VERY GOOD, may move a few notches over the next few seasons.

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