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2009 Toledo Rockets Football Recruiting

2009 Toledo Overview
Toledo signed 19 players from ten different states. Of the 19 recruits, seven are from the state of Ohio, three are from Florida, two are from Texas, and one each comes from Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. The class was heavy on the defensive side of the ball with the signing of five DLs, two LBs and four DBs. On offense, 2 QBs were signed, two WRs, two OL and no RBs or TEs. One incoming player is listed as an athlete and there is one PK. Two incoming players join UT from the junior college ranks. Of note, there are three players from the 2008 class that were announced as joining these nineteen. Those three were not considered within these rankings since they were already counted last season in Toledo’s analysis.

Top Players for Toledo:

• Richard Steele, CB, 6-0, 185, Cincinnati LaSalle

  Steele decommitted from MAC-rival BGSU after the change in coaching staff. He is a solid cover-corner who should contribute right away. Some recruiting services have him listed in the 5-10 range though. Ohio High has him rated the #51 player in the state and ESPN/Scout has him rated as the #68 cornerback in the nation.

• Johnie Roberts, DT, 6-3, 290, Hattiesburg, MS, Pearl River CC

  A much needed DT for the Rocket program choosing UT over La-Monroe. While one recruiting service had him rated as a top-20 defensive lineman in the country from the JUCO ranks, two other services did not have him rated at all. Still Roberts has the size and talent to be an immediate impact.

Sleepers in the 2009 Toledo Recruiting Class:

• Ben Steele, 6-5,245, DL, Venice (FL) High School

  A late bloomer who has been listed at 6-4 260 by some recruiting services, has the size to be either a DE or a DT during his career. Earned all county honors from the Sarasota area of Florida.

• Ben Pike, 6-3, 230, DE, Mentor (OH)

  A quick pass rusher who really got jerked around during the recruiting process. At one point in time he had given a verbal agreement to Eastern Michigan but then EMU recanted their offer. According to the Cleveland Plain dealer, Pike recorded 14.5 sacks and 28 QB pressures as a senior. Named district player of the year in NE Ohio.

Toledo's Final Analysis:

While this class does rank as high as recent Toledo classes, in the long run this class will be much better than those under Tom Amstutz that had at the surface level possessed more flare. All of these student athletes should be ready to play this August. Under Amstutz’ previous four classes, several so-called blue-chip recruits did not have their academics in order and thus, never made it on the field. Hitting the defensive side of the ball hard with DL and DBs was a must for this program’s short term needs. Those were met. Other areas of need were also addressed. So while this class may not jump off the charts with program-changing players, it does lay the proper ground work for Toledo to become a factor again in the MAC west in the not-so-distant future. Overall this class rates a GOOD compared to the rest of the league. Going back to the 2008 recruits now eligible for the 2009 season, both Jermaine Robinson (DB from Pittsburgh Brashear/Milford Academy) and RB Darius Reeves (Columbus Gahanna Lincoln) will provide immediate impact to their respected positions.

> Official 2009 Toledo Football Recruits Press Release

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