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 2nd 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.
