A look at the schools that are overlooked by the ESPNs of the world.


Friday, July 6, 2012

Fall Preview: Toledo

Fall Preview for the Toledo Rockets:

QB
#02   Terrance Owens QB 6-4 180 Jr. Cleveland, OH (Glenville)--12 games played, 3 starts. 41 carries for 209 yards and 1 TD. 166-230 passing for 2022 yards and 18 TD. 1 tackle.
#04   Austin Dantin QB 6-2 200 Sr. Tallahassee, FL (Leon)--11 games played, 9 starts. 59 carries for 183 yards and 2 TD. 122-188 passing for 1404 yards and 15 TD. 2nd string.
#17   Dwight Macon QB 6-0 200 So. Steubenville, OH (Steubenville)--4 games played. 13 carries for 56 yards and 1 TD. 2-3 passing got 21 yards. 1 catch for 33 yards and 1 TD. 3rd string
#15   Ryan Gannon QB 6-2 190 R-Fr. Columbus, OH (Dublin Jerome)--Redshirted in 2011. 4th string.
#??   Brian Blackburn QB 6-5 197 Fr. Detroit, MI Crockett--Incoming freshman.

2011 saw Toledo with a quarterback battle that stretched the entire season with both junior Terrance Owens and senior Austin Dantin getting similar playing time. Owens was the winner of the quarterback battle during spring practice showing off a better arm for the passing game. Dantin is still going to get some playing time after 1400 yards and 15 touchdowns in the air last fall. Last fall they combined for 3400 yards and 33 touchdowns to go along with nearly 400 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns. Sophomore Dwight Macon saw limited playing time in 2011 but is cemented in as the 3rd quarterback this fall. Redshirt freshman Ryan Gannon was redshirted in 2011 but is buried on the depth chart this fall.

RB
#22   David Fluellen RB 6-0 215 Jr. Lockport, NY (Lockport)--13 games played, 2 starts. 97 carries for 493 yards and 4 TD. 16 catches for 155 yards and 2 TD. 8 kickoff returns for 10.5 yard average.
#34   David Pasquale RB 6-2 232 Sr. Cape Coral, FL (Cape Coral)--10 games played. 11 carries for 59 yards and 1 TD. 3 tackles. 2nd string.
#27   Darius Reeves RB 6-1 202 Jr. Columbus, OH (Gahanna Lincoln)--2 games played. 7 carries for 19 yards. 2 catches for 13 yards. 3rd string.
#05   Jamaal Jackson RB 5-10 185 So. Wilmington, DE (Hodgson)--No stats in 2011.
#24   Charles Perdue RB 6-0 190 So. Youngstown, OH (Liberty)--No stats in 2011.
#29   Ricky Pringle RB 5-10 190 So. Buffalo, NY (Canisius)--No stats in 2011.
#??   Damion Jones-Moore RB 5-6 171 Fr. Pittsburgh, PA Central Catholic--Incoming freshman.
#??   Marc Remy RB 5-11 185 Fr. North Olmsted, OH North Olmsted--Incoming freshman.
#??   Jody Webb RB 5-9 170 Fr. Toledo, OH Whitmer--Incoming freshman.

After losing Adonis Thomas to graduation, junior David Fluellen is ready to be the man this fall. Fluellen ran for 493 yards and caught 16 passes in relief of Thomas in 2011. Senior David Pasquale saw very limited action last fall but after earning the 2nd sting spot, he must be ready to spell Fluellen and carry the ball 50+ times this fall. Junior Darius Reeves was also used in limited action with little results. The Rockets have 3 sophomores that did not see any playing time last fall but should be needed  on special teams in 2012.

TE
#13   Cordale Scott WR 6-4 220 Sr. Cleveland, OH (Illinois) (Glenville)--13 games played, 3 starts. 5 catches for 78 yards. 1 kickoff return for 1 yard. 2 tackles.
#82   Colby Kratch TE 6-4 245 Sr. Watertown, MN (North Dakota St. Coll. of Scie) (Watertown-Mayer)--13 games played. 2 catches for 54 yards. 2nd string.
#41   Zac Rosenbauer TE 6-2 255 So. Lima, OH (Shawnee)--12 games played. 4 tackles. 3rd string.
#95   Jared Strait TE 6-2 246 Sr. Wyandotte, MI (Roosevelt)--13 games played. 1 catch for 14 yards. 3 kickoff returns for 5.7 yard average.
#??   Mike Ebert TE 6-5 250 Fr. Sandusky, OH Perkins--Incoming freshman.
#??   Craig Runyan TE 6-4 225 Fr. Marysville, OH Marysville--Incoming freshman.
#??   Alex Zmolik TE 6-4 215 Fr. Port Huron, MI Port Huron--Incoming freshman.

The tight end spot is not a position of emphasis for Toledo with no returning tight end making any more than 5 catches last fall. Senior Cordale Scott led the tight ends with 5 catches for 78 yards and could jump that total to 15 of so this fall. Kratch, Rosenbauer, and Straight will battle for the backup spot and any of the three could see extensive playing time. The three incoming freshmen (Ebert, Runyan, and Zmolik) should be saved for the future and redshirted this fall.

WR
#11   Bernard Reedy WR 5-9 175 Jr. St. Petersburg, FL (Lakewood)--13 games played, 12 starts. 1 punt return for 10 yards. 4 carries for 40 yards. 40 catches for 758 yards and 9 TD. 7 kickoff returns for 14 yard average.
#08   James Green WR 6-3 200 Jr. Miami, FL (Tallahassee Leon)--12 games played. 9 catches for 118 yards and 1 TD.
#19   Cassius McDowell WR 5-9 180 So. Deerfield Beach, FL (Deerfield Beach)--9 games played. 4 catches for 22 yards and 1 TD. 1 kickoff return for 20 yard.
#14   Justin Olack WR 6-4 210 So. Shadyside, OH (Massillon Washington)--12 games played. 1 catch for 10 yards and 1 TD. 2nd string.
#11   Devin Brown WR 5-9 175 R-Fr. Cincinnati, OH (Mount Healthy)--Redshirted in 2011. 2nd string.
#26   Jimmy Davidson WR 6-4 201 Sr. Findlay, OH (Findlay)--7 games played. No stats in 2011. 2nd string.
#83   Julian Bellinger WR 6-1 175 Sr. Lithonia, GA (Lithonia)--2 games played. 2 catches for 24 yards. 3rd string.
#84   Sam Gaymon S 6-3 199 Sr. Redford, MI (Detroit Renaissance)--7 games played. No stats in 2011. 3rd string.
#20   Zach Rogers WR 6-2 195 R-Fr. Elyria, OH (Catholic)--Redshirted in 2011. 3rd string.
#20   Robert Carmona WR 6-0 200 Jr. Dublin, OH (Jerome)--No stats in 2011. 4th string.
#81   Jeff Moore WR 6-0 175 Jr. Rochester, MI (Rochester)--No stats in 2011. 4th string.
#86   Martin Chenier WR 6-2 190 So. Sylvania, OH (Southview)--No stats in 2011.
#??   Marcus Davis WR 5-11 167 Fr. Dublin, OH Coffman--Incoming freshman.
#??   Corey Jones WR 5-9 165 Fr. Pittsburgh, PA Penn Hills--Incoming freshman.
#??   Danny Larkins WR 5-11 185 Fr Madison Heights, MI Madison--Incoming freshman.
#??   Armani Miller WR 6-1 180 Fr. Huber Heights, OH Wayne--Incoming freshman.
#??   Chaz Whittaker WR 6-3 180 Fr. Pittsburgh, PA Penn Hills--Incoming freshman.

The loss of all everything receiver Eric Page is a huge blow to the Toledo offense and will be hard to replace with a receiver corps that only has 1 player with double digit receptions. Junior Bernard Reedy made 40 catches for 758 yards and 9 touchdowns opposite Page. Green and McDowell saw playing time last fall in increments and combined for 13 catches and just over 130 yards last fall. Olack (1 catch), Brown, Davidson, and Bellinger (2 catches) all are backups that are inexperienced but ready to step in and make some big catches in 2012.

OL
#56   Josh Hendershot LT 6-4 275 So. Newark, OH (Catholic)--6 games played.
#54   Jeff Myers LG 6-3 280 So. Weston, OH (Massillon Washington)--13 games played.
#67   Zac Kerin C 6-5 294 Jr. Delaware, OH (Olentangy)--13 games played, 12 starts.
#75   Greg Mancz RG 6-5 280 So. Cincinnati, OH (Anderson)--13 games played, 12 starts.
#60   A.J. Lindeman RT 6-6 300 Sr. Aurora, IL (Waubonsie Valley)--13 games played.
#61   Erik Carlson C 6-2 283 Jr. Canton, OH (Jackson)--4 games played. 2nd string.
#57   Robert Lisowski LG 6-4 292 So. Union, NJ (Union)--2 games played. 2nd string.
#62   Mark Mattraw LT 6-3 255 So. Fort Recovery, OH (Fort Recovery)--1 game played. 2nd string.
#65   Chase Nelson RG 6-8 345 Jr. Edina, MN (Edina)--No stats in 2011. 2nd string.
#64   Ethan Wirth RT 6-6 280 R-Fr. Williamston, MI (Williamston)--Redshirted in 2011. 2nd string.
#76   Samuel Cherry RG 6-2 302 Jr. Columbus, OH (Gahanna Lincoln)--1 game played. 3rd string.
#70   Ben Steele LT 6-4 250 Jr. Venice, FL (Venice)--No stats in 2011. 3rd string.
#89   Collin Perchinske RT 6-5 265 R-Fr. Cleveland, OH (Padua Franciscan)--Redshirted in 2011. 3rd string.
#68   Kyle Cameron C 6-2 280 R-Fr. Toledo, OH (Central Catholic)--Redshirted in 2011.
#??   James Henry OL 6-7 260 Fr. Columbus, OH Upper Arlington--Incoming freshman.
#??   Ray Marlow OL 6-4 323 Fr. Dayton, OH Carroll--Incoming freshman.
#??   Storm Norton OL 6-8 290 Fr. Toledo, OH Whitmer--Incoming freshman.
#??   Paul Perschon OL 6-6 Fr. 310 Hoffman Estates, IL Conant--Incoming freshman.

DL
#23   T.J. Fatinikun DE 6-2 250 Sr. Perrysburg, OH (Perrysburg)--7 games played, 6 starts. 23 tackles, 7.5 for loss. 2.5 sacks, 1 pbu, 1 pd, 1 fumble recovery.
#84   Christian Smith DE 6-2 260 Jr. Oklahoma City, OK (Carl Albert)--13 games played, 6 starts. 27 tackles, 5.5 for loss. 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble.
#92   Danny Farr DT 6-5 295 Sr. Evanston, IL (Evanston Township)--13 games played. 11 tackles, 2.5 for loss. 1 sack, 2 pbu, 2 pd, 1 blocked kick.
#98   Elijah Jones NT 6-2 295 Jr. Indianapolis, IN (Warren Central)---13 games played, 2 starts. 23 tackles, 3 for loss.
#15   Jayrone Elliott DE 6-3 220 Jr. Cleveland, OH (Glenville)--13 games played. 31 tackles, 1.5 for loss. 1 sack, 1 interception, 2 pbu, 3 pd. 2nd string.
#46   Hank Keighley DE 6-4 250 Sr. Dayton, OH (Kettering Alter)--13 games played. 1 tackle, 1 for loss. 1 kickoff return for 0 yards. 2nd string.
#93   Phil Lewis NT 6-2 285 Sr. Grosse Pointe, MI (Grand Rapids C.C.) (South)--5 games played. 5 tackles. 2nd string.
#30   Ben Pike DT 6-3 266 Jr. Mentor, OH (Mentor)--13 games played. 12 tackles, 5 for loss. 5 sacks, 1 pbu, 1 pd, 1 forced fumble. 2nd string.
#90   Grant Pleasant DE 6-3 230 So. Columbus, OH (Dublin Scioto)--No stats in 2011. 3rd string.
#96   Ayoub Hamidah NT 6-1 260 So. Cleveland, OH (Lakewood)--No stats in 2011. 3rd string.
#99   Keenen Gibbs DE 6-3 260 R-Fr. Cinncinnati, OH (LaSalle)--Redshirted in 2011. 3rd string.
#59   Tom Crawford DT 6-0 240 So. Oregon, OH (Clay)--No stats in 2011.
#50   Ryan Aridi DL 6-2 290 R-Fr. Sylvania, OH (Southview)--Redshirted in 2011.
#??   Chris Collins DE 6-4 270 Fr. Cleveland, OH John Hay--Incoming freshman.
#??   Allen Covington DE 6-2 265 Fr. Seffner, FL Armwood--Incoming freshman.
#??   Phillip Martin DE 6-3 260 Fr. Chicago, IL Kenwood--Incoming freshman.
#??   Treyvon Hester DT 6-3 290 Fr. Pittsburgh, PA Penn Hills--Incoming freshman.
#??   Orion Jones DT 6-2 270 Fr. Jenks, OK Jenks--Incoming freshman.

Defensive ends TJ Fatinkun and Christian Smith are the leaders of a Rocket defensive line that is very experienced coming into the 2012 season. Fatinkun made 23 tackles with 2.5 sacks with Smith adding 27 tackles and 2 sacks from his defensive end position. Tackles Danny Farr (11 tackles) and Elijah Jones (23 tackles) were also solid contributors that must step up from backups to starters this fall. Surprisingly, junior defensive end Jayrone Elliott is a backup on the depth chart after leading all defensive linemen with 31 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 interception. Keighley, Lewis, and Pike are all backups that played sparingly in 2011 but are ready for more responsibility in 2012. 5 freshmen may be too far down the depth chart to contribute this fall.

LB
#25   Vladimir Emilien SLB/DB 6-1 204 Jr. Lauderhill, FL (Plantation)--No stats in 2011.
#32   Dan Molls MLB 6-1 222 Sr. North Royalton, OH (Padua Franciscan)--7 games played, 7 starts. 70 tackles, 3.5 for loss. 1 pbu, 1 pd, 3 fumble recoveries. 1 defensive touchdown.
#38   Robert Bell WLB 6-0 227 Sr. Grand Rapids, MI (East Grand Rapids)--13 games played, 12 starts. 78 tackles, 4.5 for loss. 1 sack, 1 interception, 1 pbu, 2 pd, 3 fumble recoveries, 4 forced fumbles. 1 defensive touchdown.
#33   Junior Sylvestre SLB/DB 6-0 195 So. Hollywood, FL (South Broward)--13 games played. 19 tackles. 1 fumble recovery. 2nd string.
#55   Ray Bush MLB 6-3 220 So. Toledo, OH (Rogers)--10 games played. 18 tackles. 2nd string.
#31   James Gordon WLB 6-3 210 So. Cleveland, OH (Glenville)--10 games played. 8 tackles, 1 for loss. 2nd string.
#48   Dawalyn Harper MLB 6-1 220 So. Youngstown, OH (Ursuline)--8 games played. 9 tackles. 3rd string.
#51   Derek Batt WLB 5-11 210 R-Fr. Bowling Green, OH (Bowling Green)--Redshirted in 2011. 3rd string.
#44   Jordan Barnes LB 6-1 240 Jr. Fort Wayne, IN (Western Oklahoma) (Homestead)--1 game played. No stats in 2011.
#42   Alvin Fletcher LB 5-10 220 So. Muskegon, MI (Muskegon)--No stats in 2011.
#44   Drake Fletcher LB 5-10 220 So. Muskegon, MI (Muskegon)--No stats in 2011.
#40   Trent Voss LB 6-3 210 R-Fr. East Grand Rapids, MI (East Grand Rapids)--Redshirted in 2011.
#??   Jaylen Coleman LB 6-1 220 Fr. Pittsburgh, PA University Prep--Incoming freshman.

Seniors Robert Bell (78 tackles) and Dan Molls (70 tackles) lead a linebacker corps that is full of playmakers. Both Bell and Molls scored defensive touchdowns for the Rocket defense and are the 2 leading returning tacklers from 2011. Junior Vladimir Emilien is a linebacker/safety hybrid that did not play in 2011 but must step in and play some solid defense alongside Molls and Bell. Sylvestre (19 tackles), Bush (18 tackles), and Gordon (8 tackles) are the backups and are ready for some time on the field in relief of the starting trio.

DB
#06   Byron Best CB 5-9 200 Sr. Greenwood, SC (Greenwood)--12 games played, 2 starts. 18 tackles, 1 for loss. 1 forced fumble.
#26   Keith Suggs CB 5-10 175 So. Indianapolis, IN (Ben Davis)--12 games played, 3 starts. 12 tackles.
#29   Jermaine Robinson SS 6-3 188 Sr. Pittsburgh, PA (Brashear)--12 games played, 12 starts. 55 tackles, 6.5 for loss. 3 interceptions, 9 pbu, 12 pd, 2 forced fumbles. 2 defensive touchdowns.
#43   Mark Singer FS 6-1 194 Sr. Cinnaminson, NJ (Delran Holy Cross)--No stats in 2011.
#25   Kishon Wilcher CB 5-7 168 So. Detroit, MI (Cass Tech )--13 games played. 28 tackles. 1 pbu, 1 pd, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble, 1 blocked kick. 1 punt return for 12 yards. 2nd string.
#34   Chris Dukes CB 5-9 182 R-Fr. Cincinnati, OH (Colerain)--Redshirted in 2011. 3 games played. 2nd string.
#36   Cheatham Norrils SS 6-0 185 So. Toledo, OH (St. John's)--9 games played. 7 tackles. 2nd string.
#21   Ross Madison FS 6-1 193 Jr. Leesburg, VA (Heritage)--13 games played, 1 start. 25 tackles. 1 interception, 2 pbu, 3 pd. 2nd string.
#47   Noah Key DB 6-0 180 R-Fr. Columbus, OH (Bishop Hartley)--Redshirted in 2011. 3rd string.
#04   Jordan Haden CB 5-11 200 So. Fort Washington, MD (Friendly)--No stats in 2011. 3rd string.
#28   Ethan Kagy FS 5-11 192 Jr. Tiffin, OH (Columbian)--6 games played. 4 tackles. 3rd string.
#45   Leonard Hassell CB 5-9 170 Fr. Detroit, MI (Martin Luther King)--Redshirted in 2011.
#??   Cameron Cole DB 6-0 185 Fort Scott, KS Fort Scott C.C.--JUCO transfer.
#??   Juwan Haynes DB 6-1 175 Fr. Pittsburgh, PA Central Catholic--Incoming freshman.
#??   Travis Nees DB 6-2 192 Fr. Piqua, OH Piqua--Incoming freshman.

In a secondary that is not very experienced, everything this fall depends on the play of strong safety Jermaine Robinson. Robinson made 55 tackles with 3 interceptions and 2 defensive touchdowns as the playmaker in the secondary that was below par last fall. The Rockets need some players to step up around Robinson to avoid the horrible scorelines that were all too common in 2011. Seniors Byron Best (18 tackles) and Mark Singer along with sophomore Keith Suggs (12 tackles) flank Robinson and must prove that they are ready for the responsibility of starting against the high flying offenses of the MAC. Wilcher (28 tackles), Dukes, Norrils (7 tackles) and Madison (25 tackles) are the backups with a serious chance at playing this fall if any of the starters fail at slowing down the offenses.

P
#35   Vince Penza P 6-1 201 Jr. Canfield,OH (Cardinal Mooney)--11 games played. 49 punts for 37.8 yard average and 13 inside the 20 yard line and 2 over 50 yards. 1 tackle.
#13   Brad Dunavant P 6-0 195 So. Rockwell, TX (Trinity Valley) (Heath)--No stats in 2011.
#08   Corey Smith P 5-8 175 So. Dexter, MI (Detroit Catholic Central)--No stats in 2011.

In 11 games played last fall, junior Vince Penza made 49 punts for a 37.8 yard average with 13 inside the 20 yard line and 2 over 50 yards. Penza must jump his punting average to 40 yards in order to give the Rockets a chance to play the field position game.

K
#85   Jeremiah Detmer PK 5-8 170 So. Hilliard, OH (Davidson)--13 games played. 5-6 field goal attempts. Long of 52 yards. 94 kickoffs with 6 touchbacks. 2 tackles.
#??   Brad Dunavant K 6-0 195 Athens, TX Trinity Valley C.C.--JUCO transfer.
#94   Clay Simpkins PK 5-10 165 So. Wauseon, OH (Wauseon)--No stats in 2011.
#93   Jimmy Dunsmore PK 5-9 170 So.--No stats in 2011.

Sophomore Jeremiah Detmer was 5-6 in field goal attempts last fall with a long of 52 yards last fall. Detmer was also the kickoff specialist last season with 94 kickoffs and 6 touchbacks that must be improved in the future.

LS
#45   Matt Wall LS 6-1 218 Jr. Centerville, OH (Centerville)--13 games played. 1 tackle.
#38   Robert Bell WLB/LS 6-0 227 Sr. Grand Rapids, MI (East Grand Rapids)--13 games played, 12 starts. 78 tackles, 4.5 for loss. 1 sack, 1 interception, 1 pbu, 2 pd, 3 fumble recoveries, 4 forced fumbles. 1 defensive touchdown.
#73   Stone Monarch LS 5-10 205 R-Fr. Walled Lake, MI (Detroit Central Catholic)--Redshirted in 2011.

Junior Matt Wall was the long snapper in 2011 having a solid season playing in all 13 games. Bell is the backup at long snapper but also the starting weak side linebacker so the coaching staff hopes that Wall can have a solid injury-free 2012.

ATH
#??   Chase Murdock ATH 6-0 205 Fr. Barrington, IL Barrington--Incoming freshman.
2011 was a season that was so close but not quite there for Toledo. After an east opening week win over FBS for New Hampshire, the Rockets had Ohio State on the ropes before losing 27-22 to the Buckeyes. After a loss to a stacked Boise State squad, Toledo saw the referees award Syracuse awarded an extra point that only allowed Toledo to make it to overtime instead of kicking for a win and eventually losing in overtime. After that heartbreaking 1-3 start, Toledo won 8 of its last nine games only losing in a wild 63-60 game versus MAC champions Northern Illinois. 2012 puts Arizona, Wyoming, Cincinnati, and Coastal Carolina on the out of conference slate which could be 2-2 or 3-1 if all goes right. The conference slate is not too bad with no Ohio but a trip to Northern Illinois in mid-November. 8-4 or possibly 9-3 could be what the Rockets are looking at this fall although things could slide to 7-5 or 6-6 is some of the newcomers cannot step up this fall.

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