Rockets Recruit From Coast to Coast
2/4/2004 12:00:00 PM | Football
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Feb. 4, 2004
Toledo, OH - Continued national success has enabled University of Toledo Head Coach Tom Amstutz to broaden his recruiting base, and his 2004 class is no exception.
Amstutz and his assistants literally went coast to coast to ink 23 student-athletes on Wednesday, the first day high school athletes are able to sign national letters of intent. Of the 23 signees, four are from New York and two are junior college transfers from California.
"We'll go anywhere to find an outstanding football player," said Amstutz. "The continued success and national presence of our program has helped us recruit nationally. Every player we signed today has had many opportunities to see us play on ESPN over the past few years. That exposure obviously helps us recruit on a national level." Toledo has played on ESPN eight times in Amstutz's three seasons as head coach, winning two championships and appearing in two bowl games.
Even though Toledo's 2004 recruiting class has a definite bi-coastal flavor, the Rocket coaching staff continues to find the majority of its players from UT's traditional recruiting areas: Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Fifteen recruits come from these three states, eight from Ohio, five from Michigan and two from Pennsylvania. The Rockets also picked up two signees from the state of Florida.
The Rockets' 2004 recruiting class includes five defensive linemen, five defensive backs, four offensive linemen and four wide receivers. "It's a solid class with good speed and plenty of size on the line," said Amstutz. "We have 15 signees who are playing in their state's post-season all-star game. That's a good indication that we signed some of the best players from each state we recruited."
Toledo lost 17 seniors-including nine starters- from last year's 8-4 team. However, the Rockets return four All-MAC players on offense, tight end Andrew Clarke, offensive tackle Nick Kaczur, wide receiver Lance Moore and running back Trinity Dawson. Junior quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, who threw for 3,210 yards and 29 touchdowns and led the nation in completion percentage (71.2%), also returns.
The following is a brief look at the Rockets' 2004 recruiting class:
* Brandon Alexander (FS, 6-1, 190, Niles, OH/Warren Howland): An all-conference, all-district and honorable mention all-state selection as a senior, Alexander had five interceptions and 53 tackles at safety. He also caught 14 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns. Alexander is a high jumper on the track team and placed fourth in the state in the 167-pound weight class in wrestling as a junior. He is undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the state at 189 pounds so far this season.
* Andre Bouldin (DL, 6-4, 310, Ann Arbor, MI/Pioneer): Following graduation from Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, Bouldin played this past season at Fork Union (VA) Military Academy. As a senior at Pioneer, Bouldin had 13 sacks and also caught 37 passes for 723 yards as a tight end. He made honorable mention all-state and first-team all-league. Bouldin also made all-state in the shot put and discus on the track & field team.
* Clint Cochran (QB, 6-3, 200, Wadsworth, OH/Wadsworth): Cochran made the first-team all-state in Division I as a senior, completing 191-309 (61.8%) of his passes for 2,926 yards and 24 touchdowns. He was the Northeast Inland District Player of the Year, and was selected to play in the Ohio All-Star Classic. Cochran was named to the Cleveland Plain Dealer "Super 30" team and was the Akron Beacon Journal's "Medina County Player of the Year" for the second consecutive season. As a junior, Cochran completed 154-261 passes for 2,126 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning special mention all-state honors. A 10-time "Scholar-Athlete" winner, Cochran earned a 4.64 GPA on a 4.0 scale to rank fourth in a graduating class of 328. He is ranked as the No. 46 recruit in the state of Ohio by Rivals.com.
* Richard Davis (RB, 6-0, 200, Warren, OH/Harding): Davis made special mention all-state, first-team all-district and first-team all-league while gaining 976 yards and scoring 22 touchdowns as a senior. His school finished the season 11-1 after having spent most of the season ranked No.1 in the state and No. 2 in the country by USA Today. As a junior, Davis earned all-state, all-district and all-league honors, gaining 1,476 yards and scoring 20 TDs.
* Patrick Dawson (OL, 6-3, 300, Greensburg, PA/Central Catholic): Dawson earned first-team all-state honors as a senior, as well as making the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Fabulous 22" squad. The Post-Gazette also named Dawson as one of the top 10 lineman in the state. As a junior, Dawson made second-team all-state. As a sophomore, he earned first-team all-conference honors.
* Andrew Decker (OL, 6-3, 270, Toledo, OH-St. John's): Decker earned first-team All-Ohio honors as a senior and was selected to play in the North-South All-Star Game. He was named Lineman of the Year for his district, and was named to the All-Toledo Blade team. Decker was named first-team All-City League as an offensive lineman and second-team All-City League as a defensive lineman. An excellent student, Decker was named to the all-academic team for his conference.
* Bernard Faithful (DL, 6-3, 225, Detroit, MI-King): Faithful made first-team all-city as a senior, compiling 121 tackles, 10 sacks and five forced fumbles. He also caught 20 passes and scored five TDs as a tight end. Faithful was ranked as the No. 21 player in Michigan by GoBlueWolverine Magazine, No. 56 on the Detroit News "Blue Chip" list, and the No. 7 linebacker in Michigan by Prep Spotlight Magazine. As a junior, he made second-team all-city, totalling 75 tackles and eight sacks. He also caught 30 passes as a junior.
* De'Veon Harris (FS, 6-0, 200, Ft. Lauderdale, FL/Blanche Ely): As a senior, Harris led his team with 81 tackles, eight sacks and six interceptions (two for TDs), earning first-team all-county and honorable mention all-state honors. Harris, who transferred from South Plantation High School after his junior season, led his team to a state championship as a junior, and then helped Blanch Ely gain a district title as a senior. He also played in the North-South All-Star Game. Harris joins teammate Raybin Williams on the Rockets.
* Gabriel Hatchett (WR, 6-3, 195, Minden, NV/Douglas): Hatchett played one season at Sacramento (CA) City Junior College, making 49 catches for 824 yards and 13 touchdowns, and earning first-team all-league honors. As a senior at Douglas High School in Minden, NV, Hatchett caught 40 passes for 709 yards and four TDs, earning second-team all-state honors. He also finished third in the state in the high hurdles as a senior. Hatchett will enter UT as a junior next fall.
* Greg Hay (FS, 6-2, 215, Walled Lake, MI-Western): Hay earned all-conference, all-area and all-state honors as a senior, rushing for 918 yards and 12 touchdowns on offense and making 47 tackles on defense. Hay is rated No. 31 on the Detroit Free Press' "Fab 50" team. He led the team in tackles as a junior with 105. Hay also returned punts and kickoffs for Walled Lake Western. He has been selected to play in the East-West All-Star Game. Hay is also a fine baseball player, having led his team in hitting as a junior with a .467 average.
* Tyrrell Herbert (DB, 6-2, 180, Verona, PA/Penn Hills): Herbert was an all-conference safety, leading his team in tackles and grabbing four interceptions. He had three interceptions as a junior, earning honorable mention all-conference. Herbert comes from the same high school as Rocket outgoing senior cornerback Brandon Hefflin.
* Brett Kern (P, 6-3, 185, Grand Island, NY-Grand Island): Kern earned first-team all-state, first-team All-Western New York and first-team Class 'A' honors as a senior. He averaged 39 yards per punt, and landed seven of 18 punts inside the 20. His long punt was 58 yards and his long field goal was 45 yards. As a junior, Kern earned first-team Class A and second-team All-Western New York honors, averaging 42.5 yards per punt and landing 13 of 34 punts inside the 20. Kern also plays soccer, basketball and is a long jumper and high hurdler on the track team.
* Nick Lawrence (DL, 6-2, 225, Detroit, MI-Benedictine): Lawrence's senior season was cut short due to injury, but he managed to accumulate 26 tackles and six sacks while earning academic all-league honors. As a junior, he had 87 tackles and 23 sacks as a junior, earning All-Catholic League and all-city honors. In his sophomore season, Lawrence had 73 tackles, 20 sacks and made honorable mention All-Catholic League. Lawrence also played basketball and ran on the 3,200-meter relay team.
* Greg Luna (OL, 6-7, 318, Spokane, WA-Gonzaga Prep): A junior college transfer from Yuba (CA) Junior College, Luna made all-region and first-team All-Mid-Empire Conference in both his freshman and sophomore seasons. He alos made first-team all-league in his junior and senior seasons of high school.
* Alfred Martin (DL, 6-5, 255, South Euclid, OH/Brush): Martin had 72 tackles, including five sacks, as a senior, earning special mention all-state and first-team all-district honors as a senior. Martin was named one of the top 50 defensive linemen in the nation by Fab 50 recruiting and was ranked as the No. 41 player in Ohio by Ohio's Future Stars. As a junior, he had 78 tackles and five sacks, earning second-team all-district honors.
* Nick Moore (WR, 6-4, 190, Westerville, OH-South): Moore, the brother of current Rocket Lance Moore, had 55 receptions as a senior, earning second-team all-district honors. He was the team MVP on a Westerville South squad that went 10-1, and has been selected to play in the North-South All-Star Game. Fab 50 Recruiting named him one of the top 50 receivers in the nation. He also is ranked as the No. 20 shooting guard in the state by Prep Spotlight Magazine, and was a state finalist in the long jump.
* Steven Morrison (LB, 6-2, 200, Queens, NY/Christ the King): Morrison made second-team all-district and first-team all-city as a senior, totalling 114 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and two interceptions. He played strong safety as a junior, making 75 tackles and picking off five passes. Morrison played in the Catholic High School Football League Senior Bowl. He earned first-team All-Queens and team MVP honors as a junior. He joins teammate Andre Redd as a Rocket recruit.
* Jalen Parmele (RB, 6-0, 210, Midland, MI-Dow): Parmele rushed for 1,507 yards and scored 23 touchdowns as a senior, and ranked No. 16 on the Detroit Free Press' "Fab 50" Team and No. 31 on the Detroit News' "Blue Chip List." He was named first-team Class 'A' all-state and was named his league's Most Valuable Player. The Midwest Football Recruiting News ranks him as the 24th-best player in the state of Michigan. He also made the league's all-academic team for three consecutive seasons. As a junior, Parmele gained 1,253 yards and made first-team all-league. Parmele also plays basketball and is a sprinter on the track team.
* Andre Redd (WR, 5-11, 185, Jamaica, NY/Christ the King): Redd caught 23 passes for 367 yards and three touchdowns, and added six interceptions as a defensive back to earn second-team all-area, first-team all-city and Catholic League defensive MVP honors as a senior. As a junior, Redd had four interceptions and had 11 touchdowns (eight receiving, one kickoff return and two punt returns), earning second-team all-city honors. Redd, who played in the Catholic High School Football League Senior Bowl, also earned three letters as a sprinter on the track team. He joins teammate Steven Morrison as a Rocket recruit.
* Billy Relford (DB, 5-9, 180, Massillon, OH/Washington): Relford had 16 interceptions in his high school career, 12 as a junior and four as a senior. He earned all-district and all-state honors as a senior, and was named to OhioPrepScene.com's All-Ohio Division I team. Relford was named team MVP in both his junior and senior seasons, the first player to earn two MVP honors in the tradition-rich history of Massillon Washington High School. His senior stats included: 30 tackles, 19 catches for 417 yards and 6 TD's, 25 punt returns for 270 yards and 14 kick returns for 362 yards. Relford was chosen to play in the Ohio North-South All-Star Game and in the "Big 33" All-Star Game. He also runs track and is averaging 22 points per game on the baskeball team.
* Trumaine Smith (WR, 6-3, 180, Warrensville Heights, OH/Warrensville Heights): Smith, who caught 36 passes for 720 yards and three TDs as a senior, is considered one of the fastest recruits in the state. He has run a 10.7 in the 100 meters, and reportedly was timed at 4.37 in the 40 in a camp last summer. He is ranked as the No. 33 recruit in the state of Ohio by Rivals.com.
* Raybin Williams (DL, 6-6, 240, Pompano Beach, FL-Blanche Ely): Williams was a Class '6A' (big school) second-team all-state selection, picking up 19 sacks , 83 tackles and six forced fumbles as a senior. He also was selected to first-team all-district. Williams led his team to a state championship as a junior and a district title as a senior. Williams joins teammate De'Veon Harris on the Rockets.
* Sean Zabinski (OL, 6-7, 290, Albany, NY-Albany): Zabinski was selected to play in the New York Governor's Bowl as one of the top 50 players in the state. He earned second-team all-area honors and was named the top offensive lineman in his league. Zabinski also plays basketball and baseball.
2004 University of Toledo Football Recruiting Class (23)
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | Hometown-High School |
| Alexander, Brandon | FS | 6-1 | 190 | Fr. | Niles, OH-Warren Howland |
| Bouldin, Andre | DL | 6-4 | 310 | Fr. | Ann Arbor, MI-Pioneer (Fork Union (VA) Military Academy) |
| Cochran, Clint | QB | 6-3 | 200 | Fr. | Wadsworth, OH-Wadsworth |
| Davis, Richard | RB | 6-0 | 200 | Fr. | Warren, OH-Harding |
| Dawson, Patrick | OL | 6-3 | 300 | Fr. | Greensburg, PA-Central Catholic |
| Decker, Andrew | OL | 6-3 | 270 | Fr. | Toledo, OH-St. John's |
| Faithful, Bernard | DL | 6-3 | 225 | Fr. | Detroit, MI-King |
| Harris, De'Veon | FS | 6-0 | 200 | Fr. | Ft. Lauderdale, FL-Blanche Ely |
| Hatchett, Gabriel | WR | 6-3 | 195 | Jr. | Minden, NV-Douglas (Sacramento (CA) City College) |
| Hay, Greg | FS | 6-2 | 215 | Fr. | Walled Lake, MI-Western |
| Herbert, Tyrrell | DB | 6-2 | 180 | Fr. | Verona, PA-Penn Hills |
| Kern, Brett | P | 6-3 | 185 | Fr. | Grand Island, NY-Grand Island |
| Lawrence, Nick | DL | 6-2 | 225 | Fr. | Detroit, MI-Benedictine |
| Luna, Greg | OL | 6-7 | 318 | Jr. | Spokane, WA-Gonzaga Prep (Yuba (CA) Community College) |
| Martin, Alfred | DL | 6-5 | 255 | Fr. | South Euclid, OH-Brush |
| Moore, Nick | WR | 6-4 | 190 | Fr. | Westerville, OH-South |
| Morrison, Steven | LB | 6-2 | 200 | Fr. | Queens, NY-Christ the King |
| Parmele, Jalen | RB | 6-0 | 210 | Fr. | Midland, MI-Dow |
| Redd, Andre | WR | 5-11 | 185 | Fr. | Jamaica, NY-Christ the King |
| Relford, Billy | DB | 5-9 | 180 | Fr. | Massillon, OH-Washington |
| Smith, Trumaine | WR | 6-3 | 180 | Fr. | Warrensville Heights, OH-Warrensville Heights |
| Williams, Raybin | DL | 6-6 | 240 | Fr. | Pompano Beach, FL-Blanche Ely |
| Zabinski, Sean | OL | 6-7 | 290 | Fr. | Albany, NY-Albany |
Recruits by State (23)
Ohio (8)
Michigan (5)
New York (4)
Pennsylvania (2)
Florida (2)
Nevada (1)
Washington (1)
Recruits by Position (23)
Defensive Line (5)
Defensive Back/Safety (5)
Offensive Line (4)
Wide Receiver (4)
Running Back (2)
Linebacker (1)
Quarterback (1)
Punter (1)
