TOLEDO - Tim Beckman released the names of the University of Toledo's 2009 football recruiting class on Wednesday, and the Rockets' new head coach could not have been more satisfied with the results of his staff's first recruiting effort.
"We looked at a lot of film very quickly to help determine our most immediate needs," said Beckman, who became UT's head coach in December following 21 years as an assistant at six different schools, most recently as Oklahoma State's defensive coordinator. "This recruiting class meets almost every position need we have."
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.
"Our first goal will always be to recruit our prime recruiting area?a radius of five hours from Toledo," said Beckman. "But we have a staff with connections to a lot of different parts of the country so we took advantage of that."
In addition, Beckman announced that three players who originally signed with the Rockets in 2008 but delayed enrollment at UT until this semester, have already joined the team and will participate in spring drills. They are WR/KR Leroy Houston (Daytona Beach, FL), RB Darius Reeves (Columbus, OH) and DB Jermaine Robinson (Pittsburgh, PA). All will be true freshmen in 2009.
Beckman was hired on Dec. 4 and he immediately went to work putting together a coaching staff and his first recruiting class. Despite having the disadvantage of starting the recruiting process later than most schools, the UT staff had great success in bringing 19 outstanding prospects into the Rocket family.
"We started from scratch," said Beckman. "We had only two verbal commitments when we arrived. It was like seven weeks of a two-minute drill for recruiting. I'm proud and enthusiastic about the way our staff worked to sign 19 quality football players."
The following is a synopsis of the Rockets' 2009 recruiting class:
Manny Bell, OL, 6-6, 275, Pittsburgh, PA-Schenley
Manny Bell was named first-team all-city by the Pittsburgh Tribune Review as a senior, and honorable mention all-city as a junior. Bell also throws the shot and discus for the track team.
High School Coach: Jason Bell
Anticipated Major: Education
UT Faculty/Staff Recruiting Assistant: Emily Creamer, College of Education
Coach Beckman: "Manny is a big, powerful offensive lineman. He's exactly what we need right now. We pursued him very aggressively, and we are happy he has chosen to become a Rocket."
Robert Bell, LB, 6-0, 222, Grand Rapids, MI-East Grand Rapids
A three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Robert Bell was named first-team all-state in Division 3-4 by the Associated Press. Bell also made first-team all-conference, as well as the Grand Rapids Press area "Dream Team," in both his junior and senior seasons. Bell starred at fullback, defensive end and linebacker on East Grand Rapids teams that won state championships in 2007 and 2008. As a senior, he had 38 tackles, four sacks, eight pass breakups and three forced fumbles. As a junior, Bell racked up 74 tackles, 13 sacks, one interception and eight forced fumbles.
High School Coach: Peter Stuursma
Anticipated Major: Sports Management
UT Faculty/Staff Recruiting Assistant: Marie Johnson-Ham, Academic Advisor
Coach Beckman: "Robert is a defensive playmaker. He's a winner from a winning program."
Julian Bellinger, WR, 6-1, 175, Lithonia, GA-Lithonia
Julian Bellinger earned first-team all-county honors in both his junior and senior seasons, and was selected to play in the DeKalb County All-Star Game. Bellinger, who also played quarterback and defensive back for Lithonia, produced at least one touchdown in six different ways as a senior: passing, rushing, receiving, kickoff return, punt return and interception return. He is rated as the No. 123 player in Georgia by the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Bellinger is also a top track and basketball star and reportedly has a 40-inch vertical jump. His AAU basketball team (Atlanta Celtics) won a national championship in 2007. In track, he was third in the region in the 200 meters.
High School Coach: Earl White
Anticipated Major: Undecided
UT Faculty/Staff Recruiting Assistant: Clint Longenecker, College of Business
Coach Beckman: "Julian has outstanding speed and great hands. He's also an outstanding return man."
Byron Best, DB, 5-9, 185, Greenwood, SC-Greenwood
Byron Best earned first-team all-state honors as a senior and was chosen to play in the North-South All-Star Game. He had 53 tackles and six interceptions as a senior, as well as one TD off a kickoff return and another off a punt return. As a junior, Best had 45 tackles and three interceptions to go with three TDs off kickoff returns. Best played on a Greenwood team that won a state championship in his sophomore season. He also runs track, and reportedly had the fastest time of any participant at a recent Nike Combine in Charlotte.
High School Coach: Shell Dula
Anticipated Major: Undecided
UT Faculty/Staff Recruiting Assistant: Billy Pierce, Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Coach Beckman: "Byron is a winner. He's a very aggressive defensive back and an excellent returner."
Ryan Casano, PK/P, 5-10, 175, Dripping Springs, TX-Dripping Springs / Orange Coast (CA) Community College
Ryan Casano handled the place-kicking duties for one season at Orange Coast Community College. He made 12-of-20 field goals with a long of 45 yards, and averaged 56.5 yards per kickoff. As a prep, Casano handled the punting and place-kicking duties for Dripping Springs (TX) High School. As a punter, he made all-district and academic all-state. He had 31 touchbacks, eight punts inside the 20 and three punts inside the five. As a placekicker, he made second-team all-district. Casano, who was born in Rome, Italy, was a national combine winner in 2007 with a 58-yard field goal.
High School Coach: Howard Ballard
Junior College Coach: Mike Taylor
Anticipated Major: Business
UT Faculty/Staff Recruiting Assistant: Clint Longenecker, College of Business
Coach Beckman: "Ryan was the second-rated junior college kicker in the nation. He has outstanding leg strength."
Austin Dantin, QB, 6-2, 185, Tallahassee, FL-Leon
A three-year starter at quarterback, Austin Dantin excelled as both a passer and runner for Tallahassee Leon High School. He earned honorable mention Class 4A all-state and first-team All-Big Bend (northern Florida) honors as a senior, completing 62 percent of his passes for 1,856 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also rushed for 254 yards and nine scores. As a junior, Dantin passed for 2,680 yards and 24 touchdowns, adding 836 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground on his way to second-team All-Big Bend honors. His sophomore statistics were 686 yards rushing with 16 scores, and 980 yards passing with eight TD throws. Dantin also is the leading scorer on the basketball team and earned first-team All-Big Bend honors as a junior.
High School Coach: Bill Ragans
Anticipated Major: Engineering
UT Faculty/Staff Recruiting Assistants: Brian Randolph and John Pawlecki, College of Engineering
Coach Beckman: "Austin is a playmaker and a champion. Our staff has been following his high school career for a long time, and we are very happy to have him join the Rocket family."
T.J. Fatinikun, DE, 6-2, 230, Perrysburg, OH-Perrysburg
T.J. Fatinikun made first-team all-conference, first-team all-district and special mention all-state as a senior, and second-team all-league as a junior. Fatinikun, who was born in Lagos, Nigeria, recorded 65 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and nine sacks as a senior. As a junior, he totaled 55 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks. His numbers as a sophomore were 73 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.
High School Coach: Matt Kregel
Anticipated Major: Undecided
UT Faculty/Staff Recruiting Assistant: Billy Pierce, Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Coach Beckman: "T.J. is a playmaker. He may be the best defensive player in the Toledo area this year."
Zac Kerin, OL, 6-5, 270, Delaware, OH-Olentangy
Kerin, a center/defensive tackle, made first-team all-district and special mention all-state for Olentangy High School. He also was selected to play in the North-South All-Star Game. As a senior, Kerin played center for the first time, helping the Braves rush for 1,476 yards and throw for 1,736. On defense, he had 55 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He was a team captain and offensive MVP for Olentangy, as well as the special teams MVP. As a junior, Kerin played exclusively on defense, making 45 tackles.
High School Coach: Ed Terwilliger
Anticipated Major: Engineering
UT Faculty/Staff Recruiting Assistants: Brian Randolph and John Pawlecki, College of Engineering
Coach Beckman: "Zac is an athletic offensive lineman who is very committed and very disciplined."
Dan Molls, LB, 6-1, 215, North Royalton, OH-Padua Franciscan
Dan Molls was rated as the No. 8 inside linebacker in Ohio by Rivals.com and listed by ESPN.com as a top Ohio "Player to Watch." A three-time all-district honoree, Molls was a first-team Division II all-state selection in both his junior and senior seasons. He was the district Division II "Co-Defensive Player of the Year" as a junior, averaging better than 14 tackles per game. A National Honor Society member, Molls also was an all-conference baseball player and participated on the track team.
High School Coach: Tony Shuman
Anticipated Major: Physical Therapy
UT Faculty/Staff Recruiting Assistant: Dr. Michelle Masterson, Department of Physical Therapy
Coach Beckman: "Dan is a dedicated player who lives and breathes the game. He's a coach's son. I played with his father, Andy Molls, who was a great player at the University of Kentucky."
Terrance Owens, QB, 6-3, 165, Cleveland, OH-Glenville
Terrance Owens threw for 1,258 yards and 14 TDs, adding three more scores on the ground to lead Cleveland Glenville to a 12-1 record in his senior season. Rated as the No. 4 quarterback in Ohio by Scout.com, Owens was named first-team all-area by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, first-team all-conference and second-team all-state. As a junior, Owens threw for 1,200 yards and 13 TDs, securing first-team all-conference recognition. Owens was an honor roll student all four years in high school.
High School Coach: Ted Ginn
Anticipated Major: Business
UT Faculty/Staff Recruiting Assistant: Clint Longenecker, College of Business
Coach Beckman: "Terrance has a strong arm, and he is a great decision-maker on the field."
Eric Page, Athlete, 5-10, 165, Toledo, OH-Springfield
Eric Page was a versatile player for Springfield High School, playing quarterback, running back, kicker, punter, punt returner and safety. As a senior, he was named Northwest Ohio's "Player of the Year" by the Toledo Blade, racking up 2,381 yards on 256 rushes and 1,102 yards passing on 71-of-133 attempts. He ran for 34 TDs, passed for 11 more and kicked 47 extra points. He also was the Ohio Division II "Co-Offensive Player of the Year," league MVP and a first-team all-state selection. As a junior, Page ran for 2,039 yards and 23 TDs, and passed for 1,137 yards and 17 scores, earning second-team all-state and first-team all-league honors. Five times, including four as a senior, Page posted 300-yard rushing games. Including kickoff and punt-return yardage, Page compiled 8,800 yards of total offense in his career.
High School Coach: Dave Connelly
Anticipated Major: Criminal Justice
UT Faculty/Staff Recruiting Assistant: Mark Wintgens, Criminal Justice Academic Advisor
Coach Beckman: "Eric may be the best player to come out of the Toledo area this year. He will be a very versatile player for us. He could be a kick returner, a wide receiver and a running back."
Ben Pike, DL, 6-3, 245, Mentor, OH-Mentor
Ben Pike was named the Ohio Division II "Defensive Player of the Year," totaling 70 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks. Pike was a first-team Division I All-Ohio selection as a senior, as well as the Northeast Lakes District "Co-Defensive Player of the Year" and the Lake County Touchdown Club Division I-II "Defensive Player of the Year." A National Honor Society member, Pike also played tight end for Mentor and is a starter on the basketball team.
High School Coach: Steve Trivisonno
Anticipated Major: Education
UT Faculty/Staff Recruiting Assistant: Emily Creamer, College of Education
Coach Beckman: "Ben has outstanding quickness for a lineman. He comes from a great program that has produced many top college players."
Johnie Roberts, DL, 6-3, 290, Hattiesburg, MS-Hattiesburg / Pearl River Community College
Johnie Roberts played two seasons at Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, MS. He helped lead the Wildcats into the championship game of the Mississippi Junior College state tournament this past season with 40 tackles, five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He was ranked among the top 20 junior college defensive linemen and top 150 overall in the country by JCGridiron.com. Roberts played his high school football at Hattiesburg (MS) High School, where he had 99 tackles as a senior.
High School Coach: Doug Haynes
Junior College Coach: Tim Hatten
Anticipated Major: Undecided
UT Faculty/Staff Recruiting Assistant: Billy Pierce, Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Coach Beckman: "Johnie meets our need at defensive line. He comes from a great junior college program at Pearl River. He should be an impact player for us next year."
Christian Smith, DE, 6-2, 240, Oklahoma City, OK-Carl Albert
Christian Smith had 94 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and nine sacks as a senior while leading his team to the Class 5A championship game. He was selected first-team all-state by the Oklahoma Coaches Association, named the district lineman of the year and selected to play in the Oklahoma East-West All-Star game. As a junior, Smith made second-team all-city, honorable mention all-district and honorable mention all-state. He was a starter as a sophomore, helping the Titans to a state championship title.
High School Coach: Gary Rose
Anticipated Major: Undecided
UT Faculty/Staff Recruiting Assistant: Billy Pierce, Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Coach Beckman: "Christian comes from a championship program. He has great quickness off the ball which makes him a very effective edge pass rusher."
Troy Smith, DB, 5-10, 165, Indianapolis, IN-Pike
Troy Smith had 43 tackles and eight interceptions as a senior, earning all-conference, all-county and honorable mention Class 5A all-state honors. Smith also was selected to the Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 list. As a junior, Smith had 41 tackles and one interception.
High School Coach: Derek Moyers
Anticipated Major: Undecided
UT Faculty/Staff Recruiting Assistant: Billy Pierce, Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Coach Beckman: "Troy has exceptional feet and excellent ball skills."
Ben Steele, DL, 6-4, 260, Venice, FL-Venice
Ben Steele is a four-time letterwinner who had 93 tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles as a senior. He also lettered four times in track and weightlifting. He was a state finalist in the shot put as a junior. Steele helped lead Venice High School to district championships in 2007 and 2008 in one of the most competitive districts in the country. Steele also plays on the Venice High School basketball team.
High School Coach: John Peacock
Anticipated Major: Undecided
UT Faculty/Staff Recruiting Assistant: Clint Longenecker, College of Business
Coach Beckman: "Ben has great strength and athletic ability for a defensive lineman."
Richard Steele, DB, 6-0, 185, Cincinnati, OH-LaSalle
Richard Steele made first-team all-conference and honorable mention all-district as a senior defensive back at Cincinnati LaSalle. Ohio High Magazine rates him the No. 51 player in Ohio, while ESPN.com ranks him No. 68 among cornerbacks in the nation. He had 51 tackles, one interception and four pass breakups as a senior, and 56 tackles, one interception and 15 pass breakups as a junior. Steele also threw for four TDs at quarterback. He is a member of the track team.
High School Coach: Tom Gippa
Anticipated Major: Education
UT Faculty/Staff Recruiting Assistant: Emily Creamer, College of Education
Coach Beckman: "Richard has great cover ability and athletic ability. He also has that great burst of speed you like to see in a defensive back."
Daxton Swanson, DB, 5-10, 165, Waco, TX-La Vega
Daxton Swanson earned second-team all-state honors as a cornerback and honorable mention honors as a wide receiver for La Vega High School in Waco, TX. Swanson led the state in interceptions with 13 to go along with 56 tackles and 20 pass breakups, helping his team make the Class 3A state championship game. He also was the Pirates' leading receiver with 34 catches for 868 yards and seven TDs. Swanson also earned first-team all-district honors on both offense and defense, and was chosen to play in the Texas All-Star Game. Swanson was injured for most of his junior season, but did manage three interceptions and 17 tackles on defense, as well as 12 receptions for 360 yards and three TDs on offense. As a junior, Swanson was a member of his school's 4x100 relay team that finished runner-up in the state championship meet, and the 4x200 relay team that finished fourth.
High School Coach: Willie Williams
Anticipated Major: Undecided
UT Faculty/Staff Recruiting Assistant: Billy Pierce, Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Coach Beckman: "Daxton has a great explosion and burst. He's a very competitive young man."
Edward Williams, WR, 6-2, 188, Tampa, FL-Alonso
Edward Williams had 31 receptions for 456 yards and six TDs as a senior, earning honorable mention all-county honors and a spot in the Hillsborough County All-Star Game. He caught 18 passes for 350 yards as a junior and accumulated 512 all-purpose yards as a sophomore. Williams also plays baseball for Tampa Alonso.
High School Coach: Mike Heldt
Anticipated Major: Criminal Justice
UT Faculty/Staff Recruiting Assistant: Mick Dier, University of Toledo Police Officer
Coach Beckman: "Edward has great hands, outstanding speed and can also handle returns."
2008 Signees Who Delayed Enrollment Until January, 2009
Leroy Houston, WR/KR, 5-11, 180, Daytona Beach, FL-Seabreeze
Leroy Houston caught 34 passes for 434 yards and four TDs, rushed for 1,069 yards and 14 TDs in 122 attempts and averaged 17 yards per punt return as a senior in 2007. He earned first-team Class 4A all-state and first-team All Central Florida (all classifications) honors, and was named the Volusia County "Offensive Player of the Year." As a junior, he had 33 receptions for 440 yards and nine TDs, rushed for 820 yards on 159 attempts and returned two punts for touchdowns. Houston played in the North-South All-Star Game in 2008 and was rated as the No. 159 running back in the nation by ESPN.com.
Darius Reeves, RB, 6-1, 180, Columbus, OH-Gahanna Lincoln
Darius Reeves rushed for nearly 4,000 yards and 55 touchdowns in three seasons at Gahanna Lincoln in 2007. As a senior, he rushed for more than 1,500 yards and had 30 TDs, earning first-team all-conference and first-team all-district honors. As a junior, he ran for 1,672 yards and 16 scores, earning first-team all-conference, first-team all-district and honorable mention all-state honors. As a sophomore, he was an honorable mention all-district selection, rushing for 800 yards and nine touchdowns. He was ranked as the No. 94 cornerback in the nation by ESPN.com in 2007.
Jermaine Robinson, DB, 6-3, 195, Pittsburgh, PA-Brashear
Jermaine Robinson originally signed with the Rockets in 2008, but instead attended Milford Academy prep school in New Berlin, NY, where he started 12 games at cornerback this past fall. Rated a four-star prep school recruit by Rivals.com, Robinson is enrolled at UT and will participate in 2009 spring practice. Robinson was a quarterback/defensive back in high school, earning first-team all-city honors on defense and offense. He also was the City League "Player of the Year" and was a first-team 4A all-state honoree on defense. He threw for 1,648 yards and 28 TDs on 96-of-144 passing as a senior. He also rushed for 15 TDs. On defense, he had 89 tackles, six sacks and five interceptions. As a junior, he completed 105-of-190 passes for 1,128 yards and 15 TDs while rushing for 10 scores. He added 90 tackles, eight sacks and five interceptions on his way to first-team City League honors. Coming out of high school, he was rated as the No. 26 safety in the country, No. 17 player in the state of Pennsylvania and a three-star recruit by Rivals.com. He was also ranked No. 39 at safety by ESPN.com.
