Nassau, Bahamas – It was another busy day for the Toledo Rockets, who completed a brief morning practice on Wednesday in preparation for Friday's  game vs. FIU at the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl on Friday (12:30 p.m./ESPN), then took some time out in the afternoon to meet with area youth in the Nassau area. Meanwhile, 18 recruits signed letters of intent or committed as preferred walk-ons to become Rockets on the first day of the early signing period.
 
      The Rockets had a one-hour workout at a practice field adjacent to Robinson Stadium, where UT will battle the Golden Panthers on Friday. In the afternoon, some players enjoyed some free time while others met with area youth. One group of players met with youngsters at the Ranfurly Home for Children, a refuge for children who are in the foster care system. Another group of players participated in a youth football clinic at Robinson Stadium, where the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl will be played.
 
      Toledo will have its final practice on Thursday. Afterward, head coach Jason Candle and selected players will participate in a news conference at Robinson Stadium. Later on Thursday, the Toledo cheerleaders and band will lead a pep rally at the Dolphin Cay Lawn at the Atlantis resort where the team is staying.
 
Toledo quotes from day three at the Bahamas Bowl
 
Head Coach Jason Candle
(On Signing Day during the middle of bowl week)
"It's a quick turnaround from Signing Day this morning to having practice and meetings. We have 110 guys we have to get where they've supposed to be in the morning, so it makes it a little chaotic."
 
"I'm happy with the class. This is just half of it because we still have players we will sign in February. But I'm really pleased at this point. I think we've addressed some needs. We improved ourselves from a team speed perspective."
 
"We have some guys who have been committed to us for a long time. Signing day is a celebrations for the players, their parents, their coaches, teachers and mentors who have all helped them get to this point."
 
"The one thing that can't get lost is the development of our current players. That's equally important to signing a good class. We want to put as much effort into developing players as recruiting them. The developmental piece is critical."
 
(on thoughts going into Friday's game)
"It's a chance for us to enjoy the fellowship of our team and these seniors for one last trip. Hopefully we can get it done on Friday and give these seniors a good feeling when they end their careers."

Senior Ka'dar Hollman
(on balancing fun and work at the bowl)
"It's definitely a big transition. You have to make sure everyone is right mentally to have fun and handle business at the same time. We are enjoying it and taking everything in, but we also realize that we have business to do. We have lost two bowl games in a row and don't want to make it three. I am confident that we will be able to flip that switch on and be ready to step up to the challenge on Friday."

Junior Willie Ross
(on visit to Ranfurly Home for Children)
"I know how it is to work with individuals who are going through a hard time. It's not that you need to go through a hard time for me to just spend time with you. I just want to say, 'hi, hello, how are you doing,' and help make everyone smile."



Players teaching and interacting with kids at the youth clinic.