Toledo added 16 players to its 2023 recruiting class on Wednesday.
Toledo Adds 16 to 2023 Recruiting Class on Early Signing Day
12/21/2022 6:32:00 PM | Football
Rockets add 13 freshmen, three transfers to 2023 class
TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo head football coach Jason Candle announced Wednesday that 16 student-athletes will be joining the Rockets next season. Thirteen high school players signed national letters of intent to join the Rockets, while three transfers have committed to coming to Toledo in 2023.
Wednesday was the first day of the early signing period for high school football players. Players have until Friday to sign NLIs during the early signing period. The next signing period will begin on National Signing Day on Feb. 1.
"We are really excited about the great additions we have added to our football program," Candle said. "This is a group of first-class young men who love football and understand the importance of a great education. We are fired up to get these guys on campus and weave them into our championship culture."
Below is a look at the 16 new additions to the Toledo Football program
Julian Allen
Wide Receiver | 6-1 | 198 | Fr. | Clearwater, Fla.-Clearwater Central Catholic
Julian Allen transferred to Clearwater Central Catholic for his senior season and helped lead the team to the Florida Class 1M state championship game. In 11 games this season he caught 25 passes for 453 yards an six touchdowns.
Braden Awls
Defensive Back | 6-0 | 175 | Fr. | Sylvania, Ohio-Toledo Central Catholic
Braden Awls is a three-star prospect, according to 247 Sports. During his senior season he was named first team all-conference as well as first team all-district. In his junior season, he was named first team all-conference as well as second team all-district. He was twice named first team All-Blade. Awls helped lead Central Catholic to a state championship this past fall.
Micah Cherry
Cornerback | 6-3 | 175 | Jr. | Petal, Miss.-Petal/Pearl River
A transfer from Pearl River Community College, Micah Cherry was named honorable mention All-MACCC. In his high school career, Cherry had 1,259 receiving yards, 10 receiving touchdowns, 66 tackles, eight interceptions, one pick six, nine PBUs and three forced fumbles. In high school he was also named first team all-region as well as first team Pine Belt.
Chris D'Appolonia
Linebacker | 6-3 | 225 | Fr. | Cranberry Township, Pa.-Seneca Valley
Chris D'Appolonia was named a Big 56 first team all-conference selection. He was also named as a part of the Sweet 16 defense by Butler Eagle newspaper.
Travion Ford
Defensive End | 6-4 | 265 | Fr. (R) | St. Louis, Mo.-Lutheran North/Missouri
Travion Ford is a transfer from Missouri, where he signed as a member of its 2021 recruiting class. A four-star prospect and the No. 139 ranked player in the ESPN300, he was a Sports Illustrated High School All-American candidate entering the 2020 season. In an abbreviated 2020 season, Ford posted 28 tackles 13.0 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, and recovered a fumble. The previous season as a junior, he collected 37 tackles, 20 TFL, and nine sacks. Ford was the state of Missouri's Class 3 Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and a three-time all-state honoree.
Amare Garrett
Cornerback | 5-11 | 180 | Fr. | St. Petersburg, Fla.-Lakewood
Amare Garret was a three-year letterwinner at Lakewood High School. Last season he totaled 31 tackles and two interceptions, and the year before as a junior he tallied 34 tackles and eight passes defended.
RJ Johnson III
Quarterback | 6-2 | 200 | Fr. | Atlanta, Ga.-Westlake
RJ Johnson III is a three-star prospect, according to 247 Sports. He was named first team all-state as a senior and made the MaxPreps All-American team as a sophomore. Twice he has won his high school team's Offensive Player of the Year award.
Mason Ludwig
Offensive Lineman | 6-5 | 285 | Fr. | East Liverpool, Ohio-East Liverpool
Mason Ludwig earned three all-conference, all-county, and all-state honors at East Liverpool High School, including first team All-Ohio accolades as a junior and senior. He earned the "Block of Granite" Award from WKBN and WTOV-9 in Youngstown as the area's best interior lineman as a senior.
Shawn Munnerlyn
Wide Receiver | 6-5 | 220 | So. | Columbus, Ohio-Independence/Rutgers
A former three-star recruit according to 247 Sports, Shawn Munnerlyn started his career at Rutgers. At Independence High School, he caught 42 passes for 935 yards and 14 touchdowns. His most productive season came in 2019 when he caught 19 passes for 409 yards and six scores as a junior.
Wayne Peart II
Defensive Tackle | 6-4 | 285 | Fr. | Pembroke Pines, Fla.-Chaminade Madonna
A three-star prospect according to 247 Sports, Wayne Peart II helped lead Chaminade Madonna College Preparatory School to three state championships in 2019, 2021, and 2022. As a senor this past fall, he recorded 51 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. He tallied 50 tackles and eight sacks as a junior.
Cole Rhett
Offensive Lineman | 6-7 | 315 | Fr. | Columbus, Ohio-Bishop Watterson
Cole Rhett is a three-star prospect according to 247 Sports. He was named first team All-CCL as a senior.
Laith Shamma
Defensive End | 6-6 | 250 | Fr. | Ann Arbor, Mich.-Ann Arbor HuronÂ
Laith Shamma is a three-star prospect according to 247 Sports. As a senior he was named all-area Dream Team as well as first team all-conference.
Sam Smith, Jr.
Wide Receiver | 6-4 | 210 | Fr. | Delta, Ohio-Wauseon
Sam Smith Jr. is a three-star prospect according to 247 Sports. In his senior season, he was named first team all-league and second team all-district. As a junior, he was named second team all-league as well as second team all-district. In his sophomore season he was named honorable mention all-league. Smith was a three-year letter winner, totaling 98 catches, 2,057 all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns.Â
Nicholas Thompson
Cornerback | 6-2 | 193 | Fr. | Fort Wayne, Ind.-Bishop Luers
Nicholas Thompson is a three-star prospect according to 247 Sports. He played both ways for Bishop Luers High School, registering 79 tackles and two interceptions on the defensive end and catching 55 passes for 1,029 yards and eight touchdowns on offense. Thompson earned all-state accolades from the Indiana Football Coaches Association as a senior in 2022.
Connor Walendzak
Running Back | 5-11 | 200 | Fr. | Perrysburg, Ohio-Perrysburg
Connor Walendzak is a three-star prospect according to 247 Sports. During his high school career he totaled 4,274 rushing yards, 74 total touchdowns, and 673 receiving yards. Walendzak was named first team All-Ohio at running back in 2020, and second team All-Ohio in 2021. He was named Toledo Blade Player of the Year in 2022, and offensive district player of the year in 2021 and 2022. Walendzak was also named first team All-NLL in 2020, 2021 and 2022, as well as NLL Player of the Year in 2022.
Grant Zimmerly
Offensive Lineman | 6-4 | 285 | Fr. | Perrysburg, Ohio-Perrysburg
Grant Zimmerly earned second-team all-state honors Perrysburg High School. As a senior he was named first team All-NLL, as well a first team all-area player by the Toledo Blade.
2023 Toledo Recruiting Class
Wednesday was the first day of the early signing period for high school football players. Players have until Friday to sign NLIs during the early signing period. The next signing period will begin on National Signing Day on Feb. 1.
"We are really excited about the great additions we have added to our football program," Candle said. "This is a group of first-class young men who love football and understand the importance of a great education. We are fired up to get these guys on campus and weave them into our championship culture."
Below is a look at the 16 new additions to the Toledo Football program
Julian Allen
Wide Receiver | 6-1 | 198 | Fr. | Clearwater, Fla.-Clearwater Central Catholic
Julian Allen transferred to Clearwater Central Catholic for his senior season and helped lead the team to the Florida Class 1M state championship game. In 11 games this season he caught 25 passes for 453 yards an six touchdowns.
Braden Awls
Defensive Back | 6-0 | 175 | Fr. | Sylvania, Ohio-Toledo Central Catholic
Braden Awls is a three-star prospect, according to 247 Sports. During his senior season he was named first team all-conference as well as first team all-district. In his junior season, he was named first team all-conference as well as second team all-district. He was twice named first team All-Blade. Awls helped lead Central Catholic to a state championship this past fall.
Micah Cherry
Cornerback | 6-3 | 175 | Jr. | Petal, Miss.-Petal/Pearl River
A transfer from Pearl River Community College, Micah Cherry was named honorable mention All-MACCC. In his high school career, Cherry had 1,259 receiving yards, 10 receiving touchdowns, 66 tackles, eight interceptions, one pick six, nine PBUs and three forced fumbles. In high school he was also named first team all-region as well as first team Pine Belt.
Chris D'Appolonia
Linebacker | 6-3 | 225 | Fr. | Cranberry Township, Pa.-Seneca Valley
Chris D'Appolonia was named a Big 56 first team all-conference selection. He was also named as a part of the Sweet 16 defense by Butler Eagle newspaper.
Travion Ford
Defensive End | 6-4 | 265 | Fr. (R) | St. Louis, Mo.-Lutheran North/Missouri
Travion Ford is a transfer from Missouri, where he signed as a member of its 2021 recruiting class. A four-star prospect and the No. 139 ranked player in the ESPN300, he was a Sports Illustrated High School All-American candidate entering the 2020 season. In an abbreviated 2020 season, Ford posted 28 tackles 13.0 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, and recovered a fumble. The previous season as a junior, he collected 37 tackles, 20 TFL, and nine sacks. Ford was the state of Missouri's Class 3 Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and a three-time all-state honoree.
Amare Garrett
Cornerback | 5-11 | 180 | Fr. | St. Petersburg, Fla.-Lakewood
Amare Garret was a three-year letterwinner at Lakewood High School. Last season he totaled 31 tackles and two interceptions, and the year before as a junior he tallied 34 tackles and eight passes defended.
RJ Johnson III
Quarterback | 6-2 | 200 | Fr. | Atlanta, Ga.-Westlake
RJ Johnson III is a three-star prospect, according to 247 Sports. He was named first team all-state as a senior and made the MaxPreps All-American team as a sophomore. Twice he has won his high school team's Offensive Player of the Year award.
Mason Ludwig
Offensive Lineman | 6-5 | 285 | Fr. | East Liverpool, Ohio-East Liverpool
Mason Ludwig earned three all-conference, all-county, and all-state honors at East Liverpool High School, including first team All-Ohio accolades as a junior and senior. He earned the "Block of Granite" Award from WKBN and WTOV-9 in Youngstown as the area's best interior lineman as a senior.
Shawn Munnerlyn
Wide Receiver | 6-5 | 220 | So. | Columbus, Ohio-Independence/Rutgers
A former three-star recruit according to 247 Sports, Shawn Munnerlyn started his career at Rutgers. At Independence High School, he caught 42 passes for 935 yards and 14 touchdowns. His most productive season came in 2019 when he caught 19 passes for 409 yards and six scores as a junior.
Wayne Peart II
Defensive Tackle | 6-4 | 285 | Fr. | Pembroke Pines, Fla.-Chaminade Madonna
A three-star prospect according to 247 Sports, Wayne Peart II helped lead Chaminade Madonna College Preparatory School to three state championships in 2019, 2021, and 2022. As a senor this past fall, he recorded 51 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. He tallied 50 tackles and eight sacks as a junior.
Cole Rhett
Offensive Lineman | 6-7 | 315 | Fr. | Columbus, Ohio-Bishop Watterson
Cole Rhett is a three-star prospect according to 247 Sports. He was named first team All-CCL as a senior.
Laith Shamma
Defensive End | 6-6 | 250 | Fr. | Ann Arbor, Mich.-Ann Arbor HuronÂ
Laith Shamma is a three-star prospect according to 247 Sports. As a senior he was named all-area Dream Team as well as first team all-conference.
Sam Smith, Jr.
Wide Receiver | 6-4 | 210 | Fr. | Delta, Ohio-Wauseon
Sam Smith Jr. is a three-star prospect according to 247 Sports. In his senior season, he was named first team all-league and second team all-district. As a junior, he was named second team all-league as well as second team all-district. In his sophomore season he was named honorable mention all-league. Smith was a three-year letter winner, totaling 98 catches, 2,057 all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns.Â
Nicholas Thompson
Cornerback | 6-2 | 193 | Fr. | Fort Wayne, Ind.-Bishop Luers
Nicholas Thompson is a three-star prospect according to 247 Sports. He played both ways for Bishop Luers High School, registering 79 tackles and two interceptions on the defensive end and catching 55 passes for 1,029 yards and eight touchdowns on offense. Thompson earned all-state accolades from the Indiana Football Coaches Association as a senior in 2022.
Connor Walendzak
Running Back | 5-11 | 200 | Fr. | Perrysburg, Ohio-Perrysburg
Connor Walendzak is a three-star prospect according to 247 Sports. During his high school career he totaled 4,274 rushing yards, 74 total touchdowns, and 673 receiving yards. Walendzak was named first team All-Ohio at running back in 2020, and second team All-Ohio in 2021. He was named Toledo Blade Player of the Year in 2022, and offensive district player of the year in 2021 and 2022. Walendzak was also named first team All-NLL in 2020, 2021 and 2022, as well as NLL Player of the Year in 2022.
Grant Zimmerly
Offensive Lineman | 6-4 | 285 | Fr. | Perrysburg, Ohio-Perrysburg
Grant Zimmerly earned second-team all-state honors Perrysburg High School. As a senior he was named first team All-NLL, as well a first team all-area player by the Toledo Blade.
2023 Toledo Recruiting Class
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | Hometown-High School/Transfer or Prep |
| Allen, Julian | WR | 6-1 | 198 | Fr. | Clearwater, Fla.-Clearwater Central Catholic |
| Awls, Braden | DB | 6-1 | 175 | Fr. | Sylvania, Ohio-Toledo Central Catholic |
| Cherry, Micah | CB | 6-3 | 175 | Jr. | Petal, Miss.-Petal/Pearl River |
| D'Appolonia, Chris | LB | 6-3 | 225 | Fr. | Cranberry Township, Pa.-Seneca Valley |
| Ford, Travion | DE | 6-4 | 285 | Fr. (R) | St. Louis, Mo.-Lutheran North/Missouri |
| Garrett, Amare | CB | 5-11 | 180 | Fr. | St. Petersburg, Fla-Lakewood |
| Johnson III, RJ | QB | 6-2 | 200 | Fr. | Atlanta, Ga.-Westlake |
| Ludwig, Mason | OL | 6-5 | 285 | Fr. | East Liverpool, Ohio-East Liverpool |
| Munnerlyn, Shawn | WR | 6-5 | 220 | So. | Columbus, Ohio-Independence/Rutgers |
| Peart II, Wayne | DT | 6-4 | 285 | Fr. | Pembroke Pines, Fla.-Chaminade Madonna |
| Rhett, Cole | OL | 6-7 | 315 | Fr. | Columbus, Ohio-Bishop Watterson |
| Shamma, Laith | DE | 6-6 | 250 | Fr. | Ann Arbor, Mich.-Ann Arbor Huron |
| Smith Jr, Sam | WR | 6-4 | 210 | Fr. | Delta, Ohio-Wauseon |
| Thompson, Nicholas | CB | 6-2 | 193 | Fr. | Fort Wayne, Ind.-Bishop Luers |
| Walendzak, Connor | RB | 5-11 | 200 | Fr. | Perrysburg, Ohio-Perrysburg |
| Zimmerly, Grant | OL | 6-4 | 285 | Fr. | Perrysburg, Ohio-Perrysburg |
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