TOLEDO, Ohio - The 2022 preseason camp opens for Toledo with the Rockets focused on what's in front of them, without completely forgetting the lessons learned in 2021.

"Heading into a new year, nothing carries over from last season," said Jason Candle, now entering his seventh season as head coach and 14th overall with the Rockets. "You start fresh and you try to see what type of character that your team has as you go through winter workouts, through spring football and the summer. I think this is a very close-knit team with solid leadership and a bit of a chip on its shoulder, and is a little hungry after last season."

The Rockets opened fall training camp on Tuesday, and will continue preparations leading up to the home opener vs. LIU on Thursday, Sept. 1. Toledo, which went 7-6 in 2021, 5-3 in MAC play, won three of its final four games last season, with five of its six losses coming by a touchdown or less. Candle thinks last season could be motivation for the 2022 squad. 

"Last year taught us that the margin of error is so thin, and you have to be at your best to win league games," said Candle. "We had the number-one scoring offense and a top-two defense in the league last year. So to have six losses, there is a lot of self-reflection and a lot of things to look in the mirror and fix. I think  our senior leadership and our coaches have done a good job of addressing some of those issues. We look forward to getting to fall camp and watching this team take its own approach and find its own identity."

Among the starters returning from last season's  squad are five All-MAC players, four on the defensive side of the ball: senior outside linebacker Jamal Hines, senior defensive tackle Desjuan Johnson, junior wide receiver/return specialist Devin Maddox, senior linebacker Dyontae Johnson and sophomore safety Maxen Hook. Two former All-MAC players are also back, junior offensive lineman Nick Rosi (2019) and junior safety Nate Bauer (2020).

"We don't have a ton of seniors but we do have a pretty veteran team," said Candle. "It's a mature group of guys who are fun to coach and fun to be around."

The Rockets are deep at virtually every position so there will be intense competition for spots in the playing rotation.

The following is an overview of the 2022 Rockets:

Offense
Toledo returns key players at nearly every position on an offense that led the Mid-American Conference in scoring (33.4) in 2021.

Sophomore quarterback Dequan Finn assumed the starting role midway through the 2021 campaign and put up some big numbers in the air and on the ground. Finn threw for 2,067 yards and 18 touchdowns with only two interceptions. His biggest game came against Eastern Michigan when he completed 30-of-45 passes for 461 yards and three scores. He was also dangerous on the ground, rushing for 505 yards and nine TDs. Competing with Finn this spring will be redshirt freshman Tucker Gleason, freshman John Alan Richter and sophomore A.J. Gucciardo.

Protecting the quarterbacks will be an offensive line that returns three starters and others who have seen starting action or significant playing time. Senior tackle Mitchell Berg and junior center Tyler Long were regulars on a line that helped the Rockets average nearly 200 yards per game on the ground. Long played guard last season but is moving to the middle of the line in 2022.

Junior guard Nick Rosi, a third-team All-MAC pick in 2019, returns after missing all of last season due to injury. 
Junior Lavel Dumont started the first seven games at tackle in 2021, while sophomore guard Vinny Sciury started the final six games at guard. Sophomore Michael Bergen and senior Kelvin Ateman also saw regular action up front in 2021.

Other linemen to keep an eye on are senior transfer Chris Ocasio (Edinboro), and redshirt freshmen Jackson Stoefen and Tanner Wigand.

At running back, first-team All-MAC selection Bryant Koback has moved on for the NFL, leaving the door open for a talented corps of players vying for playing time.  Sophomores Micah Kelly and Jacquez Stuart are back after rushing for 314 and 250 yards, respectively. Others in the mix this spring are sophomore Jordan Lowe, redshirt freshmen Lamy Constant and Willie Shaw, as well as sophomore transfer Peny Boone (Maryland).

The receiving corps is led by junior Devin Maddox, who caught 41 passes for 567 yards and four touchdowns in 2021. Sophomore DeMeer Blankumsee (16 receptions) was a regular in the rotation last year, as was junior Jerjuan Newton (13 receptions) until he was sidelined by an injury. Others who saw action last year are junior Adam Beale and redshirt freshman Thomas Zsiros. Others competing for playing time are redshirt freshman Larry Stephens, along with transfers Mikel Barkley (TCU) and Ezechiel Tieide (Boston College), and freshman Junior Vandeross.

At tight end, the Rockets return senior Jamal Turner, who caught eight passes in 2021. Sophomore Alex Enders also returns after seeing some action last year, as does redshirt freshman Lenny Kuhl. Sophomore transfer Anthony Torres (Western Michigan) could also be a factor.

Defense
 The Rockets had one of the best defenses in the MAC last year, and have the talent to be just as good if not better in 2022. Toledo counts five All-MAC honorees among the 12 returnees who have been regular starters on defense at some point in their career.

Toledo's front seven features the 1-2 senior punch of three-time All-MAC outside linebacker Jamal Hines and two-time All-MAC defensive tackle Desjuan Johnson. Hines, a first-team all-league pick in 2021, had 88 tackles, 15.0 TFL and 10.0 sacks in 2021. Johnson, a second-team selection, had 70 tackles, 12.5 TFL and 4.6 sacks last year.

Joining Hines on the edge are three players with significant experience: senior Terrance Taylor (6.0 TFL in 2021), a starter who missed the second half of last season due to injury; senior Nate Givhan (4.0 TFL) and junior Adrian Woliver. Maryland transfer Deshawn Holt could definitely be in the mix, as well. 

Other returning defensive tackles are junior Judge Culpepper (43 tackles, 3.0 sacks), who started in every game last season; junior Cavon Butler (22 tackles), a starter in five games in 2021; sophomore Darius Alexander (21 tackles); and junior Devan Rogers (eight tackles). 

At linebacker, senior Dyontae Johnson had 87 tackles and 8.0 TFL tackles on his way to earning second-team All-MAC honors in 2021. He is joined by sophomore Jackson Barrow (42 tackles), and junior Daniel Bolden, who sat out last year with an injury after racking up 20 tackles in 2020.  Sophomore D'Andre Ragin moves to linebacker after previously playing on the front line. Redshirt freshman Sawiaha Ellis will compete for playing time, as will junior transfer Dallas Gant (Ohio State). 

Toledo's secondary is also blessed with abundant talent, with five players who have been starters in their careers. 

Returners among the safeties include a pair of All-MAC recipients, sophomore Maxen Hook and junior Nate Bauer. Hook had 95 tackles and three pass breakups as a redshirt freshman in 2021, earning third-team All-MAC accolades. Bauer, a second-team All-MAC choice in 2020, had 55 tackles and 6.5 TFL last season. Seniors Zachary Ford (45 tackles, three breakups) and Troy Simon were regulars in the rotation in 2021. Redshirt freshman Jaylin Mines is also expected to battle for playing time.

 At cornerback, sophomore Quinyon Mitchell started in all 13 games in 2021, making 34 tackles and breaking up eight passes. Junior Chris McDonald, who has had 17 breakups in the past three seasons, was a regular in the rotation at cornerback and nickelback in 2021. Sophomore Ronald Delancy III (11 tackles) made an impact off the bench and on special teams. Transfer Andre Fuller (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) and freshman Avery Smith are players to watch on the corner.

Special Teams
Junior Thomas Cluckey returns at placekicker after making 14 field goals in 2021. He will be challenged by sophomore transfer Luke Pawlak (Montana State). Five-year starter Bailey Flint must be replaced at punter. Freshman and fellow Aussie Jonathon Batzke will compete with Cluckey for Flint's position. 

Toledo has numerous speedsters at its disposal at the return positions. Devin Maddox earned second-team All-MAC honors at punt returner in 2021, while Jacquez Stuart averaged 27.9 yards per kickoff return.


Head Coach Jason Candle media day press conference.