The Rockets return seven starters on defense in 2023, including four All-MAC players.
Photo by: Katie Manger
Rockets Open Up Spring Football Season
2/28/2023 2:23:00 PM | Football
Seven All-MAC players return for defending MAC Champion Toledo
TOLEDO, Ohio - The 2023 spring football practice season opened this week for the Toledo Rockets with Head Coach Jason Candle's squad eager to continue preparations to defend their Mid-American Conference title.
The Rockets practiced in the Fetterman Training Center on Monday and Tuesday. They have 15 practices scheduled for the spring, culminating with a Spring Showcase open scrimmage in the Glass Bowl on Saturday, April 8.
"Our guys are excited to be back out here and to be out running around and playing football," said Candle, who enters his seventh season as head coach with a 54-32 record. "The month of February is about team building. It's about culture building. It's fighting over ropes and tires, touching cones, and doing all the things that require the discipline to get those habits formed. Now you want to see those same things manifest themselves on the football field."
Toledo went 9-5 in 2022 and won the MAC Championship and the Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl, the first time a Rocket team has won a league title and a bowl game in the same season in 21 years. However, four of Toledo's five losses in 2022 were by a touchdown or less, leaving the Rockets feeling as though they have plenty of room to grow as a team. That feeling permeates the team as it prepares to defend its championship in 2023.
"We have to find guys who are going to lead the team," said Candle. "We have to find guys who, when adversity hits, are going to stare it in the face like those seniors did last year who led us to those championships. We're definitely a work in progress with a long way to go."
Toledo returns 16 starters next fall, including seven All-MAC selections. Leading the offense is junior quarterback Dequan Finn, who threw for 23 touchdowns and ran for 631 yards on his way to second-team All-MAC honors. Other All-MAC returners on offense include junior offensive lineman Nick Rosi (first-team) and junior wide receiver Jerjuan Newton (second team).
The defense is keyed by a strong secondary that includes junior cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, a second-team All-America pick by Walter Camp in 2022. Senior linebacker Dallas Gant and junior safety Maxen Hook were first-team All-MAC picks in 2022, while senior safety Nate Bauer made the second team.
The Rockets have depth and experience at virtually every position so there will be intense competition for spots in the playing rotation this spring. The Rockets open their 2023 season with a non-conference game at Illinois on Sept. 2 before returning to the Glass Bowl to play Texas Southern in the home opener on Sept. 9.
The following is a brief overview of the Rockets heading into the spring practice season:
Offense
Toledo returns the bulk of the offense that finished second in the MAC in scoring (31.3), as well as third in rushing yards (177.1) and fourth in passing efficiency (132.97).
Leading the way is Dequan Finn, who completed 59.7 percent of his passes for 2,260 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2022. He was just as dangerous with his legs, rushing for 631 yards and nine scores. Candle thinks that the best is yet to come for Finn.
Behind Finn is sophomore Tucker Gleason, who proved his mettle when Finn was injured. Gleason started in two games, leading the Rockets to a key 27-24 victory over Eastern Michigan by completing 15-of-27 passes for 238 yards and three TDs. Redshirt freshman John Alan Richter made major strides in his first season in Midnight Blue and Gold. Freshman RJ Johnson joined the quarterback room this spring, giving the Rockets four solid arms in four different classes.
Protecting the quarterbacks is an offensive line that came into its own toward the end of the 2022 season. Nick Rosi, a junior and a two-time All-MAC pick who is in his sixth season in the program, is the veteran of a line that includes three other returning starters: senior center Devan Rogers, a converted defensive lineman; junior Tyler Long, a starter in 2021 who missed all of last season due to injury; junior Vinnie Sciury, who started every game at left guard last season; and senior Kendall Major, a junior college transfer who saw starting action at center and right guard in 2022.
Other returnees include junior Justin Stephens, and sophomores Garrett Schwiebert and Tanner Wigand. Transfers Rod Orr (Florida State) and David Nwaogwugwu (Rutgers) are with the team this spring and looking to make an immediate impact in 2023.
The receiving corps is deep and talented, led by junior Jerjuan Newton, a second-team All-MAC selection who led the team with 53 receptions, 830 yards receiving and nine TD catches. Another talented target is senior Devin Maddox, who has 108 receptions in his career, including 39 last season.
Senior Mikel Barkley (22 receptions) and sophomore Thomas Zsiros (10 receptions) were a part of the regular rotation in 2022 and are battling for larger roles this year. Other returning veterans are senior Adam Beale and sophomore Junior Vandeross. Looking to make an impact after at least a full year in the system are sophomores Dalen Stovall and Elijah Wesley, and redshirt freshman Eric Holley. Sophomore Don Munnerlyn, a 6-5, 220-pound transfer from Rutgers, is on the team this spring and could be a big factor next fall.
Toledo returns two experienced tight ends, junior Anthony Torres and sophomore Lenny Kühl. Junior Dalton Andrews, sophomore Clay Caudill and freshman CC Ezirim are also in the battle for playing time.
At running back, the Rockets return three significant contributors from 2022, as well as some up young players looking to make an impact. Junior Jacquez Stuart, a starter in nine games in 2022, led the team with 770 rushing yards in 2022 and was fourth in the MAC in yards per carry (5.7). Another junior, Peny Boone, was a tough runner in short yardage situation, gaining 443 yards. Junior Micah Kelly added 398 yards, starting in five games.
Other running backs in the mix are sophomore Willie Shaw, junior Jordan Lowe and freshman Connor Walendzak, who joined the team this spring.
Defense
For the second straight year, the Rockets had one of the best defenses in the Mid-American Conference. Toledo led the league in total defense (326.1), passing yards allowed (183.0) and defensive passing efficiency (112.19). The Rockets have four All-MAC honorees among the seven returning starters from last year.
The deepest area on the Rockets' defense is the secondary. Junior cornerback Quinyon Mitchell had a breakout season in 2022, leading the nation with 25 passes defended (five interceptions, 20 pass breakups) and making the Walter Camp and Associated Press All-America teams. Mitchell gained national prominence when he intercepted four passes, including two pick-sixes, against Northern Illinois on Oct. 8.
Joining Mitchell at cornerback is senior Chris McDonald, a two-year starter who has three interceptions and 24 pass breakups in his career. Juniors RJ Delancy (23 tackles, three breakups) and Andre Fuller (18 tackles, three breakups), as well as sophomore Nasir Bowers (10 tackles), all saw regular action at the corner in 2022.
Toledo is blessed with three veteran safeties, including two who have earned All-MAC honors twice in their careers, senior Nate Bauer and junior Maxen Hook. Hook, a first-team all-league pick in 2022, totaled 81 tackles and four pass breakups in 2022, while Bauer had 61 tackles and broke up four passes on his way to second-team accolades. Senior Zachary Ford (58 tackles, six breakups) has been a regular in the secondary for the past three seasons.
Backing up this trio are a pair of talented sophomores, Jaylin Mines and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, both of whom saw significant action as freshmen in 2022.
At linebacker, the Rockets return first-team All-MAC honoree Dallas Gant, who led the Rockets with 116 tackles in 2022. Gant, a senior, will be counted on to fill some of the leadership role vacated by Dyontae Johnson, who completed his distinguished college career last fall. Another experienced returnee is junior Jackson Barrow, who had two starts and 31 tackles last year. Sophomores Sawiaha Ellis, Connor Jones and Damon Ollison also figure to be battling for playing time.
The biggest transition on defense will be on the front line where the Rockets lose three starters from 2022, including four-time All-MAC defensive end Jamal Hines and three-time All-MAC defensive tackle Desjuan Johnson. However, Toledo returns a solid lineup of veterans as well as some newcomers who could make an impact in 2023.
Senior tackle Judge Culpepper has been a constant on the interior line over the past two seasons, racking up 87 tackles in 27 starts. Junior Cavon Butler, who began the 2022 as a starters at defensive tackle, is back after missing most of last year due to injury. Another junior, Darius Alexander, played a key role at tackle last year, picking up 21 tackles and 7.0 tackles for loss. Sophomore Martez Poynter also figures to be in the mix next fall.
At the defensive end/edge rusher position, the Rockets look forward to the return of senior Terrance Taylor, who missed most of last season due to injury. Taylor has started 17 gamed in his career, totaling 86 tackles and 21.5 tackles for loss. Another senior, Adrian Woliver, is back after picking up a career-high 24 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2022. Junior Deshawn Holt (15 tackles in 2022) and sophomore Jeremiah Peters figure to be in the mix for playing time in 2023, as well as Missouri transfer Travion Ford.
Special Teams
New special team coordinator Stanton Weber looks to make an impact after spending the last two seasons as the special teams analyst at South Carolina. Junior Luke Pawlak returns at placekicker after making two field goals in a reserve role in 2022. The returning punter is sophomore Jonathon Batzke, who was named the Special Teams MVP of the MAC Championship Game.
Junior Jacquez Stuart returns as Toledo's kickoff returner, while senior Adam Beale is back to return punts.
The Rockets practiced in the Fetterman Training Center on Monday and Tuesday. They have 15 practices scheduled for the spring, culminating with a Spring Showcase open scrimmage in the Glass Bowl on Saturday, April 8.
"Our guys are excited to be back out here and to be out running around and playing football," said Candle, who enters his seventh season as head coach with a 54-32 record. "The month of February is about team building. It's about culture building. It's fighting over ropes and tires, touching cones, and doing all the things that require the discipline to get those habits formed. Now you want to see those same things manifest themselves on the football field."
Toledo went 9-5 in 2022 and won the MAC Championship and the Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl, the first time a Rocket team has won a league title and a bowl game in the same season in 21 years. However, four of Toledo's five losses in 2022 were by a touchdown or less, leaving the Rockets feeling as though they have plenty of room to grow as a team. That feeling permeates the team as it prepares to defend its championship in 2023.
"We have to find guys who are going to lead the team," said Candle. "We have to find guys who, when adversity hits, are going to stare it in the face like those seniors did last year who led us to those championships. We're definitely a work in progress with a long way to go."
Toledo returns 16 starters next fall, including seven All-MAC selections. Leading the offense is junior quarterback Dequan Finn, who threw for 23 touchdowns and ran for 631 yards on his way to second-team All-MAC honors. Other All-MAC returners on offense include junior offensive lineman Nick Rosi (first-team) and junior wide receiver Jerjuan Newton (second team).
The defense is keyed by a strong secondary that includes junior cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, a second-team All-America pick by Walter Camp in 2022. Senior linebacker Dallas Gant and junior safety Maxen Hook were first-team All-MAC picks in 2022, while senior safety Nate Bauer made the second team.
The Rockets have depth and experience at virtually every position so there will be intense competition for spots in the playing rotation this spring. The Rockets open their 2023 season with a non-conference game at Illinois on Sept. 2 before returning to the Glass Bowl to play Texas Southern in the home opener on Sept. 9.
The following is a brief overview of the Rockets heading into the spring practice season:
Offense
Toledo returns the bulk of the offense that finished second in the MAC in scoring (31.3), as well as third in rushing yards (177.1) and fourth in passing efficiency (132.97).
Leading the way is Dequan Finn, who completed 59.7 percent of his passes for 2,260 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2022. He was just as dangerous with his legs, rushing for 631 yards and nine scores. Candle thinks that the best is yet to come for Finn.
Behind Finn is sophomore Tucker Gleason, who proved his mettle when Finn was injured. Gleason started in two games, leading the Rockets to a key 27-24 victory over Eastern Michigan by completing 15-of-27 passes for 238 yards and three TDs. Redshirt freshman John Alan Richter made major strides in his first season in Midnight Blue and Gold. Freshman RJ Johnson joined the quarterback room this spring, giving the Rockets four solid arms in four different classes.
Protecting the quarterbacks is an offensive line that came into its own toward the end of the 2022 season. Nick Rosi, a junior and a two-time All-MAC pick who is in his sixth season in the program, is the veteran of a line that includes three other returning starters: senior center Devan Rogers, a converted defensive lineman; junior Tyler Long, a starter in 2021 who missed all of last season due to injury; junior Vinnie Sciury, who started every game at left guard last season; and senior Kendall Major, a junior college transfer who saw starting action at center and right guard in 2022.
Other returnees include junior Justin Stephens, and sophomores Garrett Schwiebert and Tanner Wigand. Transfers Rod Orr (Florida State) and David Nwaogwugwu (Rutgers) are with the team this spring and looking to make an immediate impact in 2023.
The receiving corps is deep and talented, led by junior Jerjuan Newton, a second-team All-MAC selection who led the team with 53 receptions, 830 yards receiving and nine TD catches. Another talented target is senior Devin Maddox, who has 108 receptions in his career, including 39 last season.
Senior Mikel Barkley (22 receptions) and sophomore Thomas Zsiros (10 receptions) were a part of the regular rotation in 2022 and are battling for larger roles this year. Other returning veterans are senior Adam Beale and sophomore Junior Vandeross. Looking to make an impact after at least a full year in the system are sophomores Dalen Stovall and Elijah Wesley, and redshirt freshman Eric Holley. Sophomore Don Munnerlyn, a 6-5, 220-pound transfer from Rutgers, is on the team this spring and could be a big factor next fall.
Toledo returns two experienced tight ends, junior Anthony Torres and sophomore Lenny Kühl. Junior Dalton Andrews, sophomore Clay Caudill and freshman CC Ezirim are also in the battle for playing time.
At running back, the Rockets return three significant contributors from 2022, as well as some up young players looking to make an impact. Junior Jacquez Stuart, a starter in nine games in 2022, led the team with 770 rushing yards in 2022 and was fourth in the MAC in yards per carry (5.7). Another junior, Peny Boone, was a tough runner in short yardage situation, gaining 443 yards. Junior Micah Kelly added 398 yards, starting in five games.
Other running backs in the mix are sophomore Willie Shaw, junior Jordan Lowe and freshman Connor Walendzak, who joined the team this spring.
Defense
For the second straight year, the Rockets had one of the best defenses in the Mid-American Conference. Toledo led the league in total defense (326.1), passing yards allowed (183.0) and defensive passing efficiency (112.19). The Rockets have four All-MAC honorees among the seven returning starters from last year.
The deepest area on the Rockets' defense is the secondary. Junior cornerback Quinyon Mitchell had a breakout season in 2022, leading the nation with 25 passes defended (five interceptions, 20 pass breakups) and making the Walter Camp and Associated Press All-America teams. Mitchell gained national prominence when he intercepted four passes, including two pick-sixes, against Northern Illinois on Oct. 8.
Joining Mitchell at cornerback is senior Chris McDonald, a two-year starter who has three interceptions and 24 pass breakups in his career. Juniors RJ Delancy (23 tackles, three breakups) and Andre Fuller (18 tackles, three breakups), as well as sophomore Nasir Bowers (10 tackles), all saw regular action at the corner in 2022.
Toledo is blessed with three veteran safeties, including two who have earned All-MAC honors twice in their careers, senior Nate Bauer and junior Maxen Hook. Hook, a first-team all-league pick in 2022, totaled 81 tackles and four pass breakups in 2022, while Bauer had 61 tackles and broke up four passes on his way to second-team accolades. Senior Zachary Ford (58 tackles, six breakups) has been a regular in the secondary for the past three seasons.
Backing up this trio are a pair of talented sophomores, Jaylin Mines and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, both of whom saw significant action as freshmen in 2022.
At linebacker, the Rockets return first-team All-MAC honoree Dallas Gant, who led the Rockets with 116 tackles in 2022. Gant, a senior, will be counted on to fill some of the leadership role vacated by Dyontae Johnson, who completed his distinguished college career last fall. Another experienced returnee is junior Jackson Barrow, who had two starts and 31 tackles last year. Sophomores Sawiaha Ellis, Connor Jones and Damon Ollison also figure to be battling for playing time.
The biggest transition on defense will be on the front line where the Rockets lose three starters from 2022, including four-time All-MAC defensive end Jamal Hines and three-time All-MAC defensive tackle Desjuan Johnson. However, Toledo returns a solid lineup of veterans as well as some newcomers who could make an impact in 2023.
Senior tackle Judge Culpepper has been a constant on the interior line over the past two seasons, racking up 87 tackles in 27 starts. Junior Cavon Butler, who began the 2022 as a starters at defensive tackle, is back after missing most of last year due to injury. Another junior, Darius Alexander, played a key role at tackle last year, picking up 21 tackles and 7.0 tackles for loss. Sophomore Martez Poynter also figures to be in the mix next fall.
At the defensive end/edge rusher position, the Rockets look forward to the return of senior Terrance Taylor, who missed most of last season due to injury. Taylor has started 17 gamed in his career, totaling 86 tackles and 21.5 tackles for loss. Another senior, Adrian Woliver, is back after picking up a career-high 24 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2022. Junior Deshawn Holt (15 tackles in 2022) and sophomore Jeremiah Peters figure to be in the mix for playing time in 2023, as well as Missouri transfer Travion Ford.
Special Teams
New special team coordinator Stanton Weber looks to make an impact after spending the last two seasons as the special teams analyst at South Carolina. Junior Luke Pawlak returns at placekicker after making two field goals in a reserve role in 2022. The returning punter is sophomore Jonathon Batzke, who was named the Special Teams MVP of the MAC Championship Game.
Junior Jacquez Stuart returns as Toledo's kickoff returner, while senior Adam Beale is back to return punts.
Players Mentioned
DT
/ Football
TE
/ Football
WR
/ Football
LB
/ Football
P
/ Football
S
/ Football
WR
/ Football
RB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
DT
/ Football
TE
/ Football
DT
/ Football
LB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DE
/ Football
S
/ Football
CB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
OLB
/ Football
OLB
/ Football
S
/ Football
DT
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OL
/ Football
CB
/ Football
S
/ Football
S
/ Football
CB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OL
/ Football
PK
/ Football
OLB
/ Football
DT
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DT
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
WR
/ Football
RB
/ Football
OLB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OLB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballCoach Mike Jacobs Introductory Press Conference
Thursday, December 11
Toledo Football - Bowl Game Press Conference - 12/8/2025
Monday, December 08
Toledo Football - National Signing Day 2025
Wednesday, December 03
Toledo Football vs. Central Michigan - Game 12
Monday, December 01
