The ESPN effect continues to work to the Bobcats' advantage.
Coach Frank Solich and recruiting coordinator Pete Germano credited the increased national exposure Ohio has received from its turnaround season in receiving verbal commitments from 23 recruits for the 2007 season.
Solich said that his team's appearances in the Mid-American Conference Championship and GMAC Bowl, both of which were nationally televised on ESPN, helped the team broaden its horizons when looking at recruits.
That has come forth now in terms of us being able to reach out and recruit somewhat nationwide
Solich said.
Thirteen of the Bobcats' 23 recruits, coming from 10 different states, hail from outside Ohio.
Along with the team's much-improved record, Germano said the team's renovated facilities helped sway recruits after visiting Athens.
These facilities are nothing close to what they were when I first got here Germano said. We had 23 commitments out of 36 visits so when they got here
they liked what they saw.
The class comprises 20 incoming freshmen, two junior college transfers and a four-year transfer.
The four-year transfer, kicker Michael Braunstein from the University of Washington, should fill the void left by graduating special teams jack-of-all trades Matt Lasher.
Quarterback Theo Scott, a transfer from Los Angeles Southwest College, will be thrown into the mix as the Bobcats look to replace graduating signal-caller Austen Everson, a competition that Solich says is wide open.
We felt that Theo has got excellent running ability
a very strong arm
can be a very good thrower for us and will be an excellent combination player
Solich said. He'll get a good look.
Although he said a number of the recruits could have an impact in their freshman season, Solich did not want to put any added pressure on a recruit by singling out one as an immediate threat.
I'm not gonna bring out a few names and throw those guys forward
Solich said, because that's what fall camp is all about. We get surprised every year.
2007 Recruiting Class
Name, Position, Hometown/Previous School
Michael Braunstein, K, Gilbert, Ariz./University of Washington
LaVon Brazill, WR, Lantana, Fla./Lake Worth HS
Zac Clark, TE, Grove City, Ohio/Grove City HS
Vince Davidson, RB, Dayton, N.J./Harmony Community School
Riley Dunlop, WR, Liberty Twp, Ohio/Lakota East HS
Jay Edwards, OLB, Nelsonville, Ohio/Nelsonville-York HS
Errik Ejike, OLB, Tyler, Texas/Kilgore College
Joe Flading, OL, Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson HS
John Flowers, DL, Lancaster, Ohio/Lancaster HS
Billy Gonzales, CB, Bonney Lake, Wash./Auburn Riverside HS
Donte Harden, RB, Erie, Pa./Strong Vincent HS
Robert Hightower, RB, Youngstown, Ohio/Milford Academy (N.Y.)
Kenny Jackson, CB, Youngstown, Ohio/Liberty HS
Noah Keller, MLB, Kearney, Neb./Kearney HS
Jeff King, DL, Cincinnati, Ohio/Wyoming HS
Dustin Laudermilch, OL, Morgantown, W.Va./Morgantown HS
Curtis Meyers, DE, Harrison, Ohio/Harrison HS
Marcus O'Hara, OL, Hubbard, Ohio/Hubbard HS
Kadre Pinder, DL, Miramar, Fla./Everglades HS
Theo Scott, QB, Long Beach, Calif./Los Angeles Southwest College
Chris Spegal, OL, Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park HS
A.J. Strum, OL, Delmont, Pa./Franklin Regional HS
Brian Sweeney, QB, Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk HS
Source: Ohiobobcats.com
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