Sports
Football: Ohio Lands 19 Commits on National Signing Day
By: Blake Brodie
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While all eyes on the football world are centered in Indianapolis this week–now just days away from professional football's biggest day of the year–it was the football teams who star on Saturdays grabbing the headlines Wednesday of "Super Bowl Week," as football recruits across America chose their future schools, signed their letters of intent, and donned their new colors, all a part of National Signing Day. The Ohio football program added 19 new faces today, nine offensive players, seven defensive, and three athletes whose positions aren't yet decided.
The Bobcat football team made its first splash early this morning with the signing of two-star recruit (according to Rivals) wide receiver Chris Murray (Tampa, Fl.). The standout wide receiver was one of four receivers–the most of any other position–signing their commitment to Ohio University. Of Murray, Ohio offensive line coach, Keven Lightner drew comparisons to one of Ohio's all-time greats, "When we were recruiting [Murray] he reminded us a lot of LaVon Brazill." Two-star recruit Matt Waters (Council Bluffs, Ia.) unrated Malik Rodriguez (Brooklyn, NY.) and unrated Jordan Reid (Stone Mountain Ga.), are the other wideouts set to wear green and white. When discussing Reid, Ohio offensive coordinator Tim Albin described him as "a very athletic wide receiver who can stretch the field vertically and gives us some big play potential."
Also on the offensive side of the ball, Ohio added two-star running back Daz'Mond Patterson (Plant City, Fl.), unrated tight end John Tanner (Cincinnati, Oh.), two-star quarterback Greg Windham (Tampa, Fl.), a high school teammate of WR Chris Murray, and along the offensive line Ohio added 6'6", 280 pound, two-star, Troy Watson (Aurora, Oh.) and 6'4" 308 pound, two-star Nick Gibbons (Stone Mountain, Ga.).
The Bobcats added four players to the defensive line, two linebackers, and a safety. The new faces along the d-line include three defensive ends; 6'2", 250 pound, two-star recruit, Ty Branz (York, Neb.), 6'4", 225 pound, two-star Kurt Laseak (Mentor, Oh.), and 6'3" 235 pound, two-star, Wade Wells. Ohio also added one of its two highest rated players–both three-star recruits–in 6'4", 300 pound Trae Clark.
The Bobcats grabbed another linebacker out of Nebraska in Jake Schany (Blair, Neb.). Ohio defensive coordinator Jimmy Burrow was excited about the signing of Schany, calling him a "good athlete who can play both sides of the ball. Great physical instincts at linebacker." Tim Edmond (Cincinnati, Oh.) was Ohio's other linebacker commit.
In the secondary, the 'Cats are welcoming two-star recruit, and the only secondary recruit, Toran Davis (Lithonia, Ga.) at safety.
The other three recruits currently listed as 'Athlete' (ATH) whose positions as of now are undecided are two-star recruit, Davon Henry (Round Rock, Tx.), two-star Mike Roberts (Cleveland, Oh.), and their other three-star recruit Sebastian Smith (Columbus, Oh.).
Five recruits – Ty Branz, Tim Edmond, Daz'mond Patterson, Matt Waters and Wade Wells – are already enrolled at Ohio and will be able to play in the Bobcats' spring game.
Scout.com rated Ohio's recruiting class 12th in the MAC (out of 14) while Rivals.com rated the Cats' class third.
When asked about the low rankings by recruiting websits like Scout and Rivals, Ohio Head Coach Frank Solich responded, "I don't look at any other recruiting classes in the MAC." He also went on to say he doesn't care how outlets rank their recruiting classes.