Rockets Recruiting Hamilton Pair

One Hamilton high school product is already committed to the University of Toledo. The other is considering Toledo, along with some BCS offers. They are Damien McIntosh and Kenny Veal. Will Damien convince Kenny to follow him to Toledo?

Damien McIntosh committed to the University of Toledo back in October, but didn't take his official visit until this past weekend. It wasn't his first visit to see Toledo's campus though, as he was in Toledo back in October for an unoffical visit to take in a Rockets home game. At the time he had offers from Toledo, Akron, and Buffalo.

Damien led the Greater Miami Conference with four fumble recoveries in 2007. He also forced one fumble and had four and a half sacks, leading his team in each category. He was also named First Team All-Conference as a linebacker.

One of the best things about Damien is that he is a bright kid. "(Damien) had a 3.9 GPA this quarter," said Hamilton head football coach Jim Place. Damien plans on taking that lofty GPA to Toledo and majoring in Journalism. And while Rocket fans should be impressed with his academic standing, Damien is also impressed with what Toledo offers academically. Back in October he told Scout.com Recruiting Analyst Dave Berk that Toledo had sold him on their graduation rate and tradition.

The 6-4 and 212 pounder drew a lot of attention from Mid-American Conference schools. "He was offered by most of the MAC," said coach Jim Place. McIntosh played tight end and linebacker for Hamilton, but was recruited by the Rockets to be a linebacker. He was recruited by defensive line coach Mark Rhea.

One of McIntosh's teammates at Hamilton is Kenny Veal. Veal was named First Team All-Conference in the GMC as a running back. He led Hamilton with 920 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground. He was also 2nd on the team with 11 receptions for 134 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also led the team in punt returns with 14 for 191 yards and one touchdown. He has very good skills as a defensive back too.

According to his coach, Veal has offers from West Virginia, Cincinnati, and the entire MAC. He took his official visit to Toledo this past weekend, and was on hand for the 2007 football banquet.

Veal (5-11, 175) is being recruited by UT assistant Mark Rhea as an athlete that could play either wide receiver or defensive back.

Teammate and Rocket commit Damien McIntosh has been working on getting Veal to follow him to Toledo, and the Rockets are high on his list. Veal's coach at Hamilton, Jim Place, said that Kenny has narrowed his choices down to five schools. "Cincinnati, West Virginia, Toledo, Eastern Michigan, and Akron," said coach Place.