Rockets Introduce 2008 Recruits

University of Toledo head football coach Tom Amstutz held a press conference yesterday evening to address the media on the 2008 football recruiting class. Rocket Digest was there to cover the event.

Head Coach Tom Amstutz met with the media yesterday to introduce the Rockets' 2008 class of football recruits. With a heavy emphasis on defense ("our #1 emphasis", according to Amstutz)the Rockets set out to address some shortcomings that made themselves apparent over the last couple of seasons, especially depth.

Of the 23 players signed to National Letters of Intent, 13 were on the defensive side, with 1 DT, 2 DEs, 3LBs, and 7 DBs. On offense, the Rockets picked up commits from 4 OLs, 1 RB, 2 QBs, and 3 WRs, including a surprise with the late commitment of Kenny Stafford out of St. Francis de Sales in Columbus.

Stafford is the nephew of Chris Carter, former Ohio State and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver, causing Amstutz to comment that "he's got good genes".

Coach promised to run him a little extra for making him wait until Sunday night before making his verbal committment, which followed a late recruiting trip to Nebraska to meet with the Cornhuskers' staff.

Amstutz also is excited about the signing of California JC quarterback Alex Pettee. Pettee passed for almost 2200 yards and 21 TDs, rushing for over 400 yard as well, and carried a 4.2 gpa in high school. He was named his JC conference offensive player of the year. Amstutz said he is already on campus and doing well, and he expects him to step in and compete and give the Rockets additional depth.

Amstutz, as always, was very excited about this class, referring to it as his "Christmas". The focus was on athleticism, looking for speed and footwork, and young men who can "make plays".

Coach said they went far and wide looking for the best players they could get and feel they've got a good group here. The Rocket staff even dipped into the JC ranks to pull a few recruits (3), which is a bit unusual of late. Amstutz mentioned 6'5" DL Albertson Alexandre as a player who could step in and compete this fall, and has 3 years of eligibility left and is already on campus and taking classes.

As has been true for the last several classes, the Rockets cast a wide net for recruits, signing 8 from Ohio, 4 from Florida, 3 from Michigan, 2 each from Pennsylvania and Illinois, and 1 each from New York, New Jersey, Indiana, and California. For the first time in awhile, the Rockets didn't sign any players out of northeast Ohio, losing a few prospects to the competition, but moved on to fill their needs.

Asked about local standout Isaah Ballard (Rogers HS), Amstutz said it's "like fishing...you always like to check around the dock before you go out", and said it's good to sign a local kid. Ballard projects as a DB for the Rockets, but as Stutz said, "he'll play wherever you need him".

One need that has yet to be filled is punter. The Rockets must replace all-MAC punter Brett Kern. The Rockets had their eye on a punter throughout the recruiting process, but lost out on him. Amstutz said the staff is working on filling that need, and with 2 scholarships left to fill, it's likely the Rockets will be adding another player or two to this class.