FOOTBALL RECRUITING CLASS BY POSITION

In putting together the 2008 recruiting class, the UT coaching staff faced a number of obstacles. Back-to-back losing seasons took Toledo off of the radar for many recruits whose frame of reference may be as short as your record for the current season. UT's 2005 GMAC Bowl win is now ancient history for many.

And the "Scooter situation" is still out there, even if it's off the front page. Don't think that opposing coaches didn't bring that up. Two obstacles, but ones that were overcome as UT signed 23 players in a class that could easily be described as very good. And two more players may be added, including a punter.

Here's a look at the recruiting class by position:

OFFENSIVE LINE

Toledo will add four recruits to an offensive line that already has a number of young, quality players and will likely return some injured players that missed much of last season.

Fadi Farha, Danny Farr, Phillip Manley and John Morookian are all quality kids who can be expected to produce at a high level during their careers.

Farha has a mean, nasty streak with a great work ethic. An extremely hard worker, he expects to play early in his career. Danny Farr could be a great defensive tackle, but will play on the offensive line where his quickness and great hands will help him at the tackle or guard position. The 6-6 Morookian has slimmed down to 295 pounds and is currently going through winter conditioning. He is a super quick, athletic tackle who is an excellent pass blocker. Manley is just a real stud. At 6-5,295, some of the coaching staff say they've never quite seen a physical specimen like him. He just dominates defensive linemen. He asked Toledo to recruit him.

QUARTERBACKS

Toledo's quarterback situation certainly is in a state of flux with the departure of Travaris Cadet and with Clint Cochran possibly opting for medical school next year. That's why it was important to bring in two recruits.

Junior college transfer Alex Pettee is an academic All-American who threw for over 2,100 yards last season and rushed for more than 400. He's already on campus and will participate in spring ball. He has a strong arm and does a good job of seeing the whole field.

David Pasquale certainly is an interesting quarterback prospect. Many recruiters looked at his size (6-2,220) and 4.6 speed and projected him as a linebacker. And how many quarterbacks can throw the shot 53 feet?

Pasquale is a high-character kid with a good arm to go along with speed and the ability to elude defenders. No linebacker here, UT coaches love him at quarterback

WIDE RECEIVERS- Updated 2/16/08

Receivers coach Chris Hedden said that this may be the best group of receivers to sign since he's been at UT. One thing that sets them apart is that they all have excellent hands and know what to do with the ball after they catch it.

6-3 Sam Gaymon is a true leader on the field and has a real chance to play as a true freshman. The same holds true for 6-4 Kenny Stafford, a young man that chose Toledo over Nebraska. Stafford is an explosive player who can out-run corners. His exceptional size and work habits put him in that group of players that can help the team next season.

Leroy Houston was an outstanding running back in Daytona Beach, Florida, but playing slot receiver and special teams duty look to be his future. He has excellent speed with the cut-back ability to elude tacklers. Another great "hands" guy.

The late signing of Phillip Barnett certainly puts this group among the best ever at UT. Barnett has good size, but more important has the ability to catch the ball in traffic.

RUNNING BACKS

There's no question that the loss of Carlton Jones to Florida State hurt, but Darius Reeves may well help us forget he ever was a commitment. At 6-1, and with the size potential to be well over 200 pounds, Reeves is a tough, physical runner with great body control. He can pound you, but also make you miss. Some recruiters projected him as a big-time corner.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Probably no other position has drawn so much interest from Rocket fans and coaches. Getting more defensive line depth was a priority, and four players were signed.

Only Malcolm Riley is a true defensive tackle. The all-stater from Indiana is a little bit light (250#) right now, but nobody can question his explosive first step and the speed he uses to shed blockers. His dad went to Toledo Libbey High School.

Three defensive ends were brought in to increase UT's pass rush. Premier among the trio is 6-5 Juco All-American Albertson Alexandre. He's mostly played as a standup defensive end, but he has the flexibility to adjust to any situation. Alexandre is a high-motor guys who chases players down sideline to sideline. With only two years to play, he's hitting the weight room hard getting ready for spring practice.

Hank Keighley is another tall player who will only get bigger. He does a great job disengaging from blockers and uses his 4.6 speed to harass quarterbacks. The other DE is Johnathan Lamb. Already at 6-4,250, he's an emotional player with good speed and a second gear.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS

If Toledo's defensive line was giving up big chunks of yardage on the ground, the linebacker corps was certainly implicit in the carnage. With hopes of getting a couple of players back who didn't play last season, there still was need for more depth.

The coaching staff turned to the junior college ranks to pick up 6-1 Daris Quinn. A huge hitter, Quinn is very quick and just blows up running backs, receivers and quarterbacks. He will add toughness to the position.

6-3 Damien McIntosh is a speed guy who needs to put on some weight. A red-shirt year is likely for the player from Hamilton, Ohio.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

Toledo needed more depth at outside linebacker, and a player who could stop the run, rush off the corner and also drop back into coverage. The coaching staff found a good one in Terrell Anderson. He led the state of Pennsylvania with 19.5 sacks, and is a big hitter with speed. He has a knack for avoiding blockers and tracking down his man. He could see special team's playing time early in his career.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

This was the biggest group in the entire recruiting class and maybe the most talented. It's hard to determine where these players will end up because each one is so multi-dimensional. Corners, safeties, special teams players-they can do it all.

Kenny "The Real Deal" Veal - OK, I made that up - is quite an impressive player. He could very well be the star of this class. You could call him a "super athlete" because he plays so many positions at a high level. He has everything you could look for in a cornerback, but hits like a safety. Catches passes, runs the ball, returns punts...

Andreas Ashwood is a lanky defender who loves to hit. Add a few more pounds, and he could be an outside linebacker. Local guy Isaiah Ballard could play corner or safety. Has a nose for the ball and excellent speed. Another player who could see special team's duty.

6-3 Jermaine Robinson is a real fooler. Long and lean, he looks like a receiver. But on the field, he's a demon rushing off the end or making a big hit. He's putting on more weight, and when he gets to his full physical potential, the sky's the limit.

Another Pennsylvania D back is safety Mark Singer. A ferocious hitter, he really likes contact. Has a very competitive nature, and the speed to make thing happen.

Anthony Washington has the "wow" factor. He has tremendous jumping ability, and does some things on the field that make you do a double-take. Kind of an "under the radar" guy, Washington has a bright future as a safety.