Toledo coaching staff ready for 2012 recruits

Since joining the Rockets staff in 2009, Toledo's Matt Campbell has built himself a reputation as one of the premiere recruiters in the country.

Campbell was the architect of the Mid-American Conference's top ranked recruiting class last year and he'll be looking to make another big splash come national signing day, which is Wednesday. This time around, however, he will be inking commits as UT's head coach.

"We're really excited," Campbell told the Independent Collegian. "I think we're attacking the needs that we have in recruiting. I think it's going to be one of the best classes we've had."

The Rockets currently have 24 verbal commitments (including eight three-star recruits), having lost just a few incoming players when Tim Beckman bolted for Illinois.   

Campbell only furthered his renown last Sunday by making the signature move of the Rockets 2012 class over a month after Beckman's departure.

Four-star wide receiver Corey Jones verbally committed to Pittsburgh in the fall but Campbell was able to coax the Pennsylvania native away from the Panthers amid a coaching change-over.

"I wasn't sure of how Pitt was going to handle things, how I was going to fit into their offense and if I was still in their offensive scheme," Jones told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "[Pittsburgh coaches] are cool, but I'm just trying to do what is best for me and I think Toledo's offense is what's best for me."

Jones is an explosive receiver, with outstanding body control, who runs crisp, clean routes. He also projects to be a stellar kick/punt returner. At 5-9, 165 pounds the only conceivable downside to the Rockets sole four-star recruit is his size.

But NFL-bound receiver/returner Eric Page has the Rockets well-acquainted with the potential of an undersized, multi-position threat. In time, Jones could be a viable replacement for Page as both a receiver and returner.

While Jones continues to develop, Toledo carries enough depth in its receiving core to avoid a great deal of drop-off in production, in spite of the versatile Page's absence.

"The one position I feel real confident about is our wide receivers," Campbell said.

"I think we've got some really good receivers on campus right now. Some have already proven themselves and a couple others are ready to break out. I think anytime you recruit good skill players, those guys have a chance to come in and compete. It's a matter of what those guys do with their opportunities."

Jones' commitment also made possible the signing of a three-star recruit, in what appears to be something of a package deal.

Chaz Whittaker, who initially showed interest in signing with West Virginia, verbalized his intention to join his Penn Hills High School teammate at Toledo shortly following Jones' commitment. Whittaker, who also saw time at wide receiver at Penn Hills, ranks among the top 100 safeties in the 2012 class according to multiple recruiting services.

Set to join Whittaker on the defensive side of the ball in the coming years is middle linebacker Jaylen Coleman. A skilled, high-energy defender with a knack for getting to the ball, he was sought by BCS programs including Arizona State, West Virginia and Cincinnati before committing to Toledo earlier this month.  

Coleman was also a standout in the backfield for University Prep in Pittsburgh. As a result, the offensive-minded Campbell might opt to utilize him at running back, though film and scouting reports suggest he is better suited as a defender at the collegiate level.

Quarterback Brian Blackburn is perhaps the most intriguing of UT's 2012 recruits. The 6-5, 220-pound Blackburn possesses a strong arm and capable wheels, but he certainly lacks the polish of the former Rocket quarterback whom he most resembles in body-type — Cincinnati Bengals backup Bruce Gradkowski.

That withstanding, proper tutelage and adequate time to learn Campbell's offensive scheme could transform Blackburn into one of the conference's best signal callers.

Toledo's other three-star recruits include running back Damion Jones-Moore, defensive tackle Orion Jones, defensive end Phillip Martin, and wide receivers Armani Miller and Danny Larkins.

As signing day approaches, Campbell and his staff continue to keep their radar steady on the status of numerous undeclared, but interested recruits — around a half-dozen of which have also received three-stars.  

Yesterday, Campbell took a flight to Pittsburgh, presumably to strengthen his ties with Jones and Whittaker, but also possibly to meet with their former teammate Trevyon Hester, among others.

Hester spent some time at defensive end in high school.

In addition to Toledo, schools including Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Temple have also shown interest in him due to his promise at offensive guard.

He has gone overlooked by many major programs but some scouts project him to be a BCS-caliber lineman. The Rockets chances at picking up a commitment from Hester certainly aren't hurt by a pair of his Penn Hills teammates already being on board.

Toledo also remains in the mix for a trio of three-star recruits from Cleveland's talent-rich Glenville High School.

Cornerback V'Angelo Bentley is a solid recruit but his former teammates Willie Henry and Sean Draper are multi-position players (offensive/defensive lineman and wide receiver/cornerback, respectively) with BCS-caliber talent and considerable upside.

The Rockets have also caught the eye of highly-touted, three-star quarterback Robert Gregory of Chicago's Simeon High School. The 6-3 signal caller is a duel-threat, capable of making some flashing plays but he is still raw behind center and some expect he will be converted to wide receiver.

Gregory announced his intention to sign with Arkansas last November but decommitted after a visit to Minnesota the following month. It would seem he is a long shot to commit to Toledo but don't count out the Rockets coaching staff just yet.

"We've really evaluated what we needed here and our programs and made sure we went out and attacked it," Campbell said. "Hopefully by next Wednesday we'll be real happy with the outcome."

Campbell and his staff will host a special presentation of its 2012 recruiting class on signing day when commitments will officially be announced.

The free event, which begins at 4 p.m., is open to all Rocket fans and includes video highlights of each signee in attendance.

"It's one of those deals where you can bring a great end to this season and really start 2012 and show what this team is going to look like," Campbell said. "I love being able to get out with our fans and give them the opportunity to see our excitement about each one of these young men and get some insight on them."