UT 2012 recruiting class ranked No. 2 in MAC by Scout and Rivals

First year head coach Matt Campbell has picked up right where the Rockets left off in the recruiting world of college football.

Campbell and his staff have pieced together the second best recruiting class in the Mid-American Conference and the 61st best class in the nation according to Rivals.com and Scout.com, finishing six spots ahead of former UT head coach Tim Beckman and the University of Illinois.

The class consists of 31 total players, including four walk-ons.

There are 12 players that are rated at three stars or better on both recruiting sites as well as 28 players inside of "Rocket Nation", which is an area within four hours of driving distance from the university.

"We put a pride in putting a fence around the fours around Toledo," Campbell said. "We want to make sure we get the best players in that area."

Included are two players from Whitmer High School, who turned down other offers to stay in Toledo.

Jordy Webb, who rushed for 30 touchdowns last season, and 6-8 offensive lineman Storm Norton will be hoping to repeat the hometown success of soon to be NFL draftee Eric Page.

"We have Jordy Webb and of course Storm who led the way for most of Jordy's success," Campbell said.

"There is two young men coming from a quality program, we are certainly excited about that."

Campbell and his staff targeted Pittsburgh next; where four star wide out recruit Corey Jones and 6-3, 290 pound defensive tackle Treyvon Hester call home.

The staff also went into the state of Illinois and grabbed three players like 6-6, 310 pound Paul Perschon, 6-0, 215 linebacker Chase Murdock and 6-4, 275 pound Phillip Martin.

A few other out of state highlights include 6-6, 225 quarterback Brian Blackburn and 6-2, 272 pound defensive tackle Allen Covington, who earned all-state honors his senior year.

This class may be incoming freshman but most of them have been playing football a lot as of late.

There is a combined 78 state playoff appearances along with seven state championship games while four players took home their state championship trophy.

"We are proud of the experience they have earned in post season play," Campbell said. "We feel that they know what it takes to play great football games in November and December."

The Rockets open their 2012 season in mid-April at their annual spring game.