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Y! MyWebCOLLEGE FOOTBALL
Witt adds 40 freshmen to roster
Some recruits will be counted on early despite smaller class size
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Tecumseh High School graduate Josh McKee (14) eludes a defender in this 2007 News-Sun file photo. McKee is one of 40 freshmen joining the Wittenberg University football team this fall.SPRINGFIELD — They come from as far away as Hilmar, Calif., and as close as South High School. They range in size from 290 pounds to 152, from 6-foot-4 to 5-4.
The 40 players differ in many ways, but they share one important trait — they all chose to play college football at Wittenberg University in the fall.
After consecutive recruiting classes of 57 and 77 players, this class takes a step back in numbers. Some of that has to do with the fact that the Tigers will return 16 starters and 45 letter winners this fall to a team that went 8-2 last season.
Head coach Joe Fincham didn't need a big class, but that doesn't mean he doesn't need contributions from this one.
"You need depth on your team," said Fincham, who will be entering his 12th season at the helm. "I don't care how good a team we have coming back, we've always had a couple of freshmen come in and push for playing time. Hopefully, it's not a need situation, but a situation where you recruit well enough that kids can come in and challenge for spots."
This year's class includes seven Clark County players: wide receiver Josh McKee and linebacker Vet Smelko of Tecumseh; wide receiver Michael Cooper of South; tight end Matt Shockey of Catholic Central; and running back Wes Miller, defensive lineman Chris Gray and defensive back Vinny Harshaw of Shawnee.
Cooper, McKee and Zach Hurtt, a linebacker from Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, Ky., started the signing period for the Tigers.
"Those were the first three, and those really happened on signing day (Feb. 6), which is a rarity for us," Fincham said. "And they're three outstanding players."
Last year's top freshman, linebacker Brad McKinley, will have a fellow Hilliard Davidson linebacker on the team this year, Drew Dolder. He and McKinley played together on the 2006 Division I state championship team.
The Tigers recruited several sizable offensive lineman who Fincham mentioned as possible early contributors: Justin Lakes, a 6-4, 290-pounder from Franklin; Blake Seidler, a 6-3, 280-pounder from Massillon whose position coach was a former Tiger, Matt Leisure; and Phil Jenkins, a 6-1, 285-pounder from Roswell, Ga.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0351
or djablonski@coxohio.com.
2008 Wittenberg football recruits
Name City State High School Pos. Ht. Wt.
Ethan Bartel Indianapolis Ind. Speedway DB 6-1 180
Tony Carney Canfield Ohio Canfield LB 6-0 205
Terrell Carter Columbus Ohio Independence ATH 5-10 180
Michael Cooper Springfield Ohio South WR 6-4 195
Kyle Costello Indianapolis Ind. Brebeuf Jesuit QB 5-10 180
Anthony D?Anna Harrison Twp. Mich. Harrison Twp. WR 6-0 175
David Dempsey Richwood Ohio North Union DB 5-8 180
Brock Dias Hilmar CA Hilmar RB 5-10 200
Drew Dolder Hilliard Ohio Davidson LB 5-11 200
Matt Donelson Gahanna Ohio Gahanna LB 5-10 195
Drew Fisher Appleton Wis. Appleton North QB 6-3 200
Paul Frank Bluffton Ind. Norwell OL 6-0 240
Chris Gray Springfield Ohio Shawnee DL 6-0 215
James Hall Canton Ohio McKinley LB 6-3 210
Vinny Harshaw Springfield Ohio Shawnee DB 6-1 185
Ben Hildebrand Fishers Ind. Fishers OL 6-3 275
Zach Hurtt Fort Thomas Ky. Highlands LB 6-2 220
Phil Jenkins Roswell Ga. Centennial OL 6-1 285
Terrence Kizer Reynoldsburg Ohio Reynoldsburg DB 5-9 185
Trey LaValley Portsmouth Ohio Notre Dame K/P 5-11 175
Justin Lakes Franklin Ohio Franklin OL 6-4 290
Trevor Luckenbill West Milton Ohio Milton-Union RB 5-11 180
Mike Manfreda Dayton Ohio Carroll OL 6-2 255
Quincie McCray Louisville Ky. Male LB 6-0 185
Josh McKee New Carlisle Ohio Tecumseh WR 6-2 175
Wes Miller Springfield Ohio Shawnee RB 5-11 195
Jimmy Neyhouse Beavercreek Ohio Beavercreek DL 6-0 190
Seth Parker De Graff Ohio Riverside RB 5-11 170
Travis Rettig Forest Ohio Arlington DB 5-10 175
Allen Rodriguez Coral Springs Fla. Coral Springs DL 6-1 220
Wes Runyon Ironton Ohio Ironton OL 6-0 230
Blake Seidler Massillon Ohio Massillon OL 6-3 280
Matt Shockey Springfield Ohio Catholic Central TE 6-4 215
Vet Smelko Enon Ohio Tecumseh LB 5-10 205
Joe Szabo Dayton Ohio C-J TE 6-3 215
Royal Thornton Dallas Texas Lake Highlands DB 5-4 152
Alan Trump Plainfield Ind. Plainfield OL 6-0 255
Jake Turner Tiffin Ohio Calvert DL 6-0 190
James Tyus Dayton Ohio Stebbins WR 5-9 175
Ben Zoeller Louisville Ky. St. Xavier QB 6-0 200
