OK, so there is sometimes a little extra hype on Toledo football recruiting, I admit it, but thought I'd start a basketball recruiting thread as the spring commitments are coming in and classes are being completed.

Toledo recently had 2 bench players with remaining eligibility graduate early. Both - Angel Aparicio and Aubrey Williams - will play elsewhere (college or pro) next season unless they choose to focus on work or school. That meant the Rockets have a whopping 7 scholarships for this 2015 class and it is shaping up to be pretty impressive.

Here's the Toledo class overview, please share the scoops on your school's class, too.

Toledo brings in 3 guys in the 6-8 to 6-10 range including probable top recruit

Taylor Adway from Juice Brown's Chicago area HS. Adway's game (not his maturity) has been compared to recent MAC FOY Darius Paul (WMU). He's an athletic combo forward with some length and skills. Came on big his Sr year of HS playing against good competition. Had early offers from Murray St and Illinois St and would have surely seen a lot of interest this spring after his big sr year if he wasn't signed to Toledo.

Tony Anderson is a long 6-8 kid with a lot of skill who reminds a bit of Jimmy Hall at Kent in that he's clever and long but not real bouncy. Had offers in 2014 from W. Virginia and Washington St, also offered by Charleston, Kent, and some others. Bounced around in HS, going to Oak Hill for a minute and then coming back to Ohio.

Luke Knapke is skinny 6-10 small town Ohio kid with range and energy who missed part of his sr year w injury and is a little under the radar but has intrigued a lot of mid major recruiters picking up offers from Akron, Ball St, Miami, Kent, Wright St and others over the 2013/14 period before signing early with Toledo. Not expected to make an immediate impact but his top end is like a Shayne Whittington, height-athleticism-shooting-need to get stronger and adjust to college comp for a minute.

The Rockets add 3 guards.

6-3 Jaelen Sanford was the top scorer of a nationally ranked evansville, IN hs program that was big school state runner-up. combo guard whose a big time distance shooter but athletic and can handle. skinny but may be a good fit in the emerging mac trend of playing a scoring pg w a drive and dish pg at the same time, aka buffalo, kent, bg... had a ton of offers from good and average mid major programs including ohio, kent, bg

chandler white is a physical 6-2 guard who isn't a true point but can handle pretty well and do some of everything. had major offers from boston college and new mexico, and good mac and valley offers. competitive player who could be ready to play early.

nick rogers is a true 6-1 pg with a lot of speed and athleticism. interesting history as he was injured in a lawnmower accident in hs and lost the tips of a cpl fingers on his shooting hand but still developed into a major recruit. still shoots right, but dunks left and developed a lot left handed skills while healing and adjusting to his right hand injury. he's bounced around a bit and toledo has had an offer on the table for him for a couple years. was seen as a borderline blue chip recruit at times and has had offers at one point from tennessee, oklahoma st, ole miss, nebraska, lasalle, w kentucky, ohio, loyola, s florida, valpo, kent, indiana st, and others.

1 unfilled scholarship rumored to be on the table for one of few possible transfers.

Thanks, and we need more info on possible transfers coming into the MAC. A few schools, e.g. EMU, have plenty of scholarships to give to regular or graduate eligible transfers.

WMU reportedly has a solid class that is balanced regarding positions.

Seth Dugan a 7'er out of Otsego, Michigan had offers from Purdue later in the recruiting cycle. Offers from Toledo, Ball State, NIU, among others. Has some skills and decent athleticism for a HS big. Will have competition at WMU but some think he might emerge early.

Josh Davis out of Henry Ford HS in Detroit. First team all state and lead his team to the class B state championship game. MVP in the Detroit PSL. 6'5 wing who has range and can mix it up inside. Not a freak athlete nor as developed off the bounce. Will push for time but has a couple vets ahead of him. Head of his graduating class so unlike some recent Detroit players who have now transferred from Texas and Iowa State to Oakland he has a good head on his shoulders.

Bryce Moore from Park Tudor HS outside Indy. G with shooting skills but primarily set the table. Led his team to a state championship in class 2 in Indiana. Played with Yogi Ferrell as an underclassman winning a couple other state championship. Could see immediate time as he is physically mature, evenly skilled and knows how to win. With WMU graduating it's back court the door is wide open for Bryce to log significant minutes.

Summary: Center, Wing and combo guard. One repeat state champ, one got his team to state championship game and was MVP in Detroit's PSL and the other had an offer from Purdue as late as October. All 3 will see immediate time. Impact? TBD.

(04-05-2015 07:55 AM)gobaseline Wrote:  WMU reportedly has a solid class that is balanced regarding positions.

Seth Dugan a 7'er out of Otsego, Michigan had offers from Purdue later in the recruiting cycle. Offers from Toledo, Ball State, NIU, among others. Has some skills and decent athleticism for a HS big. Will have competition at WMU but some think he might emerge early.

Josh Davis out of Henry Ford HS in Detroit. First team all state and lead his team to the class B state championship game. MVP in the Detroit PSL. 6'5 wing who has range and can mix it up inside. Not a freak athlete nor as developed off the bounce. Will push for time but has a couple vets ahead of him. Head of his graduating class so unlike some recent Detroit players who have now transferred from Texas and Iowa State to Oakland he has a good head on his shoulders.

Bryce Moore from Park Tudor HS outside Indy. G with shooting skills but primarily set the table. Led his team to a state championship in class 2 in Indiana. Played with Yogi Ferrell as an underclassman winning a couple other state championship. Could see immediate time as he is physically mature, evenly skilled and knows how to win. With WMU graduating it's back court the door is wide open for Bryce to log significant minutes.

Summary: Center, Wing and combo guard. One repeat state champ, one got his team to state championship game and was MVP in Detroit's PSL and the other had an offer from Purdue as late as October. All 3 will see immediate time. Impact? TBD.

Dugan and Davis are a great duo at the MAC level.

Going into Saul Phillips' his second year Ohio, he will only have 1 senior on the roster. 10 of the 13 players will be his recruits as well. Here's what Ohio has brought in. I have no personal insight into the recruits. All the info gathered below is from links posted to Bobcat Attack...

Jordan Dartis - 6'2" 180 SG/PG - Averaged 19.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.2 steals in leading Newark (21-6) to a Division I district title. Was named to the D1 All-Ohio First Team, and All-Metro Player of the year by the Dispatch. Listed as a 3* (#72 C) on ESPN. Heard good things about his jump shot and defense, but will need to add strength.

Doug Taylor - 6'9" 220 PF/C - Played high school ball at Northland in Columbus and for the All-Ohio Red. Had knee surgery in early January, which kept him out the rest of the year. Listed as a 3* (#48 C) on ESPN. Shows offers from Toledo, Miami, and BG.

Gavin Block - 6'5" 185 SG - Led Lincoln High School (IL) to a 25-7 record this season. Was named first team All-State in Class 3A while averaging 18 points a game.

Ellis Dozier - 6'9" 225 PF - From Sandy Spring MD, but played at Fishburne Military School as a Post Grad this past year. Appears to be a stretch 4 type. Listed as a 3* on ESPN. As a side note, the post Grad program at Fishburne (which produced 4 D1 players this year) was recently shut down for budgetary reasons.

James Gollon - 6'5" SF - From Stevens Point, WI (Pacelli High School) and averaged 30.7 points and 8.5 rebounds a game his senior year. Was a unanimous selection to the D4 All-State team. Missed a portion of his junior season with a hip injury and did not receive many offers.

(04-05-2015 07:55 AM)gobaseline Wrote:  WMU reportedly has a solid class that is balanced regarding positions.

Seth Dugan a 7'er out of Otsego, Michigan had offers from Purdue later in the recruiting cycle. Offers from Toledo, Ball State, NIU, among others. Has some skills and decent athleticism for a HS big. Will have competition at WMU but some think he might emerge early.

Dugan is ranked as a three star by every site I've seen, 247, Rivals, ESPN, Etc. On top of the offers already listed above he also had offers from Xavier, Wofford, Oakland, and several other mid-majors. Dugan could easily become a household name in the MAC for the next several years.

(04-05-2015 03:17 PM)broncos1123 Wrote:  

(04-05-2015 07:55 AM)gobaseline Wrote:  WMU reportedly has a solid class that is balanced regarding positions.

Seth Dugan a 7'er out of Otsego, Michigan had offers from Purdue later in the recruiting cycle. Offers from Toledo, Ball State, NIU, among others. Has some skills and decent athleticism for a HS big. Will have competition at WMU but some think he might emerge early.

Dugan is ranked as a three star by every site I've seen, 247, Rivals, ESPN, Etc. On top of the offers already listed above he also had offers from Xavier, Wofford, Oakland, and several other mid-majors. Dugan could easily become a household name in the MAC for the next several years.

Buffalo recruit Nick Perkins just went head-to-head with Dugan a few weeks back and Perkins' team ended up winning. From what I heard both played well. I think they'll both be well-known names in the MAC. Perkins is a 6'8 stretch 4 who had a host of quality mid-major offers.

I think Buffalo fans are hesitant to talk about this recruiting class until Hurley is coming back for certain. As of right now, Buffalo will also be bringing in 6'7 Nate Navigato, who will likely play at the 3 and 4. He's a stat-filler, point forward type big who likes to have the ball in his hand a lot.

Lastly JUCO Maurice O'Field, a 6'5 wing with 3 years of eligibility remaining. O'Field is athletic as anything but will need to work on his jump shot. He's a slasher who can drive to the hoop as well as anyone. He chose Buffalo over offers from West Virginia, Marquette, Gonzaga, and Marquette to name a few.

Buffalo will also gain transfer SG Torian Graham for the second half of the year. He was a former 4-star recruit & he'll have 1 1/2 years of eligibility remaining after transferring from Houston and every report I've heard is he looks great in practice vs. our guys.

(04-05-2015 07:55 AM)gobaseline Wrote:  WMU reportedly has a solid class that is balanced regarding positions.

Seth Dugan a 7'er out of Otsego, Michigan had offers from Purdue later in the recruiting cycle. Offers from Toledo, Ball State, NIU, among others. Has some skills and decent athleticism for a HS big. Will have competition at WMU but some think he might emerge early.

Josh Davis out of Henry Ford HS in Detroit. First team all state and lead his team to the class B state championship game. MVP in the Detroit PSL. 6'5 wing who has range and can mix it up inside. Not a freak athlete nor as developed off the bounce. Will push for time but has a couple vets ahead of him. Head of his graduating class so unlike some recent Detroit players who have now transferred from Texas and Iowa State to Oakland he has a good head on his shoulders.

Bryce Moore from Park Tudor HS outside Indy. G with shooting skills but primarily set the table. Led his team to a state championship in class 2 in Indiana. Played with Yogi Ferrell as an underclassman winning a couple other state championship. Could see immediate time as he is physically mature, evenly skilled and knows how to win. With WMU graduating it's back court the door is wide open for Bryce to log significant minutes.

Summary: Center, Wing and combo guard. One repeat state champ, one got his team to state championship game and was MVP in Detroit's PSL and the other had an offer from Purdue as late as October. All 3 will see immediate time. Impact? TBD.

Doesn't David Brown return for his ninth year?

Kent State's new guys for 2015-2016 are mostly on back court, which is good because Jackson, Manley, and Brewer have graduated.

Jalen Avery - a 6'2" point guard out of Cincinnati Schoeder, and a few earlier High Schools in Kentucky. He averaged 10 assists and 27 points on 57% FG shooting and 45% from 3 points. Also had 6 rebounds per game

Devon Andrews - 6'6" G/F out of Lorain High School - 21 points per game, on 67% shooting. He helped Lorain stay undefeated until meeting Cleveland St Edwards in the Ohio Division I state playoffs

Jaylin Walker- 6'2" combo guard out of Romulus High School in Michigan - he was selected to the AP Michigan Class A all-state team

Rosel Hurley - 6'6" G/F who signed with Kent State last year, but spent this year at the IMG basketball academy. Previously, he was at Shaker Heights HS.


And 3 transfers that should help - these were all on campus this past year, so should be ready go to in 2015-2016

G Xavier Pollard, from Maine, who was a 3rd team America East player in 2013-2014 with 14.9 PPG

G Deon Edwin - originally a Southern Mississippi recruit, and played there in 2012-2013. He put up 21 PPG at Laramie County Community College in 2013-2014

C Marvin Jones - 6'10" - played junior college at Southwestern Illinois in 2012-2013 and Highland Community College in 2013-2014. He had 9PPG and 8 Rebounds per game in 2013-2014. He signed last year, and redshirted at Kent State for 2014-2015. From what we hear, he showed a lot of ability on the practice courts this season.


Another gain is the fact that Kellon Thomas can sign 2014-2015 off as a medical redshirt, so we still have 2 more years with him.

Our big losses are Manley, Brewer, and Jackson. Pollard and Edwin, and Thomas returning should partially replace them. I'd like to see one of the freshmen force himself on the court at small forward. On of the guards should also earn some time backing up at one of the guard positions. We haven't had anyone on the All-MAC Freshman teams since 2007, and I'm hopeful we get Andrews or Hurley that recognition next year

Miami has no commits but it has been reported that our two Aussies, Eustace and Oswalt will likely transfer. We had one opening, so we might now have three.

(04-06-2015 04:31 PM)DICK Wrote:  Miami has no commits but it has been reported that our two Aussies, Eustace and Oswalt will likely transfer. We had one opening, so we might now have three.

any concern that the one open scholarship hasn't already been claimed?

(04-06-2015 07:18 AM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote:  Our big losses are Manley, Brewer, and Jackson. Pollard and Edwin, and Thomas returning should partially replace them. I'd like to see one of the freshmen force himself on the court at small forward. On of the guards should also earn some time backing up at one of the guard positions. We haven't had anyone on the All-MAC Freshman teams since 2007, and I'm hopeful we get Andrews or Hurley that recognition next year

We also have the issue where it looks like we're one scholarship over the limit. Every team seems to lose at least one player between seasons. Haven't heard of anyone else leaving

(04-06-2015 04:58 PM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote:  

(04-06-2015 07:18 AM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote:  Our big losses are Manley, Brewer, and Jackson. Pollard and Edwin, and Thomas returning should partially replace them. I'd like to see one of the freshmen force himself on the court at small forward. On of the guards should also earn some time backing up at one of the guard positions. We haven't had anyone on the All-MAC Freshman teams since 2007, and I'm hopeful we get Andrews or Hurley that recognition next year

We also have the issue where it looks like we're one scholarship over the limit. Every team seems to lose at least one player between seasons. Haven't heard of anyone else leaving

Speaking of it - this is the time of year when coaches clear the decks of players they don't feel they need any more. They need to free some scholarships for the April signing period. Checking verbalcommits.com -

Akron - BJ Gladden transferring
Buffalo - Bobby Frasco transferring
Central Michigan - Derrick Richardson transferring
Eastern Michigan - Lekan Ajayi transferring
Miami - Joshua Oswald and Jaryd Eustace transferring
Northern Illinois - Keith & Kevin Gray transferring
Ohio - Chandler Thomas transferring
Toledo - Aubrey Williams and Angel Aparicio transferring

Eustace seems the biggest contributor in this list, scoring 103 points this year; Gladden had 80 points in 272 minutes

(04-06-2015 05:21 PM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote:  

(04-06-2015 04:58 PM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote:  

(04-06-2015 07:18 AM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote:  Our big losses are Manley, Brewer, and Jackson. Pollard and Edwin, and Thomas returning should partially replace them. I'd like to see one of the freshmen force himself on the court at small forward. On of the guards should also earn some time backing up at one of the guard positions. We haven't had anyone on the All-MAC Freshman teams since 2007, and I'm hopeful we get Andrews or Hurley that recognition next year

We also have the issue where it looks like we're one scholarship over the limit. Every team seems to lose at least one player between seasons. Haven't heard of anyone else leaving

Speaking of it - this is the time of year when coaches clear the decks of players they don't feel they need any more. They need to free some scholarships for the April signing period. Checking verbalcommits.com -

Akron - BJ Gladden transferring
Buffalo - Bobby Frasco transferring
Central Michigan - Derrick Richardson transferring
Eastern Michigan - Lekan Ajayi transferring
Miami - Joshua Oswald and Jaryd Eustace transferring
Northern Illinois - Keith & Kevin Gray transferring
Ohio - Chandler Thomas transferring
Toledo - Aubrey Williams and Angel Aparicio transferring

Eustace seems the biggest contributor in this list, scoring 103 points this year; Gladden had 80 points in 272 minutes

Ohio's Thomas was a graduate transfer from Grambling State that had 2 years of eligibility left. Unfortunately he only managed to get 4 minutes of playing time all season in spite of Ohio being short handed with only 10 active scholarship players. A shame he wasn't able to contribute more. As a result Ohio will only have 1 senior next year (Treg Setty). 9 freshmen and sophomores will make for a very young team.

(04-06-2015 07:17 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  Ohio's Thomas was a graduate transfer from Grambling State that had 2 years of eligibility left. Unfortunately he only managed to get 4 minutes of playing time all season in spite of Ohio being short handed with only 10 active scholarship players. A shame he wasn't able to contribute more. As a result Ohio will only have 1 senior next year (Treg Setty). 9 freshmen and sophomores will make for a very young team.

I don't know what it was, but there had to be more to the Thomas story than what appeared. The frontcourt starters regularly got into foul trouble and the team wasn't very good, yet Thomas never sniffed the floor. He was never kicked off the team, but it's hard to imagine he was in the good graces of the coaching staff. Whatever happened, it was a wasted year for Thomas and a wasted scholarship for Ohio.

(04-06-2015 04:58 PM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote:  

(04-06-2015 07:18 AM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote:  Our big losses are Manley, Brewer, and Jackson. Pollard and Edwin, and Thomas returning should partially replace them. I'd like to see one of the freshmen force himself on the court at small forward. On of the guards should also earn some time backing up at one of the guard positions. We haven't had anyone on the All-MAC Freshman teams since 2007, and I'm hopeful we get Andrews or Hurley that recognition next year

We also have the issue where it looks like we're one scholarship over the limit. Every team seems to lose at least one player between seasons. Haven't heard of anyone else leaving

Gary Akbar is transferring for KSU:

http://www.recordpub.com/sports/2015/04/...ll-program

(04-06-2015 05:21 PM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote:  

(04-06-2015 04:58 PM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote:  

(04-06-2015 07:18 AM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote:  Our big losses are Manley, Brewer, and Jackson. Pollard and Edwin, and Thomas returning should partially replace them. I'd like to see one of the freshmen force himself on the court at small forward. On of the guards should also earn some time backing up at one of the guard positions. We haven't had anyone on the All-MAC Freshman teams since 2007, and I'm hopeful we get Andrews or Hurley that recognition next year

We also have the issue where it looks like we're one scholarship over the limit. Every team seems to lose at least one player between seasons. Haven't heard of anyone else leaving

Speaking of it - this is the time of year when coaches clear the decks of players they don't feel they need any more. They need to free some scholarships for the April signing period. Checking verbalcommits.com -

Akron - BJ Gladden transferring
Buffalo - Bobby Frasco transferring
Central Michigan - Derrick Richardson transferring
Eastern Michigan - Lekan Ajayi transferring
Miami - Joshua Oswald and Jaryd Eustace transferring
Northern Illinois - Keith & Kevin Gray transferring
Ohio - Chandler Thomas transferring
Toledo - Aubrey Williams and Angel Aparicio transferring

Eustace seems the biggest contributor in this list, scoring 103 points this year; Gladden had 80 points in 272 minutes

I'm happy for NIU's transfers....and for NIU. A couple open schollies will really help.

(04-06-2015 05:21 PM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote:  

(04-06-2015 04:58 PM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote:  

(04-06-2015 07:18 AM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote:  Our big losses are Manley, Brewer, and Jackson. Pollard and Edwin, and Thomas returning should partially replace them. I'd like to see one of the freshmen force himself on the court at small forward. On of the guards should also earn some time backing up at one of the guard positions. We haven't had anyone on the All-MAC Freshman teams since 2007, and I'm hopeful we get Andrews or Hurley that recognition next year

We also have the issue where it looks like we're one scholarship over the limit. Every team seems to lose at least one player between seasons. Haven't heard of anyone else leaving

Speaking of it - this is the time of year when coaches clear the decks of players they don't feel they need any more. They need to free some scholarships for the April signing period. Checking verbalcommits.com -

Akron - BJ Gladden transferring
Buffalo - Bobby Frasco transferring
Central Michigan - Derrick Richardson transferring
Eastern Michigan - Lekan Ajayi transferring
Miami - Joshua Oswald and Jaryd Eustace transferring
Northern Illinois - Keith & Kevin Gray transferring
Ohio - Chandler Thomas transferring
Toledo - Aubrey Williams and Angel Aparicio transferring

Eustace seems the biggest contributor in this list, scoring 103 points this year; Gladden had 80 points in 272 minutes

Williams and Aparicio are graduating.

NIU may have one of it's best classes ever with one scholarship still available...

1) PG/SG Marshawn Wilson: 4* prospect according to ESPN, #4 recruit out of Minnesota, finalist for Minnesota's Mr. Basketball, Had offers from Colorado St, Creighton, Northern Iowa, and Wisconsin

2) SF Levi Bradley: 3* prospect according 247 Sports, #8 recruit in Wisconsin

3) PF/SF Jaylen Key: 3* prospect according to 247 Sports, #10 recruit in Wisconsin

4) PG Laytwan Porter: 2* prospect according to 247 Sports, #20 recruit in Illinois

5) SG/SF Austin Pauga: 2* prospect according to 247 Sports, played prep ball last year and can flat out shoot the 3, #50 recruit in Florida

We just need one more big man and we will be set!

(04-06-2015 04:46 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  

(04-06-2015 04:31 PM)DICK Wrote:  Miami has no commits but it has been reported that our two Aussies, Eustace and Oswalt will likely transfer. We had one opening, so we might now have three.

any concern that the one open scholarship hasn't already been claimed?

Yes. There are not even any rumors of good players who are considering Miami for the Spring signing period.