Ohio Football Topic
Topic: Recruit you were most excited about
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Kevin Finnegan
12/4/2025 12:53 PM
With yesterday's National Signing Day (and to change the tenor of the board a bit), which OHIO Bobcat football recruit were you most excited about when they signed? They didn't necessarily have to turn into anything significant.

For me, it was early in the Solich years. The first sign that things were going to be different was when we signed Brandon Jones from Georgia as a QB. I think Boston College was high on him at the time and the fact that we were able to get him to Athens as QB was, for me, such a BIG get. He never turned into much at OHIO, but for a moment, he had me fully sold on the Solich era.
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TWT
12/4/2025 2:12 PM
Levi Davis is impressive and he's planning to enroll early with the idea of absorbing the playbook and making the two deep. Running QB so fits the mold of past starters at Ohio the past 15 years or so. The top 4 rated players from this class are all on the offensive side of the ball Davis, Page, Taylor, Jenkins. With the linemen this class seemed focused on finding that pass rush DE with smaller guys recruited.

https://247sports.com/college/ohio/season/2026-football/c... /
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SBH
12/4/2025 2:38 PM
Wiz White.

In basketball, the Z Man.
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GoCats105
12/4/2025 2:39 PM
Kevin Finnegan wrote:expand_more
With yesterday's National Signing Day (and to change the tenor of the board a bit), which OHIO Bobcat football recruit were you most excited about when they signed? They didn't necessarily have to turn into anything significant.

For me, it was early in the Solich years. The first sign that things were going to be different was when we signed Brandon Jones from Georgia as a QB. I think Boston College was high on him at the time and the fact that we were able to get him to Athens as QB was, for me, such a BIG get. He never turned into much at OHIO, but for a moment, he had me fully sold on the Solich era.
Not freshman recruits, but getting Michael Hinton from Virginia Tech and Brad Bower from Illinois gave the program a much needed shot in the arm early in Frank's tenure. Neither really did a ton in the grand scheme of things, but I remember thinking "ok now we're getting noticed" when recruits from bigger schools started coming to Ohio.

As far as freshman recruits, I think everyone and their brother knew that Noah Keller was going to be a lights out defender the day we signed him.
Last Edited: 12/4/2025 2:39:45 PM by GoCats105
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Mike Coleman
12/4/2025 2:42 PM
SBH wrote:expand_more
Wiz White.

In basketball, the Z Man.
This. And maybe Kenny Ashley. Two of the highest rated recruits in recent memory. I also recall being very excited about Dontrell Jackson. Had a very solid career but probably would have been much better with a redshirt and Grobe sticking around.
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Doc Bobcat
12/4/2025 3:05 PM
I’m a video guy and watching guys like Maleek Irons and Papi White just blew me away.

I know you consider level of competition and all that but they looked like men playing with boys,

We have a few like that now like Duncan Brune.

In basketball as an old fart it has to be hands down Walter Luckett…getting your pic on the cover of Sports Illustrated…cmon.
Last Edited: 12/4/2025 3:28:35 PM by Doc Bobcat
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Mike Coleman
12/4/2025 3:25 PM
Doc Bobcat wrote:expand_more
I’m a video guy and watching guys like Maleek Irons and Papi White just blew me away.

I know you consider level of competition and all that but they looked like men playing with boys,

We have a few like that now like Duncan Brune.

In basketball as an old fart it has to be hands down Walter Lockett…getting your pic on the cover of Sports Illustrated…cmon.
That's a good list. I'd also add Kalvin McRae and LaVon Brazill to the all film team. Also Landon Cohen. They all panned out.
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OhioCatFan
12/4/2025 3:39 PM
Sticking strictly with football, that's easy for me. This is way before most on this board were born, but when my friend Todd Snyder signed with Ohio it was monumental. OSU really wanted him. Woody Hayes slobbered all over him at the North-South All-Star game in Canton. He choose to follow in his father's footsteps and play for OHIO, with his father's good friend Bill Hess as coach.

I wonder what would have happened today, when Hayes could have offered him a million dollars a year to play for O$U.
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TWT
12/4/2025 4:06 PM
I missed the question because the thread about this years recruiting class was hijacked by BS (Brian Smith) discussion. As far as recruit I don't know about most excited but if I'd say most intrigued was the AJ Ouelette walk on signing to see whether that would be a home run for Ohio and turned out to be that way. I can still remember all of his extended family attending games in Peden Stadium to watch him play.
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Victory
12/4/2025 4:10 PM
SBH wrote:expand_more
Wiz White.
He averaged 7.4 yards per carry and a TD every 9.5 carries..............
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BryanHall
12/4/2025 4:15 PM
TWT wrote:expand_more
I missed the question because the thread about this years recruiting class was hijacked by BS (Brian Smith) discussion. As far as recruit I don't know about most excited but if I'd say most intrigued was the AJ Ouelette walk on signing to see whether that would be a home run for Ohio and turned out to be that way. I can still remember all of his extended family attending games in Peden Stadium to watch him play.
Kenny Ashley and Denzel Daxon. Does anyone remember David Murphy the QB who was possibly going to push Kareem Wilson to receiver?
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cbarber357
12/4/2025 5:04 PM
Mike Coleman wrote:expand_more
I’m a video guy and watching guys like Maleek Irons and Papi White just blew me away.

I know you consider level of competition and all that but they looked like men playing with boys,

We have a few like that now like Duncan Brune.

In basketball as an old fart it has to be hands down Walter Lockett…getting your pic on the cover of Sports Illustrated…cmon.
That's a good list. I'd also add Kalvin McRae and LaVon Brazill to the all film team. Also Landon Cohen. They all panned out.
A bit off topic from the point of the thread, but Kalvin McRae was so fun to watch and he is one of the biggest reasons I’ve been an almost lifelong OU fan. My family had season tickets and watching Kalvin when I was in middle/high school and winning multiple Heismans with him in the NCAA video games at the time really solidified my fandom before I ever attended OU. Special running back.
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spongeBOB CATpants
12/4/2025 6:13 PM
Honestly, Levi Davis is the first one that comes to mind. I think he has a legitimate shot at starting as a freshman.

I was also very high on Aidan Hadaway after watching his highlight tape. Very impressive high school career.
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spongeBOB CATpants
12/4/2025 6:15 PM
cbarber357 wrote:expand_more
I’m a video guy and watching guys like Maleek Irons and Papi White just blew me away.

I know you consider level of competition and all that but they looked like men playing with boys,

We have a few like that now like Duncan Brune.

In basketball as an old fart it has to be hands down Walter Lockett…getting your pic on the cover of Sports Illustrated…cmon.
That's a good list. I'd also add Kalvin McRae and LaVon Brazill to the all film team. Also Landon Cohen. They all panned out.
A bit off topic from the point of the thread, but Kalvin McRae was so fun to watch and he is one of the biggest reasons I’ve been an almost lifelong OU fan. My family had season tickets and watching Kalvin when I was in middle/high school and winning multiple Heismans with him in the NCAA video games at the time really solidified my fandom before I ever attended OU. Special running back.
Loved him in NCAA football video games! Also Garrett Wolfe out of NIU was unstoppable in that game.
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Mike Coleman
12/4/2025 7:04 PM
spongeBOB CATpants wrote:expand_more
I’m a video guy and watching guys like Maleek Irons and Papi White just blew me away.

I know you consider level of competition and all that but they looked like men playing with boys,

We have a few like that now like Duncan Brune.

In basketball as an old fart it has to be hands down Walter Lockett…getting your pic on the cover of Sports Illustrated…cmon.
That's a good list. I'd also add Kalvin McRae and LaVon Brazill to the all film team. Also Landon Cohen. They all panned out.
A bit off topic from the point of the thread, but Kalvin McRae was so fun to watch and he is one of the biggest reasons I’ve been an almost lifelong OU fan. My family had season tickets and watching Kalvin when I was in middle/high school and winning multiple Heismans with him in the NCAA video games at the time really solidified my fandom before I ever attended OU. Special running back.
Loved him in NCAA football video games! Also Garrett Wolfe out of NIU was unstoppable in that game.
Riz Buckman led me to a championship! They could stop Hookfin and Kareem once in awhile but Buckman on the flexbone pitch for some reason was glitchy Heisman great on my version.
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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
12/4/2025 10:21 PM
I don't play close enough attention to football to watch the recruiting board.

But in basketball, it was Sonny Troutman. I think he was the highest rated guy we signed at any point since my affiliation with OU began.
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OUcats82
12/5/2025 12:21 PM
BryanHall wrote:expand_more
I missed the question because the thread about this years recruiting class was hijacked by BS (Brian Smith) discussion. As far as recruit I don't know about most excited but if I'd say most intrigued was the AJ Ouelette walk on signing to see whether that would be a home run for Ohio and turned out to be that way. I can still remember all of his extended family attending games in Peden Stadium to watch him play.
Kenny Ashley and Denzel Daxon. Does anyone remember David Murphy the QB who was possibly going to push Kareem Wilson to receiver?
I know I do.

I was an 8th grade when he was a senior at Colerain with a great year and we had high hopes for him but then I don't think we heard too much about him after high school.

Fast forward to my freshman year at OU and I remember seeing him working as a staffer for the athletic department at various events.

Did he just get buried on the depth chart?
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Mike Coleman
12/5/2025 12:32 PM
OUcats82 wrote:expand_more
I missed the question because the thread about this years recruiting class was hijacked by BS (Brian Smith) discussion. As far as recruit I don't know about most excited but if I'd say most intrigued was the AJ Ouelette walk on signing to see whether that would be a home run for Ohio and turned out to be that way. I can still remember all of his extended family attending games in Peden Stadium to watch him play.
Kenny Ashley and Denzel Daxon. Does anyone remember David Murphy the QB who was possibly going to push Kareem Wilson to receiver?
I know I do.

I was an 8th grade when he was a senior at Colerain with a great year and we had high hopes for him but then I don't think we heard too much about him after high school.

Fast forward to my freshman year at OU and I remember seeing him working as a staffer for the athletic department at various events.

Did he just get buried on the depth chart?
I think he had a back injury.
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Deciduous Forest Cat
12/5/2025 1:30 PM
BryanHall wrote:expand_more
I missed the question because the thread about this years recruiting class was hijacked by BS (Brian Smith) discussion. As far as recruit I don't know about most excited but if I'd say most intrigued was the AJ Ouelette walk on signing to see whether that would be a home run for Ohio and turned out to be that way. I can still remember all of his extended family attending games in Peden Stadium to watch him play.
Kenny Ashley and Denzel Daxon. Does anyone remember David Murphy the QB who was possibly going to push Kareem Wilson to receiver?
Are you sure you're not talking about DAN JORDAN!!!???
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Sean Gallagher
12/7/2025 8:17 PM
For this year, it's Zach Hackleman WR from St Edward High School.He first committed to Toledo, but in the end chose OU.

Regular season highlights. (These are from his junior year)

https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17748211/671afb32627ae3ca67d...

He had a 4-TD game against Cincinnati Moeller this year.

https://youtu.be/_HegvHRE_3Y?si=BL_adJRoM36FLZ7p
Last Edited: 12/7/2025 8:34:52 PM by Sean Gallagher
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BillyTheCat
12/7/2025 9:37 PM
Mike Coleman wrote:expand_more
I missed the question because the thread about this years recruiting class was hijacked by BS (Brian Smith) discussion. As far as recruit I don't know about most excited but if I'd say most intrigued was the AJ Ouelette walk on signing to see whether that would be a home run for Ohio and turned out to be that way. I can still remember all of his extended family attending games in Peden Stadium to watch him play.
Kenny Ashley and Denzel Daxon. Does anyone remember David Murphy the QB who was possibly going to push Kareem Wilson to receiver?
I know I do.

I was an 8th grade when he was a senior at Colerain with a great year and we had high hopes for him but then I don't think we heard too much about him after high school.

Fast forward to my freshman year at OU and I remember seeing him working as a staffer for the athletic department at various events.

Did he just get buried on the depth chart?
I think he had a back injury.
He did have a back injury and a father that came to practice enough that Grobe had back pains every time he saw the guy.
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