With summer's second session of classes set to begin next week, this weekend will be a busy one for Rocket football players. The incoming freshmen that signed national letters of intent back in February will be getting to campus this weekend, as they will start taking classes next week to help get acclimated to college life.
Each recruit that signed in February is expected to be on campus this weekend, and be eligible to play this fall. That includes four star defensive lineman Andre "Tank" Sturdivant and three star running back Antwan Gilbert. One player that was rumored to be coming to Toledo after finishing his degree at a junior college, running back Josh Haden, will not be coming to Toledo after all. However, his brother Jordan is still at Toledo and a part of the football program. He is still awaiting word on an appeal to the NCAA's original decision to deny immediate eligibility. If he does not win the appeal, he will need to sit out this fall and will be eligible to play next year with sophomore eligibility.
On the recruiting front the Rockets picked up their first three commitments in the 2012 football recruiting class in the last week. Wide receiver Armani Miller is a 6-1, 180 pounder with 4.4 speed. The Huber Heights, OH native had 32 catches for 510 yards and 4 TD's last season.
Offensive lineman James Henry of Upper Arlington, OH also committed to Toledo. He is 6-7 and about 255 pounds. He has a big frame to grow into, and could be a beast by the time he has had a year or so in a college weight program.
Finally is three star quarterback Brian Blackburn of Detroit, MI. Blackburn chose Toledo over early offers from Central Michigan and Buffalo, but he has also received a lot of interest from some Big Ten schools. Blackburn, 6-6 and 215 pounds, has a lot of upside. He's got a strong arm and can run the ball also. He threw for 2,234 yards and 20 TD's, while rushing for 1,049 yards and 9 TD's on the ground.
Blackburn was so excited to commit to Toledo that, instead of calling up the coaches over the phone, he showed up at a football camp they were conducting and committed in person.
