July 23, 2008

Spartan Football welcomes 28 new players

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The Case Western Reserve University football office recently announced its class of 2012. The list of 28 incoming freshman includes an overwhelming amount of student-athletes from Ohio.

"Although we have had a lot of kids from out of state come in and contribute, the backbone of our team is from the state of Ohio," said Head Coach Greg Debeljak. "It's a great football state as far as guys knowing what it takes to be successful."

The Spartans will welcome 10 defensive, 13 offensive, four defensive/offensive and one special teams recruits to camp on August 12. The by state breakdown is: Ohio (18), Pennsylvania (8), California (1) and Michigan (1).

"We probably would have liked to have added a few more defensive players, but we have had success in the past moving guys from offense to defense, especially at the wide receiver and quarterback positions," Debeljak continued. "There is quite a bit of talent coming in and obviously a lot of talent coming back, so I think we will be able to move some guys [to the other side of the ball]."

Case Western Reserve posted the most regular season wins in school history in 2007 and only the second undefeated season [10-0] in the modern era. The Spartans (11-1 overall in 2008), who claimed a University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship, followed that up by their first NCAA postseason appearance, which included an opening round win against Widener University.

After the smoke cleared last year, the Spartans were ranked 15th nationally. They will begin the 2008 campaign ranked in the top 20 in three separate polls: 10th by Lindy's, 12th by The Sporting News and 16th by USA TODAY.

2008 newcomers:

  • Jamal Abed RB/S 5-11 170 Fr. Westlake, OH (Westlake)
  • Jacob Adams LB 6-2 205 Fr. Cincinnati, OH (Princeton)
  • Michael J. Allen OL 5-11 250 Fr. McMurray, PA (Peters Township)
  • Christian Anderson DE 6-0 210 Fr. Maumee, OH (Marion Pleasant)
  • Sam Ashmore OL 6-0 245 Fr. Ferndale, MI (Ferndale)
  • Joesph Baz QB 5-10 165 Fr. Middleburg Hts., OH (James Ford Rhodes)
  • Cameron Boyd RB 5-7 175 Fr. Cincinnati, OH (Wyoming)
  • Charlie Buckingham WR 6-7 210 Fr. New Richmond, OH (Summit Country Day)
  • Bryce Coleman TE 6-2 215 Fr. Solon, OH (Solon)
  • Matthew Davis WR/DB 6-4 185 Fr. Chatsworth, CA (Chaminade)
  • Richard Doolin LB/DE 6-1 230 Fr. Bethel Park, PA (Bethel Park)
  • Dale English DL/OL 6-1 255 Fr. Middleburg Hts., OH (Holy Name)
  • Gene Gross OL 5-11 230 Fr. Lancaster, PA (Manheim Township)
  • Matthew Jurcak WR/CB 6-1 172 Fr. Olmsted Township, OH (Olmsted Falls)
  • Rob Lajeunesse TE 6-3 220 Fr. Aurora, OH (Aurora)
  • Chris Linderwell LB 6-0 205 Fr. Columbus, OH (Hilliard Davidson)
  • Bryan Metlesitz WR/DB 5-10 165 Fr. North Royalton, OH (North Royalton)
  • Josh Murphy LB 6-0 200 Fr. Kettering, OH (Kettering Fairmont)
  • Tony Opperman G 6-2 240 Fr. Pickerington, OH (St. Charles Preparatory)
  • Ed Revers OL/DE 6-4 240 Fr. West Newton, PA (Greensburg Central Catholic)
  • Brian Rice WR/DB 6-0 175 Fr. New Castle, PA (New Castle)
  • Brandon Rolle OT 6-1 260 Fr. Harrisburg, PA (Susquehanna Township)
  • Farres Sarrouh LB 5-11 215 Fr. Westlake, OH (Westlake)
  • A.J. Sayles LB 5-11 235 Fr. North Versailles, PA (East Allegheny)
  • Derrick Anthony Sharp CB/WR 5-8 165 Fr. West Chester, OH (Lakota West)
  • Dennis Siedlak LB 5-10 195 Fr. Willoughby Hills, OH (Gilmour Academy)
  • Eric Street WR/K 6-0 165 Fr. Barberton, OH (Coventry)
  • Daniel Vasil K/P 5-9 160 Fr. Erie, PA (McDowell)

For more information contact Creg Jantz, 216.368.6517.

Posted by: Kimyette Finley, July 23, 2008 11:02 AM | News Topics: Athletics, Campus Life, HeadlinesMain, Students, news

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