When it comes to high school football in 2020, there has been plenty of turmoil and anticipation around start dates.
Certain states — Ohio included — have started on time in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, while others have opted to postpone and wait for the spring.
For the University of Toledo, a majority of 2021 commits will have a fall high school season (15 of 18). But it is a situation that is changing daily, with the state of Michigan being the prime example. Football was just given the green light to start this week.
“We are still tracking and monitoring the prospects like we would any other year but we understand that it's a fluid situation that can change daily,” UT director of player personnel and recruiting coordinator Ricky Ciccone told The Blade. “The prospects who are playing, we are evaluating their games. Those that aren't, we are finding creative ways to still evaluate them.”
Here’s a breakdown of where things stand:
Playing
The main reason for a majority of UT commits playing this fall is the simple fact that eight of them reside in Ohio, which kicked off games on Aug. 28. Also noteworthy is that four reside in Michigan, which on Thursday approved high school football games beginning on Sept. 18.
Of the eight Ohio natives, that includes two from Toledo: Thomas Zsiros from St. John’s Jesuit and Jalen Riven from Central Catholic.
Zsiros is rated as a three-star wide receiver and the No. 54 recruit in the state, per the 247sports’ composite rankings. The 6-foot-3, 202-pound Zsiros caught 55 passes for 1,015 yards and nine touchdowns in 2019 and is one of the top receivers in the area.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Riven is rated as a three-star linebacker and the No. 61 recruit in the state. He also excels at track and is a state champion in the 4x400 relay.
The highest-rated Ohio commit for the Rockets is three-star receiver Dalen Stovall, who attends Stow-Munroe Falls High School. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Stoval is a three-star prospect, rated as the No. 41 recruit in the state. In 2019, he had 42 receptions, 605 yards, and six TDs.
Also out of Ohio is dual-threat quarterback Elijah Wesley, who hails from Canton McKinley High School. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Wesley is rated as a three-star prospect and is entering his second year as the Bulldogs’ starter. In 2019, he amassed 1,484 yards, 14 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, adding 743 yards and five scores on the ground.
Wesley’s teammate Xavier Black, a two-star receiver, is also a Toledo commit. He had 606 receiving yards in 2019 and five touchdowns.
Toledo’s top-rated offensive lineman commit, Riley Starnes, hails from Ohio’s Gallia Academy. Rated as a three-star prospect, the 6-foot-6 295-pounder is rated as the No. 70 recruit in the state. Just behind him is guard Drew Beckenhaupt out of Elder High School in Cincinnati. The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Beckenhaupt is rated as a three-star prospect, as well.
Rounding out the Ohio commits is guard Ethan Spoth out of Eastlake North High School.
Out of Michigan comes Toledo’s No. 2 commit overall and its top defensive commit in safety Jalin Mines. The 6-1, 190-pound prospect is rated as the No, 23 recruit in the state and the No. 62 recruit at his position. Given his size, he has been praised for his physicality.
In addition to Mines, 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive tackle Doran Ray is a Michigan native. The Detroit Cass Technical standout is a three-star prospect and is rated as the No. 39 recruit in the state. His Cass Tech teammate Clarence Wilson is also committed to Toledo. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound strong-side defensive end is rated as the No. 46 recruit in the state.
Also out of Detroit is Esean Carter, a three-star defensive tackle from Martin Luther King High School. He is rated as the No. 45 player in the state.
The Rockets also have one commit from Florida — weak-side defensive end Jeremiah Peters from Booker T. Washington High School in Miami. The state of Florida began games on Friday. Peters is rated as a three-star recruit and the No. 84 recruit nationally at his position. In 2019, he helped lead his team to a Class 4A state title as its star pass rusher. He recorded 60 tackles (37 for a loss) and 25 sacks.
Out of Missouri, Rajon Hill is a three-star prospect. The 6-2, 184-pound cornerback attends Hogan Preparatory Academy.
Finally, rounding out Toledo commits that will have a fall season is Lennard Kuhl, a tight end out of Casady School in Oklahoma City. Both Missouri and Oklahoma began their high school seasons on Aug. 28.
Not Playing
Of the three Toledo commits who will not have a high school season, two come from Illinois, and one comes from Virginia.
The Rockets’ top commit in their 2021 class is Willie Shaw out of Brother Rice. While Illinois’ start date is to be determined, Shaw told The Blade he is planning on playing in his spring high school season rather than enrolling early due to necessary classes he must finish in order to graduate.
Shaw also said he is excited that he still will get to play in his senior season.
“I’m extremely excited we are still getting an opportunity to play in the spring, and honestly I just want to bring home a ring at the end of next season,” Shaw said. “Coming into Toledo freshmen year, I want just want to be as contributive to the team as I possibly can. I believe I can learn a lot from the older guys and pick up leadership qualities, as well.”
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound, three-star running back is rated as the No. 23 recruit in the state and the No. 51 recruit nationally at his position.
He helped lead his squad to the state semifinal as a junior and rushed for 1,281 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Joining Shaw out of Illinois is three-star weak-side defensive end Vontrell Chairse, who attends Phillips Academy in Chicago. He’s rated as the No. 49 recruit in the state.
Rounding out the recruits whose states do not have a high school season is Andrew Vaught, who attends Roanoke Catholic School in Virginia. The center is a two-star prospect and rated as the No. 64 recruit in his state. Virginia is currently slated to begin its season on March 1.
First Published September 6, 2020, 2:30 p.m.
