UT surging up 2023 recruiting rankings

Perhaps Maumee Bay Brewing Company deserves an assist for the recent flurry of commitments for the University of Toledo football program.

Perrysburg offensive lineman Grant Zimmerly cited the city’s food offerings, and specifically Maumee Bay, when rattling off the reasons he chose UT over that school to the south.

However, the common denominators from the Rockets’ seven class of 2023 commits while discussing their decisions were head coach Jason Candle, recruiting coordinator Ricky Ciccone, and their respective position coaches.

Zimmerly said Toledo was his calling because of offensive line coach Mike Hallett and Candle.

“I thought Toledo was the school based on my connection to the coaches,” said Jamari Holliman, a defensive back from Miami Gardens, Fla. “These coaches came to my school in January and we’re in April now, and these coaches continue to check up on me.”

“It’s a family environment,” said defensive end Laith Shamma of Ann Arbor Port Huron. “I’ve been there three times and every time I’ve went, I’ve been treated like family. It just feels like home.”

Toledo’s five-year reign atop the Mid-American Conference’s recruiting rankings ended in February. But it appears as if it will be a one-year blip for the Rockets, who currently have the nation’s 38th-ranked class, according to Rivals.com. And the recruiting service doesn’t even include all seven of UT’s commitments, leaving off 6-foot-4 Wauseon wide receiver Sam Smith, who became the first member of the 2023 class when he committed in February.

The Rockets are currently ranked ahead of Florida, Oregon, Wisconsin, Mississippi, and Arizona State.

“I do think that early commitments foreshadow a good class because, usually, if they are kids that the staff is pushing for early, it means they are top targets,” said 247Sports recruiting analyst Allen Trieu. “Getting your class locked in now also allows staff to focus on other aspects. Maybe it lets them get into the next class a little bit more or focus on filling more needs. I generally don’t think it’s a good thing when you’re trying to fill 20 spots going into the fall. Committing now means you are getting student-athletes who believe in the program.”

The NFL draft won’t hurt, as two former Rockets were selected over the weekend, bringing their total to eight since 2017, a program record during a six-year span in the draft’s modern era.

Areas of need were targeted by Toledo, with three of the seven commitments on the offensive line. And an offense that relies heavily on the quarterback went out and got two pass-catchers that coaches believe in.

The activity began with a Feb. 13 announcement by Smith via Twitter. The class’ second and third commitments came on April 5 as Zimmerly and fellow offensive lineman Mason Ludwig, an East Liverpool native, made their pledges. Shamma and Columbus offensive lineman Cole Rhett committed two days later, with Massillon wide receiver Ardell Banks following April 10 and Holliman on April 16.

In a span of 12 days, Toledo received six commitments — including three three-stars (Ludwig, Shamma, and Banks) — sending the Rockets surging up the recruiting rankings.

“I’ve talked with all of the other commits and they all fell in love with the coaching staff,” said Zimmerly, who’s in regular contact with his future teammates on a text thread. “We really believe in what coach Candle is preaching. We love the energy there. With all the early commits, Toledo felt like home to us.”

Candle, Ciccone, Hallett, defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski, wide receivers coach Kevin Beard, and cornerbacks coach Corey Parker worked overtime securing the early commitments. Each player mentioned the bond formed with their position coach as a reason for choosing Toledo.

“They’ll be in charge of my career for the next three to four years,” Holliman said. “I’ll be trusting them and my parents will be trusting them with my life. They’re a part of my success.”

Parker was the first coach to ask Holliman about life outside of football, which made a significant impact on Holliman and his parents. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound defensive back said relationships and comfort with the coaching staff were his top priority. Once he found that, there was no reason to wait around.

“I’ll be a great fit in their defense and I’ll have a fit in the Rocket family,” Holliman said.

No member of the 2023 class has a more intimate portrait of what’s happening in northwest Ohio than Zimmerly. His brother, Cade, is entering his sophomore season at Bowling Green. But little brother spurned the Falcons, the first school to offer him, in favor of archrival Toledo.

He has no hard feelings for BGSU or big brother, but the younger Zimmerly is eager to widen the gap in the Battle of I-75.

“I think we can win a MAC championship,” he said.

Shamma went one step further in proclaiming UT’s place in the conference pecking order.

“Toledo’s had some good recruiting classes,” he said, “and everyone knows Toledo is the best school in the MAC.”

Contact Kyle Rowland at krowland@theblade.com or on Twitter @KyleRowland.