Football
The-Ozone Signing Day Note and Quotebook
By John Porentas

New Format: This year's signing day press conference had some format changes which made it a bit more entertaining and informative for those present. In past season, OSU Head Coach Jim Tressel simply talked about each signee, then took questions. This year's press conference had several new twists.

Instead of just talking about the signees, Tressel actually showed a film with highlights of each signee. Tressel did a live narration of the film as it played. It gave those on hand to see the players in action, something that was missing in previous years.

As usual, the OSU coaching staff was made available for questions, but so were other individuals of interest. Some parents and family of signees were on hand and several were invited to take the podium to address reporters including the parents of offensive linemen J. B. Shugarts and Mike Brewster. Both Shugarts and Brewster are enrolled in school and were also on hand, and both were called to the podium to speak and were made available for questions.

Also on hand was a large contingent of OSU administrators and academic types who help in the recruiting process. They were also made available for questions, though most of them left before they got cornered by reporters.

Early Arrivals: Shugarts and Brewster are already enrolled at OSU and working out in the OSU conditioning program, and according to Jim Tressel, several more members of the class will enroll in March in order to take part in spring practice sessions and the spring game. Expected to enroll in March are linebacker Etienne Sabino, linebacker Andrew Sweat, wide receiver Jake Stoneburner and offensive lineman Mike Adams. Tressel has not been a large advocate of early enrollment, but has changed his view some.

"I think early on I was one that somewhat discouraged that, then I grew to learn what the kids that are interested in doing that, what they're makeup is," said Tressel.

"This is a highly motivated group of kids. They felt as if they've accomplished what they would like to accomplish in high school. They're academically so sound, and they're so good and they're so far ahead and they took so many classes that they were ready. They had enough academic preparation.

"Our guys that have come in early over the years have been pretty successful, the Donte Whitners to the Chris Wells, Steve Rehring, Marcus Freeman, we've had a lot of guys come and do a good job, so I've kind of grown a little bit toward encouraging it a little bit more because I know how motivated they are.

"Now, you can't always fit them. We purposefully a year ago didn't take as many guys hoping we would be able to fit some mid-year guys this year because we know how outstanding some of them were, so it was kind of a calculated thing for us to only be at maybe 76 scholarships this past year with the thought in mind that maybe we would be able to bring in some of these outstanding guys early in the next year and it worked out for us," Tressel said.

OSU defensive coordinator Jim Heacock says he still is not totally in favor of early enrollment, while wide receiver coach Darrell Hazell says it is really a case by case decision.

"It's good for some, it's not good for others," said Hazell.

"There are some guys who are in school right now that are just biding their time and maybe not giving school their full effort because they are ready to move on. In that case, early enrollment is probably a good thing. For others, it's not."

Strike Up the Band: OSU Head Coach Jim Tressel said something new usually pops up every recruiting season. This year it occurred during his in-school visit to tight end Nic DiLillo at Madison High School.

"There are firsts every year," said Tressel.

"It's the first school I was every in that when we came on our school visit they had the marching band march down the hallway playing Hang on Sloopy.

"The folks at Madison are excited that Nic is a Buckeye," Tressel said with a smile.

What a Wing: OSU's class currently stands at 19, and Tressel said that the Buckeyes are still currently recruiting a quarterback. Signing day is the first day players may sign a letter of intent, but the signing period extends until April 1, so the final number of signees may not be known until that time.

Tressel said OSU would like very much to have a quarterback in this class, but if he doesn't land one, he still took a player who can throw the football.

"Etienne Sabino is a heck of a baseball player," said Tressel. "He's going to give up baseball for football, but he probably has the best arm on our team.

"I've seen him throw a football like 80 yards.

"I don't know what that does for you at linebacker, but he's a heck of an athlete," Tressel quipped.

Moving On: Tressel confirmed that several Buckeyes are planning on graduating and may end their OSU careers. They include defensive end Alex Barrow, wide receiver Albert Dukes and wide receiver Devon Lyons.

Other Squibs: Tressel threw out little tidbits about several of his signees.

Fullback Jermil Martin is one of a set of twins, but Martin's mother has given birth to two sets of twins, one set aged 17, the other aged four.

"If he's half as tough as his mom, we've got a chance," said Tressel.

During the highlight film session, Willie Mobley was shown making a tackle in the backfield of a player wearing, of all things, a winged helmet.

"He's used to chasing after helmets like that," quipped Tressel drawing a snicker from those in the room.

Defensive end Keith Wells had a high school career that similar to that of a recent former Buckeye.

"He's only been playing the game two years, kind of like when Vernon (Gholstin) came in. Vernon only played two years. Keith is going to be a special player coming off that edge for Coach Heacock," said Tressel.

Defensive lineman Garret Goebel is a reigning state heavyweight champion wrestler in the state of Illinois. Defensive line coach Jim Heacock is happy to hear that.

"You know they have great work ethic and the practices they put themselves through are crazy. They stay on their feet, they know how to use their hands and I think there's a lot of carry over. I think there's a lot of carryover. I've always liked defensive linemen that could wrestle," said Heacock.

Former defensive linemen who were outstanding wrestlers include the likes of Luke Fickell, Tim Anderson and current Buckeye Dexter Larimore.

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