Three of the top rated senior players in Stark County visited Cincinnati
yesterday, and all three came away impressed with what they saw. WR/DB Brian Hartline and LB Brandon Long of Canton GlenOak and Kevin Samy of Massillon
Jackson spent the day at UC yesterday. All three players came away with
scholarship offers from UC. The one day camp also attracted many of the top
stars in the Buckeye state, including Jamario O'Neal, Freddie Lenix, and Greg Orton.
Traditionally, UC has not recruited the talent rich Stark County area, but
that appears changed with the selection of former Buckeye defensive coordinator
Mark Dantonio as head coach. Dantonio has a great reputation in this area,
dating back many years as an assistant coach, and his relationships with the
high school coaches will serve him well as he attempts to recruit the top talent
in northeast Ohio.
Hartline, ranked #11 in the latest Ohio High magazine, now has added to an
impressive offer list. Stanford, Vanderbilt, Michigan State, Pitt, Kent State,
and Pitt are other schools that have offered the senior. Of his visit to UC,
Hartline said, "Coach Dantonio is building something special. He's a great
coach, and a great role model to look up to."
Hartline, who will compete in the national track meet this weekend in
Raleigh, will attend the Ohio State camp next week, and OSU remains his leader.
Long, ranked #53 in Ohio High, also expressed high regard for Coach Dantonio.
"Coach Dantonio is a very sincere man," he said. "His approach is
straight forward. UC has moved way up in my eyes due to yesterday's visit."
Long will also visit Pitt this Saturday, where he's been told by Pitt
assistants that Walt Harris will be offering him a scholarship but wanted to do
it in person. Brandon, being recruited by UC as a linebacker, ran a 4.5 forty at
camp. He is 6'3" 225 pounds. Long has also been offered by Akron.
Samy may be a surprise to some football fans, but he's not a surprise to
college recruiters. Kevin was a second-team all state performer at Jackson the
past season. He is being recruited as a defensive lineman. UC becomes the third
school to offer, in addition to Ball State and Miami of Ohio. Samy is 6'
2", 250 pounds and ran a 4.7 forty recently at Penn State's camp. He is a
3.7 student with an ACT score of 28 and has received interest from Yale and
Princeton as well. Of his experience at UC, Samy commented, "Coach Dantonio
reminds me of Jim Tressel. He is a really good guy." Kevin will be
attending Ohio State's camp next week.
If these three players are any indication, it seems that Cincinnati has found
the right man for the job. UC has not had much success recruiting Stark County
in the past, but that all may be changing under the direction of Mark Dantonio.