The “ESPN effect” continues to work to the Bobcats’ advantage.

Coach Frank Solich and recruiting coordinator Pete Germano credited the increased national exposure Ohio has received from its turnaround season in receiving verbal commitments from 23 recruits for the 2007 season.

Solich said that his team’s appearances in the Mid-American Conference Championship and GMAC Bowl, both of which were nationally televised on ESPN, helped the team broaden its horizons when looking at recruits.

“That has come forth now in terms of us being able to reach out and recruit somewhat nationwide,” Solich said.

Thirteen of the Bobcats’ 23 recruits, coming from 10 different states, hail from outside Ohio.

Along with the team’s much-improved record, Germano said the team’s renovated facilities helped sway recruits after visiting Athens.

“These facilities are nothing close to what they were when I first got here,” Germano said. “We had 23 commitments out of 36 visits, so when they got here, they liked what they saw.”

The class comprises 20 incoming freshmen, two junior college transfers and a four-year transfer.

The four-year transfer, kicker Michael Braunstein from the University of Washington, should fill the void left by graduating special teams jack-of-all trades Matt Lasher.

Quarterback Theo Scott, a transfer from Los Angeles Southwest College, will be thrown into the mix as the Bobcats look to replace graduating signal-caller Austen Everson, a competition that Solich says is “wide open.”

“We felt that Theo has got excellent running ability, a very strong arm, can be a very good thrower for us and will be an excellent combination player,” Solich said. “He’ll get a good look.”

Although he said a number of the recruits could have an impact in their freshman season, Solich did not want to put any added pressure on a recruit by singling out one as an immediate threat.

“I’m not gonna bring out a few names and throw those guys forward,” Solich said, “because that’s what fall camp is all about. We get surprised every year.”

2007 Recruiting Class

Name, Position, Hometown/Previous School

Michael Braunstein, K, Gilbert, Ariz./University of Washington

LaVon Brazill, WR, Lantana, Fla./Lake Worth HS

Zac Clark, TE, Grove City, Ohio/Grove City HS

Vince Davidson, RB, Dayton, N.J./Harmony Community School

Riley Dunlop, WR, Liberty Twp, Ohio/Lakota East HS

Jay Edwards, OLB, Nelsonville, Ohio/Nelsonville-York HS

Errik Ejike, OLB, Tyler, Texas/Kilgore College

Joe Flading, OL, Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson HS

John Flowers, DL, Lancaster, Ohio/Lancaster HS

Billy Gonzales, CB, Bonney Lake, Wash./Auburn Riverside HS

Donte Harden, RB, Erie, Pa./Strong Vincent HS

Robert Hightower, RB, Youngstown, Ohio/Milford Academy (N.Y.)

Kenny Jackson, CB, Youngstown, Ohio/Liberty HS

Noah Keller, MLB, Kearney, Neb./Kearney HS

Jeff King, DL, Cincinnati, Ohio/Wyoming HS

Dustin Laudermilch, OL, Morgantown, W.Va./Morgantown HS

Curtis Meyers, DE, Harrison, Ohio/Harrison HS

Marcus O’Hara, OL, Hubbard, Ohio/Hubbard HS

Kadre Pinder, DL, Miramar, Fla./Everglades HS

Theo Scott, QB, Long Beach, Calif./Los Angeles Southwest College

Chris Spegal, OL, Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park HS

A.J. Strum, OL, Delmont, Pa./Franklin Regional HS

Brian Sweeney, QB, Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk HS

Source: Ohiobobcats.com