A healthy group of regular old fifth-year seniors and fourth-year players have already made a mark on their programs with more hoping to find expanded roles this fall.
Class of 2017
Raymond James, receiver, Wayne — Kent State
Despite playing at one of the area’s premier programs, James flew under the radar as a two-star recruit in the class of 2017. He played nine games as a true freshmen then redshirted in 2018.
The 5-11, 186-pounder has played in 14 games the past two seasons and primarily been a return man.
Cody Lamb, offensive line, Miamisburg — Cincinnati
A three-star recruit and first-team All-GWOC player as a senior for the Vikings, Lamb redshirted in 2017, played one game in 2018 and 10 games apiece the last two years.
The Athletic reported he was working as the No. 2 center on the UC offense during spring practice.
Jake Neatherton, running back, Miamisburg — Ohio University
A 5-10, 205-pound fifth—year senior, Neatherton has played in 19 games for the Bobcats. He has 96 yards rushing on 26 carries (5.1 yards per carry) and nine career tackles on special teams.
Matt Ruffulo, kicker, Alter — Kentucky
A fifth-year senior, Ruffolo was the Wildcats’ primary kicker last year after making 4 of 5 field goals in 2019.
Last season, he made 12 of 14 field goals and 22 of 23 PAT kicks to finish No. 2 on the team in scoring with 58 points.
HIs career-long is 50 yards, a distance he has connected from twice for the Wildcats.
Where are the Reds’ top prospects playing in 2021? https://t.co/FVEc8KRrG6
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) May 11, 2021
Class of 2018
Alex Bannister, cornerback, Monroe — Toledo
Has not seen game action yet for the Rockets.
Tyler Bentley, defensive tackle, Lakota West — Pittsburgh
The 6-2, 300-pounder took a redshirt as a freshman and has played in 22 games since then.
The administration of justice major has started three games last year and has 18 career tackles, including four for loss.
Isaiah Bowser, running back, Sidney — Central Florida
A power back who had a strong freshman season at Northwestern but was less a factor the past two seasons, Bowser is set to graduate in June with a degree in learning and organizational change.
Bowser was intent on transferring to Miami University but recently announced he will enroll at UCF instead.
He told rivals.com he would like to provide a power running element to coach Gus Malzahn’s offense this fall.
John Dirksen, offensive line, Marion Local — Notre Dame
The No. 21 prospect in Ohio in his class redshirted in 2018 then played in a majority of the Fighting Irish’s games the past two seasons, including the Rose Bowl.
Reports from South Bend indicate he was part of a wide-open race for playing time during spring ball and not much has been decided heading into the summer.
Demetrius Hardamon, linebacker, Beavercreek — Bowling Green
Hardamon was not rated as a recruit when he had 3.5 sacks as a senior for the Beavers.
He began his college career at Georgetown College before transferring to BGSU, where he played one game last season.
Jevon Henderson, defensive lineman, Centerville — Bowling Green
A three-star prospect ranked No. 68 in the state per 247Sports Composite rankings, Henderson played one game as a freshman but retained his redshirt in 2018.
The Academic All-MAC honoree has played 16 games over the past two seasons and logged 15 tackles, including two for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Luke Lane, offensive line, Lebanon -- Indiana
A walk-on who joined the Hoosiers in the spring of 2019, Lane was the scout team player of the week when IU played Penn State that fall. He did not see game action last season.
Jack McCrory, linebacker, Springfield Shawnee — Ohio
The No. 81 prospect in Ohio in his class has played in 19 games with 20 tackles and 2.5 sacks for the Bobcats.
Ryan Montgomery, running back/return man, Franklin — Cincinnati
After a knee injury ended his high school career early, Montgomery did not see action during his first season at UC. He played in all 14 games and was the team’s primary punt returner in 2019 when he averaged 8.2 yards per return and also ran for 107 yards on 20 carries.
Last season, he returned four kicks for 87 yards and 14 punts for 110 yards (7.9-yard average).
Devan Rogers, defensive tackle, Sidney — Toledo
Big man who was part of a breakthrough season as a senior at Sidney played 12 games in 2019 and all six games for Rockets last season.
He has 45 tackles and two career sacks.
Ja’Don Rucker-Furlow, cornerback, Belmont — Miami University
The 6-2, 188-pounder has been a contributor all three years so far in Oxford.
In 18 games, he has recorded 24 tackles with an interception he returned for a touchdown.
Joe Scates, receiver, Dunbar — Iowa State
A 6-2, 191-pound redshirt junior, Scates has played in 21 games and caught eight passes for 159 yards and three touchdowns for the Cyclones.
He’s part of a potentially deep receiving corps on a team with high expectations for the coming season.
Blue Smith, receiver, Wayne — Cincinnati
The Ohio State transfer has caught two passes for 19 yards with the Bearcats.
He missed all of last season with a foot injury, but The Athletic reports he is fully healthy this spring and in the mix to play outside receiver.
Cole Smith, kicker, Middletown — Cincinnati
The senior has made 14 of 25 field goals over the past three seasons, including the game-winner in the AAC Championship Game last season.
Jake Spewiak, receiver, Centerville - Air Force
After redshirting in 2018, the 6-4 Spewiak has played in 16 games the past two seasons. He caught one pass for seven yards in 2020.
Tavion Thomas, running back, Dunbar — Utah
Thomas ran for 140 yards on 40 carries and scored a touchdown for Cincinnati in 2018 before opting to transfer.
The power back who also played basketball and was a track standout for the Wolverines announced last week he is transferring to Utah after a stopover at Independence Community College.
Would like to announce that I will be Committing to the University of Utah 📍🙏🏾 it’s been a long time coming just wanna thank the men above & the ones who has supported me. #GOUTES#TRENCHMOB pic.twitter.com/2KEHO1173T
— T.Thomas (@nextupp5) May 8, 2021
Leonard Taylor, tight end, Springfield — Cincinnati
The 6-5, 247-pounder who played quarterback and defensive tackle for the Wildcats has settled in at tight end for the Bearcats.
Taylor has played 35 games in three years and caught 23 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns. He also had two tackles last season.
A late signee and the highest-rated recruit in Luke Fickell’s 2018 recruiting class, Taylor could be part of a talented duo of tight ends along with Josh Whyle this fall.
Malik Vann, defensive end, Fairfield — Cincinnati
An immediate contributor for Luke Fickell’s team three years ago, Vann has played 35 games and logged 54 tackles for the Bearcats.
He has 5.5 career sacks among his 12.5 tackles for loss and should be in line for a major role this fall.
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