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12-16-2006, 01:35 PM
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Rocco Pentello Starts and Ends Well
Rocco Pentello Starts and Ends Well
By Steve Patterson
BrutusReport.com
Ohio State Safety Prospect Rocco Pentello started the 2006 season heading towards a Mr. Football award, was injured ending his season, but finished with a verbal committed to Ohio State on the December 1st weekend.
Every year the Ohio State coaching staff pulls in one or two unexpected gems in their recruiting classes and the 2007 class is no exception. Last year Grant Swartz and Aaron Gant were brought in as versatile Safeties prospects. The year prior saw Anderson Russell and Donald Washington as surprise offers that are both now starting for the number one team in the country.
Rocco Pentello looks to be another great pickup for the staff due to his versatility, football knowledge and overall athletic ability. 'My best attributes are probably my ability to change direction and get to full speed so quickly.' Pentello told us about his ability on the field. And his versatility to play many positions is apparent. 'I think I?m best suited for defensive back because of my speed and size, but also possibly a running back, receiver or quarterback as well. A running quarterback!'
Pentello?s season started off with a bang for the Westerville South Wildcats. 'My senior football season: Through the first 6 games I had 2000+ yards of offense and 26 TD's on route to Mr. Football before I got injured. (1200 pass, 1000 rush 13 pass TD, 13 rush TDs). The Grove City game was also special: 440 total yards 6 total TD's 225 rush 2 TD's, 215 pass 4 TDs.' The injury was a broken ankle but he is reportedly able to walk at this time and should be completely healed by February of 2007.
Prior to his senior season, Pentello continued to improve while attending a couple of camps the summer of 2006. He attended his high school?s speed camp and Ohio State?s senior camp. 'I did not attend any skills camps just our high school speed burst training. I also attended Ohio State?s senior one day and really liked it. That was where I got my offer.'
A couple more visits to Ohio State occurred on game day Saturdays. ' I went to the Cincinnati, PSU, and Michigan games this year.' Although Pentello got the best view of the university and the football program when he officially visited over the December 1st weekend. ?I was looking for academics, a religious base, and at the Head Coach.' He told us.
It wasn?t a done deal for Pentello until that final weekend as he had a number of offers from good programs in the area and outside the area. 'I was offered by Ohio State, Michigan State, West Virginia, Cincinnati, Toledo, Ball State, Akron, Air Force, Wofford, and Marshall.' But a number of factors made the choice clear. 'Ohio State is close to home, I?ve been a buckeye fan all of my life, my fathers players went there (Andy Katzenmoyer, Chris Kirk, David Mitchell, Brandon Joe) and Coach Tressel is an unbelievable person! Also its the place to go to get you to the next level!'
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Sorry but BuckeyePlanet does not endorse sites that not only bash our community, but also use their forum to bash The Ohio State University. CriticalSteve does not comprehend that and therefore is not welcome on BP. He now chooses to act like a petty coward and trash BP on various websites. Comical and pathetic, but that is what has become the norm for Steve Patterson.
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12-16-2006, 10:20 PM
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I think we've all stolen something...
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"he credits his tight-knit family and Christian faith with getting him through the last couple of months. Sounds like a Tressel recruit!"
Quote:
Originally Posted by trinitytex
I don't want to sound whiny, but for some reason this struck a cord with me. I think Coach Tressel looks for football players with character and that transcends how tight-knit a family they may have. Look at the Troy Smiths and the other players on the team that came from broken families, but have overcame so much to succeed. I think a Tressel recruit is a fantastic athlete that also has the potential to be a fantastic man, notwithstanding the situation they were born into.
As for Rocco, he is taking a beating on some boards. The last recruit that I remember taking such a beating was Kirk Barton. And that guy didn't work out at all...oh wait.
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I don't think the point is that Tressel only looks to recruit kids with stellar family lives, although it's not a bad thing to have. I think that you're right, the first thing he looks for is football talent and potential. But, I think that the very next thing Tressel looks for it a solid character based on any number of things (like faith or family). In fact, I think Tress is the type of guy who looks for those who haven't had much luck with biological family, but are a perfect fit for (and will be greatly appreciative of) a tight-knit football family.
Also, FWIW, Troy kinda did have a non-traditional tight-knit family. Only, instead of his biological dad, Papa Ginn took care of him and taught him about being a man of character.
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12-16-2006, 10:33 PM
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Haole in da hills
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BuckTwenty
Coach Rocky Pentello: "(Former Cincinnati coach Mark Dantonio, who since has taken over at Michigan State) came up to me (during OSU's summer camp) and said, 'Rocco's got the best feet and hips here'. I think they were surprised by how quick he was. Ohio State said they really liked the way he was able to change direction and break on the ball and just wanted to see him play a couple of games."
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Oh, great, just what we need...another white corner. 
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12-17-2006, 12:23 AM
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Head Coach
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MililaniBuckeye
Oh, great, just what we need...another white corner. |
Maybe we should move him to safety. |
01-09-2007, 03:53 PM
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Pure Rock Fury
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BG $
1/9
By BK...Rocco talks about how is rehab is going and about his decision to verbal to OSU.
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01-11-2007, 09:21 AM
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Mr. Mom
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BN I $
1/11
By Bill Greene... Rocco talks about his decision and his love for tOSU, as well as his rehab. Rocco turned in a 4.4 40 and a 3.85 shuttle at tOSU's camp this summer.
I know they are posted in this thread a little ways back, just thought I'd remember everyone of Rocco's camp numbers, in case they are still questioning his abilities...
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01-11-2007, 01:41 PM
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All-American
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OSUBucks22
BN I $
1/11
By Bill Greene... Rocco talks about his decision and his love for tOSU, as well as his rehab. Rocco turned in a 4.4 40 and a 3.85 shuttle at tOSU's camp this summer.
I know they are posted in this thread a little ways back, just thought I'd remember everyone of Rocco's camp numbers, in case they are still questioning his abilities...
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I have never questioned any OSU recruits abilities and I never will since I believe our coaches have sufficient ability to make these decisions..even though some people think they know better. However, I do question your logic that his 40 a | |
