Wednesday was the first day of the early signing period for high school football players. Players have until Friday to sign NLIs during the early signing period. The next signing period will begin on National Signing Day on Feb. 2.
Among the 18 signees are five transfers who will be eligible next fall.
"I'm pleased with the class our staff put together," Candle said. "We're always looking for winners and high-character guys to join our program, and each player in our class fits that description. I think all of these guys will buy in to what we're building here and they all fit what we're trying to do as a program. I'm proud of the work our assistant coaches put in and the plan that our recruiting coordinator Ricky Ciccone put together. All that hard work led to a successful signing day today. We're excited to see what this group can contribute to Toledo football."
FRESHMEN
Derell Bedingfield Jr.
Linebacker | 6-1 | 190 | Cleveland, Ohio (Benedictine)
Derell Bedingfield Jr. is a three-star prospect according to 24/7 Sports. In his senior season this past fall, he was named first-team All-Ohio with 94 tackles, eight sacks and four TFL. He was also named to the Tony Fisher Award watch list last season, which goes to The News-Herald Player of the Year in football. As a junior in 2020, he was named third-team All-Ohio and first-team all-district after recording 77 tackles and six sacks.
Nasir Bowers
Cornerback | 5-9 | 168 | Lakeland, Fla. (Lakeland)
Nasir Bowers is a three-star prospect according to 24/7 Sports. Last season, he totaled 28 tackles, eight passes defended, and four interceptions. Bowers was named all-county as a junior in 2020, registering 19 tackles, 2.5 TFL, and three interceptions.
Malachi Davis
Defensive Tackle | 6-4 | 230 | Holt, Mich. (Holt Senior)
Malachi Davis is a three-star prospect according to 24/7 Sports. A standout player at Holt Senior High School, Davis earned two all-state and all-region honors during his career and was a three-time all-conference selection. Davis registered 49 tackles, 15 TFL, and returned a fumble for a touchdown as a senior last season. In six games in 2020, he tallied 37 tackles and 13 TFL to help Holt make a run in the MHSAA playoffs.
Kiel Eldridge
Outside Linebacker | 6-5 | 230 | Fort Wayne, Ind. (Mae Jemison)
Kiel Eldridge is a three-star prospect according to 24/7 Sports. He was named to MaxPreps' Indiana Preseason All-State team prior to the start of his senior season.
Stephen Gales
Offensive Lineman | 6-8 | 290 | Alliance, Ohio (Alliance)
Stephen Gales is a three-star prospect according to 24/7 Sports. Gales took over as Alliance's right tackle during the 2020 season and earned a starting spot on the offensive line this season as well. He earned all-district honors as a senior this past season.
Eric Holley III
Wide Receiver | 6-3 | 190 | Akron, Ohio (East)
Eric Holley III earned first-team all-state, all-district, and all-city honors after a terrific senior season this past fall. He grabbed 45 catches for 815 yards and 15 touchdowns, helping East High School post a perfect 5-0 record in league play. Holley played primarily at quarterback in 2020, throwing for 798 yards and five touchdowns in seven games while rushing for 512 yards and four TDs on the ground.
Roland McGhee Jr.
Safety | 6-1 | 180 | Nashville, Tenn. (Ensworth)
Roland McGhee Jr. was a 2020 all-region honoree as a junior at Ensworth High School, collecting 39 tackles and two interceptions as a first-year starter. A multi-sport star, he has also won state championships in track and field in the 300m hurdles, 200m dash, and long jump.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Defensive Back | 6-2 | 185 | Tampa, Fla. (Lakewood)
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is a three-star prospect according to 24/7 Sports. He registered 55 tackles and three interceptions this past season as a senior. He tallied 21 tackles and two picks as a junior in 2020.
Zach Person
Tight End | 6-5 | 225 | Kingsford, Mich. (Kingsford)
Zach Person is a three-star prospect according to 24/7 Sports. He is a two-time first-team all-state honoree, accumulating 64 receptions for 950 yards and eight touchdowns the last two seasons. Person also saw time on defense, registering 97 tackles, 15 TFL, and nine sacks as a senior this past fall.
John Alan Richter
Quarterback | 6-3 | 205 | Gray, Ga. (Jones County)
John Alan Richter earned region offensive player of the year honors as a senior in 2021, throwing for 3,241 yards and 34 touchdowns this past fall, leading his team to a 10-3 record and a perfect 7-0 mark in conference play. He threw for 2,089 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior.
Avery Smith
Quarterback | 5-10 | 185 | East Point, Ga. (Riverwood)
Avery Smith is a three-start prospect according to 24/7 Sports. He was named region player of the year as a senior this past season, throwing for 3,208 yards, rushing for 913 yards, and accounting for 44 total touchdowns. Smith was also a Georgia Mr. Football finalist last season. As a junior in 2020, Smith threw for 1,286 yards and 18 touchdowns while rushing for 349 yards and a pair of TDs.
Trey Szykowny
Long Snapper | 6-3 | 247 | Sylvania, Ohio (Northview)
Trey Szykowny will be joining the Rockets as a preferred walk-on. He has attended the Kohl's Future Stars Camp, where specialists go to be evaluated and ranked among their peers at their position. Kohl's gave Szykowny a four-star rating.
Junior Vandeross III
Wide Receiver | 5-9 | 188 | Tampa, Fla. (Jesuit)
Junior Vandeross III is a three-star prospect according to 24/7 Sports. He caught 47 passes for 747 yards and eight touchdowns this season as a senior, helping lead his team to the 6A State Championship game that will be played this Saturday, Dec. 18. Vandeross was terrific as a junior as well, hauling in 53 passes for 981 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 18.5 yards per reception.
TRANSFERS
Peny Boone
Running Back | 6-1 | 245 | Detroit, Mich. (Martin Luther King) | Maryland
Peny Boone is transferring to Toledo after spending two seasons at Maryland. He will have three years of eligibility remaining. This past season, he rushed for 172 yards and two touchdowns on 39 carries, tallying a season-high 42 yards against Michigan State. Boone played in four of Maryland's five games in 2020, rushing for 86 yards on 19 carries in a reserve role. Coming out of high school, he was the 18th-ranked running back in the country according to Rivals. Boone rushed for 1,282 yards on 129 carries and 22 touchdowns as a senior in 2019. He won two state championships at Martin Luther King High School in Detroit.
Rourke Freeburg
Outside Linebacker | 6-2 | 220 | Scottsdale, Ariz. (Desert Mountain) | Arizona
Rourke Freeburg comes to Toledo after playing four seasons at Arizona and he will have one year of eligibility remaining. He played in 32 games during his career with the Wildcats, including all 12 contests this past season. He spent much of his career as a key contributor on special teams, though he started all five games in 2020 at outside linebacker, registering 21 tackles and 3.5 TFL. At Desert Mountain High School, Freeburg was a two-time team captain and played quarterback, running back, linebacker, and safety during his career.
Andre Fuller
Defensive Back | 6-2 | 180 | Loxahatchee, Fla. (Seminole Ridge) | Arkansas Pine Bluff
Andre Fuller joins the Toledo football program from Arkansas Pine Bluff, and he will have four years of eligibility remaining. He played in 11 games this past season, collecting 29 tackles, 14 pass breakups, and three interceptions for the Golden Lions. He was named SWAC Defensive Player of the Week after his performance against Grambling State when he returned an interception 95 yards for a touchdown and registered eight pass breakups.
Chris Ocasio
Offensive Lineman | 6-2 | 305 | Allentown, Pa. (Allentown Central Catholic) | Edinboro
Chris Ocasio comes to Toledo after beginning his career at Edinboro University and will have one year of eligibility remaining. As a high school standout at Allentown Central Catholic, he started on both the offensive and defensive line, earning two all-conference nods. He helped his team make the District 11 Class 4A semifinals as a senior in 2016.
Anthony Torres
Tight End | 6-6 | 250 | Mishawaka, Ind. (Penn) | Western Michigan
Anthony Torres comes to Toledo after three years at Western Michigan and will have two years of eligibility remaining, having appeared in 17 games during his career as a Bronco. In 2021, Torres has accumulated 12 receptions for 137 yards and started seven games at tight end for WMU. At Penn High School, he helped lead the team to Class 6A runner-up finishes in 2015 and 2017. Penn had a 36-4 record with Torres on the roster, and he caught 11 passes for 196 yards and a touchdown as a junior in 2016.