Exactly nine weeks before national signing day, the University of Toledo hired Jason Candle to replace the departed Matt Campbell, giving Candle little time to assemble a staff and finalize UT’s recruiting class.
When the big day arrived Wednesday, the Rockets received 17 national letters of intent as part of a 21-man class of new players, a group heavy on defense and offensive skill players. According to 247Sports, which compiles composite recruiting rankings, the Rockets had the third-best class in the Mid-American Conference behind Western Michigan and Miami.
On Wednesday, Candle personally thanked running backs coach Anthony Johnson, wide receivers coach Derek Sage, and director of operations Andrew Terwilliger — all of whom assumed more work with a depleted staff — for their help in keeping UT stable during a time of change.