The Success of True Freshman Kicker, Jameson Vest

REPLACING KICKING LEGEND, JEREMIAH DETMER

By: Zach Harig -- December 7, 2015

Eleven months ago, the Toledo Rockets were in Mobile, Alabama coming off of a GoDaddy Bowl victory. Not only that, but the Rockets were celebrating some tremendous careers that would be lost due to graduation, including kicker, Jeremiah Detmer. The Hilliard, Ohio native finished his career as the Mid-American Conference's all-time leader in accuracy after finishing his career with nearly an 85% field goal percentage. Detmer would set the bar for not only Mid-American Conference kickers, but college football kickers as a whole before his graduation in 2014.

Jameson Vest has stepped up for the Toledo Rockets in his
first collegiate season.

So how would Toledo replace the production that Detmer provided for four seasons? The answer was Jameson Vest, a recruit in the 2015 class out of Peachtree City, Georgia. Obviously, replacing someone that had been in discussion for a Lou Groza award for nation's best kicker isn't easy, but for a true-freshman to come in, it would be nearly impossible.

"Jeremiah gave me big shoes to fill," Vest stated, "He set the standard for kickers at Toledo and it really made me determined to get better and become the standard myself."

Prior to the 2015 season kicking off, a lot of questions for head coach, Matt Campbell, were about special teams. It was obvious that even the Toledo coaching staff had many questions to answer themselves in terms of the kicking void left by Detmer. However, in fall camp, Vest dominated, winning the job over sophomore, Sam Vucelich. 

"I came in cocky about my abilities and thought I was better than I really was," admitted Vest, "Looking back, I'm very fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to start."

After earning the job, the first game of the season had arrived against Stony Brook. Ultimately, Vest would get an opportunity early in the first half on a 33-yard attempt. Good snap, good hold, and it split the uprights for three points, resulting in the first points of Vest's young career. The road to replacing Toledo legend, Jeremiah Detmer was underway, or so we thought. After a heavy downpour and thunderstorms throughout the first half, the game would be cancelled at halftime following nearly three hours of storm delay. All statistics from the game were scratched, as was the score, and just like that, Vest was once again looking for the first points of his career.

Vest has shined in the spotlight of big games in 2015.

The following week, Toledo made the journey to Little Rock, Arkansas to face the Arkansas Razorbacks at War Memorial Stadium in the heart of the state. In front of a sellout crowd of 55,000 people, Vest lined up for a short field goal of nearly thirty yards. Unfortunately, 6'10" Arkansas offensive lineman, Dan Skipper, would get a hand on the kick. The first attempt of Vest's career was blocked. A short moment later, Toledo head coach, Matt Campbell would send Vest out to attempt another, this time from nearly forty yards in a hostile environment and it was to take the lead. The Georgia native would leave no doubt about it, his first points in a Toledo uniform were recorded and he put Toledo ahead of the Hogs, where the Rockets wouldn't look back, notching the upset and biggest win in school history, 16-12.

"The first kick was crazy, I never realized how loud SEC country was until I was on the field. That second kick was all business, I didn't even notice the crowd when I went out. I told myself I was making this one to take the lead," Vest stated.

Not a bad "first game" for an eighteen year old kid, a clutch go-ahead kick against a SEC opponent and a national spotlight after an upset victory.

Former Toledo kicker, Jeremiah Detmer set the standard
with an 85% career field goal percentage.

A week later, against another Power 5 opponent in Iowa State, Vest would continue to make a name for himself. Late into the second half, Vest would hit a game-tying field goal to make it 23-23 and ultimately send the game into overtime, where Toledo would win the game, 30-23.

Since the opening weeks, Vest has continued to impress and fill the shoes of Jeremiah Detmer rather smoothly for a true freshman. Vest would finish the 2015 season with a conference high 18 field goals for a 69-percent field goal percentage. The eight field goals missed by Vest throughout the season, ultimately cost him a chance at making an All-MAC team.

"It's very humbling," Vest said on not making All-Conference, "I knew in the back of my mind that it wasn't a great season missing eight kicks. The fact that the MAC knew it too just made it easier to realize that I want to dedicate the off-season to getting better."

Aside from the field goal percentage, Vest also led the Mid-American Conference in scoring per game, accounting for an average of just over nine points per contest, in the same category as the most explosive runningbacks and wide outs in the conference.

Although Vest was not recognized as All-MAC for his incredible efforts throughout the season, his teammates, coaches, and predecessor have certainly taken notice.

"He's impressive," stated Jeremiah Detmer, who still has a relationship with Vest, even after his graduation, "For a true freshman to come in to a program and transition as well as he has, it's remarkable. He's made big time plays and has stepped up for his team. The most exciting part about his season is that he has three more to improve!"

Jeremiah Detmer set the standard at Toledo and in the Mid-American Conference but true freshman, Jameson Vest has entered the Glass City and has exceeded expectations. A conference-high eighteen field goals in 2015 will place a bright spotlight on the Georgia native over his next three seasons in Northwest Ohio.

Questions? Comments? Interact with Zach on Twitter: @ToledoZach

A Way Too Early Look Into Toledo's 2016 Expectations

JASON CANDLE UNDERSTANDS THE LOFTY EXPECTATIONS AT TOLEDO

By: Zach Harig -- December 4, 2015 
Yes, the year is 2015 and yes, Toledo still has a bowl game to play, which will be announced on Sunday. However, it's never too early to be looking ahead to next season, especially after the recent hire of former offensive coordinator, Jason Candle. The Candle hire has brought excitement back into the Toledo Football program, but with excitement, comes tremendous expectation.

"The expectations are high and the bar has been set," said new Toledo head coach, Jason Candle, "Nine wins is a tremendous season for anybody in the country, but for a Mid-American school to win nine games and two of those wins over Power-Five schools, that's elite company, so we want to continue that, we want to try to better that and we want to ultimately end up in Detroit playing for a championship."

So can they? The Rockets could have a few question marks in 2016. The first will be the inexperience of the head coach. Although new head coach, Jason Candle has spent seven years in Toledo, there are questions to be answered. Some have argued that Candle gets too fancy with the play-call and doesn't use his workhorses, Kareem Hunt and Terry Swanson enough in the ground game. However, players simply love the Jason Candle hire. In the regard of the head coach, the fans don't matter, the alumni don't matter, the national media don't matter, it's about the players and the coaching staff buying in. A lot of times during the Matt Campbell era, we heard, "Trust in 'The Process'" which is the definition of what needs to happen in college football. In the world of college football, players love to play for younger coaches, which Candle, at age 36, is. Don't worry about the coaching inexperience, Candle will be a thunderous hire for the Rockets.

New Toledo head coach, Jason
Candle understands expectations.

The next question in 2016 will be the lack of returnees on defense. Toledo will lose defensive leaders, Trent Voss, Keenan Gibbs, Tre James, Allen Covington, Orion Jones, Chase Murdock, Cheatham Norrils, Chris Dukes, Chaz Whittaker, Rolan Milligan, and Juwan Haynes, who all saw regular action in 2015. A huge development in the Jason Candle hire for the Rockets was retaining defensive coordinator, Jon Heacock, who is staying in Toledo to become a part of the new staff, which is crucial. Heacock's defense has looked completely changed in 2015 after a dismal season a year ago. The 'multiple defense' look on the defensive side of the ball has given Toledo the ability to sub players in and out and due to the incredible depth on the defensive side of the ball, the Rockets have featured the top scoring defense in the Mid-American Conference. But this depth won't be returning in 2016.

Jon Heacock will certainly have his hands full in 2016 on the defensive side of the ball. Without the graduated leaders next season, guys like DeJuan Rogers, Treyvon Hester, Marquise Moore, and Jaylen Coleman will truly need to step up. The front seven should be solid once again next season behind Hester and Moore's elite strength and run stopping ability. Toledo was second in the MAC in the regular season in terms of run defense, look for that to continue once again in 2016. Jaylen Coleman was also lost mid-season in 2015 due to a broken leg, hopefully he can bounce back to once again be a major force in the MAC. As far as the secondary, Toledo will feature a similar secondary to the 2014 season, which was highlighted by then true-freshman, Trevon Mathis, who had some growing pains but ultimately played well in his first season of college football. Next season, Mathis, Jordan Martin, and Josh Teachey will need to step up in a big way as far as the true-corners are concerned for the Rockets. Guys like Connery Swift and Delando Johnson will also be important contributors in nickel and dime packages, especially since Jon Heacock loves to use his substitutions.

Guys like Keenan Gibbs have provided
Toledo with a lot of depth in 2015.

The pass defense could struggle in 2016, which is typical in the Mid-American Conference. The good news behind the pass defense is that two of the best quarterbacks in the MAC, Matt Johnson of Bowling Green and Blake Frohnapfel of UMass (who isn't in the MAC in 2016), are now graduating.
Other than that, Toledo will need to use odd blitz packages off of the edge, perhaps with guys like Swift and Johnson from their nickel and dime positions.

On the offensive side of the ball, Jason Candle won't miss a beat. Right now, quarterback Phillip Ely is petitioning for a sixth season with a medical redshirt, after missing nearly all of 2014 due to injury. If it is declined by the NCAA, which isn't likely to happen, quarterback Logan Woodside would assume the position over Michael Julian and redshirt-freshman, Mitch Guadagni, who has an extremely bright future with the Rockets down the road. Woodside, a soon-to-be senior out of Frankfort, Kentucky, had a solid season in 2014 ultimately ranking fourth in the MAC in passing efficiency and throwing for 2,272 yards and 19 touchdowns. Aside from being offensive coordinator, Jason Candle has also been quarterbacks coach for the past two seasons with the Rockets, so he understands the core nucleus of signal callers. The passing game, whether it be Ely or Woodside next season, should be decent, even without top wide receiver, Alonzo Russell, who will be graduated. Guys like Cody Thompson, and soon-to-be senior Corey Jones, will be the main targets in 2016 and wide outs Jon'Vea and Diontae Johnson will also be assets as well as tight end, Michael Roberts.

Trevon Mathis, pictured here with Matt Campbell, will be
relied upon greatly in 2016.

Roberts, a 6'4", 265-pound weapon for the Rockets should have a breakout senior season in 2016. This season, just eighteen catches for 188 yards and four touchdowns for Roberts, but they all seemed to come in the clutch and big-time moments. Next year, he'll be even a bigger redzone target with Alonzo Russell.

The running game will be interesting, but not necessarily in a bad way. Running back Kareem Hunt, a current junior and soon-to-be senior, could dart for the NFL draft due to his current mid-round projection. Currently, NFL Draft Scout has Hunt listed as the ninth best draft eligible back, out of 213. Aside from Hunt, current sophomore Terry Swanson will carry the load along with soon-to-be senior Damion Jones-Moore. Swanson has been a workhorse but has been overshadowed by Hunt in several instances. If Hunt leaves to play on Sunday's, look for the runningback not to miss a beat, though it is nice to have that one-two punch between physicality and speed in Hunt and Swanson. Younger backs like Art Thompkins could also see a lot of action in 2016, especially if they miss Hunt's presence.

Perhaps the biggest loss in the Matt Campbell departure was offensive line coach, Tom Manning, who is arguably the best in the entire country. Over the past two years, Manning's offensive lines had allowed just three sacks, even after replacing all five starters this season. In 2016, the Rockets will return all but Ruben Carter, their center and a Florida State transfer. Guys like Mike Ebert and obviously, big Storm Norton, will be extremely solid and depended on.

Behind Kareem Hunt, if he returns, Toledo will have another
lethal ground game.

Overall, the 2016 season should be one of well-deserved expectation. The Rockets will be solid and despite the loss of an extremely capable senior class and coaching staff, Jason Candle will right the ship. The Toledo offense will be electric once again behind their offensive line and guys like Cody Thompson, Corey Jones, and potentially Kareem Hunt, if he returns. Toledo will open the season at Arkansas State on September 3rd and will also play out of conference against Maine and Fresno State at home and then on the road at BYU on September 30.

Athletic Director Mike O'Brien also knows that a lot of pressure will be placed on his first-year head coach next season, "It's hard to say what kind of season we'll have next year, but I know they're going to play really hard behind Coach Candle and he will rally the troops. I can't give you a one-loss prediction but it's going to be a great year behind his (Coach Candle's) leadership."

For myself, it's hard not to expect a nine win season. The out-of-conference schedule is a bit easier than it has been in years past. In fact, Toledo should expect a 3-1 season in the non-conference. As far as for the MAC schedule, which isn't out yet, there will be a lot of coaching changes if Dino Babers bolts from Bowling Green and potentially P.J. Fleck at Western Michigan. Toledo may not be the preseason favorite to win the MAC, but they will compete in the MAC West. Next year's senior class will step up and be leaders, especially behind the new coaching staff and the understanding of culture and tradition at Toledo. I expect a 9-3 season next year with a strong offensive line and running game. As usual, no matter who the offensive coordinator is, Jason Candle will run a balanced offense. Expect potential losses to BYU on the road, which is an extremely tough place to play, and then potentially losses to either Arkansas State on the road, Western Michigan on the road, or even a team like Bowling Green or Central Michigan at home. We won't even mention those Huskies in DeKalb.

Thoughts? Comments? Interact on Twitter: @ToledoZach

Recruiting Wars: Iowa State vs. Toledo

New Toledo head coach, Jason
Candle.

CAMPBELL VS. CANDLE -- THE WAR HAS BEGUN

By: Zach Harig -- December 2, 2015

After Iowa State prevailed to defeat Toledo, 37-30, in 2014, Toledo returned the favor with a 30-23 overtime victory against the Cyclones in 2015. In a rubber match of sorts, the two teams now get to battle it out on the recruiting trail. Yes, I'm trying to tell you that two schools that are nine hours apart, will compete in recruiting, and we all know why. Now that Matt Campbell is officially an Iowa State Cyclone, he is destroying his own legacy at The University of Toledo by stealing players he recruited away from his former school.

In the 2016 recruiting class, Toledo originally had 22 commits, that is before the Campbell departure. Almost immediately, Toledo received decommitments from cornerback Jatairis Grant of Akron, Ohio. The reason? Matt Campbell and the Cyclones came calling with an offer and an official visit, which will be taken on December 4 by Grant. When asked about Iowa State, Grant stated, "Coach Campbell hasn't told me much yet, I plan on seeing how it is when I get down there. I don't have a top three yet, Toledo and ISU are my only two."

New Toledo head coach, Jason Candle played with Matt
Campbell at Mount Union, now they're recruiting foes.

Aside from Grant, Toledo lost a commitment from Columbus, Ohio Athlete, Tyrece Speaight. Speaight, a three-star by several agencies, has been heating up on the recruiting trail and has received interest from several MAC schools as well as, wait for it, yes, Iowa State. After a December 1 decommitment, Speaight has since been tweeting a lot about Toledo, especially after today's hiring of Jason Candle as their head football coach. In fact, one current Toledo commit told me, "I'm 100% sure we will get Tyrece's commitment back." There is no word on an official visit or any offers from Iowa State for Speaight.

Another recruit who was highly considering Toledo and is still is to an extent, is Traver Vliem, a defensive end out of Midland, Texas. Vliem, a 6'3", 240-pound athletic freak coming off of the edge now holds 20 offers, but one of his favorites is Toledo. However, Matt Campbell and his staff are already working on perhaps swaying him to Ames. "Coach John Kuceyeski (part of Campbell's new Iowa State staff) called me and said I was on a short list of guys they'd be looking at and they'd have Campbell reach out to me in the next couple of days," Vliem stated. He also stated it's a possibility that he will take an official visit to Iowa State.

Matt Campbell and his staff at Iowa State
have officially began their recruiting efforts.

From there, we advance to Jalen Martin, perhaps the biggest commit for Toledo in the 2016 class. That is, until Martin was given something to consider. Matt Campbell extended an offer to Martin, a Harper Woods, Michigan product, just hours after being introduced as Iowa State's new head football coach. Now, Martin is expected to take an official visit to Ames, "sometime in the next few weeks," according to his father, Gregory, who also added that "Jason Candle is a great hire for the Rockets." The 6'3", 200-pound Martin is a strong handed and high IQ football player who is an underrated three-star in the class. Iowa State will strongly push for his services before signing day and don't be surprised if new Toledo head coach, Jason Candle can't convince him to stay in the Glass City.

Someone that Toledo is losing extreme ground on is three-star defensive end/outside linebacker, Jalen Cochran out of Canton, Michigan. Cochran, a 6'3", 235-pound beast, was strongly considering Toledo and called them, "my number one school," in early November before Matt Campbell's departure. After Campbell accepted the job in Ames, Cochran immediately received an offer from the Cyclones. Following that moment, Iowa State shot up Cochran's list and become his new number one, "I believe I'm having an in-home visit with Iowa State on Thursday," he added. As far as Toledo goes, "I think Jason Candle was a great hire for Toledo, but I don't really know him since he is an offensive guy and I can't really consider them until they hire a full staff." Ouch.

In the Class of 2017, looking ahead, Matt Campbell already took a leap. Iowa State received a commitment from 2017 quarterback, Devon Moore, a 6'4", 215-pound pro-style gun-slinger out of Waterloo, Iowa. Moore held three offers before committing from Toledo, Illinois State, and obviously, the Cylcones.

2016 Toledo tight end commit, Nate Swart is a
"True Rocket" and is devout to his commitment.

Despite losing several commits as of late, Toledo does have a solid core still committed. Three-star runningback, Shakif Seymour of Parma Heights, Ohio stated he's, "All in on Toledo." Aside from that, Pennsylvania product and Toledo commit at tight end, Nate Swart also stated, "Why commit when you know another offer will just make you decommit? I committed to Toledo months ago and nothing has changed, I'm going to school there in the fall."

As for as for Coach Jason Candle, he spoke at his press conference, and to myself, about his recruiting war with Coach Campbell: "Well we have to work diligently and get our plan together and make sure the kids that have made the decision to come to The University of Toledo still come to The University of Toledo. And we'll work really hard to do that. Ultimately, at the end of the day, you can't make decisions for kids, that's their prerogative and what they want to do. But our job is to present the information to why UT is a great fit for you and why you can be successful here, we're going to mold you to be a great young man and make sure you take your academics seriously and give you a chance to play great football and if that's what you want to do, I want you to be here. I'm not interested in guys that are coming here for other reasons other than the ones that are real," said Candle. He then joked that his first night of sleep may not come until July.

For new Toledo head coach, Jason Candle, it's a challenge to keep this recruiting class together, especially when he predecessor is now working against him. However, this was the wisest hire that Athletic Director, Mike O'Brien could have made for Toledo due to Candle's familiarity of the culture, tradition, and recruiting. Candle was one of Campbell's best recruiters on his staff and was actually voted one of the, "Best non-Power 5 recruiters" by Rivals a few years ago. Candle will be a tremendous recruiter and should do a great job keeping this class in tact for the most part.

You can view my interview with Coach Candle following his press conference by clicking HERE.

I'll keep you posted on the rest of the news via Twitter: @ToledoZach

Jason Candle to Become Toledo's Next Head Coach

What a turn of events for the Toledo Rockets over the past few days. On Saturday night, head coach Matt Campbell accepted the Iowa State head coaching job, just a day after the Rockets were rumored for a potential BCS Bowl (before losing to Western Michigan). Then, a photo gets tweeted out in the Iowa State WAR room in Ames, Iowa featuring Matt Campbell and several other former Toledo coaches, including offensive coordinator, Jason Candle. In another change of events, rumors struck on Wednesday afternoon that Candle is now becoming the next head coach of the Toledo Rockets.

Former offensive coordinator, Jason Candle will be introduced
as Toledo's next head coach at 4:30 pm on Wednesday.

Candle, a 36-year old offensive genius, began his coaching career at his alma-mater, Mount Union with Matt Campbell. After coaching receivers from 2003-2006, he became the offensive coordinator for the 2007-08 season until ending up in Toledo. At Toledo, Candle began as the tight ends and slot receivers coach in 2009 but eventually took over as offensive coordinator for Matt Campbell in 2012, turning the Rocket offense into a balanced powerhouse. Now, Candle is expected to accept the Toledo coaching job and be introduced to the media at 4:30 pm on Wednesday.


Originally, many thought Toledo was going outside of the current staff to hire a head coach. Especially after Campbell cleaned house as far as the Rockets former coaching staff was concerned, taking them all to Iowa State aside from defensive coordinator Jon Heacock and runningbacks coach, Anthony Johnson.

Jason Candle has turned Toledo's offense into a balanced
powerhouse.

Candle could be introduced at the Toledo men's basketball game on Wednesday night at Savage Arena. The hire is incredibly smart due to Candle's tremendous reputation as a recruiter and a long-time Toledo assistant under Campbell. Following Campbell's departure, Toledo players overwhelmingly vouched for Candle to become their next head coach. After the vacancy, Athletic Director Mike O'Brien announced he would be hiring a search firm to conduct a national search. Now, just days later, that won't be needed. Matt Campbell has begun to recruit his former Toledo commits, now to Iowa State, and Jason Candle can now put a stop to that bleeding. It won't be easy to convince current Rocket commits in the 2016 class to stay, but Candle has the ability to do so, since he recruited many of the current commits anyway.


I'll keep you posted on the latest via Twitter: @ToledoZach