High school football: All-Blade defense
11/14/2000Diontre Earl
SCHOOL: Rogers
CLASS: Senior
SIZE: 5-11, 228
POSITION: Linebacker
SCOUTING REPORT: All-Ohio last year, Earl had 113 tackles, including 15 for losses. Made two interceptions and recovered four fumbles.
REMARKS: "Diontre has the biggest heart of any football player I've ever seen," coach Rick Rios said. "He just has a knack for making plays."
EARL SAYS: "I can read plays a lot faster than most players and I get there a lot quicker. I think that's my advantage. I see plays before they happen."
Brandon Schnittker
SCHOOL: Perkins
CLASS: Senior
SIZE: 6-2, 250
POSITION: Linebacker
SCOUTING REPORT: Schnittker has already committed to Ohio State. Had 104 tackles (65 solo), five interceptions and a 4.5 GPA.
REMARKS: "Brandon doesn't take his talent for granted," coach Rock Farlow said. "He's always working on technique."
SCHNITTKER SAYS: "Football is an absolutely fun sport. There's nothing else like it that gives you that sense of team. I love the intensity and the competition."
Jarrett Fuller
SCHOOL: Tiffin Columbian
CLASS: Senior
SIZE: 6-2, 225
POSITION: Linebacker
SCOUTING REPORT: A 3.7 student and National Honor Society member, Fuller epitomizes student-athlete. A three-year starter, his team-high 84 tackles this fall exemplified his aggressive style of play.
REMARKS: "He's been our best defensive player the last two years," coach Steve Gilbert said. "He's been a dominant player."
FULLER SAYS: "I took a lot of pride in playing defense and I think everyone else did too."
Brock Dodrill
SCHOOL: Defiance
CLASS: Senior
SIZE: 6-1, 195
POSITION: Linebacker
SCOUTING REPORT: He's as versatile as they come. Thrives on making the big hit, the big play.
REMARKS: "He's a decathlete type of athlete. He can do a lot of different things. He's the whole package," coach Jerry Buti said.
DODRILL SAYS: "I've done well this year, but I could've done
better."
Blair Kramer
SCHOOL: St. John's
CLASS: Senior
SIZE: 6-4, 252
POSITION: Defensive line
SCOUTING REPORT: Strong and quick, with 4.89 speed in the 40. Had 59 total tackles, including 16 for losses totaling minus-116 yards.
REMARKS: "Blair's a very good athlete for his size," coach Matt Dzierwa said.
KRAMER SAYS: "I make plays but I'm also supposed to take up blockers and enable our other players to make the tackles. I think I'm a good leader because I know how to get my teammates to play better."
Nick Graymire
SCHOOL: Ottawa-Glandorf
CLASS: Senior
SIZE: 6-3, 257
POSITION: Defensive line
SCOUTING REPORT: Fast and nimble feet make him an offensive lineman's headache, a ball-carrier's nightmare.
REMARKS: "He's a big-time player," coach Ken Schriner said. "For a big guy he's got good quickness to move up and down the line."
GRAYMIRE SAYS: "I had a good season, but it has taken a whole team effort for us. I think I've done my part to help the team."
Loney Awls
SCHOOL: Rogers
CLASS: Senior
SIZE: 6-0, 195
POSITION: Defensive line
SCOUTING REPORT: Has intensity, quickness and strength. Awls was key factor in defense that allowed less than 10 points per game.
REMARKS: "When Loney comes on a down move, you can't block him," coach Rick Rios said. "A big guy won't get his hands on him, and he'll run right over a small guy."
AWLS SAYS: "Because I'm quick, I get to the hole fast. First I get to the spot, then I get to the ball."
Rick Cannings
SCHOOL: Waite
CLASS: Senior
SIZE: 6-3, 295
POSITION: Defensive line
SCOUTING REPORT: Cannings was considered by several City League coaches the toughest lineman to block. Had 116 total tackles (72 initial hits), including 15 tackles for losses.
REMARKS: "He's a hard worker and a nice kid," coach Charlie Delker said. "He's like a teddy bear until you get him on the line and the ball is snapped."
CANNINGS SAYS: "I just focus on getting to the ball as fast as I can and get as many tackles as I can."
Josh DiBenedetto
SCHOOL: Findlay
CLASS: Senior
SIZE: 6-0, 181
POSITION: Back
SCOUTING REPORT: A cornerback who is a solid cover guy but also likes to play a very physical game.
REMARKS: "He's a big hitter and he made big plays for us," coach Cliff Hite said.
DiBENEDETTO SAYS: "I love hitting. I had high expectations this year."
Antoine Ford
SCHOOL: Monroe
CLASS: Senior
SIZE: 6-1, 175
POSITION: Back
SCOUTING REPORT: Makes opposing offenses think twice about looking his way to complete a pass.
REMARKS: "People throw away from him because he does such a great job," coach Ralph Carducci said.
FORD SAYS: "I like making plays. I like playing bump-and-run and getting in a guy's face."
Tyler Saneholtz
SCHOOL: Anthony Wayne
CLASS: Senior
SIZE: 6-3, 200
POSITION: Back
SCOUTING REPORT: Plays the position like an outfielder should in baseball. He covers a lot of ground and is a ballhawk.
REMARKS: "He's a big, strong, physical safety. He covers the field well and is a great leader." coach Craig Smith said.
SANEHOLTZ SAYS: "We lost (in the playoffs), but I feel satisfied with my season."