The University of Toledo’s football program has changed up its recruitment strategy under new head coach Mike Jacobs. While many schools lean hard on the transfer portal, Jacobs wants to develop high school talent, especially from within a six-hour drive of campus.
The 2026 recruiting class has 16 high school signees, and that really shows off his vision. Let’s dig into the details of Toledo’s latest recruiting moves, highlight a few standout players, and see what this all might mean for the program.
Focus on High School Talent
These days, the transfer portal gets a lot of attention, but Toledo’s approach stands out. Jacobs keeps saying he wants to build the program around high school student-athletes.
That commitment shows up in the 2026 recruiting class, which features:
- Ziiyahn Blair, S, 6-3, 203, Fr., Akron (Garfield)
- Preston Dazey, OL, 6-5, 300, Fr., Perry, Ohio
- Seth Elchert, WR, 6-3, 190, Fr., Liberty-Benton
- Micah Fils-Aime, DL, 6-2, 285, Fr., Golden Gate, Fla. (Naples Community School)
- Jordan Fox, LB, 6-1, 220, Fr., Cordele, Ga. (Crisp County)
- Nathan Gersh, LB, 6-2, 225, Fr., Dexter, Mich.
- Adrian Love, Jr., DL, 6-2, 295, Fr. Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Hillcrest)
- Tyrell O’Neal, DL, 6-3, 300, Fr., Cleveland (Benedictine)
- Jacob Palucki, OL, 6-5, 270, Fr., Tinley Park, Ill. (Andrew)
- Vincenzo Pizzo, OL, 6-6, 290, Fr., St. Clair Shores, Mich. (Lakeview)
- Hunter Probst, P, 6-5, 210, Fr., Santa Rosa, Calif. (Rancho Cotate)
- Hayden Roy, LB, 6-1, 200, Fr., Lyons, Ga. (Toombs County)
- Zackery Samuel, Jr., DL, 6-2, 250, Fr., Ellenton, Fla. (Sarasota Cardinal Mooney)
- BJ Stovall, DL, 6-2, 228, Fr., Romulus, Mich. (Detroit Cass Tech)
- Reece Strittmatter, LS, 6-5, 200, Fr., DeSoto, Iowa (Adel-DeSoto Minburn)
- Sharard Vaughn III, S, 6-1, 200, Fr., Maumee (Central Catholic)
Defensive Reinforcements
Jacobs really wanted to strengthen the defense this year. The Rockets brought in five defensive linemen, three linebackers, and two defensive backs.
That helps cover the natural losses that happen on defense. Jacobs said the defensive line, linebackers, and defensive backs needed extra help right away.
Retention and Re-Recruitment
Keeping recruits committed turned out to be a challenge after the coaching change. Several players decommitted, but nine of the 16 signees stuck with Toledo.
That says a lot about their trust in Jacobs and his staff. Two names that stand out here:
- Sharard Vaughn III, a safety from Central Catholic
- Seth Elchert, a wide receiver from Liberty-Benton
Vaughn ranked 49th nationally among linebackers and helped win back-to-back state titles with the Fighting Irish in 2022 and 2023. Elchert set 10 school records for the Eagles and sits in the top 10 all-time in OHSAA history for career receptions, touchdowns, and receiving yards.
Standout Players
A few players in this class turned heads with their high school stats and the other offers they got. For example:
- Tyrell O’Neal picked Toledo over Cincinnati, Illinois, and Purdue.
- Nathan Gersh chose the Rockets instead of Georgia Tech, Penn State, or West Virginia.
That says something about how Toledo’s program is trending right now.
Building a Foundation
Jacobs wants to build a strong foundation by developing high school talent, especially from the local area. It’s not just about filling holes—he’s thinking long-term, hoping to create a program that grows its own players.
He’s pretty excited about this group, calling them a special bunch. Jacobs even said he hopes this is the biggest transfer portal class he’ll ever have to bring in.
The Role of Local Talent
Local high school players played a big part in this recruiting cycle. Elchert and his family, for example, helped attract other recruits to Toledo by staying in touch and representing northwest Ohio football.
Jacobs likes meeting these players in person, especially those from nearby schools. He respects their high school programs and what they’ve accomplished so far. That’s something you can’t fake.
Looking Ahead
The Rockets are gearing up for the next few seasons. Their 2026 recruiting class looks like a mix of players who can make an immediate difference and others who’ll need some time to develop.
Jacobs seems to be betting on high school talent but isn’t afraid to dip into the transfer portal if that’s what the team needs. Maybe this approach will raise the bar for the whole program—time will tell.
For more details on the University of Toledo’s 2026 recruiting class, check out the original article from Toledo Blade.
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