Oakwood's Sherk among Flyers' top recruits

Blog: Chamberlin loads up on offensive linemen

By Doug Harris, Staff Writer Updated 2:20 AM Tuesday, May 5, 2009

DAYTON — Oakwood High School do-it-all football player Robbie Sherk had the academic credentials to get admitted to some prestigious colleges and took visits to Dartmouth and Davidson, but he found what he was looking for barely a punt, pass and kick from his front door.

Sherk, who set a single-season school record with 2,500 all-purpose yards, will continue his career at Dayton and is one of 26 players in the Flyers’ incoming freshman class.

“Everyone is so friendly. The coaching staff is awesome. All the kids are awesome, and I felt like I fit in,” Sherk said.

The 2008 Southwestern Buckeye League offensive back of the year will be a defensive back for UD.

“I like to hit people,” he said.

UD landed five other area players in linebacker Jordan Martin of Vandalia Butler, defensive linemen Brandon Dunn of Brookville; Eric Niekamp of Anna, offensive linemen Nick Lisle of Centerville and Nathan Brandewie of Fort Loramie.

“It was one of those years where we were able to attract the better players in the Dayton area, which is what we always want to do — keep local talent at home,” UD coach Rick Chamberlin said.

Sherk scored a 33 (of out 36) on the ACT, and Chamberlin lauded his recruits for their all-around ability.

“You see a lot of captains, a lot of National Honor Society guys, people involved in different clubs and organizations,” Chamberlin said. “They’re not just football players. They’re well-rounded. That tells you they’re disciplined. They do well at time management. And they’re competitive because a number of them are playing other sports. Those are the types we like to get at Dayton.”

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON

2009 FOOTBALL RECRUITS

QUARTERBACKS: Paul Fackler, Lutheran West H.S., Westlake, Ohio; and Zachary Splain, Sherwood HS, Brookeville, Md.

RECEIVERS: Sean Clary, St. Thomas Aquinas H.S., Salem, Ohio.

TIGHT ENDS: Jordan Boykin, Crawfordsville (Ind.) H.S.; Ben Estey, Brighton (Mich.) H.S.; and Matt Remond, Walsh Jesuit H.S., Strongsville, Ohio.

RUNNING BACK: Robert Washington, Seaholm H.S., Birmingham, Mich.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Kevin Bell, Robinson Secondary H.S., Clifton, Va.; Nathan Brandewie, Fort Loramie H.S.; Zack Cevasco, Tallmadge (Ohio) H.S.; Nick Lisle, Centerville H.S.; and Tom Corcoran, Pittsburgh (Pa.) Central Catholic H.S.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Brannon Dunn, Brookville H.S.; Connor O’Hara, Mt. Lebanon H.S., Pittsburgh, Pa; Anthony Sadler, Carman-Ainsworth H.S., Flint, Mich.; Jordan Elmore, Groveport Madison H.S., Groveport, Ohio; Victor Kaczkowski, Olentangy H.S., Powell, Ohio; and Eric Niekamp, Anna H.S.

LINEBACKERS: Joe Janasek, Solon (Ohio) H.S.; Jordan Martin, Vandalia-Butler H.S.; and Colin Monnier, Marist H.S., Chicago, Ill.

SECONDARY: Tom Hunt, St. Ignatius H.S., Rocky River, Ohio; Robby Sherk, Oakwood H.S.; Robert Strong, Stevenson H.S., Detroit, Mich.; and Kyle Sebetic, Temper H.S., Pleasant, Wisc.

KICKERS-PUNTERS: Mike Morgan, Bishop Ready H.S., Grove City, Ohio.

Share this article