DB Rocco Pentello (official thread - transfer to Ashland; transfer to Otterbein)

[Buckskin86]

On the horizon Program seeing signs of good things to come
By DOUG HAIDET
T-G Sports Editor

Plenty of big steps have been moving forward with the Ashland University football program in recent days, even if national signing day is still two weeks from Wednesday.

A two-time All-Ohio quarterback at Westerville South High School and non-starting redshirt sophomore safety at Ohio State University this past season, Rocco Pentello recently announced he was transferring to AU after primarily working on the scout team with the Buckeyes.

That addition to Lee Owens' program and the progression of Ashland's end zone facility are just a few current topics for the Eagles.

Pentello (6 feet, 190 pounds) will have two years of eligibility and can play immediately. He accounted for more than 9,500 yards and more than 100 touchdowns as a quarterback at Westerville South.

Owens said Pentello was featured in Ohio State's two-deep at safety but wanted to have a chance to compete for a spot as a starting quarterback.

"He's coming in to compete to be at quarterback," Owens said. "That was my commitment to him and his family.

"We don't have a lot of experience at that position on our campus right now. I think competition is healthy for any program at any level. And if he doesn't win the position, he's too talented of an athlete to be standing on the sideline."

Times-Gazette.com - On the horizon Program seeing signs of good things to come

 

[Gothmog8]

Good luck to Rocco and Ashland.

 

[Buckskin86]

QB trades OSU's luxury for chance to play

By JON SPENCER ? News Journal ? February 17, 2010


ASHLAND -- One member of Ashland University's new recruiting class doesn't need to prove he really wants to be here.

Seven weeks ago, Rocco Pentello was soaking up California sun and the Rose Bowl atmosphere with his Ohio State teammates. Now he's trudging to class in knee-high snow on a campus mostly foreign to him.

A product of Westerville South High School, where his father Rocky is head coach, Pentello grew up in Ohio State's back yard and earned All-Ohio honors as a two-way star before joining the Buckeye. He was with the team for three bowl trips, including the 2007 BCS national championship game in New Orleans, and had a chance to play for another Bowl Championship Series title contender in 2010.

But he willingly gave it all up.

The schedule at AU will make it easier for him to pursue his degree in physical education. Mostly, though, he missed playing quarterback.

Part of OSU's 2007 recruiting class, Pentello spent the last three years -- including a redshirt season -- as a safety, primarily working with the Buckeyes' scout and special teams. He wanted to get back to playing on the offensive side of the ball.

"I really missed it," he said. "I have a great passion to be a quarterback."

QB trades OSU's luxury for chance to play | mansfieldnewsjournal.com | Mansfield News Journal

 

[Buckskin86]

It was Pentello's first game at quarterback since 2006, his senior year at Westerville South. He transferred to AU this winter after spending the last three seasons at Ohio State as a defensive back.

Pentello was 7 of 13 passing for 70 yards and, like Housewright, didn't throw an interception. He was the game's leading rusher, with a net gain after three sacks of 65 yards on14 carries, including a spinning 18-yard scramble that set up the Gold's only TD.

In addition to passing for 6,400 yards and 77 TDs in high school, he rushed for 3,100 and another 39 scores.

"I was a little nervous since I hadn't done it in so long, but after I got hit the first time I felt comfortable," said Pentello, surrounded by a large group of family and friends. "I've been running around the last three years at Ohio State, so I knew my running ability would still be there. It's a matter of getting my arm in shape. About the third week of practice, everything started to click."

The winning feeling is back | mansfieldnewsjournal.com | Mansfield News Journal

 

[osubucksfan2]

Transfered to Otterbien for Senior season....

 

[Buckskin86]

worked out at tOSU 2012 Pro Day....

http://photo.the-ozone.net/details....umber=20&ReturnRowCount=12&ReturnPageNumber=2