From Jackson State University Clarion-Ledger
JSU lands ex-Ohio State back
Heralded Haw acknowledges being able to play immediately key factor in becoming Tiger
By David Brandt
[email protected]
<SCRIPT language=javascript>// Begin popup scriptfunction NewPhotoWindow(mypage, myname, w, h, scroll) {var winl = (screen.width - w) / 2; var wint = (screen.height - h) / 2;winprops = 'height='+h+',width='+w+',top='+wint+',left='+winl+',scrollbars='+scroll+',resizable'win = window.open(mypage, myname, winprops)if (parseInt(navigator.appVersion) >= 4) { win.window.focus(); }}// End</SCRIPT><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width=145 align=left border=0 vspace="10" hspace="10"><TBODY><TR><TD width=10></TD><TD vAlign=top bgColor=#eeeeee>
Comegy
<TABLE cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD>THE ERIK HAW FILE
A look at JSU signee Erik Haw:
Position: Running back
Height: 6-1
Weight: 212
Class: Sophomore
Notable: Transferring from Ohio State, where he redshirted his first season and played on a limited basis in 2005. ... Was rated the top running back in the Midwest by SuperPrep following his senior season at Independence (Ohio) High.
- Source: Ohiostatebuckeyes.com
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TD width=10></TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Pulling off an upset victory in a fierce recruiting battle, former Ohio State running back Erik Haw has announced he intends to play football for Jackson State.
Haw should be able to play immediately and has three years of eligibility remaining.
A third-year sophomore, Haw rushed for 61 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries last season for the Buckeyes, but decided to transfer after learning he'd likely be buried on the depth chart at running back going into this year.
"This is the kind of kid with legitimate top-end speed that can help take this team to the top," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "It's an absolutely huge signing. The coaching staff did an amazing job reeling him in to JSU. He might be a guy that will be all over the record books by the time he's done here."
Haw, who is 6-foot-1, 212 pounds, said he picked the Tigers over UCLA, Arizona State, Rutgers and West Virginia. By transferring down to Division I-AA, he is eligible to play immediately instead of having to sit out a season if he went to another Division I-A school.
Haw said he intends to be in Jackson sometime next week to get used to his new team and the new surroundings. The running back went to Independence High School in Columbus, Ohio.
"I wanted to play right away. That's the biggest reason I chose Jackson State," Haw said. "I like the coaching staff and Division I-AA still puts guys in the (NFL) - that's one of my goals."
The running back's only apparent blemish is a run-in with the law in May 2005, when he was caught smoking marijuana outside of a dorm and pleaded guilty to an amended charge of disorderly conduct.
Comegy would not comment on Haw's legal troubles, but Haw said it wouldn't be a problem at Jackson State.
"Some people don't realize that a 19-year-old is a work in progress, but that's what I was," Haw said. "Just about everybody knows I got in trouble because it's Ohio State football, but I learned a lot from it."
JSU has several big-name transfers in tow for the coming season including running back Jamal Pittman (Ole Miss), linebacker Daniel Brooks (Tennessee), cornerback LaBrose Hedgemon (Notre Dame), quarterback Jimmy Oliver (Pearl River CC) and athlete Carlos Simpson (Cincinnati).
But Comegy's most recent signing might be the biggest of them all, as Haw will likely carry quite a load for an offense that struggled to score points during a 2-9 season in 2005.
"With Haw in the backfield now and other guys like Pittman, we'll have more options now with who carries the ball," Comegy said. "We weren't sure we were going to get (Haw) because everything was kind of back and forth for a few weeks. But obviously we're thrilled that he decided to come down to Jackson."
Haw played in four games with the Buckeyes in 2005. He scored his only touchdown and rushed for 39 yards against Northwestern in a 48-7 victory.
Haw admitted leaving Division I-A football was a tough decision, but one he thought best for his future.
"Sometimes change is the best thing and this will be a big change," Haw said. "I'm just looking forward to getting down to Jackson, meeting all the players and working out with the team."
JSU players report to campus on Aug. 4, and Comegy said the first full workout should be on Aug. 5.
