All five junior college transfers from California will try to make waves with the Bobcats, but three already have begun to make a splash in the depth charts.
"Anytime you bring in junior college players, you certainly hope they can come out and compete right away," Ohio coach Brian Knorr said.
Defensive back Andre Bradford, tight end Ryan Antle and offensive lineman Ralph Bracamonte are practicing, while offensive linemen Steve Wiggins and Henry Valencia must wait until the summer to practice with Ohio.
The five could fill in holes left by graduation and injuries. Former safety Joe Sellers, cornerback Bop White, tight end Randy Pennington and three offensive linemen who started games for the Bobcats graduated. A number of other offensive linemen are still out of pads due to injuries from last season.
Knorr said the coaching staff recognized needs in advance and chose to fill them with junior college players, though the team sometimes does not choose that route.
Bradford, who could play cornerback or safety for the Bobcats, said he wants to step in quickly.
"I want to be a key player," Bradford said. "Right now it seems like I have an opportunity to do that."
Bradford, Antle and Wiggins went to Pasadena City College last season, while Valencia and Bracamonte played at Los Angeles Harbor College.
Antle, who was named First Team All-Mission Conference, said having players around him who he knew helped him make the adjustment from California to Ohio.
"I wasn't sure if I'd be getting homesick," Antle said. "I've never really been away from home. Pasadena (City College) was only about a half-hour away from my house. Coming here, I got to move in with Andre Bradford my first quarter. It helped out a lot."
Though Ohio hopes the junior college transfers see a number of snaps next season, the players must earn their spots, said Pete Germano, Ohio recruiting coordinator and outside linebackers coach.
"There's an assumption, and sometimes that might get you in trouble that because they're older and have played two years of college football that they're going to be a little more ready than the freshmen," Germano said. "I feel good about these kids that we brought in."
The remaining two, Wiggins and Valencia, have not been able to practice yet. Wiggins must take one more class, while Valencia must wait for a scholarship to open up. Both, however, should be in uniform this summer.
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Eric Pfahler
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Cornerback Andre' Bradford (No. 2) is one of three junior college transfers currently practicing with the team and is expected to be second on the depth chart at cornerback.
