Tom Allen National Signing Day Transcript

On how defensive back Jamar Johnson fits in with the recruiting class...
"Really excited about Jamar. I think he fits in a way because of his versatility. He's a young man that is going to play in the secondary, but he has the skill set to play corner, he can play either one of our high safety positions or husky position. It's really hard to find a guy like that who can do all those things. Very physical young man and really athletic, returns punts and kicks. Those are the guys you want. He can play some receiver, got the ball in his hands in high school and you want those kind of guys. Just really excited about Jamar joining our family."

On defensive lineman Jonathan King...
"For us, physicality is number one and he's a really tough hard-nosed young man that we really like. He can rush the passer, which is a key point for our ends, but you have to stop the run in this league. We love his physicality at the point of attack. Just plays really, really hard. He's a kid that loves the weight room, loves to play the game, and has a teammate already here. Just really excited about what Jonathan brings to our family."

On what stuck out about linebacker James Miller...
"Really physical football player. Big linebacker, what we're looking for. 6-2, 220 range. He's got a big frame on him, can run sideline to sideline type of linebacker, which is really what you want. As the game has become a spread game, you have to have those kind of guys in the middle. He can play either of the linebacker positions that we have, all three of them when we get in our 4-3 package, he can play that as well. Versatility. Number one, be able to run the defense. Awesome young man. Comes from a great family and a guy that makes us flat out better."

On addressing different needs for class...
"It's a large number of guys and we really addressed the defensive side of the ball in terms of a numbers perspective. We lost a lot of guys to graduation and a lot of really good players we have to replace. I think we did a good job of that at the linebacker position and secondary, especially at safety, and obviously you always have to get defensive linemen. A couple of O-linemen, got a quarterback, couple of receivers and running backs. Touched every position. Love the speed of the group. I love their overall athleticism and I think a lot guys have a tremendous fit for our program in the classroom, off the field, on the field."

On what the staff looks for in recruits...
"High character guys, number one. They have to be able to play, that's a given. You can see that on film, you can know the guys who can play in the Big Ten off of that. But really getting to know them and build relationships, finding those guys that really fit with us, guys you want in your program, you want representing you in town, in the classroom, when they're away from us. Obviously, a tremendous work ethic when they get here. You want guys that love the work and love the game and that's what we are really attracting here."

On transfers T.D. Roof and Nick Linder...
"Nick adds immediate help on our offensive line because he's eligible right away as a graduate transfer. Just a very mature individual, already been here working out with us. The strength staff loves him. Great leader, really, really good football player, excellent student and really fits with us. T.D. is a coach's kid. We recruited him extensively out of high school and then had the chance to get him here. He'll have to sit a year but really excited about his future. We thought he was a great fit with us a year ago and he made that decision to come here now and we're thrilled to have him."

On the handling of this year's different signing period...
"Very different than in the past. This day has always been the day. Now it's kind of a little lower key than usual. Most of the class was signed in December. What it allowed us to do was spend the entire evaluation period in January, really finishing up the last few spots in this class and then also really getting a jump start on 2019 and 2020. We really worked hard on those classes, gave me a chance to get out and get in those schools, eye ball these guys. Really was very beneficial to move forward and have a great foundation for next year."

On all the coaches coming together to get class...
"Matt Wilson is our director of recruiting and did a phenomenal job as the leader of that area. Everybody plays a role when we get them on campus, it's a team effort for sure. We staff recruit so everybody's involved and identifying those key individuals that are going to help these guys make these decisions and we recruit them just as hard as we recruit the players themselves. It takes a whole lot of people to get that done."

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