The Columbus Dispatch reported yesterday that Ohio State DB Rocco Pentello (Westerville South) has decided to transfer to Ashland.

Pentello said the 'opportunity to play and the chance to play quarterback' were his reasons for taking his remaining 2 years of eligibility at AU.

With AU graduating starting QB Billy Cundiff and back-up Derek Reidel, RS soph Taylor Housewright is the heir-apparent for the Eagles. Other roster QBs Skubik and Finnerty will join Pentello to compete for the back-up job.

I've heard there may be several more significant transfers coming to AU in 2010.

So why would Rocco Pentello transfer to Ashland who already has a quarterback in the waiting in Taylor Housewright. Just doesn't make sense to me.

Ashland really has no one ready as a backup. Pentello arrives and is automatically #2 and will have the opportunity to compete for #1. The Dispatch quoted him as saying 'having a chance to play QB' was his main motivation.

With his several years' training at DB at OSU, I would expect he could immediately start in the secondary if he doesn't like the QB situation.

Apparently for him, having a chance to play at Ashland Stadium is better than standing on the sidelines at Ohio Stadium.

He was talking with Saginaw V. and they were telling him he could play QB. So AU told him the same thing but they want him as a safety. He has this spring to get the job or he goes to safety.

They do have 2 QBs coming. One from a JC in Chicago 6' 2" 200lb. Second is from Darthmonth that has one year elg. left. He started 8 games his last year and lost the job to a freshman. 6' 190lb. Housewright does not really have a back up. These kids will push him and if he got hurt they would have someone with game experience.

I had heard about the other 2 QBs, but didn't know how far down the 'commitment path' they were.

Having all three of those guys will result in some healthy competition at the position (and make for a much better spring game :) ).