Returning Letterwinner Profiles - Juniors

Seniors | Sophomores

#24 Bryan Albani
Junior
Defensive Back/Return Specialist
5'10" 185
Warren, Ohio
Howland
Chemistry

Being counted on as the leader of a young secondary, likely starting at cornerback … A tremendously talented athlete, according to the coaching staff, who could also be one of the squad’s kickoff returners … Returns healthy following shoulder surgery, which caused him to miss 2008 outdoor track season … A five-time all-NCAC performer for the Scots’ track & field team, highlighted by winning the conference championship in the outdoor 110 hurdles (15.15) in 2007 …  Also came within .06 seconds of provisionally qualifying for the NCAA Div. III Championships in the 110 hurdles (14.96) … 2007: Began season as a safety and then moved over to a starting corner position … Became the fourth player in school history with three or more interceptions in a game, picking off three passes during a five-possession stretch at Earlham (Nov. 3) … Returned the first of those 55 yards for a touchdown and tallied three additional break-ups on the day … Was credited with 27 tackles for the season, including a career-high six against Wabash (Oct. 27) … Also averaged 19.2 yards on 10 kick returns, with a long of 31 at Allegheny (Oct. 20) … 2006: Special teams’ standout as a freshman, becoming the primary kick returner the last three games and making seven of his eight tackles on the season during kickoff coverage … Averaged 29.3 yards per kick return, with five of his six attempts going for 25-plus yards … Ran back three kickoffs for 95 yards, including a career-long 40 against Earlham (Nov. 4) … Added a season-high two tackles in that game … Also returned a pair of punts at Hiram (Oct. 14), taking one 37 yards and the other 33 … One of just three first-years to earn a varsity letter … Prior to Wooster: First-team all-conference and honorable mention on the Northeast Inland All-District Team for football at Howland High School … Caught 29 passes for 508 yards as a receiver and picked off two on defense for the Tigers, who went 4-6 in 2005 and 6-4 in 2004 … Personal: Born Oct. 23, 1987 … Is the son of Eugene and MaryAnn Albani … Majoring in chemistry.

#40 Matt DeGrand
Junior
Linebacker
6'0" 205
Stow, Ohio
St. Vincent-St. Mary
Political Science

One of the top returning linebackers in the conference … Described as a very intelligent player and an outstanding tackler by the coaching staff … Also a key member of the Scots’ nationally-ranked baseball team as he’s been the staff’s No. 4 starting pitcher the last two seasons, going 8-0 with a 3.07 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 73.1 innings … 2007: Received honorable mention on the All-NCAC Team after making the move from safety to outside linebacker … Won a starting nod in training camp and steadily excelled, leading the squad in tackles with 95 … Also ranked first on the team in tackles for loss with 12.5, 3.0 of which were sacks … Averaged 11.2 tackles per game the second half of the season, including a career-high 14 at Allegheny (Oct. 20) and against Kenyon (Nov. 10) … Was involved in four turnovers, including a second-quarter fumble recovery at Wittenberg (Sept. 29) and a third-quarter interception at Allegheny (Oct. 20) … 2006: Standout special teams player and provided depth in the defensive backfield as a freshman … Recorded four tackles on the season, all during kickoff coverage … Blocked two punts, including one that was caught in the air by teammate Aaron Gertz for a touchdown against Case Western Reserve (Sept. 23), and came close to blocking several others … One of just three first-years to earn a letter … Prior to Wooster: Collected all-city honors as a punter and had 15 sacks during 2005 at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School … Blocked a couple of punts for the Fighting Irish as a junior … Also a two-time second-team all-conference hurler for the baseball team and competed in wrestling … Personal: Born Sept. 29, 1987 … Son of Ron and Barb DeGrand … Majoring in political science.

#1 Mike Francescangeli
Junior
Tight End
6'0" 210
Brunswick, Ohio
Brunswick
Business Economics

Is transitioning back to the offensive side of the ball as a tight end, where the coaches think he can make a significant impact after a “great spring” at the position … Labeled an outstanding and versatile athlete … 2007: Regular member of the special teams’ coverage units and a backup outside linebacker, totaling seven tackles, one pass break-up, and one fumble recovery … Career-high four tackles came against Waynesburg (Sept. 8) … Attempted three kickoff returns, highlighted by a long of 37 at Case Western Reserve (Sept. 22) … 2006: Recipient of the Galbreath Memorial Award as the team’s outstanding first-year offensive player … Lone rush went for 10 yards late in the Hiram game (Oct. 14) … Appeared in every game except for one with the special teams, returning seven kickoffs for 112 yards (16.0 average) … Had a long run back of 26 at Waynesburg (Sept. 29) … Prior to Wooster: Received honorable mention on the all-state team, in addition to first-team all-district, all-county, and all-Pioneer Conference accolades as a senior at Brunswick High School … Accounted for 14 TDs, while totaling 516 rushing and 406 receiving yards for the Blue Devils in 2005 … Was a four-year letterman for a football team that won the PC title from 2002-05, starting 34 games, and set a school record along the way with an 83-yard punt return for a TD … Lettered four times in track as well and once in basketball … Personal: Born Nov. 15, 1987 … Son of Doreen Stark and younger brother of teammate Joe Francescangeli … Majoring in business economics.

#73 Jesse Gaswint
Junior
Offensive Lineman
6'3" 290
Nashport, Ohio
Tri-Valley
Business Economics

Competing for playing time at one of the guard positions and will likely continue to be a special teams’ contributor … One of the strongest players on the team, according to the coaching staff … 2007: Regular member of the field goal and PAT units, while also serving as a backup offensive lineman … Earned first varsity letter … 2006: Member of the jayvee team … Prior to Wooster: Selected second-team all-region as both a junior and senior at Tri-Valley High School … Lettered each of those seasons and also once with the Scotties’ basketball team … Personal: Born on Nov. 27, 1987 … Is the son of Steve and Jan Gaswint … Majoring in business economics.

#6 Austin Holter
Junior
Quarterback
6'0" 195
Johnstown, Ohio
Johnstown-Monroe
Communication Studies

Entering his second year as the team’s starting quarterback … Poses both a passing and running threat in the Scots’ spread offense … Labeled a terrific athlete and an outstanding competitor by the coaching staff … 2007: Won the quarterback position in training camp and steadily improved as the season progressed … Ranked sixth among the NCAC’s starters in passing efficiency (119.1 rating), in addition to being seventh in total offense (186.3 ypg), eighth in passing yardage (156.5 ypg), and tied for ninth in touchdowns (7) … Completed nearly 60 percent of his passes, as his rate of .597 (145-of-243) was the second-best in school history, for 1,565 yards and 10 touchdowns … Was the team’s third-leading rusher, netting 288 yards and scoring seven times … Nine of the 17 touchdowns he was responsible for came during the final three games … Set a team single-game record with an 88.2 completion percentage (15-of-17) and rushed for three touchdowns in season finale against Kenyon (Nov. 10) … Ran for a career-high 105 yards against conference champ Wabash (Oct. 27) and passed for a career-high 255 yards against Waynesburg (Sept. 8) … Threw for three scores in a game twice … 2006: Saw limited action with the varsity, entering two games … Rushed for a nine-yard touchdown at Hiram (Oct. 14) … Prior to Wooster: Two-time all-district and all-region selection at Johnstown-Monroe High School … Passed for more than 1,000 yards and rushed for 1,000 his senior year with the Johnnies … Three-year letterwinner in football and two-year letterwinner in baseball … Personal: Born July 21, 1988 … Son of Terry and Jodi Holter … Majoring in communication studies.

#80 Jon Mathis
Junior
Tight End
6'4" 230
Tallmadge, Ohio
Tallmadge
Biology

Possesses the physical size and talent for a breakout year at tight end, according to the coaching staff … Also one of the Scots’ top track & field athletes, having won the outdoor high jump (6 feet, 2.75 inches) at the 2008 NCAC Championships … 2007: Key member of the special teams and back-up tight end, behind all-NCAC honoree Ben Schrock … Caught two passes for 25 yards during season finale against Kenyon (Nov. 10) … Made first career reception at rival Wittenberg (Sept. 29) … 2006: Member of the jayvee team … Prior to Wooster: Two-time all-Suburban League selection at Tallmadge High School … Totaled 350 yards and three touchdowns his senior season, and helped the Blue Devils to league and regional championships in 2004 and 2005 … Played football, basketball, and track & field all four years … Personal: Born April 11, 1988 … Is the son of Johnny and Belinda Mathis … Majoring in biology.

#75 John Obery
Junior
Offensive Lineman
6'8" 305
South Euclid, Ohio
Brush
Philosophy

Will have an impact on who earns the starting positions at offensive tackle, as he makes the transition from tight end … “Very talented athlete for his position and possesses all the tools to be a special player,” according to the coaching staff … 2007: Saw limited field action as a member of the field goal and PAT units … Earned first varsity letter … 2006: Member of the jayvee team … Prior to Wooster: Three-year letterwinner as an offensive tackle for Brush High School … Helped lead the Arcs to a significant turnaround, as they went from 1-9 in 2004 to a 7-3 regular season record and second-round appearance in the Div. I state playoffs in 2005 … Also played basketball and baseball … Personal: Born Jan. 7, 1988 … Is the son of Linn and Melody Obery … Majoring in philosophy.

#71 Todd Spillman
Junior
Offensive Lineman
6'5" 275
Zoar, Ohio
Tuscarawas Valley
Geology

Incumbent starter at the all-important left tackle position … Came into his own last year and an outstanding athlete, according to the coaching staff … 2007: Won the starting left tackle position during training camp and stayed there all season … One of the cornerstones of a group that helped the offense go from averaging 14.6 points and 241.6 yards through five games to 33.8 points and 432.4 yards the second half of the year … Earned first varsity letter … 2006: Primarily a member of the jayvee team … Prior to Wooster: Received special mention on the all-district team as a senior at Tuscarawas Valley High School … Helped the Trojans win the PAC-7 championship and reach the playoffs in 2005 … Personal: Born on Oct. 6, 1987 … Is the son of Kirk and Lori Spillman … Majoring in geology.

#30 Brian Swan
Junior
Defensive Back
6'1" 185
East Canton, Ohio
East Canton
History

In the running for the starting position at free safety … Could be a factor on special teams as well … 2007: Made eight tackles while serving as a back-up safety … Started off with a bang, registering five tackles and one pass break-up in the season opener at John Carroll (Sept. 1) ... Received first varsity letter … 2006: Member of the jayvee team … Prior to Wooster: Honorable mention pick on the All-Ohio Team as a senior at East Canton High School after recording 127 tackles and two interceptions on defense as well as 19 receptions for 374 yards and three touchdowns on offense … Also garnered first-team all-district, all-county, and all-Portage Trail Conference accolades in 2005 … Played basketball for the Hornets, too … Personal: Born June 1, 1988 … Son of Michael and Gail Swan … Majoring in history with a minor in education.

#60 Storm Tropea
Junior
Offensive Lineman
6'0" 250
Hollywood, Fla.
Hollywood Hills
Philosophy

Is the returning starter at left guard … Labeled a great competitor and very athletic by the coaching staff, and plays bigger than his physical size … 2007: Earned the starting nod at left guard during training camp and remained there all year … One of the leaders of a unit that helped the offense improve from averages of 14.6 points and 241.6 yards through the first half of the season to 33.8 points and 432.4 yards over the second five games … Winner of the team’s “Mule” award (offensive lineman of the week) for his game against Ohio Wesleyan (Oct. 6) … Received first varsity letter … 2006: Member of the jayvee team … Prior to Wooster: Voted best offensive lineman at Hollywood Hills High School in both 2004 and 2005 … Started 35 games during his high school career … Also participated in baseball and water polo with the Spartans … Personal: Born Nov. 28, 1987 … Son of Tammy Wilson and Anthony Tropea … Majoring in philosophy.

#93 Chris Wade
Junior
Defensive End
6'0" 245
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Penn Hills
Communication Studies

Looks to build on his first season as a starter … Excels as a pass rusher and “can be as good as he wants to be,” according to the coaching staff … 2007: Started all eight games he played, missing two to injury, and totaled 24 tackles … Was credited with 2.0 sacks, 1.5 coming at Allegheny (Oct. 20) … Involved in two turnovers during a 24-17 victory against Hiram (Oct. 13), forcing a second-quarter fumble inside Wooster’s 20-yard line and intercepting a pass at the line of scrimmage late in the third quarter … Also made a career-high five tackles that game en route to earning the team’s Defensive Player-of-the-Week and “Gamebreaker” awards … 2006: Saw increased varsity action late in the season as a freshman … Registered first career tackle at Kenyon (Nov. 11) … Prior to Wooster: Three-year letterwinner at traditional power Penn Hills High School … Selected for all-conference honors as a senior … Personal: Born Jan. 24, 1988 … Son of Marcey Wade … Majoring in communication studies.