Booth returns to help O-Line

By Pete Mollica

The 6-6, 315 pound senior tackle missed all of last season with a knee injury.

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State senior tackle Tyler Booth is certainly hoping the 2008 football season is a lot better for him than 2007.

The 6-foot-6, 315-pound three-year letterwinner returns to the Penguins after missing all but a couple of quarters of last season with a knee injury.

The New Philadelphia native has been a regular with YSU since he stepped onto campus as a freshman in 2004.

After being a part-time starter as both a freshman and sophomore, Booth started all 14 games his junior season when the Penguins reached the semifinals of the NCAA Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Then in the spring of 2007 he suffered a knee injury and underwent surgery in March of that year. Since it was his fourth season as a player, he applied for a medical redshirt even though he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to play or not in 2007.

“I didn’t find out until almost the start of fall camp, but things had improved that I thought I might be able to play the season,” Booth said.

“I played a couple of quarters against Ohio State in the opener, but the knee didn’t respond and the coaches thought that it would be better for me to take the medical redshirt and give the knee a full year to heal,” he said.

That decision might have been the best one for both Booth and the Penguins.

He fully rehabilitated the knee over the offseason and then took part in the light drills of spring practice. After a hard-working summer session, Booth has reported to the Penguins in probably the best physical condition he’s ever been in and he can’t wait for the season to start.

“I’m excited about being back and just happy to be out here again,” he said.

YSU coach Jon Heacock is happy to have Booth back for a fifth season.

“He’s a guy who has plenty of game experience and has a lot of natural ability and we are so glad to have him back for another season,” Heacock said.

“He’s a natural at left tackle and he’s ready to go as he reported in the best shape that I’ve ever seen him in,” he said. “His absence last year hurt us one way by him being out, but on the other hand there were a lot of guys who got some addition reps filling in for him and that just creates more competition this season.”

Booth said it was tough sitting out last year.

“I think the worst part of it was mental,” he said. “You’re standing on the sidelines and know that your teammates could really use you in the game and there’s nothing you can do to help them.

“It was very difficult for me because I’ve been on the field here ever since my freshman season,” he added. “I was never redshirted until last year.”

Booth said he’s excited about the offensive line this season, especially its experience and depth.

“We’ve got 16 guys on the O-Line this year and there’s a lot of good looking younger players in the mix,” he said. “I’d have to say that this year’s line looks to be as deep and experienced as the 2006 group and that turned out to be a pretty good group.”

Booth said it will be a big boost to the offense having the experience on the line, especially with a new starting quarterback, Todd Rowan.

“It should help to make things easier on [Rowan], take some of the pressure off of him and the talented group of wide receivers and tailbacks that we have this season,” Booth said.

Tuesday was another day of fundamentals for the Penguins and they will work out again today at 2:40 p.m. There will be no practice Thursday because of academic orientation, but the team will work out Friday on the grass practice field at 2:40 p.m.

mollica@vindy.com