Super Bowl XXXVII reaffirmed the theory Panthers head coach Bob Spoo went into the off-season recruiting season with – defense is all about speed.

“Everybody saw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dominate with so much speed, and I know we need that on our defense,” Spoo said.

Spoo and his entire defensive staff has concentrated almost entirely on obtaining speed.

“Speed is what we need badly, because we suffered for an entire year without lateral quickness,” Eastern defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni said.

Spoo has been fully concentrated on stopping the ball after Eastern ranked 107th in total defense, 109th in scoring defense and 121st in passing defense in 2002.

“We are obviously looking primarily on the defensive side of the ball, specifically linebackers, lineman and secondary personnel,” Spoo said.

Eastern lost starting outside linebacker Lance Thompson and currently has only three cornerbacks on scholarship.

“Linebacker is a huge issue for us, but we also have a serious problem with depth at secondary,” Bellantoni said.

However, Spoo seemed very confident the players his staff has contacted and visited will produce immediately after they arrive in Charleston. Bellantoni believes as long as the expected recruits sign on the dotted line, Eastern’s 2003 recruiting class could rival certain I-A schools.

“We have had good conversations with the top guys we ranked back in December and we are confident a safety out of Florida chose us over Kent State,” Bellantoni said. “It’s looking really good right now.”

Spoo echoed Bellantoni’s sentiments.

“We are confident that defensively, this could be one of the best classes we’ve ever had,” Spoo said.

Eastern has targeted the Sunshine State for defensive recruits with the ability to make an immediate impact.

Offensive line coach Steve Farmer has explored the Tampa-area and Bellantoni has taken the Miami to Fort Lauderdale region. Before he took the position at the University of Pittsburgh, defensive line coach Charlie Partridge recruited in the Orlando-area.

Branching off to Florida is not an entirely new trend for Eastern , the Panthers have 16 players from Florida on their current roster.

“When you have 15 to 20 guys from Florida, the main sell of the program is when you leave home, you will have some hometown brothers in Charleston,” Bellantoni said.

The Panther coaches usually point to Ohio Valley Conference defensive player of the year Nick Ricks from Deerfield Beach as an example for Florida recruits.

“There’s no question that we use Nick as a guy that we can point to and say he’s tall like you, runs like you and could be successful like you,” Bellantoni said.

The most exciting recruit the Panthers are pursuing may play four different positions next year. Spoo is currently close to signing a high school prospect who plays linebacker and fullback, but is also an effective place kicker and

punter. Spoo regrets the only response to special teams criticism was having no backups to turn to.

“I want to make very clear this is a competitive game, I don’t want people getting complacent because nobody can replace them,” Spoo said.

With the loss of 2003 Walter Payton award winner Tony Romo and first-team all OVC tailback J.R. Taylor, Spoo intends to reload at the offensive skill positions also.

“We’ll definitely take a quarterback, running back or receiver, but it’s not high on our priority list,” Spoo said.

Overall, Eastern could have the top recruiting class in I-AA college football.

“Our class will not only be one of the top in I-AA but certain Mid-American Conference schools in I-A will be wondering how we got certain players,” Bellantoni said.