[ZachTheZip]

The Big 33 was played today, and there were a couple Akron recruits participating.

On the Ohio side, Arlington McClinton played on the DL alongside a previously unknown walk-on recruit, Rahkim Johnson out of Cincinnati Elder.

Here is an article on Rahkim that we somehow missed. Coach Bowden's walk-on class keeps getting more and more impressive. I believe a lack of height was the main reason this recruit missed out on a D-I scholarship, but he seems perfect to play at a hybrid DE/LB position. Regardless, making the Big 33 roster is a sign that he has some talent.

[johnnyzip84]

The Big 33 was played today, and there were a couple Akron recruits participating.

On the Ohio side, Arlington McClinton played on the DL alongside a previously unknown walk-on recruit, Rahkim Johnson out of Cincinnati Elder.

Here is an article on Rahkim that we somehow missed. Coach Bowden's walk-on class keeps getting more and more impressive. I believe a lack of height was the main reason this recruit missed out on a D-I scholarship, but he seems perfect to play at a hybrid DE/LB position. Regardless, making the Big 33 roster is a sign that he has some talent.

I watched a little bit of the game, but I didn't notice either Zip recruit in particular. Admittedly, I only saw the 4th quarter and Ohio had the ball for much of this time. The player I did notice was QB/LB Adam Wallace from Norwayne's state champs, who we've discussed a while back in this thread. He was very instrumental in the Ohio comeback win. Granted since he played the "wildcat" QB position for Ohio, he probably isn't a good fit in Coach Bowden's offense. However, he made a key play at the end of the game at LB, tipping a ball thrown down field so that a teammate could intercept it in OT and sealing the win. I think the MAC schools will wish they had offered him after his career at Ashland. Of course, he wouldn't be the first transfer from Ashland to Akron if things were happen to fall that way down the road.

[Class of 82]

... previously unknown walk-on recruit, Rahkim Johnson out of Cincinnati Elder.

Here is an article on Rahkim that we somehow missed. Coach Bowden's walk-on class keeps getting more and more impressive. I believe a lack of height was the main reason this recruit missed out on a D-I scholarship, but he seems perfect to play at a hybrid DE/LB position. Regardless, making the Big 33 roster is a sign that he has some talent.

Pretty impressive that he's a two-time state qualifier as a wrestler and state runner-up at 220 lbs. this past year as a senior. You combine that with his achievements as a D-1 football player, and it sounds like we got one hell of an athlete. Wonder why nobody offered this guy.

[Keener'92]

Pretty impressive that he's a two-time state qualifier as a wrestler and state runner-up at 220 lbs. this past year as a senior. You combine that with his achievements as a D-1 football player, and it sounds like we got one hell of an athlete. Wonder why nobody offered this guy.

As a kid, I remember reading an article with Bob Golic when he came to the Browns. He was asked about the transition from LB to Nose Tackle and he said he liked it because it was a lot like wrestling. It was all about leverage.

That interview always stuck with me all these years, so I am excited about a successful H.S. wrestler coming to play on our D-line.

[Dr Z]

I remember interviews with Carlton Haselrig about how the skill set transfers. Carlton never played football in college. He holds the distinction of being the only person to win six NCAA titles in wrestling, winning 3 times in Division II and 3 times in Division I, all six for Pitt–Johnstown. In his third NFL season, Haselrig became a Pro Bowl offensive guard for the Steelers.

[akronzips71]

Wait a minute! Six foot 230 - 66 tackles and six sacks - and STRONG - and no one recruited him?
Either he is terrible or we may have scored a stealth future star.

[Class of 82]

As a kid, I remember reading an article with Bob Golic when he came to the Browns. He was asked about the transition from LB to Nose Tackle and he said he liked it because it was a lot like wrestling. It was all about leverage.

That interview always stuck with me all these years, so I am excited about a successful H.S. wrestler coming to play on our D-line.

Found an interesting article on NFL platyers who wrestled in HS...

http://www.hammondwrestling.com/nflwrestlers.shtml

A few of the HOF/future HOF names from the list...

Ray Lewis, twice state champ in Florida
Randle McDaniel
Ronnie Lott
Warren Sapp
Bruce Smith
Dan Dierdorf
Larry Czonka

[MDZip]

Found an interesting article on NFL platyers who wrestled in HS...

http://www.hammondwrestling.com/nflwrestlers.shtml

A few of the HOF/future HOF names from the list...

Ray Lewis, twice state champ in Florida
Randle McDaniel
Ronnie Lott
Warren Sapp
Bruce Smith
Dan Dierdorf
Larry Czonka

I believe Csonka (the article got his name wrong) wrestled for Stow High School. And I'd never want to face even a high school aged Ray Lewis on the mat.

[Class of 82]

I believe Csonka (the article got his name wrong) wrestled for Stow High School. And I'd never want to face even a high school aged Ray Lewis on the mat.

Oops on the spelling... I shoulda known better.

But I have to agree about Ray Lewis as a wrestler. Does not surprise at all that he's a two-time state champ. Shocking that he actually got beat 10 times (80-10 for his careeer) in high school.

I pity the guy's he wrestled after losing a match.

Dierdorf went to the old Glenwood, which is now Glen Oak.

[Dr Z]

Dierdorf went to the old Glenwood, which is now Glen Oak.

Dierdork wrestles with the rules of football Sundays in the fall on CBS.