[zff]

Source

Knoch offensive lineman commits to Akron
By Paul Kogut
VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH
Saturday, January 9, 2010


Entering his senior season, Knoch 6-foot-8, 265-pound offensive lineman Micah Lio believed his size would turn the heads of Division I college scouts.

Lio also knew that to keep their attention he would have to improve his game and throw his weight around. He accomplished his goal.

Lio recently made a verbal commitment to Akron after receiving a full scholarship offer from the Mid-American Conference school. The NCAA signing period for letters of intent begins Feb. 3.

Division I Eastern Michigan and New Hampshire also offered full scholarships.

"He was bound and determined to be a force on the offensive line, and he really did that," Knoch coach Mike King said. "In some games, I saw him taking people 6 and 7 yards off the ball and putting people on their backs."

Lio blossomed into a strong run blocker and helped lead Knoch (3-7) to the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs, where the Knights bowed out to eventual champion West Allegheny in the first round.

Lio was named to the All-Greater Allegheny Conference second team as an offensive lineman. He also started at defensive tackle for Knoch.

Akron football is in a transition period. Last season, the Zips opened 30,000-seat InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field. The Zips also hired a new coach, Ron Ianello, after going 3-9 under J.D. Brookhart in 2009.

"I went out there for the grand opening of the new stadium," Lio said. "It was really nice. They also have a good academic program. And the new coach they brought in is a great guy. He has me bought into the program. It just clicked. All the pieces of the puzzle fit."

Lio gave special credit to Knoch offensive line coach Frank Whalen for developing him into a Division I-caliber player.

"I see him as my best friend," Lio said. "He took me under his wing, and he made sure I would be getting the exposure (to scouts)."

Another Knoch player who has received Division I attention is senior Jake McTighe, who was named to the all-conference first team as a linebacker and all-purpose player and second team as a punter. Colgate and St. Francis, among other schools, have expressed interest in McTighe, according to King.

In the last decade, Knoch has had a reputation for producing big players in football and basketball. For example, 6-foot-8 Ryan Hollihan played both sports at Knoch and ended up with the Allegheny College basketball team. Knoch also had five Bzorek brothers — all huge linemen — go on to play Division II football.

Paul Kogut can be reached at pkogut@tribweb.com or 724-226-4689.

[Hilltopper]

Sounds like a project to me. At 6'8' and 265lbs he would be SEC material if he could play.

[ZachTheZip]

Well, we have a highly regarded offensive line coach that can coach him. The trenches are the place where the MAC sees the biggest discrepancy in talent from the BCS schools. He's already got the size and the strength to do well in the MAC. If we can get him the technique and a bit of speed he could become a great player.

[zff]

Sounds like a project to me. At 6'8' and 265lbs he would be SEC material if he could play.

After sitting out next year he will be 6'8 295. He plays basketball so I assume he will have decent footwork and a good athlete. Don't hate on the young man yet.

[just4kicks]

Sounds like a project to me. At 6'8' and 265lbs he would be SEC material if he could play.

I know i'm new to the whole akron experience, but i am really getting ill with all the negativity on this site. I for one am extremely excited about the upcoming season. I think RI has done a great job putting his staff together and can not wait to see the talent that he will bring into the program.

[Zipmeister]

Sounds like a project to me. At 6'8' and 265lbs he would be SEC material if he could play.

I know i'm new to the whole akron experience, but i am really getting ill with all the negativity on this site. I for one am extremely excited about the upcoming season. I think RI has done a great job putting his staff together and can not wait to see the talent that he will bring into the program.

Ah....try and snatch the stone from my hand grasshopper.

[Hilltopper]

Sounds like a project to me. At 6'8' and 265lbs he would be SEC material if he could play.

I know i'm new to the whole akron experience, but i am really getting ill with all the negativity on this site. I for one am extremely excited about the upcoming season. I think RI has done a great job putting his staff together and can not wait to see the talent that he will bring into the program.

What did I say that was negative? That a guy who was second team all conference would need to work on his game and therefore is a "Project", is not negative, its the truth. It seems obvious that at this point he is not a finished product. Kids his size who can play at a high level in highschool usually end up at bigger programs. When I see a thread about a possible recruit who is ready to play at a high level right out of highschool, then I will be impressed.

Division I Eastern Michigan and New Hampshire also offered full scholarships.

It looks like this guy was a JD recruit anyhow.

"I went out there for the grand opening of the new stadium," Lio said. "It was really nice.

I am looking forward to next year also. I am also looking for RI to bring more to the table in terms of talent.

[ZachTheZip]

"The problem here is that 6-foot-8 center Micah Lio is out for the first part of the season with a hand injury."

May be why some schools were holding off on recruiting him. Probably got hurt during football and it carried into the basketball season.

And here's an article on him from August: http://aigafoundation.blogspot.com/2009/08...e-than-big.html

He was receiving attention from Pitt, Indiana, Purdue, and Michigan State.

"Lio bears a full black beard and a Mohawk haircut reminiscent of 1980s icon Mr. T." Nice!

[Captain Kangaroo]

Knoch High School - My mom's alma mater!

[Hilltopper]

"The problem here is that 6-foot-8 center Micah Lio is out for the first part of the season with a hand injury."

May be why some schools were holding off on recruiting him. Probably got hurt during football and it carried into the basketball season.

And here's an article on him from August: http://aigafoundation.blogspot.com/2009/08...e-than-big.html

He was receiving attention from Pitt, Indiana, Purdue, and Michigan State.

"Lio bears a full black beard and a Mohawk haircut reminiscent of 1980s icon Mr. T." Nice!

Lets hope he is a diamond in the rough.

[GoZips]

Gosh.

I like the prospect of developing a BIG kid who doesn't have a rap sheet.

Give him a real chance.

This is what coaches are for.

The SEC does not recruit Pennsylvania, but the Big Ten does.

[Lee Adams]

Gosh.

I like the prospect of developing a BIG kid who doesn't have a rap sheet.

Give him a real chance.

This is what coaches are for.

The SEC does not recruit Pennsylvania, but the Big Ten does.

penna has been prime u of a recruiting territory...thats why it was hoped that a coach who was familiar with the area would be hired...on another note, how many of these 'early commits' have bailed since ianello was hired..rivals shows guys who committed summer and fall..are they still coming?

[Zipmeister]

Sounds like 2010 is going to be a long year. I'm sure looking forward to the 2011 season.