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Now that most of the portal chaos has settled down, I figured I’d take my usual shot at projecting the spring depth chart. QB: Poffenbarger Roggow This is the most talented quarterback room since Moorhead’s arrival when you look at it purely from a potential standpoint. Unfortunately, that doesn’t guarantee a worthwhile starter, especially since no one has proven production at the FBS level. It’d be easy to lump Poffenbarger in with Undercuffler for obvious reasons, but after watching some of Poffenbarger’s Albany film on YouTube, I think he shows much better touch than Undercuffler and seems to read the field better as well. Of course, that was a few years ago and at the FCS level, so we’ll see if Poffenbarger can reproduce that here. I also wouldn’t rule out Roggow, Broughton, or Beals getting meaningful playing time. The position should be wide open, and higher production from this spot would make a huge impact on the offense. Somehow, the best quarterback in this system has been one the staff inherited in DJ Irons. The 2022 offense averaged 26.6 PPG and 408.1 yards per game. Since then, the offense has averaged 20.5 PPG and 329.5 yards per game (conference stats only). For anyone wondering, that’s fewer points and yards than Arth’s final season. RB: Gant Patrick Somehow, in the NIL era, every scholarship running back from last season is back. I’m not sure Gant will be able to reproduce another 1,000-yard season with what is basically a brand-new offensive line and a new quarterback who’ll be reading the defense and deciding whether to give or keep on RPOs. Also, I expect Patrick to step into a larger role and create a bigger impact. Gee and Curry are more power-type backs who could contribute if they stay healthy. 2025 was the best rushing year under this staff. I’ve been pretty vocal about the need to run the ball more. In most cases, teams with a strong running game tend to win. The Zips averaged 124 rushing yards per game last season, which is decent, but only good enough for ninth in the MAC. For comparison, Ohio and Western Michigan both averaged over 200 yards per game on the ground. WR: Ma. Williams Sivon WR: Mason Louis WR: Monteiro Myers Outside of Williams and Mason, almost any receiver could be penciled into the depth chart at this point. I don’t know which of the incoming players will work their way to the forefront, but I do think this room has as much talented depth as any other year. 2022 might’ve had the best group of starters, but the 2026 group has a chance to be one of the deepest from top to bottom. If the drops can be limited, the passing game has a chance to be one of the best in the MAC again. TE: Cravaack Hook Cravaack took over TE1 duties last season and steadily got better as the year went on. I have to assume that played at least some role in Newell transferring to Toledo. Incoming Michigan State transfer Hook and JUCO addition Alexander will provide depth. The fewest amount of passes in the Moorhead era went to the tight ends last year. I’d think there’ll be more of an effort to get them involved in the passing game in 2026. OL: Honestly, it’s anyone’s guess who’ll be starting in 2026. I’m sure Lyons and A. Jones can be penciled in, but outside of that, I don’t know. The spring game should give a better indication. Coach JRod has improved offensive line play each year he’s been here, though he’ll definitely have his work cut out for him this coming season. There’s some ability in the room, but I can’t say this group is any more talented than last year’s squad. I’d actually say it’s a bit less, although that doesn’t mean they can’t outperform if the right combination can build early cohesion. DE: Durham J. Frazier DT: Hull E. Davis DT: Highland Mixon DE: Waye D. Frazier Similar to the offensive line, I can’t say this is a more talented unit with the losses of Laventure and Dall. The defense was the best it’s been during the current staff’s tenure in multiple MAC categories, including points per game (26.6), sacks (20), interceptions(8), and forced fumbles (7). Durham and Hull return as starters, so that’s a positive. Waye is an edge player from the portal who looks a little raw but has some physical talent. Highland looks like a really good pickup on the interior, even if he’s more of a run stuffer. This unit still needs a few more additions, as the backups produced next to nothing last season and the starting group doesn’t currently look as strong on paper. This time last year I was concerned about the DL, but the addition of Laventure after spring ball made a huge difference. Hopefully something similar happens this year, even though I do feel better going into 2026 than I did during the spring of 2025. LB: Hocker Jones I’m taking a shot in the dark projecting the linebacker depth chart. I’m frustrated, but not surprised, that Spriggs hit the portal. He was finally coming into his own and would have almost certainly been all-conference this coming season. That said, I’m not overly concerned about the position. Tibesar has consistently done a good job year over year getting production out of whoever is on the field. Talent isn’t the question — productivity is. Right now, nobody in the room has any meaningful FBS experience. If the spring “game” looks anything like last year, we probably won’t learn much more than we already know, which is that these guys are athletic and can get downhill in a hurry. Realistically, it’s probably going to take until game one before we have any real idea where things actually stand. CB: White McNeil CB: T. Thomas Hobson NB: AL. Branch AI. Branch S: David Somerville S: Flowers Hunter I’d expect the starters and backups from last year’s secondary to at least open spring as starters or newly elevated starters. After that, though, things could shift pretty quickly. The new cornerbacks coach clearly emphasized speed this offseason, and now he’ll have his own recruits in the room to start molding. Both nickelbacks are back, and there’s a solid group of safeties returning too — a unit that definitely had its share of highs and lows. With a year of legit FBS experience under their belts, I’d expect the safeties to be a lot more consistent in 2026. ST: I assume Schramm and Castle will kick things off as starters, but this room does not seem complete. Hills should have plenty of competition at kick returner as well. To wrap up, I want to touch on recruiting. I think this year’s class probably lands somewhere in the middle of the MAC. That said, if a home run was hit at quarterback, it could make this class look a lot better than it actually is. High-end quarterback play usually means more points and, more often than not, more wins. Until the NIL pool is competitive with the rest of the conference, I doubt there will be many, if any, years where Akron can realistically claim the top class in the MAC. On the flip side, there’s a lot of young talent on this roster — way more than during the Arth years — and honestly it’s mostly in line with the rest of the conference. So I don’t want to make it sound like not landing a top class means you can’t win. If it’s paired with strong coaching, winning seasons are still very much on the table.

I’m not sure who would see this as a devaluation. I’d actually say there’s a good chance Sac State is using this as a stepping stone for the future. MAC schools have been losing their fair share of recruiting battles to Sac State for JUCO players over the past few years, for what it’s worth.

Sounds like it’s for football only. I don’t see the downside for the MAC here. Actually seems like a big win. Sac State paying an entry fee and probably giving up league revenue early on I would guess.

Landed at Alabama. Coach JRod identifies under recruited high school talent as well as anyone in G5. Portal additions have been hit or miss, but he’s been excellent with the prep scene.

The spring roster is out, and according to it we’ve got several guys back that I assumed were out of eligibility — Lyons and Archer on the OL, plus David, Jarmon, and AL. Branch in the secondary. If that’s accurate, that would leave us with approximately seven scholarships still open. Based on how the roster looks right now, 5–6 of those should be allocated to the DL.

Finally got around to watching his film. I know his social media says offer, and maybe I’m wrong, but seems like another walk-on to me.

Those four plus Stephens, Gould, and potentially Barthelemy.

Now we need some quality DL.

Pretty sure he’s being brought in to compete at Nickel. Reminds me of Darrian Lewis.

Hobson was a starter at two different DII schools before transferring to Old Dominion. He didn’t see much playing time at ODU. McNeil was ranked the #82 best cornerback by Rivals out of high school, but for whatever reason hasn’t developed to that level. He’s very long and could end up growing into a safety if he adds some mass.

Southern Miss according to 247. That’s now two we’ve lost to them if we account for the OL that committed to us just a little while back.

If my math is correct, as well as all the players who should have graduated or hit the portal is also correct, we are currently sitting at 69 scholarships and still have some spots to fill. I’ve listed below what that could look like from here. QB = 1 (maybe) WR = 1 TE = 1-2 OL = 2-3 DL = 4-6 LB = 1 (maybe) DB = 4-6 ST = 2 (probably walk-ons)

No offense taken. Here’s the reasoning behind why Boswell could now be on scholarship at Texas. In years past, roster limits were set at 85 scholarships, with anything above that number filled by walk-ons. Now, there’s a hard 105-man roster cap, and schools—depending on their conference—have the option to remain at 85 scholarships or expand all the way up to 105. I’ll use South Carolina as a comparison since I still have some inside info there. Carolina just took a receiver from Holy Cross as a scholarship player who, in previous years, almost certainly would have been a walk-on. For reference, that receiver has totaled just 25 receptions over three years. South Carolina also has more kickers on scholarship than ever before. I don’t believe Carolina will hit the full 105 scholarship limit this year, but they are clearly pushing beyond the traditional 85. With that in mind, it wouldn’t be a reach to think that one of the biggest spenders in men’s athletics—Texas—is also putting players on scholarship who would have previously been walk-ons.

I’m a fan of this pickup. I tracked the Hayden brothers recruitment out of high school during my time at Rivals. He has more upside than he’s shown. Perhaps our DL coach will get it out of him.

He may actually be on scholarship. SEC schools have the option to go up to 105 if they choose to do so.

Reminds me some of Marcel Williams. 14 receptions for 134 yards last season. Zero drops.

DeWalt should be out of eligibility, but with all the rule changes, who knows? If that’s the case, it leaves White, Thomas, Newsome, K. Johnson, plus the incoming freshmen. We carried six cornerbacks last year, so I’d expect another addition or two.

According to PFF, he played in all 12 games and started two. He was targeted 31 times, giving up roughly 61% completion and over 420 yards. That’s not good. For comparison, Reed was targeted 40 times, allowed about 57%, but gave up only 205 yards. Newsome clearly has the physical ability. I’m hoping the rest of his game can get cleaned up and he produces at a higher level for us.

Former Zips long snapper Emmet Rhoades committed to South Carolina.

Would be a great pickup in my opinion. Plenty of upside potential.

Christian Young committed to Southern Miss.

Former Zip Marcus Moore heading to Miami (OH).

Didn't see the field again after playing what I’m assuming was the worse game of his collegiate career against Kent.

That’s too bad about Newell. Although, by the end of the season Cravaack was clearly the better player. Whether that was due to Newell not being 100% or something else, I’m not sure. This staff hasn’t had issues landing productive tight ends, so I’m not overly concerned. I’m not surprised to see Witherspoon looking elsewhere. He was a tweener with upside, but hadn’t put on enough weight to consistently play tight end and was a bit slow to be a true receiver. He also dropped a few easy balls in the spring game. I like the players we’ve landed so far — the two WRs, two OL, and the LB. The linebacker really brings it when coming downhill. Linebacker is another position where we’ve been solid year over year since Tibesar’s arrival.