Erick Howard

[Captain Kangaroo]

Word is he has a realistic shot at becoming a Zip?He wants to attend OSU...but OSU doesn't necessarily want his services.

[Z.I.P.]

Word is he has a realistic shot at becoming a Zip?He wants to attend OSU...but OSU doesn't necessarily want his services.

It's interesting that Colorado is trying to poach players from NE Ohio. I think they also offered the RB from Garfield HS? Is there a coaching connection?

[Buckzip]

Howard is a great back. He would be a very nice get for the Zips.

[johnnyzip84]

Howard is a great back. He would be a very nice get for the Zips.

I agree 100%. It seems like he works as hard as anyone, and that's the kind of player I enjoy watching. He's even a "local" kid. I sure hope UA lands him.

[skip-zip]

Here's how I've always looked at it...If a guy is even "marginal" Buckeye talent, he'd probably be a good MAC player. So, he seems worth a shot, as long as everything else checks out.On the other hand, if a guy is actually being recruited and/or being given an offer by a Buckeye-caliber program, then I say we jump all over those chances.

[Zipmeister]

I notice that he attends Hoover High. Hoover was never one of my favorite presidents. Maybe they will rename the school Obama High. Oh, wait a minute. Given his past there may be some confusion whether that is a school or a question. Anyway, the kid sounds very talented.

[Zipsrifle]

I don't know if I would be down on players because they don't want to go to Akron right out of school. Hell, I grew up near Sandusky and I didn't even know UofA existed until someone from Akron came to my school my Senior year. I knew of all of the other Ohio MAC Schools at that point though. Given how amazingly lopsided the sports coverage is in this state (outside of Cincinnati.), I can see why if you want to play football and you want to stay in state, you see only one option. Is it frustrating, yes, but that is how I perceive it.

[Buckzip]

I don't know if I would be down on players because they don't want to go to Akron right out of school. Hell, I grew up near Sandusky and I didn't even know UofA existed until someone from Akron came to my school my Senior year. I knew of all of the other Ohio MAC Schools at that point though. Given how amazingly lopsided the sports coverage is in this state (outside of Cincinnati.), I can see why if you want to play football and you want to stay in state, you see only one option. Is it frustrating, yes, but that is how I perceive it.

I think that if you took a poll of how many players had Akron as their first choice you would be very surprised.A lot of guys go to the mid majors because it is their best offer. If you honestly believe that most of the players on this team wouldn't rather be at a BCS school, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.Not trying to be negative, just realistic.

[Zippysgotagun]

I heard OSU said his offer will be there if his grades improve. If that's the case (and I'm not positive that it is...), I don't want him here either. It'll be David Harvey all over again.

[johnnyzip84]

I heard OSU said his offer will be there if his grades improve. If that's the case (and I'm not positive that it is...), I don't want him here either. It'll be David Harvey all over again.

Who?

[zipboy]

You always allocate a couple of positions for questionable grades, but only a couple not like years past. Henderson was our guy this year. If they feel that Howard can be a difference maker you take the chance. While I am not a fan of osu, I certainly would not exclude him. Torrence had a lot more baggage and he seems to be doing ok.

[RootforRoo44]

I notice that he attends Hoover High. Hoover was never one of my favorite presidents. Maybe they will rename the school Obama High. Oh, wait a minute. Given his past there may be some confusion whether that is a school or a question. Anyway, the kid sounds very talented.

Obama high, i'm guessing everyone gets the same grades regardless of effort and your lunches are paid for as well.

[Z.I.P.]

I notice that he attends Hoover High. Hoover was never one of my favorite presidents. Maybe they will rename the school Obama High. Oh, wait a minute. Given his past there may be some confusion whether that is a school or a question. Anyway, the kid sounds very talented.

Obama high, i'm guessing everyone gets the same grades regardless of effort and your lunches are paid for as well.

I have no idea where this thread's going, but if this is an effort at humor, hows about "and every player on the basketball team plays five minutes and is met with cheers of "Bom-mer, Bom-mer" when he enters the game". That was supposedly the scene at Punahou gym back circa 1979.

[g-mann17]

Politics on our board should probably be limited to "I hate them dern hippies" or "Mexicans took our jerbs!!!"Because how many of you went to public school and or state funded universities (socialism).

[Zipgrad01]

How can you expect the majority of Ohio kids to want to come to UA over OSU? What have we done to build this desire to be here?I would love nothing more than for us to go to a bowl game every year. When we do that for a decade or so you will start to see some Ohio kids start WANTING to come here as a first choice. It is changing a little with the facilities, but this is only going to be a boost for a few years. We have to start winning consistently and winning against decent teams or we will just have a nice fieldhouse with a new and empty stadium.* Moderator-edited to keep thread on-topic *

[GP1]

...they bring with them the attitude that we all hate. You know the one. "Akron is a second-rate school in a second-rate conference".

I don't want a guy like this because he is not smart enough to graduate college. Anyone with half a brain knows UofA is a second rate school in a THIRD rate conference. I agree, we don't need guys like that.

[Zipsrifle]

We are dealing with 18 year old kids here. I know when I was 18 I didn't have the perspective to ignore a big time prospect and focus on improving myself for the best possible outcome. I wasn't even that athletic and look at the talent these kids have....they must have HUGE heads! I guess this is why Zeke is so refreshing for all of us. Really, it amazes me how stupid my goals in life were when I was 18 when compared to now. I didn't have the slightest clue about anything.

[Zipgrad01]

We are dealing with 18 year old kids here. I know when I was 18 I didn't have the perspective to ignore a bigtime prospect and focus on improving myself for the best possible outcome. I wasn't even that athletic and look at the talent these kids have....they must have HUGE heads! I guess this is why Zeke is so refreshing for all of us. Really, it amazes me how stupid my goals in life were when I was 18 when compared to now. I didn't have the slightest clue about anything.

Very true what you are saying. Most kids have their head in the clouds. Heck, I still do at times. That is what we do as Americans. We dream the big dream. I think some people also dont understand the ego of athletes. It isn't a bad thing. Having that cocky attitude is one thing that drives people to be their best in sports, but sometimes people think they are better than they really are and maybe that is why they can't stop thinking about schools that may be a little above their talent level.

[Buckzip]

I feel that another part that many posters don't think about is the athlete looking at their future as far as being drafted.Many times you will hear about a player at a mid major that is criticised because he didn't face elite talent?I may be wrong, but UA has not had a player drafted higher than the 3rd round of the NFL draft.Most of the elite programs not only have guys drafted higher every year, but some have multiple first round picks every year.If you don't think that a potential student athlete looks at that, you are mistaken.They choose where they are going to play football just like the rest of us look at what school we are going to based on our major. I know I will get bashed for this, but Although I went to UA and OSU, if Harvard would have offered me a full ride, I would have taken it in a heartbeat. A degree from Harvard looks much better on an application that UA and OSU.Not all players go their favorite team, they go where they feel they will get the best chance to go the next level.

[Blue & Gold]

I would go to an occassional Zips game when I was in high school. Heck, when we'd play backyard football we'd count, "One Akron U... Two Akron U... 3 Akron U," and then rush the backyard QB. But I, like 99.99% of Akron-area kids, was raised by my dad & grandpa to love the Columbus Buckeyes. It wasn't until I went to college (just down the street @ Malone) and met guys from other parts of the state that I actually started to become proud of where I came from. From Akron! So I must confess that when I was a high school athlete (not that I was talented enough to play D-1) it was my dream to play for OSU, not for the Zips. I just hope that we can raise the next generation of Akron area kids properly and make a rising generation of Zip fans!!!The Info is a HUGE step in the right direction. However, it will ultimately take winning & sustained success to win back a generation from Columbus.

[Hilltopper]

Some info from a friend of mine who is a Hoover football fan and season ticket holder. Howard has tons of talent as a running back, but his true position would be inside linebacker where his size and speed made him a devistating tackler. He didn't play every down on defense during highschool, just the ones that counted. He has been in alot of trouble during his HS career and currently lives with his HS head coach. His mother is a real piece of work. She moved to Vegas for a while and left him with the coach. Since the move things have improved academic wise, but maybe not enough to graduate. He has an older brother who is currently attending Akron.

[GP1]

Some info from a friend of mine who is a Hoover football fan and season ticket holder. Howard has tons of talent as a running back, but his true position would be inside linebacker where his size and speed made him a devistating tackler. He didn't play every down on defense during highschool, just the ones that counted. He has been in alot of trouble during his HS career and currently lives with his HS head coach. His mother is a real piece of work. She moved to Vegas for a while and left him with the coach. Since the move things have improved academic wise, but maybe not enough to graduate. He has an older brother who is currently attending Akron.

If inside LB is his position, he should do very well at the D-III level. A 5' 10" ILB at the D-I level is not good for the Zips.

[Blue & Gold]

Some info from a friend of mine who is a Hoover football fan and season ticket holder. Howard has tons of talent as a running back, but his true position would be inside linebacker where his size and speed made him a devistating tackler. He didn't play every down on defense during highschool, just the ones that counted. He has been in alot of trouble during his HS career and currently lives with his HS head coach. His mother is a real piece of work. She moved to Vegas for a while and left him with the coach. Since the move things have improved academic wise, but maybe not enough to graduate. He has an older brother who is currently attending Akron.

If inside LB is his position, he should do very well at the D-III level. A 5' 10" ILB at the D-I level is not good for the Zips.

Thanks for the info, Hilltopper!!But I have to agree with GP1's assessment. A 5'10" inside linebacker can't play at Akron. An inside backer @ Akron's level should be in the 6'2"-ish, 230-ish range. I think this again gives us a little glimpse into the area's general assumptions about The University of Akron's program. It's just not taken seriously... yet. For someone to think a 5'10" kid can play inside linebacker @ Akron, or at the D-1 level in general, is to neither grasp nor understand the level of ball you see played @ Akron. Hopefully this crappy and uninformed perception of our program changes drastically over the next decade. I saw this uninformed assumption a handful of times in Stark County while I was @ Malone College. A kid is a really good high school player (read, D-111 college material) and people think he's too good to play at Akron. It used to really tick me off. It still does!Now Howard being a 5'10" 210 RB is alright.

[Buckzip]

Some info from a friend of mine who is a Hoover football fan and season ticket holder. Howard has tons of talent as a running back, but his true position would be inside linebacker where his size and speed made him a devistating tackler. He didn't play every down on defense during highschool, just the ones that counted. He has been in alot of trouble during his HS career and currently lives with his HS head coach. His mother is a real piece of work. She moved to Vegas for a while and left him with the coach. Since the move things have improved academic wise, but maybe not enough to graduate. He has an older brother who is currently attending Akron.

If inside LB is his position, he should do very well at the D-III level. A 5' 10" ILB at the D-I level is not good for the Zips.

Thanks for the info, Hilltopper!!But I have to agree with GP1's assessment. A 5'10" inside linebacker can't play at Akron. An inside backer @ Akron's level should be in the 6'2"-ish, 230-ish range. I think this again gives us a little glimpse into the area's general assumptions about The University of Akron's program. It's just not taken seriously... yet. For someone to think a 5'10" kid can play inside linebacker @ Akron, or at the D-1 level in general, is to neither grasp nor understand the level of ball you see played @ Akron. Hopefully this crappy and uninformed perception of our program changes drastically over the next decade. I saw this uninformed assumption a handful of times in Stark County while I was @ Malone College. A kid is a really good high school player (read, D-111 college material) and people think he's too good to play at Akron. It used to really tick me off. It still does!Now Howard being a 5'10" 210 RB is alright.

I disagree with the height being a big issue-no pun intended.Buster Davis, AA at FSU a few years ago was in the 5-10-5-11 range. Dat Nguyen, from Texas A&M back in the 90's won the Butkus award. There are many others too. If the guy can play, the guy can play.

[zippy5]

Some info from a friend of mine who is a Hoover football fan and season ticket holder. Howard has tons of talent as a running back, but his true position would be inside linebacker where his size and speed made him a devistating tackler. He didn't play every down on defense during highschool, just the ones that counted. He has been in alot of trouble during his HS career and currently lives with his HS head coach. His mother is a real piece of work. She moved to Vegas for a while and left him with the coach. Since the move things have improved academic wise, but maybe not enough to graduate. He has an older brother who is currently attending Akron.

If inside LB is his position, he should do very well at the D-III level. A 5' 10" ILB at the D-I level is not good for the Zips.

Thanks for the info, Hilltopper!!But I have to agree with GP1's assessment. A 5'10" inside linebacker can't play at Akron. An inside backer @ Akron's level should be in the 6'2"-ish, 230-ish range. I think this again gives us a little glimpse into the area's general assumptions about The University of Akron's program. It's just not taken seriously... yet. For someone to think a 5'10" kid can play inside linebacker @ Akron, or at the D-1 level in general, is to neither grasp nor understand the level of ball you see played @ Akron. Hopefully this crappy and uninformed perception of our program changes drastically over the next decade. I saw this uninformed assumption a handful of times in Stark County while I was @ Malone College. A kid is a really good high school player (read, D-111 college material) and people think he's too good to play at Akron. It used to really tick me off. It still does!Now Howard being a 5'10" 210 RB is alright.

Tell 7 time Pro-Bowler Zach Thomas that.