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It's called Akron-Can't playing in November. The 2003 Akron-Can't game was a great atmosphere (but horrible choke job by Akron). It was also the season opener and had 35,000. With so many P5 conferences playing an extra league game, its nearly impossible for the MAC to make that a season opener, but you move it up to September, and a Saturday, and it will sell out again.

I feel it's much easier to say Akron needs to get more high quality players from NEO than for them to actually do it. It is quite possibly the heaviest recruited area in the entire B1G and MAC. Not to mention you have national programs like Notre Dame and Alabama peaking their head in. Akron needs to get to the point that it becomes a more desirable destination than a Purdue or a Illinois, but playing in an empty stadium with the majority of their games being broadcasted on watchespn isn't going to cut it.

Commit - Jovann Letuli - 6'5" and 305 http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2668639/highlights/289382391/v2 https://twitter.com/JUCOFFrenzy/status/689444965395496961

Wadzip ........... I agree with you all the way and will certainly concede the 65/35% mix. I just feel that if you look at the whole picture (recruiting budget, school finances, etc.) along with the (what I consider) successful recruiting plan so far from Bowden and company, I believe this is part of a conscious plan........ Just my opinion If you scan even most P5 schools, they are also bring in 4-6 JUCO transfers on average (many have been sent to JUCO for lack of grades) and they have a pipeline to some of the major JUCO powers. So your numbers above are pretty close to where we currently are now ( I said close) ........... Continuing to strengthen our relationship with the local area programs is vital IMHO (talent is right there, no strain to the budget, etc) and continued penetration with relationships in South Florida (I think the relationship between Coach Stroud and Mark Richt will certainly help now that Richt is at The U) As you brought up my son, which to your point is a decent example. As I have always said (and hopefully not arrogantly), my son is a text book definition of a "developmental player". Very low pad level to leverage under the 6-5/6-6 O-linemen and excellent technique. He was Blessed to have 4 years in the Buford system as it is run EXACTLY like UA's (practices, strength and conditioning etc.)..... He has been in this grind for 5 years (15 games every year in high school) now and "get's it". He told me over the break that his biggest frustration is that still so many don't "get it" .......... He loves Coach Sleeve and says that everything that he is doing makes complete sense but the older guys still aren't completely bought in yet (although he said it is getting better)........ Thinks that Coaches Stroud and Amotto are "geniuses" when it comes to defense and scheme..... I feel confident in saying that he should have a very productive 4 more years and will without doubt do his job when on the field, just still needs another 20 pounds of muscle and keep his quickness and agility off the ball. His strength gains have been remarkable under Coach Sleeve in just 6 months and as I hammered on last year .......... This off season is going to be huge for him (I hope)... and all of the younger guys I think we were all hoping that last season would change the make up of our recruiting strategy, but I think the mindset of the high school recruiting has not changed (good character, developmental kids ...... No "star" power). It may have opened more eyes of potential transfers and 5th year guys............. Which I again, think is perfectly acceptable if the Coaches have continued success in that area. The keys to building on the 2015 season are ...... 1. A kick ass off season regiment (more player buy in) 2. Keeping Coach Funk and building coaching continuity on the O-Line 3. Filling the holes where needed and getting the key younger guys to step up. Signing day is 2 weeks from today !! I still think we are going to be happy with this years class !

2015: 8-5 with a bowl win !!! Remember ? Seems to be paying off Not endorsing fully but think about it ............. UA, as we all know, is having some financial struggles. SO if Coach Bowden can indeed keep the recruiting budget down and plan/recruit in this type of scheme, is it really that bad ? I cannot imagine that the recruiting budget is very robust ..... Makes the relationship with the local programs more important, It is possible that this indeed is the mid term future of the program (or longer) ..... Remember, most of the time, the "star" rating is so over hyped (with the exception of about 10-12 kids a year. The high school athletes we recruit in are not going to be huge contributors (except for a few) until their third (Soph) year. Their freshman ans RS freshman years are developmental and we should get two solid performance years (3 productive seasons for a few) out of each recruiting class .............. IMHO To me, the important thing to note is that these transfers are wanting to come to Akron and their talent levels have been pretty damn good so far .... I would be comfortable with a 60/40 split of recruits to transfers ................. Mix in a couple of solid 5th year seniors each year with the multi season eligible transfers and to me that makes us MACable (term coined by another Zip Nation loyalist) !!! Just sayin ...

The really good news here. If Willie commits to UA, we will be 60% of the way towards having the Jackson 5. Antino Jackson Aaron Jackson Willie Jackson Wonder if Tito and Jermaine have anything left in the tank.