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https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-soccer-articles/us-u17-residency-defender-commits_aid41845?utm_source=TopDrawerSoccer+Newsletter&utm_campaign=8240ba0b02-TDS-RR-5-11-17&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8340315a79-8240ba0b02-32963477 The New York product is the No. 38 ranked player in the 2018 Boys IMG Academy Top 150. A member of the U.S. U17 Residency program this spring, Ritaccio earned a call-up to the roster for last year’s Nike Friendlies in Florida. His time at residency has limited him to three appearances

I think this is a good move for both Aaron and the team. He did not get much playing time last year and is not likely to get much time with the new regime either. Seeing how he already graduated, it only makes sense to move on. If he's done with basketball, he can start his career a year early and if he wants to play some more, he can be the star at a low major.

Zips coaches are busy down in Florida, 3 more offers: Jamari Brown, DB, Coral Glades High in Coral Springs, FL Marquis Lambert, DB/WR, Admiral Farragut High in St. Petersburg, FL Kennedy Robert, DE/TE, Clearwater Central Catholic High in Clearwater, FL

I'm gonna go on a limb and say the last two departures may have gotten a little nudge from Groce

I know this is tongue-in-cheek but I sense it will be a theme for many moving forward, so I'll say this and then move on: Akron was a mediocre program when Keith Dambrot took over. He and his staff built it into a consistently winning program with 3 NCAA Tournament berths along the way. When KD left, he left the program in FAR better condition than he received it. Even the biggest KD critic should be able to admit that he took the program to a higher level than it had been before. In fact, John Groce is not Akron's coach today if Dambrot didn't build it into a program with a winning reputation first. Dambrot took us as far as he could, and now I believe Groce will take us to the next level in finally getting that NCAA Tournament run. It's OK to be excited about Groce and what he's doing while still having great appreciation for 13 years of hard work KD gave us. Keith Dambrot will one day have a banner next to the one belonging to Bob Huggins in Akron. I think we can all agree on two things: #1- That banner better be hanging in a new or renovated arena, #2- It'd be perfect if John Groce fulfills what we all believe he can here to have a banner up there as well. Rant over, back to scouting awesome prospects. Go Zips!

I believe that this young man is a 2018 recruit. Am I correct that he is the first recruit for 2018? I believe that Cameron Victor is a 2019 recruit.

Too bad his brother was a decent basketball player. Wish he played the tuba or something...

It really seems like mid-major basketball programs are becoming a minor-league system for the "majors." I blame the "Sports Management Degree." Before the "Sports Management" degree became en vogue, you'd annually be sweating-out a few key basketball or football player's grades/eligibility. Now, not only are the players grades fine, but they're graduating in four, and sometimes three years? What a paradigm shift... In football, the transfer rules seem to favor mid-majors, as the bulk of the grad transfers are P5 benchwarmers looking for an opportunity to see the field any way they can before it's too late. In basketball, the transfer situation is predominately reversed. Mid-majors are getting the shaft. Of course, only if you've recruited good players.

Congratulations to zips soccer alum Victor Souto.

Looks like this new verbal commit plays (or has played) for the US U17's.

Still can't believe Deandre Scott hasn't gotten a shot.

Is Brian Bell?

Aaron Jackson looks like he's leaving.

Dad is head coach at Jackson HS...played for Hiram. Coached at Norton early in his career. I think maybe Stow High grad? Dunno. Got hiis Masters at Akron. Colin looks pretty young, bit is a Columbus Crew Academy player.... looking forward to seeing him this next scolastic year to see what we have...

Idk, but now that you mention it, yeah, I'd bet they are! There's almost nothing I'd appreciate more than if the Akron Beacon Journal took the City of Akron and the University of Akron seriously.

It's really nice to see the ABJ cover our 3 star commits.