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”Who are these guys?!” was the question I kept asking myself regarding The University of Akron’s 2018 Football Recruiting Class. The local newspapers gave Akron’s February 7th, 2018 National Signing Day virtually no print space. Northeast Ohio television stations all but ignored the event. And the various internet recruiting websites again focused their columns on the Power 5 programs. Aside from the noble efforts of a couple local AM radio sports talk personalities, the Zips signing day coverage fell well short of what a real fan wanted to learn about the class, and certainly beneath the coverage it merited. 2018 has a chance to be a great year for Zips football, and the kids bound to these 25 letters of intent have some really interesting storylines. So I thought I would head down to the Zips football offices and see if Head Coach Terry Bowden would give me a little time to discuss the class. Here’s what he had to say. Program Growth Generating a Bright Future

I think he's done a fine job keeping this team engaged and fighting hard despite everything going on. A lot of teams would have packed it in. See: Pitt. It's obvious they're giving it all, but they just don't have the horses to finish teams off.

I think it's been impossible to judge. Normally I'd say the results speak to performance, but as soon as we lost both Olojakpoke and Sayles that became a bit unfair, in my opinion. I think we'll be able to judge much better starting next year when some of his players start coming in.

How gracious of you to let decide for ourselves and then tell us we are incorrect

Domesticated parakeets in cages Skip, domesticated parakeets. Just think what we'd miss if our beat writer cared Skip. We wouldn't have Pulitzer quality work like his article of this morning recounting a Johhny Manziel interview on an Uninterrupted podcast.

Bingo. This roster is depleted. Next year will be a much better year to judge, and should be much more fun.

Well, I just got a chance to look at this morning's physical paper, and the headline for this game is very bizarre. "Flashes Crush Redhawks" Was the writer even aware that this was an OVERTIME game when he wrote headline? Either poor journalism (no surprise) or extreme favoritism for Kent (no surprise either). But I will give him credit for one thing. At least the ABJ Kent writer actually shows some enthusiasm for the school he covers.

Toles is filling one of those spots. And lets be realistic, we'd be pretty thrilled to land even one of those guys.

I think this was Coach Groce's first (and inevitably, his 2nd) T of the year. If I am mistaken, please let me know. I thought he showed remarkable restraint all year by not getting a few T's earlier this season. He's not the 1st MAC coach to be ejected and he won't be the last. Perspective: There were 32.5 seconds left in the game and Zips were down 9. He's a big boy, if he gets fined and/or reprimanded, he'll take care of it and move on. I'm very happy he stuck up for his players.

https://fansided.com/2018/02/28/10-potential-breakout-players-for-the-2018-mls-season/ Jonathan Lewis is #6 on this list of potential breakout players They also have Adam at #10 on their list of breakout players.....However, sadly, this reporter has not done any research as the Union will pay a huge amount of money for a foreign player to play the position that Adam plays http://www.thereporteronline.com/sports/20180301/union-finally-seals-deal-with-dockal

fixed that

Thanks for the edit. Edit approved.

Thanks to you all for the nice comments. I'm glad you liked the story. It was a lot of work, but certainly worth it if people thought it was informative. If always been of the mindset that I can complain about the local Zips coverage, or do it myself. I made the time to create it because I thought is was an important story to be told. I also felt if it were a professional, well-received piece that we'd get the opportunity to do other such stories in the future. Thanks to Dr. Z for handling the layout!

I agree with this. The team is in last place and realistically the season is over on Monday, but you wouldn't know it from watching the players. I think this speaks well to the future, that they haven't packed it in. I'm hopeful they can get the W tomorrow - the players really deserve it.

FIFY

The Headline for the Zips/Canada game read "Buffalo routs Zips for No. 1 seed in MAC". That rag has gotten so bad NEO parakeets are refusing to crap on it.

This is literally the season from Hell. We'll be better for it, though, and this won't be the norm. I'm very confident in that. With that being said, I was driving home from work today, and saw a dead bird on the side of the road. I caught a glimpse of its partially open beak - it had teeth. Let's Go Zips!

The number "7" must be Keith Dambrot's lucky number. Duquesne hits another milestone this season by recording 7 conference wins for the first time in the last 7 seasons, with a win tonight over the #4 team in the league. With that roster? Pretty Unbelievable.

I think this is fair. I've said many times, I think KD is the superior coach and Groce is the superior recruiter.

I don't want this to come across as anti-KD, because he found guys perfect for his system and our team.. but outside of Zeke we never really were in the running for anyone of the caliber of those 3. Little more exciting on the recruiting front this way. I have a feeling Groce's recruiting and Fulford's connections are going to pay big dividends.

Tyler Warner! Fantastic interview! Keep up the strong work!

I'm thinking of driving up to Ypsilanti and taking the bus to the Q with their 25 or so fans.

It almost looks like he signals to his assistants, "Can you guys handle this? Hold my beer; I'm going in."