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Zippy should be reinvented along with the logo. The "Barney" act alike mascot has to go. Needs to be a bad ass Kangaroo that scream "Fear the Roo". The happy go lucky zippy has no place in this new era.

😅 Missed this one earlier today

Zips used far more 12 personnel in 2023 than in 2022. Expect the offense to revert back to more single right end sets in 2024. Jacob Newell - [Redshirt Junior, Returning] - (5.6) 3 ⭐️ HS / (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (Portal) - Transfer from Arizona State where he had a few P5 offers. Newell provides a big target in the passing game with a large frame and excellent hand/eye coordination. He has tremendous upside and will be the top tight end heading into 2024. Newell finished 2023 with 13 catches for 124 yards and a touchdown. He was the starting tight end in the spring game as expected. HS FILM * Max Whisner - [Redshirt Junior, Returning] - (5.6) 3 ⭐️ HS / (5.2) 2 ⭐️ (Portal) - Transfer from Missouri. Whisner is more suited as an in-line blocking TE, but does have a decent catch radius. While he may not be as adept at gaining yards after the catch as some of the other TEs, he is a reliable target in the passing game. Expect Whisner to see significant playing time as he is more physically advanced than the other tight ends on the roster not named Newell. The (5.2) 2 ⭐️ rating is about as lazy as I’ve seen by a recruiting service. Whisner was in the competition to be a starter at Mizzou this time last year. HS FILM * Conner Cravaack - [Redshirt Sophomore, Returning] - (5.4) 2 ⭐️ - Cravaack played TE and DE in high school. He will provide a big target in the passing game and flashes surprisingly nimble feet for someone his size. As expected, Cravaack redshirted his freshman year. He played in the 2024 spring game and looks ready to contribute this season. HS FILM * Star Rating Take: TBD Khalil Witherspoon - [Redshirt Freshman, Returning] - (5.4) 2 ⭐️ - Witherspoon played on both sides of the ball in HS as a WR, TE, and DE. He runs well and has excellent hand/eye coordination. He already understands how to use his body to position himself to win contested balls. Witherspoon has the potential to eventually develop into an All-MAC player, but will likely redshirt his freshman year. HS FILM * Banks and Newell received nearly 100% of the snaps in 2023. Banks is now gone leaving Newell as the top option. Whisner will be the top backup and Cravaack should also work his way into some snaps. This is a talented and versatile group that will support in the run game and give the offense reliable options in the passing game. Scholarship Players: Conner Cravaack Jacob Newell Max Whisner Khalil Witherspoon Added: Removed: NR - Grant Gainer - Walk-on NR - Aiden Diaz - Walk-on Removed: (5.8) 4 ⭐️ (HS) - TJ Banks - Graduated. (5.2) 2 ⭐️ (TP) - Brycen Yarmo - TP (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (TP) - Nik Ognenovic - TP Removed Before 2023 Season: NR - Jacob Shaffer - Grad. - Walk-on (5.2) 2 ⭐️ - Tristian Brank - Retired. - Star Rating Take: (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (5.5) 3 ⭐️ - Marquell Darnell - TP? - Star Rating Take: TBD. (5.7) 3 ⭐️ - Caden Clark - Retired. Before 2022 season: NR - Matthew Monaghan - Walk-on NR - Nick Dottore - (Morehead State) - Walk-on NR - Nate Amato - Walk-on

I REALLY hope that kid from Oklahoma stays committed. What a pickup that is for 2023.

Agreed!! I've always liked what the Arkansas Razorbacks have done with theirs, for example. I really like the old school hog leaning against the letter "A" as a logo here and there. I don't think Akron should have it as a primary logo, but a mean looking Zippy leaning against an A or Z would be cool. Maybe? I like the Roo here and there, just want it to look mean if they are going to use it at all lol.

My guess is the kid hasn’t done any of the summer camps. That’s where many kids get noticed and receive star bumps. His head coach needs to submit information to the recruiting services so a profile can be made. The thing that immediately jumps out is how well he moves for a guy his size. That first highlight of him running is impressive! He may not be a four star player, but he has the makings of a kid with a high ceiling. There’s a lot of raw talent and athleticism there. Hard to believe he’s as coordinated as he is being that big and young.

We are really pushing it close then with our April 30th spring game. Not going to give much time for the players leaving to get in there lol.

Great size, film looks great. I could not find him on 247 and he has no stars (and I am a star guy). But, we need big defensive linemen which is large weakness of the current roster.. In Joe We Trust!!!

If he wants to lose to Akron 3-4 times, it's cool with me.

South Point OH is named very appropriately. Aren't going to find much out there on Mr. Long besides his short Hudl film. Seems basically non-existent on social media outside of his twitter profile with 2 posts.

Another great analysis. However, I still think losing Mathison, Mumpfield, and Qualls takes a small step backward, even with the additions. I do think there is talent in this group who can be very good. When I look at this list of WR's, I do not know how many are on scholarship. However, I think that this is one group where Akron and Coach JoeMo should shed some scholarships of players who are not D1 talent. I would take action after spring ball and the detailed evaluation of the players.

@catdaddypI really appreciate your in-depth analysis of the various positions and all of your contributions. Welcome to Zipsnation and I look forward to reading all of your future posts. My two cents on the WR's. I am looking for immediate WR1 contributions from Shockey and I'm hoping that Adams is going to step in an be our WR2 and live up to his potential. I really am interested to see how Golden develops and believe he will get some playing time as a Freshman and become a starter by his Sophomore season. Grimes sort of came out of nowhere a couple seasons ago and was impressive at times, but really disappeared last season. I'm not sure where I stand on the rest of the group yet.

If the basketball gods don't honor the sanctity of April Fool's Day, there's no hope left in the world.

Excellent! Have not heard about Shultz in a while.

https://www.greenvilletriumph.com/news/2022/03/31/trialists-cox-ashwood-nate-shultz-sign-contracts-for-2022/

This one pi$$e$ me off a little so I am not going to sugarcoat it. Here is a kid that was recruited by a single D1 school. That school allowed him to get on the court early and when he made obvious mistakes the head coach stood up and praised him to the press. He's now obviously been sold a bill of goods by hangers on and other programs and rather than stick by those who have stuck by him he is buying the the unwarranted perception that he's an NBA prospect. Let's be honest. NBA prospects dominate the MAC as freshman or sophomores, they don't enter their 4th year in a MAC program as a "nice" MAC player.

To echo some of the posts/sentiments I saw on the KSUcks and other MAC boards... ThE mAc DiDn'T sEnD tHeIr BeSt To ThE nCaA tOuRnAmEnT