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My initial inclination is to enjoy our opponents losing good players but on second thought good players make for a better MAC and the only way out of the one bid abyss is a better MAC..

Ran across this old video of Coach JoeMo when he was at Miss. State. He is discussing his approach. I apologize if this was already posted, but I thought it was interesting and informative. I believe he will use the same approach at Akron. I hope you enjoy.

Ali has heard from a lot of P-6 schools. Though Idk if that means they've offered. You'll just have to trust me that this is not sour grapes, but, as I posted a week ago, I think he's going to regret leaving. At Akron he's got a comfortable, familiar culture, great team chemistry, mastery of our offensive and defensive schemes, knows his role, has a spot in the starting 5, gets an abundance of PT, and has been granted an exceptionally long leash by the coaching staff. Good luck finding that wherever the next stop may be.

The defensive backs were not elite, but were quietly solid in 2023 - finishing with the 4th best pass defense in the MAC. Pass defense improved to 187.3 YPG, which is an upgrade from 243.8 YPG in 2022. The DBs will look to take another step forward with a lot of new faces and a new cornerbacks coach. (CB) Alex Branch - [Redshirt Senior, New] - (5.3) 2 ⭐️ (HS) / (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (Portal) - Transfer from Kent State. Malcolm DeWalt - [Redshirt Senior, Returning] - NR (JUCO) - Long DB with excellent size. DeWalt is physically ready to contribute and can play most positions in the secondary, but is best suited at cornerback. DeWalt has excellent hand/eye coordination and is able to fight off blocks due to his size and reach. DeWalt enrolled post spring. JUCO FILM Silas Proby - [Redshirt Senior, Returning) - NR (HS) / NR (Portal) - Physical defensive back that has the tools and frame to see time at cornerback and Nickel. Proby did not see the field in 2023 and redshirted. JUCO FILM * Star Rating Take: TBD Ben Kamara - [Redshirt Junior, New] - NR (HS) / NR (Portal) - Transfer from Upper Iowa (DII) where he was 2nd Team All-Conference. Iesa Jarmon - [Redshirt Junior, Returning] - (5.2) 2 ⭐️ (JUCO) - JUCO transfer. Lazy rating by Rivals as Jarmon was a 3 ⭐️ commitment to Cincinnati in the 2021 class. Jarmon is a physical and versatile defensive back that can play anywhere in the secondary. He is an impressive athlete and his physical abilities match up with his HS rating. Jarmon should immediately compete for playing time. Jarmon did not participate in the 2024 spring game. JUCO FILM * Elijah Reed - [Redshirt Junior, Returning] - (5.6) 3 ⭐️ (HS) / (5.5) 3 ⭐️ (Portal) - Transfer from Kentucky. Reed was heavily sought after by Kentucky, Utah, and Purdue coming out of HS. He was a key special teams player at UK, but rarely saw the field on defense. Reed has the potential to become an All-Conference player if he develops. He has the ability to play any position in the secondary, but will likely stick at cornerback. Reed arrived post spring. HS FILM Catrell White - [Redshirt Sophomore , Returning] - (5.3) 2 ⭐️ - Cornerback who is not afraid to come up and assist in run support. White reads the flight of the ball well and has a sense of when to make contact and knock the ball loose. He played in 1 game on special teams and redshirted. White worked opposite Golden-Nelson in the spring and will be ready to contribute this season. HS FILM * Star Rating Take: TBD. Keyveon Johnson - [Redshirt Freshman, Returning] - (5.4) 2 ⭐️ - Former WR that transferred high schools and converted to DB. A little raw as a DB, yet long and athletic. Expect Johnson to redshirt in 2024. Johnson arrived after the spring. Katory Henry-Shaw - [Redshirt Freshman, Returning] - NR - Walk-on. HS FILM * (NB/S) Darrian Lewis - [Redshirt Senior, Returning] - (5.3) 2 ⭐️ - Lewis is physical, a former HS WR, and turned out to be a great fit at Nickel. He played in all 12 games and started 8 in 2022. Lewis took a step forward in 2023 and was the second highest rated defensive back. He started 7 of the 12 games he playing in, collecting 74 total tackles, half a sack, and 3 passes defensed. Lewis will be the starter at NB. HS FILM * Star Rating Take: Somewhat early but probably (5.4) 2 ⭐️. Aman Greenwood - [Redshirt Senior, New] - (5.5) 3 ⭐️ (HS) / (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (Portal) - Grad transfer from Syracuse with 2 years of eligibility. Greenwood started 7 games in 2020 and has seen significant action on defense in 15 games since then. He is a physical player and sure tackler that could play Safety or Nickel. Greenwood should immediately push for a starting position. Greenwood participated in the 2024 spring game. HS FILM * - Portal Offers: Western Kentucky. * Terence Thomas - [Redshirt Junior, Returning] - (5.5) 3 ⭐️ (HS) / (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (Portal) - Thomas signed with Purdue’s 2022 class. However, he was released from his scholarship and never saw playing time. Thomas would probably be productive on either side of the ball, but will be slotted at Nickel. Thomas has plenty of potential to become a big time contributor, but only saw action in 4 games in 2023 on special teams. Thomas participated in the 2024 spring game. HS FILM * Star Rating Take: TBD. (S) Justin Anderson - [Redshirt Senior, Returning] - NR (JUCO) - All-conference JUCO DB. Anderson is a long and rangy defensive back that could play anywhere in the secondary. Anderson is at his best when coming downhill and is not afraid to assist in run support. He flips his hips well enough to play corner, but may be best suited at safety. Daymon David - [Redshirt Senior, Returning] - (5.8) 4 ⭐️ (HS) / (5.5) 3 ⭐️ (Portal) - Transfer from Oregon. David was a 4 star recruit coming out of HS that has not lived up to the billing as of yet. He possesses all of the physical characteristics that a 4 star would and could become an impact player. David was pushing for a starting spot in the spring. HS FILM. * DiMarco Johnson - [Redshirt Senior, Returning] - (5.3) 2 ⭐️ - Johnson is an athlete with size and length. He’ll go get the ball and displays excellent hand-eye coordination. Johnson was coached well in high school, playing for one of the premier programs in South Carolina. Johnson did not see the field in 2022, but played in all 12 games on special teams in 2023. He collected 6 total tackles. Johnson participated in the 2024 spring game. HS FILM * Star Rating Take: (5.3) 2 ⭐️ may be accurate. Mekhi Flowers - [Redshirt Junior, New] - (5.8) 4 ⭐️ (HS) / (5.6) 3 ⭐️ (Portal) - Transfer from Penn State. Jamari Somerville - [Redshirt Sophomore, New] - (5.2) 2 ⭐️ (HS) / (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (Portal) - Transfer from James Madison. Rodrick Hunter - [Redshirt Freshman, Returning] - (5.4) 2 ⭐️ - Early enrollee and hard hitting safety that understands angles. Rodrick reads the flight of the ball well and will aggressively come up in run support. He has the potential to eventually become an all-conference player, but will probably redshirt his freshman year. HS FILM * Tairan Davis - [Freshman, New] - (5.4) 2 ⭐️ - HS FILM As expected, a number of defensive backs hit the portal this offseason. 9 new players were brought in with 7 of them from the portal or JUCO. Similar to the defensive line situation during the 2023 peaseason, the DBs have a ton of athleticism, length, and physicality, but there are still many questions to be answered. The only known starters at the moment are Golden-Nelson at one cornerback spot and Darrian Lewis at Nickelback. Every other position in the defensive backfield is open. The good news is no matter who plays, all of the DBs now physically look the part of a G5/P5 athlete and will benefit from a stout defensive front. Scholarship Players: Darrian Lewis DiMarco Johnson Catrell White Terence Thomas Silas Proby Justin Anderson Iesa Jarmon Keyveon Johnson Rodrick Hunter Daymon David Aman Greenwood Macolm DeWalt Elijah Reed Tairan Davis Alex Branch Ben Kamara Jamari Somerville Added: Tairan Davis Alex Branch (TP) Ben Kamara (TP) Jamari Somerville (TP) Mekhi Flowers (TP) Removed: (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (TP) - Paul Lewis = Graduation. (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (HS) - Darius Owens = TP (5.2) 2 ⭐️ (HS) - Noel Roach = TP (5.5) 3 ⭐️ (HS) - Devonte Golden-Nelson = West Virginia (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (TP) - Joey Hunter = TP NR - Sean Conroy - Walk-on = Graduation. NR - Davion Jennings - Walk-on - TP Removed Before 2024 Season: (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (TP) - S Rishad Hence - TP = Eastern Kentucky (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (TP) - S Jaden Woods - TP = East Tennessee State (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (TP) - CB Judson Tallandier - Graduation (5.7) 3 ⭐️ (HS) - S Nate Thompson - Graduation. (5.5) 3 ⭐️ (HS) - S KJ Martin - TP = NC State (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (TP) - CB Cameron Threatt - TP (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (TP) - CB Tyson Durant - TP = Washington State (5.5) 3 ⭐️ (TP) - S Corey Thomas - TP = Virginia (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (HS) - S MyJaden Horton - TP? NR - S David Jester - JUCO NR - CB Zayden Laing-Taylor - JUCO Removed Before 2023 Season: (5.7) 3 ⭐️ - Jaylen Kelly-Powell = Grad. - Star Rating Take: (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (5.3) 2 ⭐️ - Chu Ogbonna = Retired = Star Rating Take: (5.2) 2 ⭐️ (5.2) 2 ⭐️ - Charles Amankwaa = TP Rutgers - Star Rating Take: (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (5.4) 2 ⭐️ - Ronald Jackson = TP Montana - Star Rating Take: (5.3) 2 ⭐️ (5.5) 3 ⭐️ - Jalen Hooks = Grad. - Star Rating Take: (5.3) 2 ⭐️ (5.4) 2 ⭐️ - Adetutu Daranijo = Retired - Star Rating Take: (5.2) 2 ⭐️ NR - Joe Malchesky = TP Robert Morris - Walk-on NR - Logan Day = Grad. - Walk-on NR - Kavari Adams = TP? - Walk-on NR - Dontae Pollard = TP - Walk-on Before 2022 season: (5.4) 2 ⭐️ - Woobendy Guerrier = Retired. - Star Rating Take: (5.2) 2 ⭐️ (5.2) 2 ⭐️ - Randy Cochran Jr. = Retired. - Star Rating Take: (5.3) 2 ⭐️ NR - Nasari Jackson - Walk-on NR - Quentin Woodall - Walk-on

On my phone, but we got a commit from Nate Thompson, a safety from Duke who appears to have been at least a part time starter.

I did not see a notice that Hanna was fired. It was common knowledge that Hanna was gone after this season. He was a guy that was not well liked in the athletic dept. He never owned his performance, always blaming others and circumstances. Guthrie had tired of his act a long time ago, but gave him time to change his (Guthrie's) mind. Hanna merely reenforced the decision to part ways as soon as possible. Any change is a welcome change, but Guthrie tells all his coaches that if you can't consistently get to the top three in the MAC your job is not safe. I like those expectations.

Good discussion. I did not research the defensive alignment that our current DC uses, so I will concede. But I do not think we have the personnel to run a 3-4. With the DL transfer additions and Murphy recruit, along with the DL returnees of Fann, Hawkins, Proffitt, Sy, Wade, and Wilson, we will have some depth and allow for a 4 man rotation. Last year, the returnees were all freshmen or sophomores. Adding time in the weight room and good coaching, the DL should drastically improve. This along with Bubbas return will help tremendously against the run. I also believe a 4-3 help free up the linebackers. Now, back to the Linebackers. I think the talent is quite weak after Bubba and Boateng, I do not want to have two sub-par linebackers on the field to start, yet alone part of the rotation. Again, Terry is being touted as a great player, but he did not start at a MAC school. So, when I look at the talent, we should run a 4-3. Regarding the number of scholarships, I do not want non-D1 players on the roster. I would rather have 60 D1 talent on the roster than 85 of which 25 are not D1 talent. If you do the math, at 25 scholarships per year, that is 100 over a 4 year period, and 125 over 5 years, considering red-shirting. This staff could make up the difference in a couple of years. There are 18 seniors on the roster. I do not know how many are on scholarship, but I would guess that most are on a scholly. These players completing their eligibility alone with shedding scholarships will allow the current coaching staff to add 25 players per year for the next few seasons. In Joe We Trust!!!

Amazing what happens when you hire a P5 staff - you get P5 players.

About 260 uncommitted players on 247's (incomplete) transfer portal listing. Not sure how close it is to complete, but it doesn't contain Trimble or Bandaogo. Might be a while before this all shakes out... 1,097 uncommitted on VerbalCommits...so...yeah. Seems like, at least for now, coaches will have new recruiting period.

This staff is doing work! Thompson had Power 5 offers from NC State, Purdue, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Duke, and Wake Forest coming out of high school. I’d be surprised if he isn’t one of the starting safeties by the time the 2022 season kicks off.

Had this exact conversation with a friend. A conference ranking in the 20s and losing a LOT of All-MAC talent in Ali, Sears, Hollins, etc. If coaches don't have success bringing in new faces from the portal, the MAC may be destined for at least a couple years to remain in the bottom 3rd of D1, and that's not good for any of us.

His shooting wasn't great after facing Akron and the trapping defense but his only awful game after Akron was against Rice where he had 8 points and 6 boards. Otherwise, after Akron he averaged 24 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. He had 37/7/3 against Abilene Christian in their last game.

B & G, you are spot on. Ali is a good talent , no doubt. At Akron he was under the protective arm of Groce who knew his strengths and weaknesses. Groce was addressing his areas for improvement while giving him lots of PT. He's not going to get that somewhere else. Your post captured reality. BTW, he was not offered before entering the transfer portal. That tampering which can get you heavy sanctions by the NCAA. No coach is going to risk it.

Are schools allowed to offer a player while they're still on scholarship at their existing school?

Appreciate the feedback. The reasons I think we’ll run the 3-4 defense is due to what our defensive coordinator ran in the past, as well as the types of players we recruited this year. For example, Harper comes from a 3-3-5 defense and D. Robinson is a fit for DE in the 3-4. If Bubba and Jeslord are the strength of our LBs, wouldn’t we want them running free as much as possible? All defenses have to be flexible within their own scheme to match against different offenses. I’m certainly not saying we stay in a base 3-4 (or any other defense) if we can’t matchup. If a team is in spread, different personnel would be used as a front 7 player - or 2 - would be replaced by DB(s). Unfortunately, none of us know for sure what we’ll be running due to the limited spring ball coverage. What we do know is the 2021 defense was last against the run, last in defensive efficiency, and last in sacks in MAC play. Regardless of where the current roster is best suited personnel wise, changes need to be made. I don’t think we’ll see the same scheme ran as last year as the coaching staff will continue to flip this roster and bring in players that they deem fit best within the schemes being run. Like you mentioned, it’s a good time to shed some players and I’m sure we’ll see some of that after spring - maybe even before spring ball ends.There is some talent on this roster, but we are hurting in quality depth compared to our peers. The tricky part is where we stand numbers wise to the 85 scholarship limit. I don’t know what the NCAA will do next year, but if we go back to the 25 scholarship offer limit per class, we don’t want to lose too many scholarship players at once as we’d then have to fill those spots with walk-ones or rely heavily on blue-shirting. On a side note, Terry started 9 games in 2019 before being replaced by a Power 5 transfer. He also started a handful of games thereafter. That’s what I meant by multi-year starter. How much he’ll play here is yet to be determined, but he’ll certainly have an opportunity to prove himself with this new coaching staff.

I've been told she is not returning. She and Hanna are the poster couple for underachievement. Guthrie will invest when he has the right leadership in place at each program.

4th coach since...2007? And this is the 3rd with roots in SoCal. I suspect the VB program is the "runt of the litter" in Akron women's sports -- at least even with soccer (which reminds me...is Noreen still the coach?? 😒). Investment is needed beyond coaching!

💯 I don't like it when good players leave. I want to see high level ball at the JAR. Having said that, after teams figured out how to guard Sears the guy stunk up the gym.

Well with that, the losses Buffalo, OU, and now Toledo are going to have..it appears to be a 2 horse race next year with us and Kent. Can't wait to see how Groce & Co decide to address the 3 open schollies.

Play FIFA rules/format. Period.

Hey, we're getting a transfer from Duke! Oh, wait...Football board! Damn. 😕

Mark Sears heading home to Alabama to join Nate Oats in Tuscaloosa.

Dayton beat Louisville? 👀