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https://medina-gazette.com/news/311196/wadsworth-midfielder-jackson-herbert-to-play-soccer-at-akron/

Great tribute to DNag

Anyone have any info surrounding the QB room? Is there a competition here? Irons has athletic ability/spring camp, Dijon has speed, and Undercuffler has put up numbers in the FCS (2x All American). Obviously, injuries are a concern every time you step on the field (Irons-finger?) -- but in terms of on-field play -- heard somewhere that offense will be flexible? Does that open the door to JU or Jankowski? Think the RB room can carry the Q's if need be. Go Zips.

If the types of plays Irons and Undercuffer would run are obvious to you, they are probably just as obvious to our opponents. Maybe we should play Jankowski and Jennings to introduce some uncertainty into our offensive strategy.

I’m assuming QB1 is between Irons and Undercuffler. Both bring different skill sets to the position, so it will be interesting to see how it all plays out. I’d be concerned if Jankowski or Jennings saw meaningful minutes in 2022. It sounds like the offense will mostly work out of 11 personnel sets (1 TE, 1 RB) and we’ll see a heavy dose of inside zone regardless of who the QB is. If Irons, probably see more RPOs and QB reads. If Undercuffler, we’ll probably see more screens, bubbles, and things of that nature.

I watched it as well and appreciate the notes from you, too! I really like him, and man oh man would I love to talk to him about his days at Miami. He was on those stellar '01 and '02 teams. I'd also love to ask him if that was indeed "pass interference" too LOL.

I'm rather excited about the potential of our linebacking crew. Bubba - best LB in the MAC (I may be just a bit biased) Tim Terry - brings additional senior leadership from a successful Buffalo program Jeslord Boateng - a solid MAC 2nd-Team, or Honorable Mention-type of talent Andrew Behm - who wasn't impressed with how this guy looked as a true freshman filling in for an injured Bubba last season? Julian Richardson - as was mentioned in another thread, we didn't send this guy to MAC Media Day for nothing Corey Thomas Jr. - was one of the top HS players in PA his senior season; hope he's physical enough for LB Ryan McClain - a horse. Is he quick enough for a stand-up LB position? Bryan McCoy - only going to be a true freshman, but this guy was a heat seeking missile in HS who can already bench something like 400 lbs. 😅 Luke Bauer - always pull for the local products. Built like a brick sh!thouse. Hope he's fast enough for this level.

Cam Wiley is a lowkey stud! Got lucky getting him in the portal, was stuck behind a log jam + injuries at Minnesota / time to bounce back in the MAC. Clyde will be a great addition as a change-of-pace guy. Looking forward to big things from this offense.

* Groce whispering in KD's ear * "Psst... Schedule us."

I thought this was an excellent interview overall. A few interesting bits I took away: (and I’m mostly paraphrasing) - Lost nearly 50 players from the end of last year’s roster to either graduation or the portal. - Had several waves of transfers. - Expect players to conform to all expectations, including the simple things like wearing the right outfits each day and always being on time. “If you’re not 100% right then you’re 100% wrong.” And “Express your individuality through conformity.” - Have to be very particular when recruiting out of the portal. If they don’t bring in guys with the right mindset and fit the culture being built, they could lose the team. Have longer to recruit high school kids and make sure they are the right fit, but must make those decisions in several weeks with portal players. - When recruiting OL the preference is for kids to be multi-sport athletes. Recruit interior OL differently from offensive tackles. Prefer to see interior OL also wrestle and prefer offensive tackles to play basketball at the high school level. Both sports help with body control and balance. Other sports could be track & field or baseball. - For the most part, no need to recruit OL outside of the midwest. Can find really good offensive lineman within a 5 hour radius of campus. - The whole staff trusts each other and worked with JoeMo in some capacity in the past. Only one who hasn’t is the DC, but he coached against JoeMo in both the BIG and PAC. - JoeMo learned a lot from his time at Mississippi State. He wasn’t a good fit there culturally, but came away knowing what he had to have at his next stop as a HC. One of those things was full control over who was on his staff and support from the administration. - JoeMo chose to come to Akron and rebuild the program. He had opportunities at Power 5 schools, but wanted to be at Akron. - The offense mostly works out of 11 personnel, but can shift to 10 or 12. - The offense can be tailored to what fits the players best. If a mobile QB, more QB reads will be called. If a less mobile QB, more inside zone runs will be called as well as WR screens etc. Mentioned the different ways they used Barkley at PSU and the QBs at Mississippi State and Fordham. - Spoke to how they call their blocking schemes a good bit.

It is great to see the zips sign another player from FC Cincinnati. Akron has always done well with players from the Columbus Crew Academy. I look forward to seeing Ashton Kamdem (FC Cincinnati) play for the zips in fall 2022. And now, I can look forward to Matt Dreas (FC Cincinnati) joining the zips in fall 2023. It is good to have 2 MLS teams in Ohio...and it is great to see the zips coaching staff signing good talent from both MLS academies.

Prayers for him and his family. Sounds like a win in the game of 'suddenly and unexpectedly.'