Leaderboard

Pretty much agree here. OL and DL are definitely the biggest question marks. I think we did a good job filling the OL holes. Not so sure about DL. I’m not too excited about the JUCO guys, but who knows - could be another CJ Nunnally in there. Hope more of the young guys are ready to contribute.

Looks like we have our first Sun Belt matchup in place - James Madison. Nice home game for the schedule.

Spradlin did an excellent job last year in year 1 as their head coach. He inherited a 32 win team, but much of their roster was turned over. He still managed to lead them to a 13-5 conference record after an understandably slow OOC start. I haven't followed their offseason, but with a full year of recruiting I imagine they should be one of the better mid-majors this year. A nice home opponent for the schedule.

Another USL 2 goal by Stefan for Akron City in a 1-1 draw with Steel City. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLf5x9Jya73/?igsh=MWloeWJudTUzcTR5cg==

It’s the annual bible of college football information. It lists every team’s depth chart, stats, and other info. I’d post a screenshot but the type is so small and packed with info that it would be hard to read. You can buy it online or some bookstores carry it.

Not sure if anyone else has posted this, but here are a few nuggets from Phil Steele: He’s projecting our most wins since 2017 despite the portal and graduation losses. That said, he has us ranked 10th in the MAC—an improvement from being tied for dead last in 2024. (For reference, we finished 8th last season with 3 MAC wins and 4 total.) Coaching staff got a bump—he ranks them 5th in the conference, up from 8th a year ago. He’s not buying into our OL, DL, DB, or ST units though. He’s pretty down across the board on those groups. Preseason All-MAC selections: QB: Ben Finley (4th Team) WR: Alex Adams (2nd Team) TE: Jake Newell (3rd Team) LB: Gage Summers (3rd Team) CB: Elijah Reed (4th Team) My take: As far as preseason All-MAC goes, I think it’s wishful thinking for Adams after what I saw in the spring game. He didn’t have the explosiveness he had a few years ago. Hopefully he will get some of it back by the time 2025 kicks off. I think it’s more likely Mason lands as an all conference WR. I also think we’ll be fine at DB and on ST. I’m more concerned with our quality depth on the OL and DL. Hopefully we’ve done enough in the portal and through JUCO to shore up those groups so that injuries don’t drastically alter our performance when the backups have to step in.

I don't know about an easy win, but it's a game Akron should win. Moreover, it's a game Akron needs to win. I don't know how many games are "must win" games in week one, but this is one for Akron. Wyoming is a known college football brand and they even have a helmet everyone in the country recognizes. Heck, it's the name of a beautiful state. Akron has beaten better teams in the history of the program. Marshall, Northwestern, Syracuse and NIU in the MAC come to mind.

Good news: they can't take us lightly. Bad news: they won't take us lightly. Especially Toledo after last year. Would love to pluck the Redsquawks.

I don't know if this is the right thread for this, but it deserves eyes. Pretty strong finish by Akron in the Director's Cup. This is based on the finishes of every sport throughout the athletic year.

Im losing interest by the minute.

People like to pick the language apart, but it's propped up by taxpayers. If it wasn't for taxpayer support, UofA wouldn't exist.

Speaking of the schedule. Wyoming is a 9.5 point fave coming in here in August. Projections around 5 wins. May not be the best way for the Zips to start an already strangely developing season.

Just a heads up—I likely won’t be updating recruiting threads much anymore. On3 bought out Rivals and the transition kicks off in a few days. I’ve already stepped back from writing quite a bit, so the timing actually works out. I’ll still be around and talking ball as always, just won’t have much insider recruiting info going forward.