Blue & Gold

That's 100% me talking out of my I have ZERO inside information there. Pure speculation. But Big Ramon didn't play D-line last year.

Because of Ramon's hugeness, he only played one way (offense) last year. I'm excited UA wants him for DL, as he moves really well for a guy his size. I'd imagine this year Coach Hayes still only plays him one way - a guy his size isn't going to have the energy to give 100% going both ways - but might move him to DL (his future college position)? But my preseason prediction of Devanier Floyd for Ohio Mr. Football 2017 was contingent on Ramon playing OL. If East moves him to DL this year I get a mulligan.

This has been a concern and disappointment for me. Especially considering KD's history and ongoing relationship with the school & head coach, Dru Joyce II. Over the past 3 years we've struck out on 3 players who are difference makers: Jalen Hudson - signed with Virginia Tech. Henry Badley - signed with Butler. Jayvon Graves - signed with Buffalo. There is no acceptable reason to lose out on Graves to Buffalo. None. We have to look in the mirror and deeply re-evaluate things if we're losing a STVM kid to the Bulls. Jalen Hudson to VT & Henry Badley to Butler are much easier to rationalize... but those are precisely the kinds of players we have to sign to take the next step. We didn't lose out on them to Duke, Kansas or even Ohio State. And there they were on a silver platter at STVM.

This is an excellent interview. I didn't just want to tuck this into an existing thread. Good to hear community voices beginning to speak up on the need of a new arena.

I didn't think he was supposed to throw till June? ?

I hope you're right about Josh. He reeeeeeeally underwhelmed this year. He seems to be a step slow for this level.

Good call, Keener. That had to be MTB. I like it. He's bigger than Lane was. Plus he played WR in high school.

Agreed. He's under the radar right now after being Sugg's backup for 3 years. He's primed to absolutely explode this year. Fortunately he's got a lot of friends on the team. The coaching staff better keep in daily contact with him.

Ouch.

That blew.

And they're doing this to us without their 2nd-leading scorer. I'll tell ya, maybe it's good we're getting completely exposed like this. I was one of the ones who posted after the YSU loss that we were in for a disappointing season and that we weren't that good. Well, then we dominated the MAC. But that was fool's gold. The MAC was awful. It allowed us to continue the illusion of being a good team. This game is rightfully exposing our weaknesses and showing that we have plateaued and that this program is not moving forward. KD truly has to shake things up.

+1. Recruiting matters.

Gonna be a tough one. If Kwan's on we win. If Kwan's still in limbo we lose.

Thanks for the documentation, Hilltopper! At every turn it is reinforced that, if we're truly a D-1 program, we simply have to have a new facility. Otherwise, lets just play Walsh & Mount Union.

If ZippyRulz would be willing, I think he'd have to do it because he started this thread. Zach has done this in the past. I've got this list put together, but wouldn't want it on Page 4 (too hard to find & reference). Commits: Devanier Floyd, RB, 5-9, 200, Akron East Keyondre White, RB, 5-10, 210, Chaminade Madonna HS, Hollywood, FL Ronald Beasley, OL, 6-2, 280, West Port HS, Ocala, FL Offers: Daishawn Brimage, S/WR, 6-1, 205, Akron East Ramon Fields, OL, 6-4, 375, Akron East Dominick Covatto, DT, 6-3, 305, Cathedral Prep, Erie, PA Zach DiLauro, LB, 5-10, 210, Akron Springfield Cal Endicott, !B, 6-5, 190, Flushing HS, Flushing, MI Omar Fattah, LB, 5-11, 215, St Eds. Keye Thompson, LB/S/RB/WR, 6-0, 205, Barberton Joe Wilkins, WR/S, 6-2, 175, N. Fort Myers HS, FL Nate Bauer, WR, 6-2, 190, Hoban Ra'veion Hargrove, RB, 5-7, 175, Trotwood Madison Te'cory Tutson, ATH, 5-8, 160, Miami Southwest HS Keshuan Clarke, RB/SB, 5-9, 193, Western HS, Davie, FL George Bento, DE/TE, 6-3, 240, Jensen Beach HS, FL Andrew Cunningham, RB, 6-0, 215, Abridge Christian, Tampa, FL Demetrius Mayes Jr., DL/LB, Miami Northwestern, FL Davontae McCrae, DE, 6-5, 255, Miami Northwestern, FL Jimmy McKenna, DL/OL, 6-5, 250, Avon HS Brandon Derrow, DE/TE, 6-4, 230, St. Charles Prep/St. Francis DeSales Tye Evans, WR/DE, 6-0, 225, Nordonia

Yes. I don't wanna say better than Suggs, but bigger & faster. Suggs was special. DeVanier is my early dark horse pick to win Mr. Football next year.

This guy is an absolute stud. He's build like a tank & was the city 100m champion last year. Fast as lightning & hits the hole HARD. Amped!!

Akron Beacon: Zips buoyed by win over Houston, prepare for NIT game against Texas-Arlington Cleveland.com: Akron Zips look to continue road success at UT-Arlington

These are 21-year olds. They get into fights over pickup basketball on the playground. They don't like to lose at tic-tac-toe, let alone something in which they take pride & in which, for better or for worse, they find identity. It was a well-played, competitive, high-level basketball game. Jeesh.

Update: Jason's no longer a Zip. I wish you the best, Jason!