UA1987

I hope that's enough on the bench (Ball will be starting of course). Some say our running game lacked punch last year because of the Oline. I have to wonder. Morgan did have a great game at Marshall last year and I like Edwards receiving kickoffs (also had a big game against Ball St.), but it would have been nice to have Sands in the mix this year.

I wonder if D. Sands (another OSU transfer, but not a Buckeye - instead a Beaver) is getting any carry's in camp or if he is turning out to be a bust. Depth at the RB position is critical.

With no mention of Sampson, Hanson, or Brimage by Stroud, I have to wonder if these three are going to redshirt, or play as true freshman only if the injury bug hits the Dline.

Looks like Copeland is back inside at DT (during Spring he was moved to D/E). No mention of Hanson (D/E or D/T now that Copeland has been moved back inside?) Like what I hear about Reinke and Davis.

I suspect we have not seen the last of Chapman throwing the ball. Similar to D'Orazio several years ago there should be several big play opportunities with Tra'von throwing out of the WR position.

Superlatives. How about you make 10 catches and block like a warrior.

Just watched the Indiana PSU game from late last year. IU had 5 turnovers but almost won. It was in Bloomington which is big as being the home team is one of my difference makers. We have a huge hill to climb on this one, but it could get interesting. We need to hold on to the ball and if you commit a penalty make it count on the scoreboard. I'm not condoning dirty play, just foul someone to stop a long pass or a TD. We need to have pressure from the D Ends to have a shot. I'd show this film to our players if I was head coach.

The surprises I see on Offense is that Siegman is at Center and I don't see Sands at RB.. On Defense, Hanson is listed as a Defensive Tackle and not a D/E and Davis IS making the switch to D/E. As has been said, this chart will change, but I'm actually not feeling too bad about it as it is upper class dominated and we go two and three deep at most positions.

Maybe we have a kicking game to look forward to based on this list. Have we become Linebacker U, or pardon, U of Linebacker, in the MAC (The Amato Effect)?

I know some of you liked Jest, but I thought he got blown off the line of scrimmage too much. He was only a true freshman, though, and it would be helpful to have him around, but he seemed to lack leg strength. Maybe Stroud will move Copeland back inside with the potential addition of Hanson at D/E. Off the radar for a while due to knee injury has been D. Jones. Could he help out at D/E along with Reinke? How's this for an opening game Dline two deep: D/E NT DT D/E Moore Williams or Copeland Boxen Reinke Jones Williams or Copeland Camara Hanson

With those guns, if Warren Ball fumbles once I will be amazed. Trainers - protect those ankles and knees!

What I like: Offensive line, defensive backfield, upper class team, intensity of summer voluntary workouts (I have never seen an effort like this) What I don't like: Woodson may no longer be a durable QB - will he tuck and run if needed?, Warren Ball has never made it through a season - these are two of our potential stars on the O this year that carry huge question marks. I think we (if healthy) beat Iowa State, but lose to Troy to go 2-2 in OOC play and split our MAC schedule. Bowden and the Zips retain the Wagon Wheel and finally go to an early warm climate Bowl.

Hanson is from Florida, so your coach is recruiting there too. Yes, it might have helped to have a 6' 3" 245LB 3* honorable mention all state DE in Fall camp, but apparently he is a greyshirt.

It will be interesting to see if Hanson makes his way to the two deep at DE and plays as a true freshman (note he was offered by Iowa State - Cykron?). Also, is the experiment of moving big Andrew Siegman to the DL over as he is back listed as a an Olineman?

Question: Has Akron had this kind of participation in Summer voluntary workouts in prior years? This type of effort is how you get the edge. This is how you win.

I really like these sbnation reviews (no mention of Ball however). For me the must see big game is the Iowa State home game, but I think if the Zips beat Troy in AL, then they go bowling, barring injuries. Just like the article says - there are high and low side expectations for Akron, which should make for a very interesting season.

Good point about the Ohio game. I thought of that game too, but Venkus and Pittman stood out in Athens on the Zips Dline and they are gone. I am in agreement with your post that we will have to hope that Akron puts together competitive MAC Dline and then the LB's and secondary clean up.

Bad news on reinforcements - it's starting to feel like the Alamo

Bad news. Any idea if it was grades, or did he go somewhere else?

It happens - Sewell is one and didn't Boxen play some as a true freshman. Grice was moved from fullback to NT when Stroud and Amato came in, but played right away as we were thin on the d-line. Unless we pick up a good transfer, we may see freshman on the two deep this year.

You may want to take a moment and look at my post about the d-line at the Spring game on the 'Spring Attendance' topic and then think about your rose colored glasses comment.. My concern IS the d-line for 2017. I don't think we should abandon our posts on this part of the team, however, as reinforcements are coming, albeit mostly freshman. To me Stroud is one of the best d-line coaches we have ever had and we are lucky to have Amato, so that bodes well for position change players and freshman. We have had very strong Dline play here in the recent past, but last year we were badly hurt with graduation and key injuries (Marcus, Pittman and Boxen). This year the graduation bug has hit again, but Boxen is back. Problem is you need to be two deep on the Dline as these big guys chase the play and need to rotate out. I think it is possible to raise expectation later as some on the two deep like Reinke could surprise and maybe a true freshman can fit in (someone like Hanson) but t is a real weak spot on the team as things stand today.

Concerning the defensive line in 2017, we do have a large contingent of 7 DL and DE coming in from our recruiting class with Matther Hanson (DE 6'3 245 reportedly offered by Iowa State, Southern Miss and Western Kentucky) looking like someone that might be able to contribute right away. We will need a couple of them to be ready to compete for playing time this Fall camp as I am not sure we will picking up any DL transfers (hope so but have doubts). We do have great coaches on defense so maybe they can pull together a decent line by the start of the season with what we know we have. It will be fun to watch.

The only thing you told me that was not known was that Kortokrax is a State Trooper. I believe he had another year of eligibility and I thought he might crack the starting lineup. Anyhow, hope he stays safe out there - dangerous job nowadays. Lastly, Camara and Jest were pushed around too much last year. Unless there is some improvement from these two, I think the Zips defensive line is in trouble if they have to count on either of them for a lot of playing time in 2017.

Great day at the Info. My thoughts on the game only include line play, with one exception, as many receivers and ball carriers were not in attendance. I listened to the post game report, and I believe the defense received accolades. This is not how I saw it. I thought the O line dominated. Brown at left tackle is being forced into early play, but should be a good one if he can put on 10 - 15 pounds. It appears that Ryan Kortokrax is gone from the roster, which is a big loss. The defensive line is a major concern as the only player there is Brock Boxen. Moore is undersized, Copeland has been moved form Nose to D/E, and Williams seems out of shape. Not impressed with #68 Siegman either as he seemed slow. I defer to our coaches, but I believe we need immediate help on the D line. Now to everyone's favorite - QB - I do not think Nelson is ready. He reminds me of Chapman when #5 played QB. Nick John's looked to me to be ready to play at this level. Thank you Akron for great day - even women's softball was interesting as they were crushing KSU.

Looking forward to watching #68 play on Sat. He could be a big help and reason for some hope on the DL (and the fact that Boxen has returned from injury).