Dr Z

Duvivier will play this year, he is a graduate transfer. Hester, Jackson, and Riak next year. Source: Building the Dam Duvivier can be described as a strong and bruising guard, who is also a severely underrated athlete and is developing into a solid all-around player. He’s known for having a strong court-presence and often times throughout his career, was tasked with defending the other’s team top-offensive weapon. At Akron, he’ll have the chance to showcase his abilities for first-year head coach John Groce, who takes over the team after a five-year stint at the University of Illinois....While Groce has done a fine job in securing notable transfers to the school, specifically Eric Hester (Florida), Loren Jackson (Long Beach State) and Deng Riak (East Carolina), that trio of new talents won’t be eligible until the 2018-2019 season comes around. Despite a monumental task before him, Groce is hopeful to return the Zips to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2012-2013 season.

Groce said that he hopes to have nine or 10 scholarship players for the upcoming season. Ultimately, he hopes that number rises to the NCAA limit of 13.

Pete just keeps adding to his list of bad decisions, here, and here....

Every throw against Nebraska in ten minutes.

Greg Cosell is an NFL analyst and a senior producer at NFL Films. He is the nephew of iconic broadcaster Howard Cosell. Cosell is widely regarded by NFL insiders as one of the most knowledgeable and trusted football analysts. Here is a photo of his draft sheet on Dobbs. I think I agree with everything written.

Previous years. 2017 - 2016 - 2015 - 2014. I have heard a scout say the 2018 draft will rival the 1983 quarterback talent (Elway, Marino and Kelly). There were SIX QB's taken that year in round one. PFF's way too early mock has five quarterbacks going in the top of the first round. Sam Darnold USC Mason Rudolph Oklahoma State Josh Allen Wyoming Lamar Jackson Louisville Josh Rosen UCLA Should be a fun year to follow.

Could another MAC QB make an NFL roster? PFF writer Josh Liskiewitz thinks it's likely. "Former Western Michigan passer Zach Terrell lacks a big-time arm, he led all of FBS in 2016 in both overall adjusted completion percentage (which accounts for drops, throw-aways and attempts made while absorbing hits) and adjusted completion percentage under pressure. His ability to perform well under pressure could help him develop into a solid backup at the NFL level, thus it makes sense for Baltimore to continue to develop his skill-set beyond training camp this fall."

Reading through some transcripts this morning. This is from QB coach Randy Fichtner regarding how important a big arm is in the NFL. I thought it was interesting that the two QB's he mentioned were from the MAC. "I think it’s a must. We all talk about it. I’ve coached guys at different levels and it’s been unique to see because you see guys that can understand the game and make very quick decisions and the ball comes out. And if that arm strength isn’t elite like Ben (Roethlisberger), like Byron Leftwich, like a handful of guys in this league that have that kind of arm, you have to win above the neck and the ball has to come out on time. Decisions have to be made and you’re talking about delivery and getting the ball out. So to me, it starts with arm strength, but I’ve been able to see others that didn’t necessarily have that elite arm be very successful in their system."

This is the right thread to do it in. Vent away in this thread.

Jason Taylor and Thomas Woodson. Kegger at KD's place in Squirrel Hill Friday night, everybody drives to State College Saturday morning.

I watched a four star transfer play QB for Akron last year.

Source: U of A "We are excited to add a player like Eric to the roster," Groce said. "He is a 6-foot-3 high-energy guard with a 6-foot-10 wingspan. He is an exceptional two-way player that uses his length and skill to be a tremendous defender as well as an explosive offensive player that can make shots and finish at the rim."Hester arrives to Akron from Florida and will be eligible to compete during the 2018-19 season. As a freshman at Florida, Hester played in 20 games, averaging 5.6 minutes per game. He scored 43 total points, supported by a 15-of-23 (.652) showing from the field that included an 11-of-19 (.579) effort from beyond the 3-point arc. In addition, Hester pulled down 10 rebounds and dished out six assists with six steals. Hester's freshman season highlights include a career-high 16 points at LSU on a perfect 5-of-5 performance from long distance. He also scored eight points against Missouri on 3-of-5 (.600) shooting and 2-of-4 (.500) from deep. "As we continue to build our roster it is essential that we add versatile players like Eric," Groce said. "Coming from a great high school program and playing at Florida, Eric has competed against some of the best guards in the country. He knows what it takes to be successful at this level and loves to be in the gym. Eric plays with a high-level of emotion and energy, and that passion inspires his teammates." Hester was rated as a four-star prospect out of Oldsmar Christian. In addition, USA Today had Hester tabbed as a Top 100 player.

Andrew Callahan lists four things PSU fans should know Akron click for entire analysis Injuries derailed the Zips – Akron's offense ended last season with a converted wide receiver at quarterback, and the team went 1-5 down the stretch as its defense suffered a matching fate of misfortune. Woodson is dangerous – Woodson produced some impressive peaks, throwing for 732 yards and accounting for seven touchdowns against Marshall and Appalachian State. His talent is undeniable, so count on plenty of praise being heaped his way by Lion players and coaches prior to kickoff. O line is sturdy – Akron returns four of five starters from a year ago and boasts two other linemen with starting experience. They provided enough time for Akron quarterbacks to finish in the top 25 nationally in yards/completion last season Defensive holes – The Zips were armed with an entirely new linebacking core and forced to replace a number of contributing defensive linemen. The problem now is they're still churning their depth chart up front and new faces will abound in the secondary. @ACallahan_247 Andrew has some PSU football notes here (click link for video on PSU spring game analysis) • Could Mike Gesicki or Marcus Allen sneak into the 1st round of next year's NFL draft? Right now, I'd put that at doubtful, but certainly not out of the question. Each will need to produce their best season yet this fall to secure a place in that discussion. • I expect Jake Cooper to be ready for the season and to serve as the team's third-string linebacker at both the Mike and Will spots. • I'm guessing Juwan Johnson hauls in the first touchdown of next season among wideouts. It'll be a high-pointed, red-zone throw against Akron, with the Zips stacking the box to stop Saquon Barkley.

Kostelac, Formerly of Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, to Attend Akron – By Nate Barnes, The News-Herald – full article found here – .... a foot fracture, which required the insertion of a four-inch screw to heal properly, cost him valuable recruiting time in the summer of 2015. While he had interest from West Virginia, Dayton, Cleveland State, Kent State and other schools, Kostelac was advised by some of those coaches a postgraduate season would properly ready him for the college game. ... he knows what seemingly everyone says about the players IMG sends to the next level is true. “They’re gigantic steps ahead of everyone else on the freshman level,” Kostelac said. “They gave us the right habits and taught us how to take care of our body and prolong our career and all that stuff, then just how to work with or without a coach in the gym.” Kostelac is ahead in the classroom, too. He attended classes at South Florida and already has a semester’s worth of college credit completed. ...“I really think this next year or the year after that you’ll see us in the tournament,” Kostelac said. “That’s for sure. I want to win the MAC, and I don’t know the guys real well because it’s all new to me, but it’s really a great group. Really talented, athletic. I don’t see a reason we shouldn’t make it.”

Lots of good info here from Michael Silver about how the Hue Jackson felt about some of the QB's in this class. Seems like info come from here. • If Kizer hadn’t tumbled to the Browns at No. 52, Jackson liked Tennessee QB Josh Dobbs in the fourth round, where he was drafted by the Steelers. • Jackson felt Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes had the biggest upside in the draft, and was disappointed to see him go off the board at No. 10, two spots before the Browns’ second pick. • Some in the front office gave long and hard thought to drafting Mitch Trubisky in the weeks leading up to the draft. "...they, along with Jimmy Haslam, wondered whether he might be the answer to their longstanding run of futility at the sport's most important position,'' Silver reported. One AFC GM told Silver: "I've heard there is quite the battle going on! Only they could screw this up. The only exciting part will be how bad they will screw it up!" PS (referencing 8 posts up) I'll have to give Dave Te Thomas a listen to before ever draft. That dude nailed more than anyone I heard or read. I have to think he talked to a scout that was working in Pittsburgh to get that much correct about one team and the draft in particular. Hope he's correct on Dobbs, I just don't see it.

Source: U of A Akron, Ohio – Over the weekend, the Akron Zips received a signed National Letter of Intent from Loren Jackson(Chicago, Ill.) to play for the men's basketball program, head coach John Groce announced on Monday. Jackson is a guard transferring from Long Beach State, who will become eligible for competition during the 2018-19 season. "Loren is a terrific fit for how we want to play; he excels off ball screens and in the open court. He is a gifted leader with a high basketball I.Q. He will make an immediate impact on our team and the future success of Zips Basketball," Groce said. The Windy City native appeared in 34 games and started five times for the 49ers as a freshman in 2016-17. In 18.9 minutes per game, he averaged 5.8 points, while shooting 43.7 percent from the floor (66-of-151) and 34.8 percent from beyond the 3-point arc (23-of-66). Jackson dished out 52 assists and grabbed 40 rebounds with 21 steals. "Loren is a coaches' son, who has grown up in a gym," Groce said. "He is a high-character guy with a relentless work ethic and knows what it takes to get better." Jackson was a three-star prospect and rated as the No. 9 prospect from Illinois in the 2016 class by ESPN.com.

Sounds like he is feeling good, and looking forward to some football. From his Instagram page yesterday: "...transferring in a year ago from The University Of Pittsburgh to The University Of Akron I didn't know how easy the transition was going to be to make new friends / new bonds.. but then I came and instantly vibe with my new family, my new team. Love these guys foreal, and I'm looking more then forward to are journey this football season..."

Andy Alleman was picked in the third round by the New Orleans Saints in the 2007. Alleman, the 88th pick overall, at the time, he was the fourth-highest UA player ever picked behind Charlie Frye (pick 67 in 2005), Jason Taylor (pick 73 in 1997) and Dwight Smith (pick 84 in 2001).

I agree. I went back and watched three of his games last year and found nothing that would want to make me select him. But, he is young and (supposedly) coachable. I don't think this pick changes a thing the Browns can do next year, or even this year still, when it comes to a future QB. I know I'm in the minority, but I'm always entertained by Gruden.

Per my source, this has happened.