Dr Z

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.

Per the University, five Akron Zips– DB Larry Hope (Miami Dolphins), WR Jerome Lane (Indianapolis Colts), DE Jamal Marcus (Cleveland Browns), WR JoJo Natson (Indianapolis Colts), and DT Se'Von Pitman (Tampa Bay)– have signed as rookie free agents with NFL teams.

Where did they rate AB when he come out? Edelman? How about Kenny Golladay this year? I was wondering how studied they are on the MAC receivers before I consider this being an important ranking. And when you write, "CBS", was it Pete Prisco, or someone else?

If he were able, it would benefit him to pick his team now, and not get drafted. Hopefully he gets the right advice.

It was like I have been tied to the railroad tracks for the last two weeks, ?.... and finally got run over.

According to ESPN's Mike Triplett, quarterback is "in play" for the Saints on Day 2 of the draft. While Triplett would like to see New Orleans land Tennessee's Joshua Dobbs if he falls to the third round, Miami’s Brad Kaaya, Notre Dame's DeShone Kizer, Pittsburgh’s Nathan Peterman and Cal’s Davis Webb will all be options to consider at No. 42. The Packers are reportedly interested in Kizer at No. 33, but that could be a smokescreen. The Saints are probably wise to start thinking about life after Drew Brees.

I don't think so, but only a dozen or so really know. Their number one need was edge. They met with Butt, Wormley and Taco at UM's pro day, but not Peppers. They did have a pro day meeting with Njoku, but it might have had to do with their interest in Kaaya since he was also brought into Pittsburgh for a private meeting. It's also possible they thought Njoku could be available later. They met with a bunch of mid round safeties and tight ends, so I'll guess their plan was to address both after round one. They met with three safeties that will more than likely go in round two, I'm guessing they are hoping one is available this evening. With the speediness of getting the 30th pick in, I'll guess they were pretty happy to get an edge guy. That's what ever team says, right? It will be interesting to see if Peppers can develop as a first round talent at safety. Since (supposedly) it's not his strongest position, I would let him concentrate on that for awhile before risking injuries on offense. Just my opinion though. I'll guess that Peppers would have a tough time in the Burg being a first rounder, since the last one they drafted in the first round was a HOF'er. He would get sick of hearing that around town as he learned the position and league. Keeping on topic, I like what the Browns did in the first round by not taking a QB. I never believed they were taking Trubisky. But I have watched enough drafts in my life, to not count anything out when it comes to the Browns. I don't like any top media "rated" QBs in this draft for them. Next year, or after this draft, is their time to roll the dice on a signal caller, wether it's through the draft, or through free agency. If you really like to study video I love watching draft breakdown video. You view a condensed version of the game, and see every snap. Most of the time fans just view highlights, those are all good right? Fans watch a highlight video of the guy their team just drafted, and say "he's a beast." This is the video that analysts watch and say "he takes plays off" or stuff like that. How great would this be for Zips games, so we could study each player and prove their value or not? Edit: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the Browns have "touched base" with the Bengals about QB A.J. McCarron. Rapsheet is hearing that Cincinnati's asking price for McCarron is "high," which explains why talks haven't gotten very far. Cleveland did well to land Myles Garrett with the No. 1 pick, but that obviously doesn't solve the team's quarterback conundrum. The Bengals don't have much incentive to move McCarron, who is under contract through 2018. The Browns also checked in on Patriots backup Jimmy Garoppolo but were told he's not available.

I hope they take Dobbs.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler believes the Steelers have "genuine" interest in Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes. Fowler's specific word is "intrigue." The Steelers have admitted they must begin their search for Ben Roethlisberger's successor, but Fowler doesn't expect them to "force" a pick. Pittsburgh doesn't pick until No. 30 on Thursday. Mahomes will likely be gone before then. Source: ESPN.com

I'm hoping four or five QB's get selected in round one, I'm fearful that only two get picked. The math on the Dave Te Thomas rumored SF/Browns trade for the two pick comes up short according to the chart. Browns number 12, 33 and 65 adds up to 2045, they are short by at least another 2nd round pick. I think trading for the 5th pick is more reasonable for the Browns. I don't think anybody is taking Trubisky before 5, I'm not even sure anyone is taking him before 12. If he's not picked at 12, he might be available at 33. With the Steelers supposed interest in Dobbs, I went back and watched every throw of his against App State last year. He looked mediocre to awful. I would be surprised if he were successful in the NFL.

Oh no, not Ed Werder.