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Cross this young man off the list Pitt made the offer and he will committ this weekend. I really wanted him to be a Zip but hey he got what he wanted and I say best of luck to him in the future.

Hey Akron Hooper Please check my post. All I said was I read where Akron has offered Marcus Raines. In no way did I say he was coming. I am just posting what I read.

According to jcfootball.theinsiders.com message board, Akron has offered Marcus Raines. This is coming for the main MOD of this message board I would take this as the truth.........

From what I have read on the net he wants to play QB nd the Zips are looking at him as a QB. He would be a huge pick up.

Please spend more time on the Zips this year than last year!!!!!!!!!!!!

My feelings were up in the air on this young man but then I read a quote from the court case and now I say no way. The Zips need to continue to bring in good charactor kids to this program. Just say no JD!!!!

Two Frosh step it up and The Zips play great team defense!!!!!

Just an FYI Jamie Goodwin has left Akron and has enrolled at NIU. Check it out

The Zips still have a chance for Mr. Davis. If Pitt does not offer him he most likely will be a ZIP!!!! Click for CJ

He is still up in the air with his grades and he was kicked off the team for part of this but was allowed back on after a fwe games. He would be a nice pick up but I think he is a risk........

Shane Brooks gave a vebal committ to Pitt yesterday. He really like what there new coach had to say. I think the Zips could have got him if Pitt did not really go after him. Brooks Profile

Bryant McMillon 5'11 190 RB from Hughes Center High School in Cincinnati Catch His Stat here And James Allen 6-1 185 RB from Youngstown Ursuline James profile Maybe one or both will play defense????

Click Me Above is the Source Link to the Article. Golden Bears' Kemme decides to attend Akron Thursday, December 16, 2004 PATRICK DOLAN ThisWeek Staff Writer Upper Arlington High School football coach Darrell Mayne is not surprised that Division I colleges took notice of 6-foot-6, 255-pound senior Chris Kemme, the Golden Bears' starting left tackle the last two seasons. "He has the size and reach that are tremendously important to major colleges," Mayne said of Kemme, who verbally committed Dec. 7 to Akron University. "All major colleges are looking for tall offensive linemen with great reach, and Chris has both of those qualities." But according to Mayne, Kemme's height and wingspan aren't his only assets. "He's also very athletic and very mobile and he's certainly an excellent football player," Mayne said. "I think those are some of the reasons why Akron pursued him so much. They realize the potential he has. ... There's no question that they wanted him for a while." Among the other Division I colleges that showed interest were West Virginia, Minnesota, Cincinnati and Miami of Ohio. However, Akron was the first to offer him a scholarship, and the Zips' steadfast pursuit weighed heavily in his decision. "It came down between (Akron) and West Virginia, but West Virginia was waiting to hear back from some other recruits and I really didn't want to wait for them," said Kemme, an honorable-mention all-OCC-Ohio Division selection as a senior. That wasn't the only factor that played a role in his decision, however. "They have brand new (athletic) facilities and a new head coach (J.D. Brookhart) and I like the direction they're going in," he said. This fall in Brookhart's first season, Akron finished 6-5 overall and went 6-2 in the MAC-East Division to tie Marshall for second behind Miami (7-1) while finishing ahead of Can't State (4-4), Buffalo (2-6), Ohio (2-6) and Central Florida (0-8). This year marks only the second time the Zips have had back-to-back winning seasons since moving up to Division I-A in 1987. They finished 7-5 overall in 2003. "Obviously, I'm very pleased for Chris," Mayne said. "I feel it's a great opportunity for him. Akron is going through a real resurgence in terms of their athletic facilities and the things that they did on the field this fall. They're on an upswing, and I feel that Chris will be a fine contributor to their program as they continue to go forward." Kemme likely won't see his first action with Akron until the 2006 season. "(The coaches) said that they probably will redshirt me next year but that I probably could start in a couple years," he said. Being redshirted as would allow Kemme to add weight to his already large frame. That said, he might be the biggest offensive lineman Akron has on its roster at the start of the 2006 season. The only offensive lineman on the Zips' roster this season who measures up to him in terms of height was 6-6 senior Mike Grzeskowiak. Only two other offensive linemen -- 6-5 sophomores Mike Donaldson and Justin Hein -- were taller than 6-4. "It's a tremendous advantage when you get redshirted," Mayne said. "Adjusting to college can be tough, so being redshirted helps you academically and it allows you to grow into the (football) system."

Holy SH$T!!!!! This kid should be a stud. Joe Dunn made the comment last night Coach Brookhart was very happy with the verbal committs so far. Wow.....I am too.

Not that I did not believe you Capn' but for those who did not it is offical. Anderson a Zip Pulaski County football coach Jack Turner reported Wednesday that former Cougar Brandon Anderson, a cornerback for Hargrave Military Academy this past season has made an oral commitment to Division I-A Akron. Anderson had an interception against Hargrave's biggest rival, Fork Union Military Academy. All rivals.com is showing it and they have him as a three star prospect..... Get pick for the Zips.

UK leads for Davis West Allegheny (Pa.) defensive linemen C.J. Davis said he'll most likely decide between UK and Akron when he returns from Christmas break in early January. Davis is from Fort Campbell but moved to Pennsylvania after his father, who's in the Army, was transferred. "I'd say it's about 60-40 right now towards Kentucky," he said. "I like Akron because of playing time, but I also want the chance to play for a big-time program." The 6-foot-3, 305-pound Davis is described as a late bloomer by West Allegheny Coach Bob Palko. "He's just scratching the surface of his potential," Palko told the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette. Davis was slowed by an ankle injury for much of last season. But after a dedicated off-season, he has blossomed into a solid Division I prospect who has also received scholarship offers from West Virginia, Toledo and Indiana.

Ok I have a question. With these two verbals for TE that give the Zips like 6 TE form next year. Why do they need that many when they really don't throw the ball to the TE???? Just a thought.

Source LinkI just read another article on this topic that stated the current Pitt players are pushing for two possible coaches and one is Brookhart.....

I was thinking the same thing Capn'. One thing you have too look at is some if not most of thses kids are lookingfor a chance to get out of Akron. Not that they don't like it here but a chance to go some where else plays a huge part in their choice of colleges. JD and staff have a tough job ahead of them.

No way JD leaves. Pitt will hire a big name coach. No offense to JD I think he will be a great coach and will get the shot at the big time but not this year. Also does JD really want go back to Pitt?????

JD is hitting PA hard!!!! In other recruiting news, Franklin Regional tight end/linebacker Scott Uziel has committed to Akron. The 6-foot-4, 258-pounder is the second WPIAL player to commit to Akron in the past week, joining Chartiers-Houston offensive lineman Elliott Bates (6-2, 275). Uziel, a first-team all-Greater Allegheny Conference tight end, also had offers from Central Michigan and Ohio

Per gozips.com Verdugo is offically gone. Congrats to him and good luck as well. He is taking Chris Hauser with him. Chris has been a grad student for the last few years. Good luck to Chris as well in his first coaching position. Now that coach Verdugo is gone who will replace him. Any thoughts???? Remember coach Brookhart said when he was hired he wanted to hire a local highschool coach for his staff.........

Footballscoop.com is reporting that coach Verdugo was hired as the new coach at Fort Hays. If this is true best of luck to him and his family.

If he does leave I trust JD to find somebody just as good or better.

I also did some research on this young man. At the Pitt camp he was first for OL in the 40 yard dash. And finished in the top 5 in other speed drills. Also on a Pitt messageboard some of the fans were mad the ylost him and blamed Walt Harris for this. I think we got ourselves a good one here. Maybe the Akron coaches told him he could play as a true freshman?????