johnnyzip84

Assistant AD for Communications Gregg Bach was on Big Time Sports 1350 am yesterday. He also mentioned CJ finishing up classes and sounded hopeful that he'd be playing this year. He also mentioned the staff was looking at Drew Phillips and that Moore and Lane woul likely be non-qualifiers. However, he likened the latter situation to that of Harney and Treadwell on the hoops team. He said something I had thought initially when I heard they might not qualify. With the new additions on defense, these guys are needed more for the future. The staff is trying to both win now AND build for the future.

Ha! You beat me to it. Confidence and commitment. It's tough to expect much from a true freshmen, but the setting is there (TB's offensive style, MTB's size and skill, UA's needs) for a special, break-out season.

Until Dr Z pointed it out, I didn’t realize Drew had been attending BYU when the scholly was pulled. For some reason, I incorrectly assumed it was pulled during the recruiting process. Thanks for the information, Dr Z

Okafor appears to be the mystery man out of these late additions. HERE are some JC highlights. Nice 1st step off the edge OK, sometimes he looks a little TOO quick, but it's only a penalty if they throw a flag His height alone should give QBs trouble. Can you imagine LR8 practicing against him?

-----> Run, Phillips, run!!! This BYU board post seems to indicate PR and KR are his to lose. The only player I think can give him a run (heh heh) for these slots is Fransohn Bickley, although one would expect Drew to be more battle prepared for this level. I'm a little curious as to why BYU pulled his scholly, but he sure looks like he can contribute immediately.

GT roll call update Wonder if there is still some last minute waiting on grades? This is key.

Thanks for the update, George I'll be curious as to your assessment of the LBs in the coming weeks. Rachal was a stud in the spring.

It seems like this deserves its own topic as we start to learn more and more of what to expect on the field when games finally begin on 8/29. GT story in the Beacon While I think GT is missed mention of a few key players of note, this statement is a bit of a concern:

Ah true. I had forgotten

I like Nick Rossi a lot. But after watching numerous practices in the spring, I think it will be very difficult for him to get ahead of John Rachal at the inside spot. And that doesn’t even consider whether CJ Mizell might play inside as well. I think we’ll see a lot of subbing throughout the defense this year, so it’s good to have talented options. CK, I didn’t realize TB had mentioned Capi by name at the outing. Perhaps I missed it. Regardless, it would seem almost certain that he’d be eligible in 2013. Let’s hope he and the rest of the newcomers can focus on football and avoid the past missteps off the field. The way I see it, that (or a crazy rash of injuries) is the only thing that will prevent a huge defensive turnaround in 2013.

YSU played at (Austintown) Fitch's field for a number of years prior to Stambaugh.

OK, his twitter account seems to indicate that he has reported to camp. If I understand the situation correctly, he hasn't played since 2011. I assume that would mke him eligible right away for the Zips? Do you have confimation of this? Surely you must have confirmation, otherwise you wouldn't have told the JMU message boards that he is I'll say this. If Capi plays for the Zips in 2013, we will have the best UA defense since the 2005 MAC championship team, by far.

This story just keeps getting better and better.

More on the giant surfactants......that's what she-e-e-e-e-e-e said.

Don’t worry, Lee Adams. I’m not about to bet the farm on the Zips at 50:1 But don’t you have to wonder how different some of these “relative predictions” look in comparison to the MAC media poll? Old EA and the like don’t have any money riding on their decisions. Two things jump out: 1. I like the quality of the athletes Clawson has been assembling at BG. So does “Vegas”. 2. I also think “Vegas” might be sniffing a mild Zip turnaround in 2013. And I think they’re onto something.

The GoZips roster has also been updated. Stargel and Staten are a few names that I see are missing. It's just part of the staff figuring out who belongs and who doesn't. I trust their judgment.

HERE is the updated Time-Online article that mentions why he chose football over hoops. I can't disagree with his logic.

Chandler Kincade works his magic yet again

I agree the Cardinals will have a difficult time wnning in Dekalb, BUT they could conceivably lose that game and still win the division. Are you talking about the helmets K.E.N.T. was using in spring drills? Is it that much different than the ones they used against A-State (and one or 2 others I think) in 2012?

PENNLIVE article on Jawon's offseason work

Nothing against Anthony Lauro, but I almost quit watching when he was listed as the key UA recruit of 2013. His prediction for MAC West champion isn't "by the book", but with Wenning back at QB (I was obviously wrong about this) and Lembo getting settled in as HC it's not as big of a stretch as it sounds IMHO.

Springfield News-Sun story on how KP16 is rising to the challenge.

This isn't exactly from MAC media day, but it's on its heels. Besides, I didn't think it merited a whole new thread. CBS Sports Tim Brando Show - terry-bowden-weighs-in-on-new-targeting-rule

This should come as no surprise, but Franco is transferring to IUP.

Just got done reading this. Excellent stuff from Zac Jackson!