bigjim

I realize that I am crossing over a couple of posts. But, if you look at the scholarship chart, 56 of 76 scholarships are either freshman or sophomore (redshirt or saving last years of qualification due to covid rules). This does not include the potential transfers and late signees from this years class. My point is that the starters who earn playing time are going to develop over the next year. Others who are down on the depth chart will be entering the portal because of the lack of playing time. I see that Akron will have many people transferring over the next year or two. This will be much more than Boogie, who I think is a big loss. For example, look at the OL. We had 4 RS freshman start. In addition, Arth has recruited several very good players the last 2 years (Chambers, Georges, williams, Lyones, Malot). I would say that we are set on the OL. However, expect several of these players entering the portal in the next year or so because they want to have playing time. Players do not grow up in Ohio wanting to be a Zip, they may grow up wanting to be a Buckeye and they are willing to wait for PT. Not the case in Akron. As a fan base, we need to realize that there will be large exits from the Zips roster. Let's just ensure that key players stay and we will establish a winning record, starting in 2022. .

Tough schedule. I had been saying the Zips will win 4-5 games in 2021, but I was not expecting this schedule. I still say 3-4 wins and keep my projection for 9 wins in 2022.

LZlp, I could not have said it better. I am a detail oriented person and I referred to the chart many times during the signing process. I did not mean to criticize the status of a scholarship list, I only wanted to bring a possible question or error to your attention. I apologize if I offended you. I was amazed at how much detail was documented. However, I will continue to bring up what I see and believe are discrepancies and I plan to challenge, comment, correct, and agree with other comments. Zips supporter for life.

1. With only one site with the pulse on the fan base, I am willing to bet that coach does read Zipsnation. I hope it does not influence his key decisions but the staff needs to understand the fans. Unfortunately, there are just a few fans who comment on Zips nation. 2. Sit down face to face and have a heart to heart talk. That approach has worked wonders for me over the years as a manager. 3. The early bird catches the worm. Usually, I am much earlier. Go Zips

Loosing Bubba would be very difficult. Coach Arth, do not let this to happen.

Congrats to the players.. I fully support players earning a scholarship. However, when I look at the Zips scholarship chart that was issued a while back, Bischoff was listed as a person owning a scholarship. LZlp, please comment and update. I want to be able to trust the information that you post.

More support to lose this bum. Akron cannot have a culture in which the players yell at and challenge the coaching staff. Also, if they are swearing at them, then Arth needs to step up and suspend or cut these players.

Good riddance. I am tired of the current athlete who does not want to compete and participate on a team. As soon as there is some competition, they want to leave for an easier situation. These players need to realize that the grass is not always greener. They need to understand the dose of reality as stated in the article above. Look at the Zips in the portal and the offers that have been received. They are few and far in between. If you cannot play for Akron, there are not a lot of teams that will use a scholarship for you. I am actually hoping that there are at least a dozen additional players who have no ability to contribute will enter the transfer portal. This will rid the Zips of the Bowden recruits who cannot play and had only one offer for a scholly, of which TB gave one to one of these players who are not talented enough to participate in the MAC. Let's lose some losers and save some scholarship money at the same time. When we win 4-5 games this year and 9 next year, we will be praising Arth and his staff.

I am not sure we got better on Defense with this signing. Looking at his stats and tape, he is not a game changer. In the posts above, it states that they do not know if he is a ILB or OLB. I do not think that Bubba has to worry about losing his position since this guy signs. The recruiting sites do say that he is an OLB, and we are weak at this position. I do agree 100% that all is for naught if we cannot improve at QB.

Merry Christmas. I hope everyone had a great day. Let's look forward to a very good and productive 2021.

This is the type of player that is going to get left behind as described in the article posted by Clarkwgriswold above. With the players retaining a year of eligibility, who is going to go after a player that could not get on the field for the bottom of the MAC Akron Zips. He might find a DII team, but I doubt that he will get with a FBS team. These players need to get a dose of reality.

I think the solution is not that complicated. Expand the playoffs to 8 teams and ensure that at least one of the underdog teams gets an invite. You can cut down on some bowl games that the playoffs will replace, and give more teams a chance. Do not look for excuses not to proceed, if I recall, the DIII playoffs start with 16 teams, so 8 should not be a problem with classes.

Hooks is transferring from Northwood. Please give me some reasons to be excited. I could not find him in several websites, so what am I missing?

Very good article, thanks

In two years, Akron will be the Ball State of the 2020 MAC.

Once again, this clown is double dipping. He claims to be an Akron fan, and he may be because he is an alumnus. However, he is a much bigger Suckeye fan. I have listened to this idiot drool over the Suckeyes for ever, in part because Lima would lead the discussion. I cannot believe it was the Ken Carman show because Anthony ran the episodes. I quit listening to this fat piece of blubber several months ago because he had no facts and was a hypocrite that would waver in the wind. He would ride on Lima and his comments. Again, I quit listening over the last 6 months because that ignorant Suckeye who knows nothing would make utterly stupid comments, and Lima would bail him out. Please quit posting comments of a person who could not play T ball unless his dad was coach and his mom was the scorekeeper. This person is not an Akron fan.

Outside of Brandon Council, I do not think that one zip has moved on to bigger and better teams. The players may move onto FBS, Div II, or Div III teams, but they have not moved onto other big time programs. It shows that we have too many players that have limited talent. Let them move on. If they cannot stay committed to being a Zip, let them go and we will save on scholarship money. I want players who love Akron as much as several people on this board.

Why are we paying any attention to a fat guy who could not play tiddly winks. This clown has never played a sport but people listen to him. He does not know what a jock strap is and does not possess anything that could fit into one. I trust that Arth is recruiting the best players that he can.

Initial post updated with who has and has not signed. - Asterisk means signed.

I am curious what organization or group gave out all of the 3 star ratings. 247 sports only has 2 of the Akron recruits listed as 3 star. Please advise.

Signing day is always a day of fun and anticipation with the new players that will help the team reach new heights. My first thoughts are that I am disappointed in this recruiting class. There are some good players in this class, but it does not possess the breath of a good class and many recruits had only one option, which was Akron. Also, there was a great document put out on GOZIPS that makes the recruits looks great. However, there are several players listed as 3 star, but when you go into 247, it does not show them as 3 starts but as 2 or no stars. With that said, here is a breakdown of the recruits by the various position groups. DL - Adler and Proffitt, Zips picked up 2 DL that can add depth. Adler is listed at 260 lb, after being listed at 230 in all previous reports. He will bring a good DE to the team and should see some PT as a freshman. Proffitt is a big run stuffing DT that should add depth to a very young DL. I am still hoping for a JUCO or transfer for 1-2 years to help Akron succeed next year. LB - I feel good about this group. Akron needed some depth at this position, and it looks like it got some good players. Bauer is an ILB. McCall and Summersett are two OLB with good size. Both may see some PT in their first year. McCall is a JUCO with experience and should be able to step in and play right away. DB - Hence, Lewis, and Roach. We got 3 DBs to add depth to probably one of the weak groups on the team. I am still hoping for a JUCO or transfer with experience to help the transition. OL - Lyons and Mallott. Akron was playing 4 red shirt freshman and a freshman Williams. it also has two other highly rated freshman. Adding these two players gives the Zips a lot of youth and potential for years to come. Both have good credentials, and Mallott is huge at 6 9 and 330 lbs. In 2022, we should have a great OL TE - Monaghan - Do not know much about him or if he even played football. However, our TE position is pretty thin. Brank looked good at times, but he was young. Akron does a poor job of utilizing tight ends, so I would just keep developing this position with Branks and Yarmo. QB- Irons and Jankowski. Akron now has 4 young QBs to challenge for the starting position, including Gibson and Marousek. AS I stated in a past post, watching the tape, Marousek looked very good. Irons and Jankowski have great backgrounds, so let the competition begin. RB - none, but with Dollard, Norrils, and Childs from last year, we should be good in 2021. Need a RB recruit next year. WR - Gathings, Mumpfield, Walker, Singleton (?), we are adding depth to the currently good position group. Akron had several receivers step up this year, and we will continue to be solid, even with the transfers. In summary, we added depth at most position groups, and the talent level will show if it is truly good. I am still hoping that we can get some JUCO's or transfers between now and the late signing period to make an impact next year and get to 4-5 wins in 2021. As players step up, there will be several that are left behind. I expect the transfer portal to get very busy with many of these young players that will not see playing time. Go Zips.

247 reports Illinois State and Youngstown state as his only other offers. Maybe the football gods will start making Akron look good by signing good players.

We need to have P. Hawkins sign. He was highly rated and his film looked great. His signing will help keep a good pipeline of offensive linemen. Also, I hope that Reese signs. He is a large developmental DL that should be very good in a year or two with time in the weight room.

Noel Roach gets an asterisk.

McCall actually came out of H.S. as an OLB. I am curious if he will play that position since we have some DE's with similar size to him. Thanks again for repeating my wishes for JUCO's or transfers. In addition to the players listed above, what about: Reese, Malott, Seibert, P. Hawkins, Durant and the transfers: Inloes and Mack. We are missing two OL and a large DL in the list. I would not be disappointed if Morgan and Burney do not sign. I know we still have time, but at this point, I am disappointed with the list if this is the final version.