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The 2016 Akron Football Golf Outing was held on Friday June 3rd. As time goes on, you get less and less "scoops" from these events. It used to be, with our lazy beat writers, that face time with a coach was the only way to learn of the program's comings and goings. With the advent of Twitter...internet...social media...it all makes information regarding recruits, transfers, etc. available in real time. So chances are any big news has already broken. That said, I thought there was some interesting tidbits to pass along, so here's my recap - Beautiful day at The Quarry (just south of Canton). Cost was $160, which seems really expensive at first glance, but for what you got out of the day, it was a steal. Door prizes that everyone received were: a Bluetooth speaker system (nice), a Zips Football golf shirt, Weber spatula and grill kit, Zips poker chip ball marker and divot repair tool, and other misc stuff. Kegged Yuengling was provided at two locations on the course, and hot dogs, chips, cereal bars, and non-alcoholic beverages were complementary too. After the outing, they had a smoked rib and bar-b-que chicken lunch that was absolutely outstanding. Fantastic stuff! Raffle items included a 60" television, and numerous coolers, golf clubs, a grill...nice prizes. Hats off to UA! A friend and I were paired up with Trent Boykin - TE coach. Awesome guy. Trent played for YSU 20 years ago (back in their hey day). I had a buddy who was a YSU grad from that era, and I asked Trent to leave him a voicemail telling him to get his butt up to InfoCision for the Appalachian State game. He left as great message, and my buddy called 5 minutes later to tell me he got a big kick out of it. Trent picked up the phone and talked to him for another 5 minutes. He'll be there for the App State game! We finished at -2 ...a miracle considering our marginal golf talent, 14 strokes off the -16 winners. But despite the drubbing it was a lot of fun. We spoke to a lot of coaches, not just Trent. The general consensus on the positions is: * QB is in good hands with Woodson, but Chapman has made great strides. Although not a starter, he'll see appreciable time on the field in 2016. * Warren Ball passes the "eyeball test." He's cut from stone. But no one knows if he can run yet. He could make a big impact...he may be like Donnell Alexander, and be a role player. Too early to say. He is a big body, and we nee size at RB with the incumbents Hakeem Lawrence (recently ran a 4.23 in the 40) and Van Edwards being on the smaller side. * Offensive line will be better than last year. We have two solid left tackles, Gauthney is solid at Center, and Reitz is going to be a special player. There are a lot of good candidates at the open OL positions and "may the best man win" come summer camp. * WR is known to be a strength. Everyone still raves about JoJo Natson. He's the electric gamebreaker we really haven't seen to-date from any of the players Bowden has brought into the fold. Of course Jerome Lane is expected to have a big year too. Not much buzz regarding Gladney. * Mykel Traylor -Bennett has moved to TE/H-back, and is expected to cause opposing defenses fits this fall. He was mentioned by two coaches as having the best spring of any Zips player. * DL is simply the best in the MAC. They are expected to wreak some serious havoc in 2016. * LB's are young, but talented. Everyone seems to love Ulyses Gilbert. He's no Jatavis, but a lot of people seem to think he can get to that level on day. He's one to keep an eye on this fall as a "rising star." * We have two returning safeties, and 4 senior CB's. So many feel that position will be a strength for the Zips in 2016. * I didn't ask about special teams. I completely forgot. I did overhear that there is a RB from the Jacksonville area that one of our coaches really likes, and his scholarship offer was recently pulled by North Carolina. He is a bit on the smaller side, so once UNC got a commitment from a bigger back, they pulled the offer. The kid contacted UA after the offer was pulled and spoke to a coach for over an hour. Fingers are crossed that he'll make a visit. Having four local kids committed for next year is a big deal to the staff. Coach Boykin stressed how important is was at YSU to have a core of local kids mixed in with kids from Florida and other areas. Zips are trying to build that core, and are making good headway. 2017 offers are out to multiple kids at St V and Hoban. Bowden game an impassioned speech at the post-outing luncheon. My favorite line: "I'M SICK AND TIRED OF HEARING PEOPLE SAY 'I WOULDN'T HAVE BUILT THAT STADIUM'! ITS A DAMN GOOD STADIUM AND WE NEED TO FILL IT. AND WE WILL!" Testify, Brother Bowden!! For such an awesome event, there were too few Zips fans in attendance. I'll guess there were only 28 - 30 teams? And several were UA employees. If you were interested in playing in 2017, I'd recommend you do it. It's a great time hanging with like-minded Zips Football supporters and coaches. You definitely get your $160 worth. Lunch break is over. If I think about anything else I'll add it later. Go Zips!