ZachTheZip Posted August 20, 2009 Report Posted August 20, 2009 Beacon Journal on Brian WagnerVince Okruch, the Zips' first-year linebackers coach, also believes in Wagner in the short and long term.''He can be as good as any kid I have ever had,'' said Okruch, who has been in coaching for 33 years, including a recent stay at the University of Illinois as defensive coordinator. ''He is a natural athlete who runs to the football and has a great motor. With him, it's full speed all the time.''That's some very high praise. Quote
johnnyzip84 Posted August 20, 2009 Report Posted August 20, 2009 Beacon Journal on Brian WagnerVince Okruch, the Zips' first-year linebackers coach, also believes in Wagner in the short and long term.''He can be as good as any kid I have ever had,'' said Okruch, who has been in coaching for 33 years, including a recent stay at the University of Illinois as defensive coordinator. ''He is a natural athlete who runs to the football and has a great motor. With him, it's full speed all the time.''That's some very high praise.Wow, no kidding! Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern) and J Leman (Illinois) immediately come to mind. Vince also was the DC for the 2001 Big 12 champs (Colorado). Okruch must REALLY like this kid. I did notice in the Beacon photos from the 1st scrimmage that Wagner seemed to be in a lot of them. I can't wait to see him play. Quote
Blue & Gold Posted August 20, 2009 Report Posted August 20, 2009 The article stated that Brian had earned a starting spot @ middle linebacker. So does this mean we can soon expect to see a depth chart?! Quote
MDZip Posted August 20, 2009 Report Posted August 20, 2009 This is either great news (we have a potential star at middle linebacker) or awful news (our linebacker depth is so bad that a redshirt freshman who played at a tiny high school won the job). Please be the former, please be the former ... Quote
Buckzip Posted August 20, 2009 Report Posted August 20, 2009 This is either great news (we have a potential star at middle linebacker) or awful news (our linebacker depth is so bad that a redshirt freshman who played at a tiny high school won the job). Please be the former, please be the former ...I think it's good news. we seem to have some decent LB depth. Thomas is a good player and then Fobbs and Williams both got some playing time last year. I am looking forward to seeing more of Troy Gilmore and Matt Little. Of course there is still the enigma-Da'von Moore... Quote
ZachTheZip Posted September 2, 2009 Author Report Posted September 2, 2009 I saw him in class today. He certainly passes the eyeball test. He's still a freshman, but I think we will have a star LB in the future. Hopefully he is ready to make an impact immediately. We sure could use a star LB against Penn State. Quote
zff Posted September 2, 2009 Report Posted September 2, 2009 I saw him in class today. He certainly passes the eyeball test. He's still a freshman, but I think we will have a star LB in the future. Hopefully he is ready to make an impact immediately. We sure could use a star LB against Penn State.Did he punch anyone? Or throw somebody down the stairs? I want a mean nasty MLB. Someone who likes to hurt people! Quote
cornbread Posted September 12, 2009 Report Posted September 12, 2009 32 yard int return for a TD helps make him look better in my eyes. 6 points is very sexy. Quote
ZIPFB#1 Posted September 14, 2009 Report Posted September 14, 2009 He is a beast!! It doesn't matter if the kid comes from a small school or not...he knows how to play the game. He can run the ball and tackle with the best of them. I for one, am very excited about watching him develop into a great linebacker for the zips!...and the six points was very sexy! Quote
Captain Kangaroo Posted September 14, 2009 Report Posted September 14, 2009 He is a beast!! It doesn't matter if the kid comes from a small school or not...he knows how to play the game. He can run the ball and tackle with the best of them. I for one, am very excited about watching him develop into a great linebacker for the zips!...and the six points was very sexy!I wouldn't mind seeing him tote the ball in goal-line situations. Quote
cornbread Posted September 15, 2009 Report Posted September 15, 2009 This is big.Brian Wagner is MAC defensive player of the weekAnd he turns 20 tomorrow. Hell-of-a birthday big guy! Quote
ZIPFB#1 Posted September 15, 2009 Report Posted September 15, 2009 Wagner could definately "tote the ball in goal- line situations". He is 8th in career TD's in Ohio high school records with 97 TD's! Also,6th in career rushing yards with 6,785! Congratulations Brian on defensive player of the week for the MAC and a Happy 20th Birthday! GO ZIPS!! Quote
Dr Z Posted September 15, 2009 Report Posted September 15, 2009 I'll type it before someone else does....How about a Wildcat package for him ? Quote
xu9697 Posted September 15, 2009 Report Posted September 15, 2009 I wouldn't mind seeing him tote the ball in goal-line situations.Brian Toal, LB for BC did this very effectively for a couple years. However, he also busted up his shoulder doing it. I do agree it might be worth a look in our power formation (do we have one of those?!?!?!).I said to my wife after the Penn State game that he is going to be special. I can imagine him and Hoobler reaking havoc on teams over the next 3-4 years!!! Quote
ZippyTuba11 Posted September 15, 2009 Report Posted September 15, 2009 This is big.Brian Wagner is MAC defensive player of the weekAnd he turns 20 tomorrow. Hell-of-a birthday big guy! "Overall, Akron rolled up 436 yards of total offense versus the Bears, marking the first time since Nov. 11, 2006 Morgan State had allowed over 400 yards in a game as the Bears ranked 1st and 2nd over the last two years in FCS in total defense."That's a great stat to me. Had no idea that they were that good.Congrats Wagner. I'd love to see him get in on some goal line plays. He was busting through Bears players on the pick 6. Quote
ZIPFB#1 Posted September 28, 2009 Report Posted September 28, 2009 Wondering what everyone thinks of him now? Quote
johnnyzip84 Posted September 28, 2009 Report Posted September 28, 2009 Wondering what everyone thinks of him now?I'm not quite sure about the tone of the question but I'll gladly throw in my 2 cents. I still think he's a FINE football player who will only get better. As a RS FR he leads the team in tackles and he's shown grit, hustle and athletic ability. When was the last time a Zip LB had 2 INT's through the 1st four games of the season? He's only one of eleven out there. Oh, and he's a good special teams player too. Quote
Zipmeister Posted September 28, 2009 Report Posted September 28, 2009 Wondering what everyone thinks of him now?If we had 22 guys like him starting, we would have a hell of a football team. Of course half of them would have to play offense; otherwise that's a penalty for too many guys on the field. Quote
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