Zips Blips

[Captain Kangaroo]

I was able to gather some information regarding the Summer Zips last week. Here are some of the notes I thought were interesting. If all goes well, I hope to get similar updates weekly/bi-weekly throughout the remainder of the season:

Zips Blips

As posted by a few others on the board, Dennis Basch is officially done. Too bad, because he was one of the nicest guys on the team.

Getsy is looking good at QB, and Jabari is doing very well in his full time WR role.

Freshman recruit Jay Sharps is about 80% back from a leg injury suffered at the end of his HS season. Red shirting looks probable, but who knows…maybe he’s got Nick Dials’ apparent recovery speed?

The incumbent OL’s will be given every opportunity to maintain their spots in the 2-deep. But if one (or more) should falter, expect Elliot Bates to be the first true freshman lineman to get a shot at some PT…and I have to believe we’ll see him.

Josh Kiner, Terriko Marshall and Zack Anderson are not yet on campus (as of the last week in July). All other incoming freshman are in Akron. Kiner and Anderson had some all star game commitments. Not sure what the story is with Marshall, but all three are expected to be ready in August. In fact, all eligible freshman recruits listed on signing day are expected to be in camp.

Al-Teric Balaam is on campus. The hubbub regarding his courtship by Iowa can officially stop!

The summer workout performance of Allen, Alphonse, Poindexter, Jackson, DeScott and several others’s have drawn rave reviews. The recruiting class appears to be as good as advertised.

The incoming frosh who’s been most impressive? Carlton Jackson. He’s spending a lot of time in the film room, in addition to working out very hard this summer (he’s been on campus all summer). Has a great attitude…really appears like he’s going to be a special player.

Recruit Kevin Garner has been described as “unstoppable” and could turn out to be the star if this recruiting class. Unfortunately, as has been reported by ZFF, we’ll need to wait until next season to see him as he needs to fulfill his academic requirements.

As mentioned by “Inthezone,” Brandon Anderson and Devanso Tate will dramatically upgrade our DB situation this year. Both have looked great this summer and are working hard.

Paris McNeil continues to be an enigma. Great physical ability, but it isn’t transferring to greatness on the field. We’ll see if he improves on his last year’s performance, or struggles again.

Despite playing DL in the Pennsylvania East/West All Star game, recruit Merce Poindexter is slated to be groomed as a TE for the Zips.

Next year’s (2006) defensive line, on-paper, appears to be unbelievable: Garner, Hight, Nate Robinson and the Buchtel DL that Pitt pulled it offer from (name escapes me at the moment) are MAJOR talents. Unbelievable if, of course, all are eligible. Rumors of yet 3rd “impact” defensive transfer on campus are circulating, but no further information is available.

The football Gods seemingly smiled on the Zips last season when they signed Kevin Grant and Brion Stokes after their frenetic 6-week recruiting window last year. Grant was offered by both BGSU and Cincinnati after his verbal commitment to the Zips but held firm on his word. Stokes was heavily recruited by 1-AA schools, but didn’t really have any 1-A offers. Those “in-the-know,” rave about Stokes’ “safety speed in a linebacker’s body” and both he and Grant are expected to be big-time difference makers this year.

[Buckzip]

Great update. Keep them coming.

Carlton Jackson will be our QB. If not this year, then next year. He is the real deal.

Is Hight on campus? If so, is he expected to be able to play next year?

Thanks for the updates.

[zff]

Great work Capn'. That is the best update on Zips football I have ever seen.

The DL in question is Marlon Terry. He is a big strong fast kid from Akron Buchtel.

I feel sad for Dennis Basch. I wish him all the best of luck and thank him for his dedication to Zips football.

[InTheZone]

A few comments....

I hate to burst the CJ bubble, but from what I've heard, Jacquemain is the more impressive freshman than Jackson. He's a drop back passer with a cannon but has deceptive elusiveness (sort of like....Charlie Frye). Jackson on the other hand is a tremendous athlete with a weak arm (sort of like....Jabari Arthur). You can work as hard as you want and you can study all the film you want but if you don't have an arm you can't play quarterback. That's why none of the big schools would recruit him as a quarterback. He might become a great player here but it won't be at QB.

I really feel for Dennis Basch, but it may be for the best for him anyway to hang it up now for a more than legit reason and keep his scholarship. From what I've heard the coaches love Kasparek, and Basch would've spent a lot of time riding the pines.

also...

Many on this board think there are problems on the D-line, but the fact of the matter is the D-Line, most of whom are under 250 pounds, dominated the O-line all through spring practice. Here's to hoping two of those freshman O-lineman can step it up this year because the current group is horrible. If SOMEBODY doesn't step up, it's going to be a long year for Getsy and Biggs.

[Captain Kangaroo]

A few comments....

I hate to burst the CJ bubble, but from what I've heard, Jacquemain is the more impressive freshman than Jackson.

Many on this board think there are problems on the D-line, but the fact of the matter is the D-Line, most of whom are under 250 pounds, dominated the O-line all through spring practice.

My friend had great things to say regarding Jacquemaine too. However, he felt Jackson had a leg up at this time. Since both are a week away from the first practice of their 4-5 years @ Akron, I guess it is a bit early to hand any "QB of the Future" awards out just yet. Sufficive to say: We're in better shape than the early Uhlenake/Washington/Gromek days.

Regarding the OL...I tend to agree with you. I have heard we have three OL's that are pretty solid (Donaldson being the best). Three that are "ok". And four that really will need to make a dramatic improvement over the next 4 weeks if they want to hold off the Freshmen. I'm sure JD would like to red shirt the entire 2005 class...what coach doesn't? But some of our holes appear too big to afford keeping quality Freshman off the field.

[zipboy]

Thanks for the post Captain, great insights.