Zippy989 Posted August 16, 2005 Report Posted August 16, 2005 http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/sports/colleg...on/12394374.htm Registration required.... Article below... Posted on Tue, Aug. 16, 2005 Brookhart counting on freshmen input Zips head coach expects highly touted class to produce early in season By David Lee Morgan Jr. Beacon Journal sports writer The first day of practice in full pads for the University of Akron football team Monday featured many bone-jarring hits -- several by former Ellet linebacker Bryan Howe -- along with a few minor altercations that carried over from the heat of competition and some bumps and bruises. Second-year head coach J.D. Brookhart went into preseason camp knowing: • University of Pittsburgh junior transfer Luke Getsy is the heir-apparent to replace Charlie Frye at quarterback; • Senior wide receiver Domenik Hixon will be the featured receiver. On defense, senior linemen Kiki Gonzalez (6-foot-2, 300 pounds) and Brian White (6-2, 275) are the key guys up front. But Brookhart plans on making the most of his freshman recruiting class, which was considered the top incoming class in the Mid-American Conference by several national publications. ``I think this freshman group is as (good as) advertised,'' said Brookhart, last year's MAC Coach of the Year. ``It's a talented group. There will be freshmen on the field and there will be some who will contribute, without question.'' Some of the freshmen who could see action include offensive lineman Garrett Brewster (6-4, 290), tight end Doug Fife (6-5, 239), defensive linemen Doug Williams (6-2, 241) and Eric Lively (6-2, 255), linebackers Kevin Grant (6-2, 235) and Jemall Benjamin (6-1, 225) and defensive backs Antonio Samuel (6-0, 203) and Brandon Anderson (5-11, 170.) Meanwhile, Brookhart wasn't impressed with the way the team practiced Monday. But, he wasn't overly concerned. ``Honestly, I think we were a little tired (today) and it showed,'' he said. ``We were a little lethargic and slow to get going. But that's part of fighting through two-a-days and we have to get the right mental attitude.'' And the battle in the backfield is looking very interesting. Dennis Kennedy, who initially signed with Ohio State but then was granted a release and enrolled at Akron last year, is making a push to move up on the depth chart. The redshirt freshman is listed as the No. 3 running back behind Brett Biggs and Jerrell Ringer. Kennedy, who ran with the No. 2 offense, had several nice runs and scored on a 76-yard screen pass Monday. After making the catch in the left flat, he bounced away from a few would-be tacklers, cut to the middle of the field where he made another cut to avoid a defender, then outraced the rest of the unit for the score. Kennedy was the leading rusher in the annual spring game with 81 yards. Brookhart said Ringer hasn't lost his spot on the depth chart and will be used in different ways. Last year, Ringer was edged out of the No. 1 spot at the end of preseason camp by Biggs. But Brookhart and the rest of the staff like Ringer because he's a team player and will play any position he's asked. ``What (Jerrell) is doing for us is huge,'' Brookhart said. ``He's in multiple positions. We're playing him at fullback and tailback. He's a smart kid and he knows the system. ``We have some two-back stuff where we're getting the fullback the ball so he's good to have in there. We have him listed on our board at fullback but he'll actually take reps at both (fullback and tailback).'' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote
Captain Kangaroo Posted August 16, 2005 Report Posted August 16, 2005 ``What (Jerrell) is doing for us is huge,'' Brookhart said. ``He's in multiple positions. We're playing him at fullback and tailback. He's a smart kid and he knows the system. ``We have some two-back stuff where we're getting the fullback the ball so he's good to have in there. We have him listed on our board at fullback but he'll actually take reps at both (fullback and tailback).'' I would have laughed at that 2 seasons ago, but Jerrell really improved his blocking last year. If you get a chance to watch the Akron/Marshall replay on the 24th, check out Jerrell's blocking in the second half. Quote
Z-P Posted August 16, 2005 Report Posted August 16, 2005 Ditto Cap'n............... On top of that, Jerrell is a TOP NOTCH human being also. Great young man from what we've seen. Quote
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