Akron Local Recruiting Targets

[33Akrondad7]

The title to the YouTube video indicates your son is/was a running back wearing number 22. I didn't really notice him much, but that number 33 was very prolific.

yea he is 33...... For what it is worth I believe in Akron and I want my boys to go to Akron. I have been to a bunch of schools and AKRONS FACILITY'S AND SCHOOLING IS TOP NOTCH. Mr. Bowden coached my youngest up at the first camp this year telling the group if they come to Akron they will be part of a transformation . It will be a hard road but the payoff will come. They wanna be in that group....I want them in that group.

[33Akrondad7]

This kid is right here in our own back yard. Any word?

38. Anthony Gotto

Tallmadge

QB, Sr., 6-0, 210

Dual-threat standout is coming off a stellar season, with 2,397 yards passing and 16 touchdowns and 404 yards rushing with four touchdowns.

hes gonna have a better season this year possible a state champion to his list.

[ZachTheZip]

Here is a quickly drawn-up, unofficial list of uncommitted players we have offered from the NE Ohio area:

From Akron:

LB Jerome Lane, Firestone HS

RB Christian O'Neal, Hoban HS

LB Deontae Moore, Kenmore HS

DB K'Shawn Dowdy, Kenmore HS

WR Jordan Hargrove, St. Vincent-St. Mary HS

WR Franshon Bickley, St. Vincent-St. Mary HS

From NE Ohio:

ATH Billy Aaron, Austintown Fitch HS

OG Jaylen Funches, Benedictine HS

WR Marshall Howell, Benedictine HS

OT Grant Lingafelter, Chagrin Falls HS

WR DeNiro Laster, Cleveland Heights HS

WR Dorien Hudson, Cleveland Heights HS

CB Joshua Pierce, Elyria HS

OT Steve Mathie, Glenoak HS

QB Reid Worstell, Glenoak HS

WR Chris Overton, Glenville HS

DB Shareef Shabazz, Glenville HS

ATH Brendan Cope, Howland HS

WR Darryl Richards, Kenston HS

WR Trei Thomas, Ként Roosevelt HS

OG Xzavier McAllister, McKinley HS

QB Nick Peyakov, Manchester HS

QB Robbie Nash, Notre Dame Cathedral Latin HS

DT Donovan Munger, Shaker Heights HS

WR Drew Barksdale, Solon HS

RB Khoury Krenshaw, Solon HS

WR Anthony Young, St Edward HS

RB Kenneth Butler, St Edward HS

RB Kareem Hunt, Willoughby South HS

[33Akrondad7]

Watching that Kenmore tape and that Can't Roosevelt tape is painful. Some of the highlights are against Norton, my high school. Norton also has a WR, Matt McGlone. I believe he is around 6'5. Long body with a decent build. He is getting recruited by Duke, Michigan State, Harvard, etc. However, that is more for his grades. 4.2 or something like that GPA. He was the no. 1 WR in DIII, though. I also know one of the Can't State coaches came to our school to talk to him this past year.

Coventry has a running back, Dillon Headrick, who is getting some big looks, too. Michigan, Texas, etc. He is around 6' I believe, he benches 285-295, squats around 500; very powerful back. He put up around 5 touchdowns on Norton if I remember correctly. Very good speed with a massive frame. Great kid, too. Good friends with him.

Akron should look at offering these guys.

I am going to take back the D1 comment about Headrick. I seen the kid the other day and he looks good. About 210 6' and a heck of allot quiker than last year.

[blueandgold]

Here is a quickly drawn-up, unofficial list of uncommitted players we have offered from the NE Ohio area:

From Akron:

LB Jerome Lane, Firestone HS

RB Christian O'Neal, Hoban HS

LB Deontae Moore, Kenmore HS

DB K'Shawn Dowdy, Kenmore HS

WR Jordan Hargrove, St. Vincent-St. Mary HS

WR Franshon Bickley, St. Vincent-St. Mary HS

From NE Ohio:

ATH Billy Aaron, Austintown Fitch HS

OG Jaylen Funches, Benedictine HS

WR Marshall Howell, Benedictine HS

OT Grant Lingafelter, Chagrin Falls HS

WR DeNiro Laster, Cleveland Heights HS

WR Dorien Hudson, Cleveland Heights HS

CB Joshua Pierce, Elyria HS

OT Steve Mathie, Glenoak HS

QB Reid Worstell, Glenoak HS

WR Chris Overton, Glenville HS

DB Shareef Shabazz, Glenville HS

ATH Brendan Cope, Howland HS

WR Darryl Richards, Kenston HS

WR Trei Thomas, Ként Roosevelt HS

OG Xzavier McAllister, McKinley HS

QB Nick Peyakov, Manchester HS

QB Robbie Nash, Notre Dame Cathedral Latin HS

DT Donovan Munger, Shaker Heights HS

WR Drew Barksdale, Solon HS

RB Khoury Krenshaw, Solon HS

WR Anthony Young, St Edward HS

RB Kenneth Butler, St Edward HS

RB Kareem Hunt, Willoughby South HS

I'm surprised we haven't offered Dante Booker from St. Vincent-St. Mary. Probably a long shot, but still worth trying!

[33Akrondad7]

I'm surprised we haven't offered Dante Booker from St. Vincent-St. Mary. Probably a long shot, but still worth trying!

I believe he is owned by OSU. Does anybody have a link or video of Christian O'Neal from Hoban?

[33Akrondad7]

Needing some help.... Who does my son call to see if Akron is interested in him? He is a JR and what I been told is coaches cant call him but he can call them.

[Dr Z]

Needing some help.... Who does my son call to see if Akron is interested in him?

Recruiting coordinator is John Pont (330) 972-5615 or email @ jspont@uakron.edu

Source

[Hilltopper]

I hope we are looking at Ron Brant from Green HS. His dad, Ron Brant Sr, was one heck of a player for the Zips as a saftey from 1981-84. The son is also a hard hitting saftey and slot receiver.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/513200/#highlights/7776392

[NewZipsFan]

I hope we are looking at Ron Brant from Green HS. His dad, Ron Brant Sr, was one heck of a player for the Zips as a saftey from 1981-84. The son is also a hard hitting saftey and slot receiver.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/513200/#highlights/7776392

If Pratt is any indication of the kind of players that come out of Green, I would bet a mortgage payment they're looking at every player on that team.

[AKSportsFan]

If Pratt is any indication of the kind of players that come out of Green, I would bet a mortgage payment they're looking at every player on that team.

Let's not forget Dylan Brumbaugh (Fun Fact: Sat with his Mom at Johnny J's for the game Saturday night)....Akron had previously offered Christian Dilauro who is now committed to Illinois. There is talent there. Ronnie Brant is a beast and a definite leader on this years team.

[Dr Z]

8. Kareem Hunt, RB, Willoughby South - He rushed for over 2,000 yards last year and should duplicate that again this year. He's listed between 5-11 185 to 6-0 204. Toledo (which seems to be the case with a lot of NEO kids) was the first to offer him, but Akron wasn't far behind. He runs track and I believe ran a sub 10.9 FAT 100-meter dash as a junior. From his highlights, Hunt seems like the total package. Very good speed, great balance, can catch the ball out of the backfield. How he is not even ranked by rivals, but DeVeon Smith from Howland is a 4-star, top-100 player makes me scratch my head. The competition both play is a wash, and Hunt looks to be the better player on film.

Just got suspended from Toledo.

This kid is right here in our own back yard. Any word? 38. Anthony Gotto Tallmadge QB, Sr., 6-0, 210 Dual-threat standout is coming off a stellar season, with 2,397 yards passing and 16 touchdowns and 404 yards rushing with four touchdowns.

Word. On the Zips roster.

I hope we are looking at Ron Brant from Green HS.

Division II

1. Steve Mathie, OT, GlenOak - He's the highest-ranked kid per Rivals who the Zips could land at No. 44 in Ohio. He's ahead of the now infamous Darian Hicks (who's rated No. 48). Rivals is showing an UCLA offer, but I believe the only legit offer he has right now is Akron.

Paving the way at THE University of Findlay.

2. Deontae Moore, DE, Kenmore - He's the epitome of a diamond in the rough. He's about 6-3, 200 pounds and plays for a horrible program. But he is athletic and flies to the ball, and has a frame that could get up to 240 pounds if put into a legit strength program. Right now, I believe Akron, Can't and Toledo have offered.

On the Zips roster.

[wadszip]

Just got suspended from Toledo.

Word. On the Zips roster.

Division II

Paving the way at THE University of Findlay.

On the Zips roster.

Not sure the reason for the bump, but I went back and looked through this thread, and it snows what a crap shoot recruiting is.

Of my list, we landed Moore (who I think can develop into a solid DE); and Anthony Young (after a short stint at Indiana), who may be more of a track guy, but has the speed to be a guy who can take the top off of defenses as a WR down the line.

I was interested to seeing what some of the other guys are up to.

As you pointed out, Hunt is suspended for two games, but he is arguably the best offensive player in the MAC and a legit NFL prospect. I like Hundley and Alexander, but neither is Kareem Hunt.

After that:

1. Crenshaw is track standout at Michigan (ran their 5th fastest 60 meter as a freshman). As a track guy, going to Michigan is a step down from Akron, but a UM degree is obviously prestigious. Can't blame the staff for that.

2. Marcus McShepherd is at Northwestern. He redshirted last year. Again, tough to turn down a NW degree.

3. Mathie, as pointed out is at Findlay, where he seems to be doing well early at a usually solid GLIAC program. That's a far cry from UCLA, or even Akron. True, he doesn't play yet at Akron, but still seems like somebody who wouldn't be overwhelmed at the MAC level (the GLIAC has produced some pretty good NFL players).

4. I don't see Trei Thomas on a roster, but a twitter account by that name, showing a bunch of kids in Can't Roosevelt HS uniforms has a "Zips, Zips, Zips!!" Tag line. Maybe just a regular student at UA?

5. Marshall Howell is at D3 John Carroll, where he looked to have had a very good freshman season before getting hurt. Yes JCU has produced a potential Pro Football Hall of Famer (London Fletcher), but a big difference in talent level. But the OAC (Fletcher, Pierre Garcon, Cecil Shorts) has produced some good NFL talent. So its not unheard of for a guy to fall through the cracks and end up there.

Some other notables:

1. Darian Hicks: he was a guy I really wished Akron could've have landed. But in retrospect, even though OSU didn't offer, as soon a Michigan State came calling, it was over. Mark Dantonio has a keen eye for talent, especially at CB. Hicks started 10 games for MSU last year and will be another Spartan CB in the NFL. Plus, MSU is now a legitimate major program.

2. Jerome Lane: This was easily Bowden's best pull from the 2013 local class. I never really considered him for UA because I thought he was high major bound. Whether those offers never came through, or he just wanted to stay home, he was a major get.

3. Ed Stockett is now can't remember what happened. He committed to Akron early and looked like the QB in the class. He supposedly had some P5 offers (Pitt and Rutgers, IIR). But he is now at Indiana .... Indiana University of Pa. Looks like he is their starter. But it worked out OK since Travon Chapman (a 4 star, top 250 prospect from that class) is now at Akron. Also, Reid Worstell, another QB discussed in that class is now at Walsh.

Overall, when you look back, I think the staff did a pretty good job locally out of that class. The only guy you can truly look at as a big loss is Hunt. Part of it is because he went to another MAC school (though one with more success) and partly because Akron has/had gotten some kids from Willoughby South (Nicley, Ritz).

And Bowden has gotten some solid local kids in 14 and 15. Just win now and I think more local kids will come on board. And it also looks like Summit County football has easily surpassed Stark in terms of talent and is gaining on Cuyahoga. But all three counties, along with Portage, Medina and Wayne, should be receptive to UA if this team starts winning.

[GJGood]

I know it's not quite as local to campus but just 90 minutes to two hours down the road you can find a lot of talent in Central Ohio too. I know a lot of MAC school recruit Central Ohio and end up with good talent. I see no reason why Akron couldn't get in on some of the same kids that Ohio, BG, Toledo, and the directional Michigan schools do. I'd love to see the Zips be more of a factor down here. It's not like Akron hasn't gotten quality from Central Ohio in the past , just not the same quantity as many other MAC programs and looking at geographic proximity I have never understood why.

[wadszip]

I know it's not quite as local to campus but just 90 minutes to two hours down the road you can find a lot of talent in Central Ohio too. I know a lot of MAC school recruit Central Ohio and end up with good talent. I see no reason why Akron couldn't get in on some of the same kids that Ohio, BG, Toledo, and the directional Michigan schools do. I'd love to see the Zips be more of a factor down here. It's not like Akron hasn't gotten quality from Central Ohio in the past , just not the same quantity as many other MAC programs and looking at geographic proximity I have never understood why.

While Columbus is an area that the Zips should recruit, and Domenick Hixon and Chase Blackburn are two recent guys who went on to have NFL success, here is a reason why focusing on our home area is so important:

http://www.scout.com/nfl/story/1463453-nfl-roster-breakdown-by-areas?s=127

The Cleveland area, which I assume includes Akron since Cincy and Dayton are lumped together, is the No. 10 most NFL talent laden area in the country.

Which at 41 NFL players is No. 2 in the Midwest, slightly behind the much larger Chicago area (43). Per capita, Cleveland moves up to No. 7 overall (and per capita the No. 1 major region in the country) and, obviously, No. 1 in the Midwest.

Furthermore, if "Cleveland" was a state, it would rank No. 16 in total players ... Ahead of Mississippi, Maryland, New York, Missouri, Wisconsin, Arizona, etc. It would rank just below Tennessee (44) and Illinois (48 ...pretty crazy that Illinois only has 5 players outside Chicago).

The amount of talent this area produces is pretty staggering. Same can be said in basketball, too. For example Akron target Willie Jackson is the No. 195 player in the country, the No. 13 in Ohio, but is the No. 9 player in the Cleveland area, according to 247sports. Personally, Jackson is, IMO, a top 5 talent in Ohio (and would say that regardless of interest in Akron).

I'm just putting some perspective in how crucial this area is when it comes to recruiting. Akron doesn't have look far to find talent.

In hoops, Jackson would be a huge get. In football, keep mining the area and Akron will also get NFL type players.

[Blue & Gold]

The amount of talent this area produces is pretty staggering. Same can be said in basketball, too. For example Akron target Willie Jackson is the No. 195 player in the country, the No. 13 in Ohio, but is the No. 9 player in the Cleveland area, according to 247sports.

That is pretty insane.

[Captain Kangaroo]

While Columbus is an area that the Zips should recruit, and Domenick Hixon and Chase Blackburn are two recent guys who went on to have NFL success, here is a reason why focusing on our home area is so important:

Recent? They played for Lee Owens.

[wadszip]

That is pretty insane.

Actually, Jackson is no. 8 prospect from the area. I was counting Ted Kapita, who 247 had as the No. 5 Ohio prospect (no. 50 nationally). He was aa fifth year prep school kid, who was at Spire Institute. He is from Florida, originally. He also isn't at Spire anymore as he decided to sign a pro contract in France.

Also, four of the area's top five prospects have transferred out of state:

Omari Spellman (North Royalton/Villanova, No. 22) is at a prep school in Massachusetts.

VJ King (SVSM/Louisville, No. 25) is at a school outside D.C.

Derek Funderburk (St. Eds/Ohio State, No. 62) and Micah Potter (Mentor/Ohio State, No. 166) are both at IMG.

Of those, King was a legit move since his dad got a job in D.C., but he had lived most of his life in Cleveland/Akron. The other three's families are still in the Cleveland area.

The other ranked prospects are:

Jon Teske (Medina/Michigan, no. 136)

Tervell Beck (Cleveland Central Catholic, No. 185)

Frankie Hughes (Garfield Heights, No. 193)

Willie Jackson (Garfield Heights, No. 195)

Henry Baddley (SVSM/Butler, No. 239)

[Blue & Gold]

I think I read somewhere that Tervell Beck moved out of the area as well. Is he still @ CCC?

[wadszip]

I think I read somewhere that Tervell Beck moved out of the area as well. Is he still @ CCC?

There was talk that Beck and Markell Johnson, top 50 2017 recruit from East Tech, were both going to transfer to a school in New Jersey. But I believe both ended up staying.

[johnnyzip84]

Let's not forget Dylan Brumbaugh (Fun Fact: Sat with his Mom at Johnny J's for the game Saturday night)....Akron had previously offered Christian Dilauro who is now committed to Illinois. There is talent there. Ronnie Brant is a beast and a definite leader on this years team.

The Suburbanite has a nice article on both Pratt and Brumbaugh as they enter the end of their Zip careers.

[Dr Z]

Akron Builds Program on Backbone of Local Talent -from go zips dot com

"I can't say enough about bringing John Nemec onto our staff," Bowden said. "He's one of the deans of local high schools. He has great credibility and respect among coaches in this area, and I think having him on our staff has been critical to us earning that trust from these high school coaches. Apparently, Bowden's strategy has worked. Currently Akron has 51 student-athletes on its roster from the state of Ohio; 37 of those live within a 30-mile radius to campus, including eight of the 22 starters.

Edited December 11, 2015 by Dr Z

[ZippyRulz]

Jamal Davis of Canton transferring out of Pitt for more PT..

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/12/11/two-players-reportedly-leaving-pitt-panthers-football-team/

Edited December 17, 2015 by ZippyRulz

[Blue & Gold]

Jamal Davis of Canton transferring out of Pitt for more PT..

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/12/11/two-players-reportedly-leaving-pitt-panthers-football-team/

He was a stud coming out of high school. He'd be a great pickup.

[zipsoutsider]

Very nice article with on UA targeting local kids. Sounds like it was a priority from day 1, just took a little time to start bearing fruit.

http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/ua-football-focus-on-local-talent-helped-terry-bowden-build-zips-into-winners-1.648796