Recruits

[Lee Adams]

Surprised there were no comments about recruiting. Scout had the Zips around 106 in the country with Toledo the top MAC team if I read correctly. Rivals had them lower with BGSU and Central at the top of the MAC. Hollis,the DT out of Iowa looks interesting. Hopefully Jerome Lane will pan out at LB.

[johnnyzip84]

There has been a fair amount of discussion in the football recruiting forum, but it might not be a bad idea to collect the various thoughts on individual players here.

CJ Mizell is the key to this class for me. If he can graduate from his CC in Florida this summer, he should be eligible to play here in the fall. He should be a dominant linebacker in the MAC if he gets that opportunity.

I like it that TB hit the major needs (line depth on both sides) with this class. If they all see the field, the Zips ought to be better in 2013. We'll just have to see how many wins that may translate into. The seondary remains my biggest concern.

[K92]

I would love to see as many as possible from this class redshirt. Hopefully the JUCO transfers can come in and make an immediate impact along with the 2 wideouts Tubs passed on. Wouldn't break my heart to see the rest of them mature a year and get integrated into the strength program.

There are some very intriguing guys in this class...Lane, Moore & Morgan to name 3, but I wouldn't want to see their redshirts burned unless they can make a real difference as freshmen.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I would love to see as many as possible from this class redshirt. Hopefully the JUCO transfers can come in and make an immediate impact along with the 2 wideouts Tubs passed on. Wouldn't break my heart to see the rest of them mature a year and get integrated into the strength program.

There are some very intriguing guys in this class...Lane, Moore & Morgan to name 3, but I wouldn't want to see their redshirts burned unless they can make a real difference as freshmen.

To paraphrase Terry Bowden - "This is a great class with a lot of potential...I just hope I'm around long enough to see them become great."

Bowden feels he has to win now. Maybe looking back on Ianello's two 1-11, seasons he feels he's 50% of the way towards Wistercill giving him the axe? I certainly hope that's not the case.

Bowden SHOULD have a long leash, given the state of the program when he took it over and the groundwork laid last season. But he needs to get a couple wins this season by hook or by crook.

[johnnyzip84]

To paraphrase Terry Bowden - "This is a great class with a lot of potential...I just hope I'm around long enough to see them become great."

Bowden feels he has to win now. Maybe looking back on Ianello's two 1-11, seasons he feels he's 50% of the way towards Wistercill giving him the axe? I certainly hope that's not the case.

Bowden SHOULD have a long leash, given the state of the program when he took it over and the groundwork laid last season. But he needs to get a couple wins this season by hook or by crook.

I agree 100%, which is why I complained (some might call it whined ) when the MAC stuck it to the Zips with the 2013 schedule. But after I looked into this class and considered the little I saw of KP16 at the helm last year, I feel good about this team winning a minimum of 3 or 4 games, in spite of the challenging schedule. The only caveat is we can't afford to have too many of these guys wash out due to grades, etc.

[Blue & Gold]

I posted this in another thread, but I'll copy it here:

I really like this class.

Considering we're coming off 3 consecutive 1-11 season, I love this class.

I think the fact that LB's Jon Shelby and C.J. Mizell should be eligible to play next season is huge.

Also, the signing of JUCO DT Keontae Hollis is huge - I've been looking into him & the guy's a big, strong, mean, aggressive, hard-working stud.

We were in so many tight games last year where we just couldn't overcome our lack of depth.

Since we've now got Keontae Hollis, C.J. Mizell & Jon Shelby in the box, I'm going to say that the key to us going bowling next year is how DT Lavonne Gauthney pans out. If he turns out to be a player, that would give us 4 solid DT's. IMHO, that's where we lost a number of games last year - Cody & Caponi are very good, but by the end of games they were simply gassed.

Our front seven has a lot of potential:

DE------------------DT------------DT------------DE

Presley-----------Grice--------Caponi---------J. Turner

C.J. James-------Hollis-------Gauthney--------???

-------------------J. Price

---------LB-----------------LB---------------LB

------Shelby-------------Mizell------------March

-----J. Brown----------K. Baines--------J. Williams

----D. Moore-------------Rizzo------------J. Lane

[johnnyzip84]

I only have a few tweaks to your proposed defensive depth chart, B&G (and I have no problem with you focusing on the defense, because I think we all know that is the key - the Bowden/Milwee offense lead by KP16 will do just fine).

I think CSU Ram transfer CJ James will start at DE, considering JT Turner is still somewhat of a question mark (would like to have an update on his status, since he was suspended for the season closer at the Glass Bowl). Also, I believe you mean to have Rossi (not Rizzo, the O-linemen who has graduated) with the LBs.

Let's also not forget Horner and Isaiah Williams along the D-line. Horner just needs to get bigger. He made some plays for a true FR last year.

[zipzippy]

I am excited to see the addition of JUCO DT's hopefully they can contribute right away. If the defense shows improvement this year like the offense did last year, I think this team could win 6 games.

[Zipgrad01]

I have said it before and I will say it again, Bowden is a smart guy. Our lack of depth on the D line cost us 4 or 5 games last year and this is the key area where Bowden focused with this recruiting class. We lose very little on offense from a year ago, so I don't have concerns when it comes to putting up points. In fact, we should be more talented on the offensive side of the ball with the returning guys we have and a few key newcomers. The key was adding a playmaker or two and some depth to the DL and Bowden without a doubt has done this.

[K92]

I look forward to see how Jatavis Brown & Justin March come out in the spring. JB showed some flashes and if JM can step it up a notch or two, he can be a really good one. I would say (on paper) the LB corps looks pretty good. The lack of depth at DT has been addressed and if Caponi & Grice can get into a rotation with the newcomers, I look for good things to happen there.

The lack of depth at DE concerns me. Like JZ stated, Alfonso Horner appeared to gave some real potential last year when he stepped in Presley's absence. CJ James is an unknown quantity, but Coach Stroud obviously thinks he can get the job done. Presley can flat get it (when healthy). I don't have a lot of faith that we will ever see much out of JT55. Hope he proves me wrong, but there have been a lot of red flags if you paid attention last year.

Do you think there is any chance Moore or Lane have any potential at DE?

[K92]

I agree with Zipgrad01. I think the offense will be better this year, especially if KP16's arm strength can stretch the field more. All the pieces should be in place to be very productive. Marquelo Suel will be a big hole to fill but I hope to see D'Orazio back healthy and good production from the incoming freshmen in his absence.

[Buckzip]

Counting on true freshman is tough. Even many of the top rated 5* types often don't contribute much their first year. We signed a few DE last year that never made the team for whatever reason. I would love to know the status of some of last years class.

[Lee Adams]

I think Presley showed enough before he got hurt that if he is healthy he will contribute. But,I think some of the new guys,including the XFERS and maybe a guy like Lane are going to have to contribute if the D is going to improve. And it needs t. Coach Chuck needs to show it this season. While I am still not convinced the O is going to be 'fine' IF TB can fill the losses on the O-line,IF the QB situation is at least stable and TB can find some competition at RB....Still too many ifs for any consistency to be expected. TB needs to win 4 games this year,but still not sure if he will have the horeses to compete for at least another season. Hope springs eternal.

[johnnyzip84]

While I am still not convinced the O is going to be 'fine' IF TB can fill the losses on the O-line,IF the QB situation is at least stable and TB can find some competition at RB....Still too many ifs for any consistency to be expected.

That's what makes this time of year somewhat exciting. Neither one of us know what's going to happen, but we can each have different opinions without anyone being wrong. I'll clarify what I mean by "fine". Last year, the Zips averaged 427.2 yards/game and 25.1 points/game on offense. Now those figures were zomewhat skewed by the Morgan St game (753 yards and 66 points), so I don't expect the same averages with no FCS pushover on the 2013 schedule. Still, I will predict the Zips average at least 400 yards/game and 25 points/game on offense in 2013. We can come back to this thread in December to see how this compares to reality.