Zips Pigskin Pulse

[Captain Kangaroo]

Here are a few recruiting-related tidbits I recently stumbled across.

Jacob Harrison, the 2016 QB recruit was offered early after a standout performance at the Zips summer Camp. Milwee apparently loves him, and Jacob likes the opportunity to be a passing QB in such an air-centric offense.

Donterio Fowler and Jason Williams are both in Prep Schools and expected to enroll at UA next year.

Matt Blaha, the 6' 4" 365 lb OL prospect recently spotted on the Zips sideline, is indeed walking-on with the Zips.

Jerry Klue, the Medina/Northwestern DB...we hardly knew ye. He has already left the team.

The "soft verbal" of Ronnie Hoggins is more porous than ever. Don't expect to see him in a Zips uniform.

Shipman, Dixon, Dunkleberger and Jan Johnson remain solid verbals.

The confirmed transfer list for the 2015 season includes:

Jamal Marcus (Ohio State)

TreVon Chapman (Ashland/Pitt)

Larry Hope (Miami Fl)

Rodney Coe (Iowa State)

Donnell Alexander (Colorado State)

Demarco Haynes (5' 8", 160lb WR - Northern Michigan)

AJ Coney (Weber State)

Travonte Junius is a 2015 grey shirt, as is K'von Wilson.

Look for 6' 4" TE Josh McNeil at Tuesday night's BGSU game. This well-traveled, highly-recruited TE will be having an official visit with the Zips. Hopes are high that he'll be in the Blue and Gold next fall. BJ Bonner is another recruit high on the Zips list.

Lunch time's over. Apologies up front for any typos. More updates will follow!

[Hilltopper]

Great update CK.

[Balsy]

Great news CK, Thanks for the update!

[johnnyzip84]

Thanks for the info, CK Keep the defibrillator handy.

[zippy5]

Thanks CK. Feel like I'm beating a dead horse today but that's a significant more amount of news than the guy that gets paid to write on the Zips has given us.

[Jrship35]

So what is the low down on the list of QB's on the roster ? .................. Lot of young guys and we have a commitment from this 2016 kid

Is this kid Chapman going to be the future or is Woodson the man ?

9 Tra'Von Chapman QB So. 6-1 210 Can't, Ohio / ashland / Pittsburgh / Roosevelt HS

15 Nick Hirschman QB Sr. 6-4 235 Los Gatos, Calif. / Colorado / Los Gatos HS

6 Matthew Hoyer QB So. 6-4 195 North Olmsted, Ohio / Mercyhurst (Pa.) / St. Ignatius HS

18 Chandler Kincade QB Fr. 6-5 230 Beaver Falls, Pa. / Blackhawk HS

16 Kyle Pohl QB Jr. 6-3 217 Farmersville, Ohio / Valley View HS

23 Devyn Wood QB Fr. 6-2 185 Mount Orab, Ohio / Western Brown HS

13 Thomas Woodson QB RFr. 6-1 233 Monroeville, Pa. / Gateway Senior HS

With 2 freshmen and a red shirt freshman ................ These are Bowden recruits ? Will they be in the mix for playing time next season ?

[Blue & Gold]

So what is the low down on the list of QB's on the roster ? .................. Lot of young guys and we have a commitment from this 2016 kid

Is this kid Chapman going to be the future or is Woodson the man ?

9 Tra'Von Chapman QB So. 6-1 210 Can't, Ohio / ashland / Pittsburgh / Roosevelt HS

15 Nick Hirschman QB Sr. 6-4 235 Los Gatos, Calif. / Colorado / Los Gatos HS

6 Matthew Hoyer QB So. 6-4 195 North Olmsted, Ohio / Mercyhurst (Pa.) / St. Ignatius HS

18 Chandler Kincade QB Fr. 6-5 230 Beaver Falls, Pa. / Blackhawk HS

16 Kyle Pohl QB Jr. 6-3 217 Farmersville, Ohio / Valley View HS

23 Devyn Wood QB Fr. 6-2 185 Mount Orab, Ohio / Western Brown HS

13 Thomas Woodson QB RFr. 6-1 233 Monroeville, Pa. / Gateway Senior HS

With 2 freshmen and a red shirt freshman ................ These are Bowden recruits ? Will they be in the mix for playing time next season ?

Chandler Kincade was/is supposed to be the QB of the future. But Tra'Von Chapman transferred in after we signed Kincade & is supposed to be a stud. He did look like a superior athlete during the one series he played in the spring game. I'd say he's more explosive than anyone on the Zips current roster regardless of position. He looks like an NFL-esque athlete, but we don't yet know if he can really play QB at this level. Kincade is supposed to be a true gunner.

[Dave in Green]

... Is this kid Chapman going to be the future or is Woodson the man ? ...

Of the bunch, Chapman was easily the highest rated QB out of HS. Rivals.com ranked him as a four-star prospect and nationally the 12th-best quarterback in his HS class. He was offered by Arizona, Boston College, Cincinnati, Illinois, Minnesota, Northwestern and Wisconsin, among others. That doesn't guarantee anything, but it does seem to give him a little head start. On the other hand, after being released by Pitt he didn't exactly set the world on fire at Ashland, which seems to be a little setback. Bottom line: huge question mark.

[ZachTheZip]

We don't know yet whether Chapman has his head on straight.

And, as CK mentioned, don't forget who we have coming in 2016.

[Jrship35]

Chandler Kincade was/is supposed to be the QB of the future. But Tra'Von Chapman transferred in after we signed Kincade & is supposed to be a stud. He did look like a superior athlete during the one series he played in the spring game. I'd say he's more explosive than anyone on the Zips current roster regardless of position. He looks like an NFL-esque athlete, but we don't yet know if he can really play QB at this level. Kincade is supposed to be a true gunner.

Kincade looks to be a big pro style QB ................... Is he equipped to navigate Bowden ball ?

[Jrship35]

Seems like alot of QB's on the roster .....

Kincade's film is nice ............... He seems to have a cannon for an arm

[zippy5]

Can't ever have too many QBs. Kincade is the real deal. Whether he is a good fit for Bowden, we'll see. He was setting all kinds of records at Blackhawk before he got hurt. Funny thing is, him and Chapman were both recruits that Pitt was thrilled to have. And now they're zips

[Jrship35]

Also don't see this guy on the roster:.............. 2014 signee

Anthony Clark DL 6-4 276 Akron, Ohio / Buchtel HS

[Buckzip]

Also don't see this guy on the roster:.............. 2014 signee

Anthony Clark

DL

6-4

276

Akron, Ohio / Buchtel HS

He's on the game notes roster but not the regular roster.

[Jrship35]

Anyone know why that would be ? Appears there may be a couple of guys like that

[Blue & Gold]

I don't know why that would be, but I do know Anthony Clark is definitely a redshirt. He's a stud.

Pretty certain Boxen is also a redshirt.

[Jrship35]

OK ....... They both look good on film

[Buckzip]

Anyone know why that would be ? Appears there may be a couple of guys like that

Because our SID is terrible. It is near impossible to get any info on this team.

[Jrship35]

OK ..... Want to get all you veteran fans opinions. I have looked through Coach Bowdens 2 signing classes (2013 and 2014) and also looked at the films of each. As much as everyone has lost faith in this years team and where the program is or is not headed, I truly believe that the talent level in these two classes is without doubt a dramatic step up in talent from what I see on the field in the upper classman. I think that this is pretty important to look at as it does show the opportunity upcoming for the program

And although the 2015 class is kind of up in the air, the commits seem to be in the same mold as the first two signing classes ... The transfers sitting out that are eligible next year seem to be studs, as long as the attitudes are in check

Another year I know, another disappointment ..... alot of hype and expectation shot down. BUT, hope should still be alive (LOL)

O-line and D-line appear to have been addressed ...... D-line weight average is about 272 (of the recruits) and appear quick on film (LOL, the dog I have in the hunt committed for 2015 is at 250 lbs and hopes to be at 260 when he comes in June)

Couple of bigger receivers ..... Let's hope they can catch

A little bit bigger at corner and safety ...... Let's hope they are physical !!

Just some thoughts over coffee while searching for some positives for you guys !!!!

[Jrship35]

http://www.gozips.com/sports/fball/2014-15/releases/20140205bjdq76 .............. 2014 class

http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/university-of-akron-football-recruits-for-2013-1.371223 ............. 2013 class

[Dave in Green]

... BUT, hope should still be alive ...

Hope has been beaten out of longtime Zips fans along with Faith and Charity.

[Jrship35]

Hope has been beaten out of longtime Zips fans along with Faith and Charity.

LOL ........ I completely understand I painfully watched some older film and it was pretty ugly

Even more the understanding of frustration in starting 4-2 with a nice Pitt win ..............

[johnnyzip84]

Thanks for trying to look forward with some hope, Jrship35

Here are a few additional tidbits on the class of 2014:

Scott Boyett hasn't been able to garner PT and it does not appear that injuries are an issue. It seems to be a consensus that Blake Dennis is not a D-1 WR.

Travonte Junius is reportedly not enrolled at this time.

Newman Williams, Clark, Boxen and Bullard all look very good to me and should be major contributors quickly.

Here are a few additional tidbits on the class of 2013:

WRs Austin Wolf and Mykel Traylor-Bennett have both shown signs of ability. MTB has been frustratingly inconsistent though (and doesn't seem to have the coaches' faith at this point, though he has also been battling an injury), and Wolf was hurt just as he was flashing his speed and hands earlier this year. Gauthney has not been able to get PT, despite his size. I'm a little disappointed/surprised that neither Ericksen nor Kortokrax have been able to lend a boost to the O-line in 2014.

Jerome Lane is one of the few bright spots during the 2014 losing skid. He can only get better.

Speaking of Hope (Larry), TB has publicly touted the transfers who are sitting out this year. The key players in this group are those listed below:

RB Donnell Alexander

QB Tra'Von Chapman

DL Rodney Coe

DB Larry Hope

DL Jamal Marcus

DB AJ Coney

There are some who think all 6 will start next year. That may be the case, but the reliance on transfers has to give way to solid FR recruits if the program is gain any stability IMHO. This tactic was understandable in the 1st few years, as it capitalizes on one of TB's strengths.

[Jrship35]

Thanks for trying to look forward with some hope, Jrship35

Here are a few additional tidbits on the class of 2014:

Scott Boyett hasn't been able to garner PT and it does not appear that injuries are an issue. It seems to be a consensus that Blake Dennis is not a D-1 WR.

Travonte Junius is reportedly not enrolled at this time.

Newman Williams, Clark, Boxen and Bullard all look very good to me and should be major contributors quickly.

Here are a few additional tidbits on the class of 2013:

WRs Austin Wolf and Mykel Traylor-Bennett have both shown signs of ability. MTB has been frustratingly inconsistent though (and doesn't seem to have the coaches' faith at this point, though he has also been battling an injury), and Wolf was hurt just as he was flashing his speed and hands earlier this year. Gauthney has not been able to get PT, despite his size. I'm a little disappointed/surprised that neither Ericksen nor Kortokrax have been able to lend a boost to the O-line in 2014.

Jerome Lane is one of the few bright spots during the 2014 losing skid. He can only get better.

Speaking of Hope (Larry), TB has publicly touted the transfers who are sitting out this year. The key players in this group are those listed below:

RB Donnell Alexander

QB Tra'Von Chapman

DL Rodney Coe

DB Larry Hope

DL Jamal Marcus

DB AJ Coney

There are some who think all 6 will start next year. That may be the case, but the reliance on transfers has to give way to solid FR recruits if the program is gain any stability IMHO. This tactic was understandable in the 1st few years, as it capitalizes on one of TB's strengths.

Thanks for adding ,,,,, My only slight concern is if these transfers come with some leadership skills. Right on point about the transfers. After three recruiting classes, there should be much less need for transfers (although there will always be some)

O-Line is crucial to shore up .......... This is where some well timed transfers or JUCO guys would help out. Looks to me that we have the young talent, just need some experience and stability

[Captain Kangaroo]

Getting him to sign was apparently not a slam-dunk