Class of '20 Verbal Commits

[Blue & Gold]

Anyone hear Arth’s press conference?

[ZipsVoice]

5 hours ago, NWAkron said:

QB from North Royalton (FYI the autocorrect is "Ritalin." Anyone know his story?

I was talking to one of the North Royalton basketball coaches, and he was saying the kid is strong-like-bull, but he has made noise that he wants to play BOTH football and baseball for the Zips.  And the coach said he's a better baseball player.  I would doubt to see this happening if coaching staff felt he was a QB answer here.  But, track/football guys have done it.  

[clarkwgriswold]

I remember Gest from high school.  You'd see him on the field and think "that kid doesn't look like anything special."  As soon as you thought it, he'd break off a long run.  Eventually you'd start wondering if he just got lucky and he'd break off another.  Kid's just a football player.  Not flashy, just effective.  This team can use some experience and maturity in the locker room.

 

I sure hope some of this size is effective size and not more ineffective and inexperienced livestock. 

Edited December 18, 2019 by clarkwgriswold

[Blue & Gold]

 

[Blue & Gold]

Signing Day press conference

[Ham]

I am a bit concerned that so many of the CC guys saw limited action.  I hope they pan out.

[LZIp]

I haven't watched the presser yet, but looking at our commits/signings, it looks like we had 4 players who were committed who haven't signed - all JUCO players:

DB Eric Scott (appears he flipped to and signed with Southern Miss)

DL Jaquan Green (unsigned)

S Kenny White (unsigned)

WR George Qualls (unsigned)

 

We signed 20, including Julian Hicks (apparently wasn't on scholly last year), per Gozips.com. 10 are early enrollees, which I think would help getting up to speed and contributing. So there are 5 spots to fill. Off the cuff, I lean towards 2 WRs, 1 DB, and 2 "best available" out there that might fall through the cracks.

[Zippyroo]

27 minutes ago, LZIp said:

I haven't watched the presser yet, but looking at our commits/signings, it looks like we had 4 players who were committed who haven't signed - all JUCO players:

DB Eric Scott (appears he flipped to and signed with Southern Miss)

DL Jaquan Green (unsigned)

S Kenny White (unsigned)

WR George Qualls (unsigned)

 

We signed 20, including Julian Hicks (apparently wasn't on scholly last year), per Gozips.com. 10 are early enrollees, which I think would help getting up to speed and contributing. So there are 5 spots to fill. Off the cuff, I lean towards 2 WRs, 1 DB, and 2 "best available" out there that might fall through the cracks.

Don't forget there were also several walk-ons from last year's class that could earn a scholarship if no other standout HS/Juco players are available....I would think a proven freshman/redshirt freshman with a year of experience in Akrons system is worth giving a scholarship to more than a uncertain pick. 

[ewbrooman1]

I see the sports information dept release says the Zips have the sixth rated class in the MAC and 98th nationally. That basically tells me it isn't great and it didn't suck. Oh well, that's how signing days go, especially for football. Check back in two years. Everybody gets better on signing day. ?

[LZIp]

17 minutes ago, ewbrooman1 said:

I see the sports information dept release says the Zips have the sixth rated class in the MAC and 98th nationally. That basically tells me it isn't great and it didn't suck. Oh well, that's how signing days go, especially for football. Check back in two years. Everybody gets better on signing day. ?

Those numbers are very fluid, I wouldn't pay too close attention until a week or so after the 2nd signing period. However, if those numbers did stand, it would be the highest ranked class since 09 (per the presser). Its actually more impressive now considering there are more FBS teams. Not bad considering 0-12.

Edited December 19, 2019 by LZIp

[Dr Z]

Coach Arth Is Positive About His Process 

 

Coach Arth takes questions from ZipsNation (photo by Dr Z)

 

 

 

Video Highlights of Signees -- Zips YouTube Channel

 

 

 

Signee Biographies (source: gozips.com) 

 

DEACON ALLEN

Defensive Lineman • Freshman • 6-1 • 320   Rockmart, Ga. | Rockmart HS   Will enroll at Akron in January 2020.

High School: Three-star recruit by 247Sports.com ... four-year letterwinner for coach Biff Parson at Rockmart HS ... played on defensive and offensive lines ... team went 11-1 in 2019 en route to the second round of the playoffs ... 2019 second-team All-Region selection ... team went 14-1 in 2018 and was the state championship runner-up ... 2018 first-team All-State and All-Region at offensive line and second-team All-Region at defensive line ... 2017 second-team All-region ... 2018 Honorable Mention All-Region ... also participated in wrestling and track ... finished fourth in 2017 state wrestling championship.

 

TRISTIAN BRANK

Tight End • Freshman • 6-4 • 230   Asheville, N.C. | Clyde A. Erwin HS

High School: WMAC All-Conference at tight end and defensive end for coach Rodney Pruett at Clyde A. Erwin HS ...  ... as a senior, had 43 catches for 579 yards and nine touchdowns ... as a junior, had 30 catches for 346 yards and three touchdowns ... defensively, had 29 tackles and eight sacks ... also lettered in basketball.

 

RONAN CHAMBERS

Offensive Lineman • Freshman • 6-5 • 270   Olmsted Township, Ohio | St. Edward HS

High School: Three-star recruit by 247Sports.com ... two-year letterwinner for coach Tom Lombardo at St. Edward HS ... 2019 third-team All-State, first-team All-District, and Honorable Mention All-Plain Dealer selection ... ... team was 2019 regional runner-up ... 2018 OHSAA Division I state champion ... also played basketball ... National Honor Society student.

 

ISIAH CHILDS

Running Back • Freshman • 6-1 • 205   Manhattan, Kan. | Wamego HS

High School: Three-star recruit by 247Sports.com ... two-way player for coach Weston Moody at Wamego HS ... saw action at running back and safety ... 2019 3A Offensive Player of the Year finalist ... 2019 Top 100 Seniors ... first-team All-State at running back and first-team All-Conference ... during prep career, totaled 2,356 all-purpose yards and 34 touchdowns ... as a senior in 2019, helped team to a 6-3 record ... had 1,115 yards and 16 touchdowns ... participated in the Kansas Shrine Bowl ... also participated in basketball and track ... had an offer from Kansas State.

 

TEON DOLLARD

Running Back • Junior • 5-11 • 200   Lake City, Fla. | Columbia HS | Independence CC   Will enroll at Akron in January 2020.

College: Three-star recruit by 247Sports.com ... As a Sophomore (2019): Saw action in 10 games at Independence Community College in 2019 under head coach Kiyoshi Harris... rushed for 569 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 56.9 yards per game ... helped the Pirates to a 8-2 overall record and 6-1 conference mark ... had 13 carries for 84 yards and two touchdowns against Highland ... rushed for 130 yards and a score on 15 carries in the win at Iowa Central ... had two touchdowns in the win over Butler ... As a Freshman (2018): Played at Alabama A&M for the 2018 season ... rushed 21 times for 61 yards and a touchdown ... scored first collegiate touchdown at Arkansas-Pine Bluff ... also had a 13-yard reception ... had 10 carries for 28 yards at Cincinnati ... had an offer from Stephen F. Austin.

High School: Played for coach Brian Allen at Columbia HS ... third-team All-Conference ... over prep career, had 176 carries for 1,444 yards ... as a senior, had 1,191 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 8.4 yards per carry.

 

TONY GEORGES

Offensive Lineman • Freshman • 6-2 • 290   Westlake, Ohio | Saint Ignatius HS

High School: Three-year letterwinner for coach Chuck Kyle at Saint Ignatius HS, the alma mater of coach Tom Arth ... played tackle, guard, and center ... 2019 Honorable Mention All-District and Honorable Mention All-Plain Dealer pick ... also a four-year letterwinner in track and field.

 

COLE GEST

Running Back • Redshirt Senior • 5-9 • 195   Solon, Ohio | St. Edward HS | Indiana   Will enroll at Akron in January 2020.

 

College: Spent three seasons at Indiana ... earned bachelor’s degree in liberal studies in 2019 ... As a Redshirt Junior (2019): Played in four games ... rushed four times for 12 yards and a touchdown ... also registered a 21-yard kickoff return ... As a Redshirt Sophomore (2018): Academic All-Big Ten selection ... suffered a season-ending ACL injury in the season-opening win at Florida International ... rushed five times for 17 yards and caught one pass for 10 yards ... As a Redshirt Freshman (2017): Academic All-Big Ten selection ... played in 10 games with one start (at Maryland) ... finished second on the team with 428 yards on 93 attempts (4.6 average) with one touchdown in 10 games with one start (at Maryland) ... his 428 yards were the fourth-highest freshman total in the Big Ten ... made 10 catches for 83 yards and one touchdown ... reached the century mark for the first time with 104 yards on a career-high 23 carries (4.5) with one score in the Rutgers win ... ran for 82 yards on 17 attempts (4.8) the previous weekend in the victory at Illinois ... also recorded a career-best three receptions for 27 yards for a career-high 109 all-purpose yards, making him the IU Offensive Player of the Game ... pulled in a 23-yard touchdown and finished with a career-high 28 yards on two catches at Maryland ... added a career-best three receptions for 27 yards to push his career-high all-purpose yardage total to 109 ... recorded 40-plus yards over three straight weeks vs. Georgia Southern (45), at No. 4 Penn State (48) and vs. Charleston Southern (47) ... pulled in a 23-yard touchdown and finished with a career-high 28 yards on two catches at Maryland ... IU offensive player of the game (Illinois) ... As a Freshman (2016): Rushed for 47 yards on 10 attempts in the first three games before suffering a season-ending injury and received a medical redshirt ... returned five kickoffs for 110 yards.

High School: Running back for head coach Tom Lombardo at St. Edward HS ... led St. Edward to Division I state championships in 2014 and 2015 and a 27-3 record ... finished his prep career as the school’s all-time leading rusher with nearly 4,000 yards and 50 career rushing touchdowns ... scored at least one TD in 24 consecutive games ... first-team All-Ohio and first-team All-District in 2015 ... rushed for 2,097 yards with 25 scores as a senior ... added 20 receptions, 342 yards and three touchdowns ... also had 20 receptions, 342 yards and three touchdowns as a senior ...  collected 1,854 rushing yards and 25 TDs as a junior ... named first-team All-District and special mention All-Ohio ... rated the No. 65 prospect in Ohio by Rivals.

 

WOOBENDY GUERRIER

Defensive Back • Junior • 6-0 • 200   Homestead, Fla. | South Dade HS | Butler CC   Will enroll at Akron in January 2020.

 

College: Three-star recruit by 247Sports.com ... As a Sophomore (2019): Played cornerback for coach Tim Schaffner at Butler Community College ... team went 10-3 overall ... saw action in four games ... had eight tackles and a break-up ... As a Freshman (2018): Played for Dodge City Community College ... saw action in six games ... had seven tackles and an interception.

High School: Played safety and corner for coach Nat Hudson at South Dade HS ... participated in the 2017 All-Star game ... also ran track ... competed in the 100- and 200-meter races as well as the long jump. 

 

JULIAN HICKS

Wide Receiver • Redshirt Junior • 6-3 • 200   Cleveland, Ohio | Mayfield HS | Central Michigan   Current Akron student, transferred 2019.

As a Redshirt Sophomore (2019):  Played in 11 games with nine starts at wide receiver ... had 32 receptions for 212 yards and two touchdowns ... made his first reception as a Zip at Central Michigan ... had two receptions for 12 yards and a touchdown at UMass ... had four receptions for 28 yards and a one-yard rush against Kent State ... led the Zips with a career-high 51 yards on nine receptions against Buffalo ... led the Zips with three receptions for 22 yards at Northern Illinois ... had an 11-yard reception at Bowling Green ... led the Zips with seven receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown against Eastern Michigan ... led the Zips with five receptions for 40 yards at Miami.

 

MYJADEN HORTON

Defensive Back • Freshman • 6-2 • 190   Cincinnati, Ohio | Princeton HS   Will enroll at Akron in January 2020.

High School: Three-star recruit by 247Sports.com ... three-year letterwinner at quarterback and safety ... played for coach Mike Daniels at Princeton HS as a senior ... transferred to Princeton after junior season at La Salle ... as a junior, threw for 742 yards and seven touchdowns while rushing for 362 yards and three touchdowns ... began his prep career at Lakota West ... as a sophomore in 2017, threw for 989 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 134 yards and three touchdowns in 2017 ...  had offers from Kentucky and Louisville.

 

JUAN JARRETT

Linebacker • Freshman • 6-2 • 185   Cincinnati, Ohio | Princeton HS

High School: Three-star recruit by 247Sports.com ... two-year letterwinner for coach Mike Daniels at Princeton HS ... registered more than 30 tackles as a senior ... also ran track ... had offers from Central Michigan, Georgia Tech, and Kansas.

 

JOEY MAROUSEK

Quarterback • Freshman • 6-2 • 195   North Royalton, Ohio | North Royalton HS

High School: Three-star recruit by 247Sports.com ... four-year letterwinner at quarterback for coach Nick Ciulli at North Royalton HS ... three-year team captain ... three-time All-Ohio, All-District, and All-Suburban League selection ... 2019 OHSFCA Academic All-Ohio ... during prep career, went 402-of-772 for for 6,613 yards and 64 touchdowns ... rushed for 1,787 yards and 26 touchdowns ... first sophomore team captain in school history ... also participated in baseball and track ... two-time All-Suburban League pick in baseball ... 2019 Prep Baseball Report All-State and All-District pick ... four-year Class President ... National Honor Society student ... Highest Academic Honors (all grading periods) ... eight-time Suburban League Scholar-Athlete ... Student Advisory Board member ... Lettermen’s Club member.

 

RYAN McCLAIN

Linebacker • Sophomore • 6-4 • 250   Albuquerque, N.M. | La Cueva HS | Garden City CC   Will enroll at Akron in January 2020.

College: As a Freshman (2019): Played defensive end for coach Tim Minnick at Garden City Community College ... Honorable Mention All-KJCAA ... team went 8-3 overall ... tallied 44 tackles, five sacks, and 10 TFL ... spent 2018 at Arizona Western College but did not play ... Dean’s List student ... had an offer from Kent State.

High School: Three-year letterwinner for coach Brandon Back at La Cueva HS ... team was the 2017 state championship runner-up ... All-State, All-6A Conference, and Team MVP ... as a senior, had 12 sacks ... invited to the All-Star game.

 

JONZELL NORRILS

Running Back • Freshman • 5-10 • 205   Toledo, Ohio | Central Catholic HS

High School: Played running back for coach Greg Dempsey at Central Catholic HS ... 2019 first-team All-State, All-TRAC and D-II Northwest Ohio All-District selection ... helped team to 2019 Three Rivers Athletic Conference championship and eighth consecutive regional final ... team made three appearance in the state quarterfinals and won three regional championships ... as a senior, rushed for 1,965 yards and 31 touchdowns on 298 carries ... also played basketball and ran track ... All-TRAC honoree in basketball ... Honor Roll student.

 

 

CHU OGBONNA

Defensive Back • Redshirt Junior • 6-2 • 180   Marietta, Ga. | Wheeler HS | Hutchinson CC   Will enroll at Akron in January 2020.

College: Three-star recruit by 247Sports.com ... As a Redshirt Sophomore (2019): Saw action in nine games for coach Rion Rhoades ... team went 10-2 overall and finished No. 3 nationally .... had six tackles and three break-ups ... had two tackles each in the win over Butler and at Highland ... had a stop and a break-up in the win over Dodge City ... As a Redshirt Freshman (2018): Spent two seasons at Middle Tennessee ... did not play ... As a Freshman (2017):  Redshirted ... had an offer from UMass.

High School: Two-year letterwinner for coach Mike Collins at Wheeler HS ... 2017 All-Conference selection ... had four interceptions and 12 break-ups.

 

 

MICHAEL SNOWDEN

Linebacker • Freshman • 6-2 • 195   Pittsburgh, Pa. | University Prep

High School: Three-star recruit by 247Sports.com ... played running back and linebacker for coach Lou Berry at University Prep ... as a senior, helped team to a 6-1 record and 4-0 mark in City League play en route to the City Championship game ... 2019 City League Hall of Fame ... had 1,267 yards and 19 touchdowns on 176 carries ... finished second in rushing in program history ... finished second in rushing in program history ... 2019 City League Hall of Fame ... as a senior, had 1,267 yards and 19 touchdowns on 176 carries ... also had 11 receptions for 94 yards as well as 110 tackle at linebacker ... 2017 Newcomer Award ... also ran track ... finished third in the 100- and 200-meter events.

 

NAZIR SY

Defensive Lineman • Sophomore • 6-2 • 290   Peachtree Corners, Ga. | Norcross HS | Butler CC   Will enroll at Akron in January 2020.

College: As a Freshman (2019): Two-star recruit by 247Sports.com ... played for coach Tim Schaffner at Butler Community College ... team went 10-3 overall ... saw action in 13 games ... registered 42 tackles, including 13 solo stops and 7.5 TFL, and 4.5 sacks for a loss of 30 yards.

High School: Three-year letterwinner for coach Keith Maloof at Norcross HS ... All-Conference selection.

 

JANIRR WADE

Defensive Lineman • Freshman • 6-4 • 280   Stone Mountain, Ga. | Stephenson HS   Will enroll at Akron in January 2020.

High School: Three-star recruit by 247Sports.com ... played defensive end, tackle, and tight end for coach Ron Gartrell at Stephenson HS ... 2019 and 2018 All-Region and All-County selection ... over prep career, had 200 tackle, 16 sacks, 27 TFL, and five forced fumbles ... also participated in track and field ... had offers from Bowling Green, Purdue, and Rutgers.

 

NATE WILLIAMS

Offensive Lineman • Freshman • 6-6 • 295   Utica, Ohio | Newark Catholic HS

High School: Three-year letterwinner for coach Ryan Aiello at Newark Catholic HS ... 2019 All-Ohio AP Special Mention, first-team All-Advocate, first-team All-Conference ... three-time Player of the Week ... 2018 Honorable Mention All-Conference ... saw action on offensive and defensive lines .... also played baseball for two years ... National Honor Society student ... four-year Honor Roll member ... volunteered for two years as junior high assistant football coach.

 

BRYCEN YARMO

Tight End • Redshirt Sophomore • 6-5 • 250   Hudson, N.H. | Phillips Exeter Academy | Coffeyville CC   Will enroll at Akron in January 2020.

College: As a Redshirt Freshman (2019): Spent the 2019 season at Coffeyville Community College ... played tight end for coach Aaron Flores ... Honorable Mention All-Jayhawk Conference selection saw action in seven games ... had three receptions for 32 yards ... As a Freshman (2018): Redshirted as a true freshman at Arizona Western College ... had offers from BYU and UMass.

High School: Spent one season of post-grad play at Phillips Exeter Academy for coach Rob Morris ... participated in the 2015 New Hampshire vs. Vermont Shrine Bowl ... also wrestled ... graduated from Alvirne HS in 2015.

 

 

 

Press Conference

 

 

[ZipsVoice]

Not casting dispersion on previous recruiting classes or current Zips, but it looks like, from the above bios, that we have a nice class of STUDENT-athletes, lots of good grades and academic honors, which usually translate into less issues off the field, both in the class room and in the community..... 

[exit322]

1 hour ago, ZipsVoice said:

Not casting dispersion on previous recruiting classes or current Zips, but it looks like, from the above bios, that we have a nice class of STUDENT-athletes, lots of good grades and academic honors, which usually translate into less issues off the field, both in the class room and in the community..... 

 

That's exactly what I was thinking.  Seems to be adding more credence of this year being a total "rip off the band-aid" year, which the Zips probably did need to do.  Wish they coulda done it without 0-12, but...

[LoyalZIP]

Thanks for compiling all of that here, Dr.!!

[72 Roo]

This recruiting class was as good as we could expect. That being said I was hoping we could get more OL & DL JUCO's who could make an immediate impact. But when you are 0-12 it is not realistic to expect superior talent to come in with 2-3 years left to play. They want to go somewhere to experience winning and championships. So with that being said I believe the coaching staff did a pretty good job. Arth seems to have gotten his type of player and I hope he can deliver as the talent base grows. It will be interesting to see what he does on the next signing date in February to complete this year's class. I sincerely wish him, and us, well as he builds our program. Let's hope he has a few pleasant surprises to reveal in February. He also may want to hold a couple of scholies back for graduate transfers after spring practice is completed across the country. We have hope and as Andy Duphayne said "Hope is a good thing, perhaps the best of things." 

[Blue & Gold]

WR George Qualls signed today. Don’t know why he didn’t sign yesterday. I’ll post the tweet tomorrow.

[Dr Z]

https://247sports.com/player/george-qualls-46094727/
 

 

[UA1987]

On 12/18/2019 at 8:23 AM, LZIp said:

Cole Gest is a surprise. Looks to be a grad transfer from Indiana.

I wonder if Cole knows Jonah Morris (both at IU together)? For that matter, I wonder if Morris plans on playing for the Zips in 2020.  

Edited December 20, 2019 by UA1987

[94zipgrad]

 

[NWAkron]

1 hour ago, 94zipgrad said:

 

I think the Zips were 12th ranked in recruiting the last few years.  So already an improvement.  Love the local talent. 

[Zipmeister]

On 12/19/2019 at 11:36 PM, Blue & Gold said:

WR George Qualls signed today. Don’t know why he didn’t sign yesterday. I’ll post the tweet tomorrow.

 

My guess:

I'm not claiming this is the case here, but since early signing came into existence I have seen several cases  where  the academic status of a CC recruit is not known until shortly after the first early signing date and once the status becomes positive (not necessarily a guarantee he will qualify) the school giving the kid a chance lets him sign.

[Blue & Gold]

Charles Amankwaa, CB, 5-11, 180, Monroe J.C., New Rochelle, NY.

[zzx]

 

Former 2020 commit RB De'Andre Bulley ends up at FCS Morgan State

 

Signing Day notes: River Rouge's Bulley sees model mentor in Morgan State's Tyrone Wheatley

 

[94zipgrad]

Plus I think I seen 16 PWO’s on top of this

Edited February 6, 2020 by 94zipgrad

[94zipgrad]