Zips 2006 Recruiting Class Overview

[Captain Kangaroo]

Since the topic of recruit retainment is so hot, I figured I would research the status of the recruits announced on February 2006's National Letter of Intent Day. Here is the status as of Nov. 2006:QB Sean Hakes: On campus since the spring. Will definitely be in the mix for the starting QB position for the fall of 2007RB Andre Boone: Family problems caused him to drop out of high school at the beginning of his final semester. He apparently will not complete his HS diploma work any time soon and is not ever expected to be a Zip.RB Sheldon Dennis: Decided to attend a JUCO in Kansas. Still in contact with the U of A and could still be a Zip in the future.RB Aris Reed: Was expected to contribute in 2006 after the knee injury to Alex Allen. However, he sustained a concussion during practice the week following his Zips debut and is now execting to get a medical redshirt.WR DJ Henderson: Will never be a Zip. Did not qualify academically.WR Curtis Brown: Seriously injured in a late summer automobile accident. Has told the staff he will enroll in January. No one really will know his physical condition until he gets on campus. WR David Harvey: Slated to break every receiving record in school history.OL Mark Jackson: Elected to attend a prep school. Still a shot at being a Zip...but certainly not probable.OL Mike Ward: Redshirting. He is looking very good in scout team workouts.OL Jason Sekinger: RedshirtingOL Corey Woods: RedshirtingDL Dantley Cline: Redshirting. It was a tough decision whether or not to play him this year. He's good to go for the fall.DL Tevlin Petit-Frer: Redshirting. Looking great in scout team workouts...scout team POTW virtually every week. Comfortable at 210lbs, and looks to be an impact player at LB (not DL) next season.DL Jerrel Stoudemire: No-qualifier, but enrolled and doing fine. Fingers are crossed that he continues to hit the books. He will be an immediate contributor if eligible next fall.DL Blake Smith: Non-qualifier who is on-campus and enrolled.LB Mitchell Magloire: Redshirting.LB Mickey Baker: RedshirtingLB Derron Smith: Non-qualifier, and not enrolled. He is expected to be in classes this January. Incredible talent, and worth taking a flier on him. Fingers are crossed.LB Jacquon Williams: Decided to go the JUCO route. Still hoping to be a Zip in the future.DB Wayne Cobham: Playing in 2006.DB Delvin Davis: RedshirtingDB Amin Kabir: Playing in 2006. Big, strong, fast and physical. He'll make an impact in 2007.DB Anthony Barnes: Got caught up in an NCAA clause where he improved his ACT score by 4 points on a re-take, so it got flagged. Like The Bill in School House Rock, he's stuck in committee. It will take a few more months to sort out whether he will get 3 or 4 years eligibility. He's on campus taking classes this fall.K Igor Iveljic: Contrary to recent reports, he is not suspended from the University. He is taking classes, and if he does what's expected of him, the Zips won't need to recruit a kicker for the 2007 class. DB Andre Jones: I love this guy. Great special teamer. Great DB. And he'll only get better.DL Sean Lemon: A grey shirt. I believe he goes on scholarship this spring.P John Stec: Starting Punter. Has had his ups and downs this year.Ryan Brinson (Canton McKinley) is enrolled. And, as stated in a different thread, Antwon Hight is giving school a shot after a stint in factory work.Summary:Of the 27 publically associated with the Zips signing class of 2006, I count 21 that are enrolled at UA. I count 4 that still have the Zips on their radar. I count two that definitely are out.Mr, Sky is Falling will likely say: "Hey, look at all the partial qualifiers. They'll never make the field." In response to that, I say: These kids are all top-level athletes. If only half of the ones presently listed as a non/partial qualifier make it, we are WAY better off than if we recruited some D1-AA-level athletes who get 4 years of eligibility. If you want an Andre Jones and a David Harvey on your team, you're going to need to accept that there's also going to be a DJ Henderson and an Andre Boone that comes along with the package. To me, that's a great trade off.JD & staff are recruiting a caliber of athlete to UA that hasn't been seen in the school's history. But remember, he's in his 3rd season. Season #1 was a mad scramble to assemble a recruiting class and a staff in all of 2 months. It is a miracle we got any contributing players under such circumstances. Season #2: Most players redshirted. They're freshman now. Freshman, by and large, don't make an impact their first year.Season #3: Many of the guys are redshirting or gaining eligibility. The few that are playing are doing great.Yes, we had a bad spell with DL's not making grades. Some people think is requires MENSA membership to realize that...but it doesn't. Other than that, we're fine.Check back in the fall to see who's on the two-deep before knocking JD's recruiting. Based upon what I've seen...not the hyperbole that is so easy to buy into...we are in good shape.

[Buckzip]

Good stuff Cap'n. Thanks for the update.BTW, you keep using the term "hyperbole" is that a new bowl game the Zips may get to this year?

[TXZipFan]

Each class just keeps getting better and better... look at the start to next years class 2007 Verbal CommitsMatt Rodgers** QB- Tearing it up in the WPIAL thlis seasonVincent Hill*** WRJerome Royal** WRGary Pride** ATH- In the Herbstriet Challenge had some of the most impressive speed seen according to Rivals.comAs we pick up better and better players and build a new stadium Akron is definitely headed in the right direction

[Buckzip]

Each class just keeps getting better and better... look at the start to next years class 2007 Verbal CommitsMatt Rodgers** QB- Tearing it up in the WPIAL thlis seasonVincent Hill*** WRJerome Royal** WRGary Pride** ATH- In the Herbstriet Challenge had some of the most impressive speed seen according to Rivals.comAs we pick up better and better players and build a new stadium Akron is definitely headed in the right direction

Sorry, but the cynic in me has to know, are any of them qualified yet?

[Blue & Gold]

Each class just keeps getting better and better... look at the start to next years class 2007 Verbal CommitsMatt Rodgers** QB- Tearing it up in the WPIAL thlis seasonVincent Hill*** WRJerome Royal** WRGary Pride** ATH- In the Herbstriet Challenge had some of the most impressive speed seen according to Rivals.comAs we pick up better and better players and build a new stadium Akron is definitely headed in the right direction

Do we now add Ryan Brinson and Antwon Hight to this list?

[Captain Kangaroo]

Sorry, but the cynic in me has to know, are any of them qualified yet?

The cynic in me would respond "no." HS players typically need to graduate before becoming eligible for a college program.

[Buckzip]

Sorry, but the cynic in me has to know, are any of them qualified yet?

The cynic in me would respond "no." HS players typically need to graduate before becoming eligible for a college program.

Of course in the end that is true. However, we assume they will graduate. So the question is do they have the proper GPA, and SAT/ACT scores yet?Many schools will not offer until the recruit has received a qualified score and is on track GPA wise.

[gozips19]

every thing that i have read on hill, rodgers, and royal show that they are good students. although i haven't seen anything on their sat's. i have no idea on pride

[Captain Kangaroo]

i have no idea on pride

Pride is 5' 9". No D1-A school takes an academic "flyer" on someone that size. The Zips took him because he's an amazing athlete and a good student (he's the QB of the #1 Div 1 HS in Ohio). Academic rolls-of-the-dice are taken on BCS-level kids. Lots of "stars" on their Rivals bio. You'll typically see them on signing day at the last minute. They commit to a non-BCS school only after they're certain whatever BCS school that was interested in them has backed off.

[GP1]

Since the topic of recruit retainment is so hot, I figured I would research the status of the recruits announced on February 2006's National Letter of Intent Day. Here is the status as of Nov. 2006:QB Sean Hakes: On campus since the spring. Will definitely be in the mix for the starting QB position for the fall of 2007RB Andre Boone: Family problems caused him to drop out of high school at the beginning of his final semester. He apparently will not complete his HS diploma work any time soon and is not ever expected to be a Zip.RB Sheldon Dennis: Decided to attend a JUCO in Kansas. Still in contact with the U of A and could still be a Zip in the future.RB Aris Reed: Was expected to contribute in 2006 after the knee injury to Alex Allen. However, he sustained a concussion during practice the week following his Zips debut and is now execting to get a medical redshirt.WR DJ Henderson: Will never be a Zip. Did not qualify academically.WR Curtis Brown: Seriously injured in a late summer automobile accident. Has told the staff he will enroll in January. No one really will know his physical condition until he gets on campus. WR David Harvey: Slated to break every receiving record in school history.OL Mark Jackson: Elected to attend a prep school. Still a shot at being a Zip...but certainly not probable.OL Mike Ward: Redshirting. He is looking very good in scout team workouts.OL Jason Sekinger: RedshirtingOL Corey Woods: RedshirtingDL Dantley Cline: Redshirting. It was a tough decision whether or not to play him this year. He's good to go for the fall.DL Tevlin Petit-Frer: Redshirting. Looking great in scout team workouts...scout team POTW virtually every week. Comfortable at 210lbs, and looks to be an impact player at LB (not DL) next season.DL Jerrel Stoudemire: No-qualifier, but enrolled and doing fine. Fingers are crossed that he continues to hit the books. He will be an immediate contributor if eligible next fall.DL Blake Smith: Non-qualifier who is on-campus and enrolled.LB Mitchell Magloire: Redshirting.LB Mickey Baker: RedshirtingLB Derron Smith: Non-qualifier, and not enrolled. He is expected to be in classes this January. Incredible talent, and worth taking a flier on him. Fingers are crossed.LB Jacquon Williams: Decided to go the JUCO route. Still hoping to be a Zip in the future.DB Wayne Cobham: Playing in 2006.DB Delvin Davis: RedshirtingDB Amin Kabir: Playing in 2006. Big, strong, fast and physical. He'll make an impact in 2007.DB Anthony Barnes: Got caught up in an NCAA clause where he improved his ACT score by 4 points on a re-take, so it got flagged. Like The Bill in School House Rock, he's stuck in committee. It will take a few more months to sort out whether he will get 3 or 4 years eligibility. He's on campus taking classes this fall.K Igor Iveljic: Contrary to recent reports, he is not suspended from the University. He is taking classes, and if he does what's expected of him, the Zips won't need to recruit a kicker for the 2007 class. DB Andre Jones: I love this guy. Great special teamer. Great DB. And he'll only get better.DL Sean Lemon: A grey shirt. I believe he goes on scholarship this spring.P John Stec: Starting Punter. Has had his ups and downs this year.Ryan Brinson (Canton McKinley) is enrolled. And, as stated in a different thread, Antwon Hight is giving school a shot after a stint in factory work.Summary:Of the 27 publically associated with the Zips signing class of 2006, I count 21 that are enrolled at UA. I count 4 that still have the Zips on their radar. I count two that definitely are out.Mr, Sky is Falling will likely say: "Hey, look at all the partial qualifiers. They'll never make the field." In response to that, I say: These kids are all top-level athletes. If only half of the ones presently listed as a non/partial qualifier make it, we are WAY better off than if we recruited some D1-AA-level athletes who get 4 years of eligibility. If you want an Andre Jones and a David Harvey on your team, you're going to need to accept that there's also going to be a DJ Henderson and an Andre Boone that comes along with the package. To me, that's a great trade off.JD & staff are recruiting a caliber of athlete to UA that hasn't been seen in the school's history. But remember, he's in his 3rd season. Season #1 was a mad scramble to assemble a recruiting class and a staff in all of 2 months. It is a miracle we got any contributing players under such circumstances. Season #2: Most players redshirted. They're freshman now. Freshman, by and large, don't make an impact their first year.Season #3: Many of the guys are redshirting or gaining eligibility. The few that are playing are doing great.Yes, we had a bad spell with DL's not making grades. Some people think is requires MENSA membership to realize that...but it doesn't. Other than that, we're fine.Check back in the fall to see who's on the two-deep before knocking JD's recruiting. Based upon what I've seen...not the hyperbole that is so easy to buy into...we are in good shape.

Thank you for doing this CK. I'm sure it was time consuming. I'm with you in that the glass is half full with the talent we have. For example, we have a really good #2 running back (I love the way the kid runs) who would have been #3 if there was not an injury. That's really a good sign.With the talent they have, they should be able to either develop an extra linebacker or slim down a defensive lineman and move to a 3-4. We really need to add a larger player to our front seven and become a more physical team. A change in one player can really make a big difference.JD is doing a good job with the program. We are more competitive than we ever have been since moving to D-1A. I hate to talk about next year before the season is over and we are still technically still in the MAC East race, but there is enough talent for us to have a 9-10 win season next year. As the players and talent improve, the talk of a lack of leadership and discipline will mysteriously disappear.

[RACER]

where do you see 9 to 10 wins? we lose our o-line ,dl and qb.im not saying that the zips won't be good,but your going into next year with alott of unproven players.if we had better guys in front of them they would be playing already.

[GP1]

where do you see 9 to 10 wins? we lose our o-line ,dl and qb.im not saying that the zips won't be good,but your going into next year with alott of unproven players.if we had better guys in front of them they would be playing already.

Thanks for the question. Two years ago, all the hand wringers came onto this board asking the same types of questions you are after the 2004 season. They are good questions. I will answer with a question again. Do you really think we can't improve upon what we currently have? I thought we could then and I think we can now. Remember the MAC Championship we won and the bowl game we went to without the seniors from the 2004 team? What did those guys ever win?Many of the young players that are not playing now are not ready to play on many levels. These players have a lot of natural talent and will be trained in the weight room and in spring practice and in fall practice to get ready for next year. They will develop both mentally and physically into good players. CJ is a good example of this. He is still kind of a skinny kid and doesn't carry himself like he is "the man". Next year he will be more confident and will have a bigger body. So will the other young kids. There is enough talent on the team and competition in spring and fall practices will improve the players greatly. Winning the starting position in spring practice and in the fall (assuming he will win it) will improve CJ's confidence and he WILL be "the man".Have some faith and think positive. Good things happen when you do so.