2026 Off-Season Tracker

[RoyalBlu]

When judging these recruiting classes I personally look at a few things: 1) Who's making style/philosophy changes. Last season it was obvious Kent made changes to more mirror Akron and Miami. Didn't get better than those two, but was clearly ahead of the rest of the MAC.

 

2) Toledo did not seem to change style/philosophy, but did seem to bring in more physical/athletic players and by the end of the season were arguably playing better defense. This seems to be a trent they are continuing.

 

3) Ohio seems to be searching a bit. Boals is known for recruiting bigs, but hasn't really hit on any of note. Now going the international route.

 

4) BG, Ball State, EMU, UB all look to be searching for an identity, even as they improve their rosters, on paper. EMU, by keeping Habhab, should be pretty solid if the Eagles have a good PG.

 

[kreed5120]

I'm not sure if this was shared here, but Jaylen Smith (ETSU transfer) has decommitted from KSU.

 

https://x.com/i/status/2048480785531867273

[Let'sGoZips94]

9 hours ago, kreed5120 said:

I'm not sure if this was shared here, but Jaylen Smith (ETSU transfer) has decommitted from KSU.

 

https://x.com/i/status/2048480785531867273

 

Bummer. A 5'11" so-so shooter was exactly who I was hoping would stick around the Kent program. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

 

6'8" F from Tennessee State via Sac State via Pepperdine. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

 

Another 6'8" F from Tennessee State. 

[kreed5120]

45 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Another 6'8" F from Tennessee State. 

 

Looks like a rotational piece.

[RoyalBlu]

1 hour ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Bummer. A 5'11" so-so shooter was exactly who I was hoping would stick around the Kent program. 

 

After he left ... Kent picked up a worse 'shooter' (less than 30% on 3s) but more familiar player in 6-0, 200lb Chansey Willis, who was pretty good at Western Michigan two years ago, 16pts, 5.8ass, but got hurt at Minnesota last year and played just 7 games.

[Let'sGoZips94]

HERE WE GO!

[Let'sGoZips94]

 

[kreed5120]

Fingers crossed it's a stretch four who can get physical defensively and rebound🤞 

[Let'sGoZips94]

 

Sorry @Zippy87

[Zips1991]

1 hour ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Sorry @Zippy87

I think it's safe to assume we don't have money to compete financially with a for-profit university like GCU.

[Let'sGoZips94]

 

[RoyalBlu]

1 hour ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Since when did NE Ohio have a legit Top 100 recruit after LeBron James?

[LZIp]

4 minutes ago, RoyalBlu said:

Since when did NE Ohio have a legit Top 100 recruit after LeBron James?

Malachi Branham, Darryn Peterson?

[csims0917]

Marcus and Meechie Johnson?

[csims0917]

Chris Livingston too

[AkronAlumnus]

Hmmm. 

[clarkwgriswold]

JaKarr Sampson.

[RoyalBlu]

With the exception of Peterson ... I really haven't heard of any of these guys. Either in HS or in college. The Johnson brothers have good HS reputations. But college??? 

[Let'sGoZips94]

47 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

JaKarr Sampson.

 

My high school ran into his STVM squad at Districts I believe my junior or senior year. He was something else. Then he left for Brewster.

[Zip Watcher]

Barbara Turner at East Tech was awesome.  Maybe a year before LeBron? She was the best on the floor at nearly every single skill and aspect of the game.

 

Best HS hooper I ever saw, and it's not close.