Recruiting Stuff ..

[ZipGrad93]

I thought it was really cool that they added the recruiting videos at GoZips. I believe it was Jared Province (#20) who was very impressive at DB/KR/RB. There were a few other guys that had impressive tapes, too, like Bowser and Schuler, among others.

[RACER]

i watched some highlights from andrew johnson in high school.i think he was around only 190lbs.he pretty much outran everyone on the films.if this kid now 230 and the speed he showed on the films look out mac.if he starts maybe we could move williams to a slot back or play them together.

[Blue & Gold]

It'll be interesting to see how JD uses both Andrew Johnson and Bryan Williams together. They're such great athletes that we need them both out on the field. That would also utilize Alex Allen alot as the 2nd string RB.

[RACER]

i just wonder if a.j. s a good blocker.at 230 he is bi enough.the problem is alott of tb are great runners,but rarely ar they good blockers becuase in high they didnt have to be.it wouldbe nice to have them both in the backfiled.we would have allen and kennedy as backups.we should be solid at rb next year

[ziptrumpet87]

i just wonder if a.j. s a good blocker.at 230 he is bi enough.the problem is alott of tb are great runners,but rarely ar they good blockers becuase in high they didnt have to be.it wouldbe nice to have them both in the backfiled.we would have allen and kennedy as backups.we should be solid at rb next year

They should also be solid at OL with another year of experience working together as a unit.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I wouldn't sell Alex Allen short. In my book, Williams is #1, Allen is "#1a" and anyone else has a lot of proving to do to beat those guys out for playing time.

[zippy5]

Let's run the wishbone/fullhouse package with Williams, Johnson, and Allen I'm excited about Johnson though, I never realized he transferred here, he was i think the #1 RB in the country out of HS, and a 5 star recruit, hopefully he can contribute.

[Blue & Gold]

I wouldn't sell Alex Allen short. In my book, Williams is #1, Allen is "#1a" and anyone else has a lot of proving to do to beat those guys out for playing time.

It's kind of a shame that all 3 will be seniors next year.

[w00t]

I'm pretty sure Allen is entering his junior year.

[cornbread]

Can someone post the videos to youtube? The website does not agree with my linux and requires Windows Media player even though it is flush based.

[Buckzip]

Let's run the wishbone/fullhouse package with Williams, Johnson, and Allen I'm excited about Johnson though, I never realized he transferred here, he was i think the #1 RB in the country out of HS, and a 5 star recruit, hopefully he can contribute.

According to scout, he was the #8 rated RB and a 4*

[liljc]

I heard a rumor that Williams was switching to db, at his own request. Any other rumblings?

[rln]

Nice article regarding Jared Province:http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/page/cont...0.html?nav=5024Although he was mostly known for his talent as a running back in high school he may end up playing saftey at Akron. Runs a very impressive 10.8 in the 100 meter dash. Great pick-up by the Zips.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I heard a rumor that Williams was switching to db, at his own request. Any other rumblings?

I've heard similar rumbling. I think it would be awesome.From what I've heard, he has a legit shot in the NFL as a DB. But probably not as an RB. It would also allow us to put our best 22 players on the field, instead of sitting Allen or Johnson.

[gozips19]

I think that would be great for them to do. Williams can still return kicks so the ball will still be in his hands. Johnson, Allen, and DK can handle the running back duties. On a side note; finally got some time to watch the highlight package on gozips.com and the two players that stood out to me was Bowser and Schuler. Bowser looks like a dynamic play maker who has all the tools. Schuler may not be the fastest player in the world but man is he nasty!!!! You need a few guys like that on your defense and he loves to hit. Also, Hassim looks like a project but man is he fast. Overall a very good class for Akron. A nice blend of size, speed, and toughness.

[RACER]

the two transfers johnson,and bain have to be big pickups.anytime you get a 300dl that has played in the big ten will help.hopefully johnson is the real deal.how many times were the zips in 3rd and 1,4th and 1 and could not pick up the frst down.we need a guy who can get the tough yards.from what i saw of high films this can fly,and if he is 230 with that speed look out.why not williams in a slot reciever.i just think db will waste his offense breakaway talent.

[Buckzip]

I heard a rumor that Williams was switching to db, at his own request. Any other rumblings?

I've heard similar rumbling. I think it would be awesome.From what I've heard, he has a legit shot in the NFL as a DB. But probably not as an RB. It would also allow us to put our best 22 players on the field, instead of sitting Allen or Johnson.

He has not played there for 4-5 years. How could he be ready in 1 year?If he is that talented, certainly get him on the field. t would be amazing if he can make the transformation that quickly though.I agree, get the best 22 on the field.

[gozips19]

he split time at db and rb inbetween high school and akron. i think he would be better at corner but there will still be an adjustment period. also, pinky would have to step up before JD even considers the move. side thought; anyone think Williams figured his touches would be reduced and asked for the switch?

[Dr Z]

he split time at db and rb inbetween high school and akron. i think he would be better at corner but there will still be an adjustment period. also, pinky would have to step up before JD even considers the move. side thought; anyone think Williams figured his touches would be reduced and asked for the switch?

I think he is considering his future and trying to make a proper decision to better his chances to play at another level.Pretty smart, and a tough decision for a young kid if you ask me. I wish him luck, and look forward to seeing it live. Watching Dwight dominate that position was awesome. If we could get a shut down DB, it should make our crazy defense better.I realize it would make any defense better, but in our crazy scheme, we need more help than most.

[RACER]

i cannot wait to see johnson play.if think we will know real quick if the guy is good as advertised.akron as never had the complete back.biggs was a good back.johnson is 230,and fast.we also have a.allen,and d.kennedy so i guess williams could switch.i still wouldlike to see williams with johnson,and a.allen in the same backfield.we need to get more offense threats on the feild.last year we had j.arthur,and williams.

[Captain Kangaroo]

After reviewing the recruit videos...a great way to spend a lunch break by the way...here are my thoughts:Jordan Miller has a strong arm. Noticeably stronger than what I remember Matt Rogers' appeared in his video last season. The throws a nice deep ball...not a floater, but a strike. Runs well too.Bowser looks to be the real deal. Nice moves, acceleration and a ton of yards-after-catch. Thankfully he isn't an inch taller or the Zips couldn't have gotten a return phone call from him. He'll rule in the MAC.Deshaun Miller - Looks fearless over the middle. He and Bruce will be a great slot receive combo.Nadir Brown - He's one of the guys the Zips offered after Gardner and Cooper stiffed us on signing day. Not only is he tall at 6' 5", the guy has great hands and reach. He plays with the athleticism of a basketball player. He could be a steal. If he weren't injured is senior season, BCS schools would have been all over him. All reports say his health is fine. He's a good one.Ryan Ladrach - Probably the least spectacular of the recruit videos...but TE's typically aren't all that sexy (for lack of a better term). Seems to have great size, good hands and a lot of upside.Andrew Colosimo - Looks to be a strong, strong kid. Technique looks good...I'm guessing his HS coaching was pretty good.Andrew Bice - Marked as an OL...but I wouldn't mind seeing him get a shot at DL. He looked excellent there. Mitch Straight - See Bice's comments above. Both these guys look to be agile, strong big men who could be successful on either side of the ball.Joe Pachuta - The guy just mauled opposing DLs. I wonder how many pancakes he had for the season...more than Waffle House and Perkins make for a typical post-church Sunday brunch, I assume?James Harvey - Yet another big man (6' 4", 280) who's athleticism stood out first and foremost. Played RB, TE and DL! I think the sky is the limit for him.Hassan Hazime - 6' 6", 245 lbs, and chiseled. Hopefully he makes the jump to the speed of the American college game quickly. If so, look out! It will be surreal for him to play in some of the bigger college venues...judging from a lot of his footage, my back yard is more of a football field than some of the sandlots he's used to playing in?Brian Wagner - Man, did this kid look impressive. Reminiscent of an early-career Nate Boyd or Brian Hilk. Yeah, he's from a Division 6 program, but's that's the only way the Zips could get a kid of his caliber. If he played at even an average D1 HS program, larger schools would have been all over him. Breakaway speed...strength...I'd be surprised if he isn't one of the 2008 true freshman that plays immediately.Nate Schuler - FINALLY the Zips start recruiting from the Youngstown-area's Inter County League...home of middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (Lowellville HS) and yours truly (McDonald HS). The kid lays out some serious shots. Once he gets into a solid weight program, quits playing QB and gives up hoops, the sky is the limit for this 6' 2" 215lb missile. Troy Gilmer - Highlights were predominately on the offensive side of the ball, but he'll be an LB. Looks to be a great athlete. Very fast.Will Flemming - Not the sexiest highlight film ever, but the one thing that stood out was his anticipation. More so than anyone else, he seems to make big plays by being a 1/2 step ahead.Kevin Davis: He fell into the Zips hands when Maurice Harvey stiffed the Zips in favor of Nevada Reno. Davis looks to have excellent ball-hawking skills. Tackles well too.Jared Province - Most of his highlights were at RB. The kid glides...he looks like a young Robert Smith, or better yet Dominik Hixson. Like Wagner and Schuler, he's a small-school Ohio kid. But he has great size, bloodlines and burner speed. He seems to be an absolute steal.Kevin Funches - A JUCO DB that appears to have solid cover skills and good speed. Manley Waller - Fast and tough. reminds me of a pre-ACL injury Chevin Pace. He also had the best tape special effects!Marvase Byrd - His speed and toughness stood out.Norm Shuford - I loved his spin moves at RB. And his speed. despite being 5' 9", he has the "look" of a prototypical DB. Add these guys to Bain, Bruce and Johnson and we have what appears to be a very solid class. I'm pretty excited to see them all suit up.

[zff]

On the Zips radio show last week J.D. said Shuford will come into camp as a DB just to add depth. But he will be a RB before his days as a Zip are done. He lloked very good running the ball and will provide a spark for the Zip offense in the future.Capn,Are there any scholarships left for this season?

[apalmison]

Wow! Thanks for the great post. A lunch break well-spent.