Zips get O-Line Verbal

[KentZip]

Link here http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=333&p=8&c=1&nid=1256581

[Captain Kangaroo]

A few quick searches revealed he was offered a scholarship by Pitt.

"Chartiers-Houston clinched a playoff spot with last week's 28-24 victory over Fort Cherry, and hopes to prolong an up-and-down season that included a 4-0 start before a mid-season slide. The Buccaneers feature a pair of big-time players, senior OL Elliott Bates (6-4, 290), who has an offer from Pitt, and TE/LB Jason Janov, a sculpted 6-1, 225-pounder."

[zff]

I also did some research on this young man.

At the Pitt camp he was first for OL in the 40 yard dash.

And finished in the top 5 in other speed drills.

Also on a Pitt messageboard some of the fans were mad the ylost him and blamed Walt Harris for this.

I think we got ourselves a good one here. Maybe the Akron coaches told him he could play as a true freshman?????

[KentZip]

I was going to tell him he couldn't start as a freshman. Then I looked at his picture, his bench press and his 40 time and decided to cut him a break.

:blink:

[Captain Kangaroo]

Char-Houston lineman commits to Akron

By John Grupp <mailto:jgrupp@tribweb.com>

TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Tuesday, December 7, 2004

Chartiers-Houston senior Elliott Bates made another fast move in Ohio.

Bates, among the quickest offensive linemen at the Nike Camp at Ohio State, took his first official visit this past weekend, and saw enough to give a verbal commitment to the University of Akron.

"It was a great campus; the people were nice," he said. "I felt that's where I needed to be."

Bates (6-2, 275), who also had an offer from Pitt, is the second offensive lineman to pick Akron from the WPIAL Class of 2005. Left tackle Keith Huebner (6-7, 275) of Baldwin High School committed in September.

Bates, a two-time first-team all-Black Hills Conference selection, visited Akron this weekend and committed to the Zips' coaches before he returned home on Sunday.

"At first, I thought I was going to Pitt," he said. "I went to Akron with an open mind and I realized it was a great place."

Interest in Bates picked up after he ran the 40-yard dash in 5.08 seconds at the Nike Camp in April, tops among all offensive linemen. He also ranked No. 5 in the shuttle (4.84) and No. 6 in the vertical leap (25 inches) among offensive lineman.

Bates, who will play either guard or center, could be protecting Pitt transfer Luke Getsy somewhere down the road for former Pitt offensive coordinator and first-year Akron coach J.D. Brookhart.

Bates admitted he was "split down the middle" between Akron and Pitt when he left for Ohio, but pointed to the coziness of Akron's campus and a quick bonding with his future teammates.

He said uncertainty regarding coach Walt Harris's future at Pitt "played a little bit of a role" in his decision.

"There's nothing against Pitt," he said. "I love their staff and the people down there, but the campus was a little too big. I wanted a smaller campus."

[Big Zip]

Did I read the article corrrect and the lineman from Baldwin High School committed to Akron too -- Keith Huebner?

http://purdue.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?...y=28235&sport=1

http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review...b/s_208638.html

He looks like he's 12 in his picture, but apparently has some serious dedication to drop from 320 to 270 in the season before his senior year.