QB
#08 Clayton Moore QB Jr. 6-1 209 Louisville, Miss./Gulf Coast CC (Miss.)/Louisville
HS--12 games played, 12 starts. 91 carries for 132 yards and 1 TD. 147-309
passing for 1655 yards and 9 TD. 1 catch for 8 yards and 1 TD. 2 tackles.
#11 Zach D'Orazio QB R-Fr.
6-2 212 Avon Lake, Ohio/Cuyahoga Heights HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#10 Tyrell Goodman QB Fr.
6-3 190 Yonkers, N.Y./Archbishop Stepinac HS--Incoming freshman.
#16 Kyle Pohl QB R-Fr. 6-3
213 Farmersville, Ohio/Valley View HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#12 Curtis Watson QB So.
6-5 250 Bellevue, Ohio/Lake Erie College (Ohio)/Bellevue HS--No stats in 2011.
#13 Dalton Williams QB Sr.
6-4 230 Coppell, Texas/Stephen F. Austin/Coppell HS--No stats in 2011.
Junior quarterback Clayton Moore
returns in 2012 to lead the Zips after a 2011 season that saw him throw for
over 1600 yards and 9 touchdowns. He played solid as a sophomore but needs to
step up this fall and become the passing threat that the Zips offense needs.
With 4 quarterbacks on the roster that were with Akron in 2011 but did not
play, there will be a long battle among D'Orazio, Pohl, Watson and Williams for
the backup quarterback spot.
FB
#01 Nick Rossi FB So. 6-0
231 Moosic, Pa./Riverside HS--12 games played, 4 starts. 8 carries for 15
yards. 3 catches for 27 yards. 9 tackles. 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery.
#40 Austin Bailey FB Jr.
5-11 244 West Friendship, Md./DeMatha Catholic HS--11 games played. 1 catch for
5 yards. 1 tackle.
#36 Cody Grice FB R-Fr.
6-0 256 Akron, Ohio/Firestone HS--Redshirted in 2011.
Akron has two fullbacks that have
some in game experience from 2011 in sophomore Nick Rossi and junior Austin
Bailey. Rossi started 4 games carrying the ball 8 times, catching the ball 3
times and even making 9 tackles on the season and should be the starter for the
Zips this fall. Bailey played in 11 games and made one catch and one tackle but
should be a solid backup this fall for Rossi. Redshirt freshman Cody Grice
should fight Bailey for some playing time behind Rossi but is a bit of a wild
card due to his lack of experience.
RB
#44 Jawon Chisholm RB So.
6-0 210 Harrisburg, Pa./Harrisburg HS--12 games played, 10 starts. 218 carries
for 961 yards and 5 TD. 1-4 passing for 8 yards and 1 TD. 12 catches for 84
yards.
#02
Broderick Alexander RB Jr. 6-1 221
Covington, Ga./Eastside HS--9 games played, 1 start. 48 carries for 196 yards. 4 catches for 37 yards. 1 tackle.
#28 Marvin Staten RB So.
5-10 205 Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville HS--6 games played.
#34 Quentin Hines RB Sr.
5-11 189 Detroit, Mich./Cincinnati/Mt. Clemens HS--No stats in 2011.
#26 Rayshawn Walton RB So.
5-10 181 Cincinnati, Ohio/Morehead State/Withrow HS--No stats in 2011.
The Zips are slightly shorthanded
this fall with running backs having only 5 on the roster for the 2012 season.
Sophomore Jawon Chisholm leads the way after almost rushing for 1000 yards as a
freshman while adding 84 yards receiving. Backing up Chisholm is junior
Broderick Alexander who ran for just under 200 yards on 48 carries. Sophomores
Staten and Walton will battle with senior Quentin Hines for the 3rd running
back spot that should get decent playing time this fall.
TE
#84 Rhyne Ladrach TE Sr. 6-5 247 Orrville, Ohio/Orrville HS--12
games played, 10 starts. 11 catches for 62 yards. 2 tackles.
#18 Will Fleming TE Jr.
6-4 240 Akron, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban HS--7 games played, 1 start. 4 catches for
51 yards.
#87 Anthony Ritossa TE So.
6-4 220 Kirtland, Ohio/Kirtland HS--11 games played, 2 starts.
#95 Jon Root TE Jr. 6-6
242 Fairview, Pa./Erie Cathedral Prep HS--No stats in 2011.
#82 Zach Tenuta TE Sr. 6-3
238 Marietta, Ga./Marshall/George Walton HS--No stats in 2011.
#41 Vito Sosic TE Fr. 6-3
215 Cleveland, Ohio/Hargrave Military Academy (Va.)/St. Ignatius HS--Incoming
freshman.
The Zips return 3 tight ends with
2011 game experience but only one that really stood out. Senior Rhyne Ladrach
made 10 starts in 2011 and caught 11 passes and made two tackles. He is the
unquestioned starter at tight end and has the chance to have a good senior
year. Junior Will Fleming and sophomore Anthony Ritossa will battle for the
backup spot after both making starts in 2011. Fleming was the only tight end
other than Ladrach to make any catches in 2011. Root and Tenuta may see the
field on special teams while incoming freshman Vito Sosic should be too far
down the depth chart to make an impact as a freshman.
WR
#35 Keith Sconiers WR Jr. 6-1 185 Calumet Park, Ill./H.L.
Richards HS--12 games played, 12 starts. 47 catches for 639 yards and 5 TD. 1
tackle.
#15 Marquelo Suel WR Sr. 6-3 195 Fort Wayne, Ind./Allan Hancock
CC (Calif.)/Paul Harding HS--9 games played, 6 starts. 34 catches for 417 yards
and 4 TD. 3 tackles.
#03 A.J. Price WR Sr. 6-4
195 Reston, Va./Dean College (Mass.)/South Lakes HS--11 games played, 6 starts.
12 catches for 196 yards and 1 TD. 10 punt returns for 3.5 yard average.
#88 Jerrod Dillard WR Jr.
6-4 199 Adrian, Mich./Adrian HS--9 games played, 2 starts. 1 carry for -11
yards. 7 catches for 76 yards and 1 TD.
#22 Tyler Williams WR So.
5-7 155 Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain HS--10 games played, 1 start. 7 carries for
26 yards. 1 catch for 2 yards. 1 punt return for 12 yards. 39 kickoff returns
for 17.8 yard average.
#14 Dylan Potts WR Jr.
5-11 191 Sardis, Ohio/River HS--12 games played, 1 start. 1-1 passing for 41
yards. 2 catches for 22 yards. 6 kickoff returns for 10.8 yard average. 2
tackles.
#80 Evonte Dunn WR R-Fr.
5-7 155 Cleveland, Ohio/Glenville HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#30 Jared Fagnano WR So.
5-10 182 Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport Area HS--No stats in 2011.
#81 Phil Ferguson WR Sr.
5-9 160 Copley, Ohio/Copley HS--No stats in 2011.
#83 Dee Frieson WR Jr. 5-8
170 Jacksonville, Fla./Fleming Island HS--No stats in 2011.
#86 Miles Greschl WR Sr.
5-9 191 Vandalia, Ohio/Butler HS--No stats in 2011.
#19 Nolan Procter WR Jr.
5-9 165 Southfield, Mich./Wylie E. Groves HS--No stats in 2011.
#31 Erik Waderker WR Fr.
5-7 165 Belpre, Ohio/Belpre HS--Incoming freshman.
The Zips have a group of 6 wide
receivers that made at least one start in 2011 but are clearly led by the projected
starting duo of junior Keith Sconiers and senior Marquelo Suel. Sconiers (47
catches) and Suel (34 catches) combined for 81 catches and nearly 1100 yards
receiving but need to step up and get closer to 100 combined catches for the
Zips offense to be explosive in 2012. Price, Dillard, Williams, and Potts will
all be in the rotation and getting significant playing time although redshirt
freshman Evonte Dunn could put up a fight to get on the field. The best bet for
the other wide receivers is special teams.
OL
#65 Adam Bice C Sr. 6-4 287 Dresden, Ohio/Tri Valley HS--10 games
played, 10 starts. 2 tackles.
#77 Andrew Bohan OL R-Fr. 6-3 255 Avon Lake, Ohio/Avon Lake HS--Redshirted
in 2011.
#75 Dylan Brumbaugh OL R-Fr. 6-4 286 Green, Ohio/Green HS--Redshirted
in 2011.
#78 Micah Lio OL So. 6-7
295 Butler, Pa./Knoch HS--1 game played.
#76 Jarrod Pughsley T Jr.
6-4 290 Lima, Ohio/Lima Senior HS--2 games played, 1 start.
#52 Vinnie Rizzo RG Sr.
6-3 285 Manhasset, N.Y./Nassau CC (N.Y.)/Manhasset HS--7 games played, 4 starts. 1 tackle.
#64 Mitch Straight LG Sr.
6-5 300 Russell, Pa./Eisenhower HS--5 games played, 4 starts.
#67 Travis Switzer OL So.
6-3 277 Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley HS--7 games played, 3 starts.
With only 9 offensive linemen on
the roster, everyone better be ready to come in and play immediately. Senior
Adam Bice leads the group with 10 starts in 2011 followed by senior Vinnie
Rizzo (4 starts), senior Mitch Straight (4 starts), sophomore Travis Switzer (3
starts),and junior Jarrod Pughsley (1 start).
DL
#90 John Griggs DE Sr. 6-5 273 Piscataway, N.J./Nassau CC
(N.Y.)/Piscataway HS--12 games played, 7 starts. 28 tackles, 5 for loss. 1
sack, 4 pbu, 4 pd, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble.
#58 Nico Caponi DL Jr. 6-2 266 Sandusky, Ohio/Sandusky Perkins HS--10
games played, 10 starts. 30 tackles, 2.5 for loss. 1.5 sacks, 1 pbu, 1 pd, 3
fumble recoveries.
#56 Isaiah Williams DL So. 6-3 271 Cleveland, Ohio/John Adams HS--11
games played. 13 tackles, 1 for loss.
#55 Dajour Morris DL So. 6-2 305 Johnstown, Pa./Greater Johnstown
HS--7 games played. 7 tackles.
#99 James Price DL R-Fr.
6-2 308 Braddock, Pa./Woodland Hills HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#98 Paul Skolmutch DL Sr.
6-2 245 Glenmont, Ohio/West Holmes HS--No stats in 2011.
#95 Robert Young DL Jr.
6-0 250 Akron, Ohio/Firestone HS--No stats in 2011.
#92 Joe Petrides DE Jr.
6-6 271 Baltimore, Md./Archbishop Curley HS--No stats in 2011.
#91 Albert Presley DE Fr.
6-2 220 Marietta, Ga./Dean College (Mass.)/Wheeler HS--Incoming freshman.
#97 Rodney Carroll DL Fr.
6-4 290 Orange, Va./Hargrave Military Academy (Va.)/Orange County HS--Incoming
freshman.
#79 Mike Davis DL R-Fr.
6-3 296 Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#63 Varnell Garrett DL So.
6-3 223 Cleveland, Ohio/Collinwood HS--No stats in 2011.
The Zips return 2 defensive
linemen in senior John Griggs and junior Nico Camoni who started a combined 17
games in 2011 with 58 tackles, 6.5 for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 5 fumble recoveries
combined in 2011. The entire rest of returning defensive linemen have a
combined 20 tackles from last season. Isaiah Williams and Dajour Morris look to
round out the starters but a group of linemen that include Price, Skolmutch, Young,
Petrides, Davis and Garrett look to work into the rotation. Freshman Albert
Presley needs to add some bulk to get on the field but fellow freshman Rodney
Carroll has the size to play inside immediately.
LB
#05
Troy Gilmer LB Sr. 6-1 223 Huber
Heights, Ohio/Wayne HS--9 games played, 8 starts. 71 tackles, 3.5 for loss. 1
fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble, 1 defensive touchdown.
#50 Jamar Williams LB So.
5-11 215 Columbus, Ohio/Westerville South HS--8 games played, 3 starts. 38
tackles, 2 for loss. 1 pbu, 1 pd, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble.
#45 Justin March LB So.
6-0 215 Danville, Ill./Danville HS--12 games played, 2 starts. 36 tackles, 1.5
for loss. 0.5 sacks, 1 pbu, 1 pd.
#47 Gary Ransom LB So. 6-0
212 Zanesville, Ohio/Zanesville HS--8 games played. 15 tackles.
#46 Blake Fraley LB Jr.
5-10 219 Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Darby HS--9 games played. 13 tackles.
#61 Ben Karam LB Jr. 6-1
200 Massillon, Ohio/Perry HS--4 games played. No stats in 2011.
#93 Connor Seeman LB Jr.
6-3 226 Copley, Ohio/Copley HS--No stats in 2011.
#42 Jonathan Hanobik LB
Jr. 6-2 221 Chardon, Ohio/Chardon HS--No stats in 2011.
#59 Christopher Brinkley
LB R-Fr. 6-0 200 Coventry, Ohio/Coventry HS--Redshirted in 2011.
Akron has a trio of returning
linebackers with starting experience in 2011 with sophomores Justin March and
Jamar Williams flanking senior Troy GIlmer. Gilmer led the defense with 71
tackles and scored a defensive touchdown in 2011. His is the unquestioned
leader of the defense and could come close to breaking 100 tackles this fall.
Williams and March added 38 and 36 tackles respectively and had some very good
moments playing as true freshmen. Behind the starting trio, Ransom, Fraley,
Karam, Seeman, Hanobik, and Brinkley all look to get playing time.
DB
#04 Anthony Holmes CB Jr. 6-0 187 Harrisburg, Pa./Milford Academy
(N.Y.)/Harrisburg HS--10 games played, 4 starts. 35 tackles, 1.5 for loss. 4
pbu, 4 pd, 1 forced fumble.
#27 Johnny Robinson CB So. 5-10 180 Cleveland, Ohio/Glenville HS--10
games played, 6 starts. 38 tackles. 1 interception, 1 pbu, 2 pd.
#26 Devonte Morgan S So. 5-11 179 Cleveland, Ohio/Glenville HS--12
games played, 7 starts. 69 tackles, 1 for loss.
#33 Josh Richmond S Sr. 5-11 190 Passaic,
N.J./Milford Academy (N.Y.)/St. Mary HS--10 games played, 4 starts. Richmond 1 kickoff return for 17 yards. 27
tackles, 0.5 for loss. 1 interception, 1 pd.
#30 L.T. Smith S So. 6-0 199 Painesville, Ohio/Riverside HS--12
games played, 4 starts. 36 tackles, 1.5 for loss. 1 sack, 1 pbu, 1 pd, 1 fumble
recovery.
#32 ShelDon Miller S Jr.
6-0 210 Monessen, Pa./Monessen HS--4 games played, 3 starts. 15 tackles, 1.5
for loss.
#23 Bre' Ford S So. 5-11
215 Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park HS--4 games played, 2 starts. 11 tackles, 0.5
for loss. 1 forced fumble.
#31 Emmanuel Lartey CB Sr.
5-11 181 College Park, Ga./Banneker HS--11 games played, 7 starts. 21 tackles,
2.5 for loss. 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble.
#37 Seth Cunningham CB Jr.
6-0 184 Medina, Ohio/St. Edward HS--8 games played, 2 starts. 12 tackles.
#21 Bill Alexander CB Jr.
5-9 170 Whigham, Ga./George Washington Carver HS--4 games played. No stats in
2011.
#48 Malachi Freeman CB Jr.
5-9 175 Newark, Del./Nassau CC (N.Y.)/Glasglow HS--No stats in 2011.
#19 John Senter CB R-Fr.
5-10 160 Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#24 Carl Washington DB
R-Fr. 5-10 185 Columbus, Ohio/Eastmoor Academy HS--Redshirted in 2011.
#06 DeAndre Scott CB Fr.
5-10 175 Frederick, Md./Hargrave Military Academy (Va.)/Thomas
Johnson HS--Incoming freshman.
#49 Benny Cunningham S Fr.
6-1 180 Medina, Ohio/Medina Senior HS--Incoming freshman.
#18 Sean Graves S Jr. 6-0
181 Akron, Ohio/Valparaiso/Buchtel HS--No stats in 2011.
#16 Chuck Kennedy S Jr.
5-10 195 Parma, Ohio/Parma Senior HS--No stats in 2011.
#25 Micklos Blake CB Sr.
5-10 171 Staten Island, N.Y./Nassau CC (N.Y.)/Curtis HS--No stats in 2011.
#29 Bryce Cheek CB So. 6-0
182 Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy HS--No stats in 2011.
Akron has a large group of
defensive backs on the roster with 9 of those players having starting
experience in 2011. Junior Anthony Holmes (35 tackle) and sophomore Johnny
Robinson (38 tackles) are the
cornerbacks with Emmanuel Lartley and Seth Cunningham also in the rotation and
looking to get playing time this fall. Sophomores LT Smith (36 tackles) and
Devonte Morgan (69 tackles) work with senior Josh Richmond (27 tackles) and
should round out a very solid secondary for the Zips. Miller and Ford are ready
to play as well in 2012 after making 5 combined starts in 2011.
P
#38 Zach Paul P R-Fr. 6-3 185 Broadview Heights, Ohio/Padua HS--Redshirted
in 2011.
The punting game for the Zips is
a big question mark as redshirt freshman Zach Paul is the only returning punter
but did not see any game action as a freshman. It is imperative for him to come
in and immediately shore up the punting game and have a solid season for the
Zips to have any real chance to be successful.
K
#36 Robert Stein K R-Fr. 5-9 172 Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore HS--Redshirted
in 2011.
Similar to the issues at punter,
the Zips have only redshirt freshman Robert Stein returning this fall after
seeing no time on the field as a redshirt in 2011. Stein must be solid and
occasionally show glimpses of a bright future to keep the kicking game from
being a hindrance in 2012.
LS
#43 Adam Steiner LS Sr.
6-2 215 Canton, Ohio/GlenOak HS--12 games played. 4 tackles.
#68 Andrew Hampton LS
R-Fr. 6-5 255 Warren, Ohio/Warren Harding HS--Redshirted in 2011.
Senior Adam Steiner returns after
playing in all 12 games in 2011 making 4 tackles and keeping the kicking game
in order in 2011. Steiner will have alot of pressure on him in 2012 with
inexperienced kickers at the kicker and punter positions. He must make constant
perfect snaps to give these two a chance to be successful.
2011 was a season to forget for
the Zips with a 1-11 record that saw Akron lose by double digits in 9 games
with 6 of those games being losses by 30 or more points. In comes former Auburn
coach Terry Bowden who has been out of coaching for over 10 years to take over
this program. The Zips did not do themselves any favors with a 4 game out of
conference schedule that includes home games versus UCF and Morgan State with
trips to FIU and Tennessee to start the season. Best case scenario would be for
the Zips to be 1-3 or very remotely possible 2-2 going into conference play.
The Zips have trips to 2011 bowl teams Ohio and Toledo but get NIU at home. At
least 1 or 2 conference wins would be a great turnaround for the Zips and is
completely possible. 3-9 would be cause for celebration in Akron in 2012
although a modest 1 win increase and a 2-10 record is more likely.
No comments:
Post a Comment