Football

Whoever wins the quarterback job will have high expectations, according to CollegeFootballNews.com.

Akron’s passer is the third-most important position to fill in the MAC, the site says. The writer expects Ohio and a resurgent Miami to battle for the East crown, although he mentions Akron as a solid program not to be counted out.

I’m a bit surprised not many fans have discussed who they would like to see as the starting quarterback. It’s the biggest position battle the team has seen in two years when Luke Getsy took the job over Jabari Arthur.

In Carlton Jackson, you have a total athlete with a great arm. (In fact, recruiting sites listed him as an athlete, not a quarterback, coming out of Pompano Beach, Fla.) But you have some character concerns, as Jackson was suspended last season.

In Chris Jacquemain, you have a good option-running quarterback who won’t lose the game for you, but probably won’t win it either.

In Sean Hakes, you have a combination of the two, with the added bonus of an extra year of eligibility in front of him. He has struggled, however, to limit interceptions in practice.

Who do you guys like?

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Defensive end Kyle Roddenberry from Crystal River, Fla., committed recently to play for Akron.

Neither Rivals.com or Scout.com rank the 6-foot-2, 218-pound prospect very highly. The Zips were his only scholarship offer. His high school team is pretty awful, too.

Still, Akron always will need serviceable defensive ends, and Roddenberry appears he could be one. It helps that his high school plays the same scheme as J.D. Brookhart – the 3-3-5 formation.

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I appreciate all the feedback on the stadium. It justified all the hassle the university gave me in acquiring the rendering.

Here are some of my thoughts…

There are no lights clearly shown in the photo. They must be either hidden in the facing of the press box or left out of the drawing as an oversight. If UA built a stadium without lights — especially after all the angst associated with the Rubber Bowl’s lights and considering the MAC’s best shot for national television is on weekday nights — everyone should be fired. Rest assured. There will be light.

Parking is another concern for many. I don’t see it as a huge problem. People want to park in a giant deck right next to the stadium. Truth is, even a large deck only would account for about 1,000 spaces. And that would add several million dollars to the project. There are two pretty big decks within shouting distance of the stadium complex, not to mention countless lots and private houses that wouldn’t mind using their crummy lawns to make some sweet cash. My issue is tailgating. If I can’t tailgate before a Zips game, I will not be a happy or generous alumnus.

I’m not sure what to make of all the negativity from people commenting on my blog, even from UA alumni. OK, I understand the Zips may have been a second-rate program when you went to school. That might have even created some bitterness inside you. But be happy the program now possesses the weapons (Stile Field House included) to win the MAC recruiting battles and possibly advance to a better conference in the next 20 years. Heck, go back and take a class or two so you can feel like you’re part of the new “Akron U.” (Psst. It’s called UA now.)

I specifically requested public information related to the buildings that are surrounding the stadium to the south and east. I suspect they are dorms. If UA instead will lease those properties to other private businesses, the university could have some fun in court. If I’m Joe of Joe’s Sun Bar (assuming a guy named Joe owns it), that would be of serious interest to me. Eminent domain is not nearly a slam dunk when you’re taking from private business owners and giving to other private business owners. There are some famous Supreme Court cases involving just that, which I plan to look into. The board of trustees, however, will not vote on the other properties just yet, so the university does not have to commit at this point.

I don’t know if UA’s VP of capital planning Ted Curtis reads this blog. If he does, I came up with a cool idea while walking downtown today. Why not replace the script “Q” atop the Crowne Plaza Hotel at Quaker Square with a Zips logo? That would be a neat way of connecting the university to downtown, which has been a goal long before Luis Proenza took over. The university bought Quaker Square to use as dorms to make up for the rooms to be demolished for the stadium.

A poster on ZipsNation.org uploaded a photo of the University of Virginia’s football stadium, which is a horseshoe shape with a grassy hill in the open end zone for seating. It’s hard to tell on the rendering if Akron’s stadium includes that as well, but it might. I traveled with the team to Charlottesville, Va., in 2004 and it was a genuine college football experience.

Props to Stan Piatt for the shout out on 100.1 FM WNIR this morning. Also props to Steve French who praised the Buchtelite the day before.

The stadium has brought a lot more visitors to this blog. Just so you know, I cover mainly men’s basketball and football on a daily basis. Feel free to e-mail me anytime with comments, questions or anger. My address is mike_rasor@yahoo.com. Or you can IM me: MRasor0200.

A new scholarship offer…

Russell Ellington, outside linebacker, Homewood, Ill.
Offers: Akron, Wake Forest, Iowa State, Michigan State, Western Michigan and Eastern Illinois
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 203
Speed: 4.6
Notes: Scout.com lists Ellington as the nation’s No. 67 wide receiver.
Likelihood: Ellington committed early to Iowa State but recently decommitted. He wants to take a few visits, but still says the Cyclones are in the lead. Bill Simmons would liken it to visiting a few strip clubs on the eve of your wedding night. Ellington specifically mentioned Akron and Wake Forest in a Rivals.com story. Ellington has “low” interest in fellow MAC member Western Michigan.

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(Click to enlarge)

My first words were, “Holy crap. That stadium looks absolutely breathtaking.” Your thoughts?

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For more than a month, the university has fed me semi-truths as to why I cannot have the stadium plan.

First, it was, “They aren’t complete, so you can’t have them.” Then, it was, “The board of trustees hasn’t seen them, so neither can you.” Last, it was, “It doesn’t constitute a public record.”

During this battle, I was fully aware of the real reason: UA wants a big party in early August where fans can feast their eyes upon the new stadium for the first time.

Finally, the university admitted to me today that the entire stadium plan is mine if I want it. UA also said that it has big plans to “surprise” people on Aug. 1 with some exciting details about the stadium.

Because there is no real journalistic purpose in spoiling a surprise, I had no problem with a compromise. I will have one new rendering for you in the coming days (possibly today).

I suppose it would’ve been nice to be taken seriously before I threatened legal action.

Some updates on local recruits…

Hoban safety Will Fleming picked up a second offer, and it’s not one you would expect unless you’ve followed his recruitment. Hawaii and Akron are dueling — possibly for the first time ever — to get the Zips’ defensive coordinator’s son.

Scout.com says Akron North’s Larry Dawson is starting to attract recruiters’ attention. The running back still has just one offer, and that’s from the Zips. Teams who could offer in the future include Kansas, Connecticut, Oklahoma State, Pittsburgh and Ball State.

Buchtel cornerback Johnny Adams now has six scholarship offers: Akron, Syracuse, West Virginia, Michigan State, Indiana and Purdue. “Mr. Excitement” has visited Pitt, Michigan State, Ohio State and Akron so far.

Garfield defensive end Whitney Mercilus says Illinois, Purdue and Michigan are his top three. Eight teams, including Akron, Illinois and Purdue, have offered scholarships to the No. 12 weakside defensive end in the nation. Michigan has not.

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The new open-air stadium has potential for conversion to a dome, the Buchtelite’s Adam Ferrise reports.

His story also provides a timeline for the construction.

UA could break ground on the stadium, which Mack Rhoades says will rival the nation’s best facilities, by next spring. Standing in the way is the acquisition of all the land, but the university has six months to complete that while construction plans are drafted.

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It’s too early to say with absolutely certainty that wide receivers Jermaine Lindsey and David Harvey will not play in 2007.

The university has not said anything about their eligibility. However, a big indication of the future is that neither has participated during the offseason program. Harvey has been AWOL since the spring. Lindsey hasn’t been around since June.

So where does that leave the team in terms of receivers? From what I’m hearing, juniors Stephon Fuqua and Brandon Williams are having strong summers. They appear to be the No. 2 and 3 receivers respectively, unless a true freshman can earn playing time (cough, Vince Hill).

As far as the quarterback situation goes, Carlton Jackson probably still has the advantage. I’m starting to remember the feeling in the stands during CJ’s debut at the Rubber Bowl. A tangible buzz filled the air. That feeling was on the sidelines, too, according to a player I spoke with.

This summer, many true freshman have participated in the offseason program. One is quarterback Matt Rodgers. From what I hear, this guy is a real talent. He possesses a great arm and surprising maturity and intelligence for a freshman.

A new offer…

Ricky Nichols, cornerback, Norfolk, Va.
Offers: Akron and Temple
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 169
Speed: 4.5
Notes: Nichols benches 275 pounds. I’m not around the weight room that often, but that seems like a ton for a guy who’s my size. In high school, he plays running back, wide receiver, safety and cornerback for coach Dealton Cotton, who emphasizes academics. Nichols’ similarly named father was the 200th pick in the 1985 NFL Draft as a wide receiver.
Likelihood: NC State also likes Nichols, and the Wolfpack could offer soon. The Virginia prospect is also hearing from a lot of D-IAA teams.

Men’s basketball

The Las Vegas Summer League is complete, and Romeo Travis barely had a chance to prove he deserves an invitation to Cavaliers camp.

He played in three of the six games, averaging 2 points and 1.3 rebounds in 7 minutes per contest.

Travis probably will join Rob Preston to begin his professional career overseas. You certainly have not heard the last from him in the United States, in my opinion.

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I’m still making progress with getting you the stadium plans.

In the mean time, here are two more scholarship offers…

Jamiihr Williams, outside linebacker, Trotwood, Ohio
Offers: Akron, Cincinnati, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Marshall and Miami (Ohio)
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 224
Speed: 4.65
Notes: Williams is a teammate of Zips target Domonick Britt, who committed to Cincinnati. Scout.com gives him three stars and calls him the No. 25 weakside linebacker in the country.
Likelihood: Williams really likes the thought of playing Big 10 for either Illinois or Michigan State. As a backup plan, he wouldn’t mind playing with Britt as a Bearcat. Since Akron only recently offered a scholarship, it doesn’t appear the Zips are a serious contender.

Tynell Kirk, wide receiver, Rolling Meadows, Ill.
Offers: Akron and Iowa
Height: 6-2
Weight: 180
Speed: Not listed
Notes: Kirk looks way too small and brittle to play wide receiver in Division I, but what do I know? He must have some great hands, speed and route-running ability to land a Big 10 offer.
Likelihood: Kirk told Rivals.com this about Akron: “I’ve received scholarship offers so far from Akron and Iowa. The offer from Akron sort of came out of the blue to be honest. The Akron coaches just sent me the offer in the mail last week. I know Akron has a good program and they seem to be on television quite a bit.”

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Isn’t it fascinating how ESPN all of the sudden starts putting AFL highlights on SportsCenter after the Worldwide Leader signs a contract to carry arena games?

ESPN really can’t avoid these conflicts of interest which put a new spin on journalism ethics.

Anyhow, with the buzz the AFL has received lately, I decided to check how many MAC players compete in the 12-team league. There are eight…

Josh Bush from Western Michigan, WR/CB for Columbus
Cole Magner from Bowling Green, WR for Columbus
Ira Gooch from Central Michigan, WR for Kansas City
Terrence Stubbs from Temple, WR/CB for Los Angeles
Rob Turner from Central Michigan, WR/LB for Los Angeles
Todd France from Toledo, K for Philadelphia
Bo Rogers from Western Michigan, DB for Tampa Bay
Dahnel Singfield from Buffalo, DB for Utah

A new Zips scholarship offer…

Josh Stover, linebacker, Washington, D.C.
Offers: Akron and Ohio
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 223
Speed: 4.78
Notes: Stover benches 300, squats 350 and has a vertical leap of 34 inches.
Likelihood: Other teams of interest include Wake Forest, Pittsburgh and Michigan State. Rivals really doesn’t say much about Stover. Scout doesn’t list him at all.

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VanDelaySports.com says Akron will win the MAC East with a record of 8-4 and 6-2 in the MAC.

The site also picks Chris Kemme as a first-team preseason choice. Dennis Kennedy is the lone second-teamer.

To have just two preseason all-conference players, yet still lose two games, says a lot about Akron’s all-around team.

A record of 8-4 might be stretching it, however. Although the schedule only shows two guaranteed losses (@ Ohio State, @ Western Michigan), my prediction stands at 6-6 until the defensive line proves it can stop some of the excellent rushers it will face, at least three serviceable wide receivers work into the rotation and one quarterback emerges.