Football

They didn't hear their names this weekend, but Jabari Arthur (Chiefs), Davanzo Tate (Jets) Nate Robinson (Giants) and Kris Kasparek (Dolphins) will get a shot at the NFL.

Each signed free agent contracts.

Kasparek is excited about his opportunity with Bill Parcels.

Women's basketball

Tom Gaffney wrote an interesting story about the five Zips whom Jodi Kest dismissed for violating team rules.

Mack Rhoades supports the decision, which led to three starters, including Sarah Tokodi, being dismissed. Tokodi's dismissal comes as a surprise because she seemed like an ideal, good-character player for a rebuilding program.

Football

Reggie Corner is going to Buffalo as the Bills' fourth-round pick, No. 114 overall.

The aptly named cornerback is the fourth Akron player in as many years to be selected in the fourth round or better.

The Bills also chose a cornerback with the 11th overall pick in Leodis McKelvin from Troy.

Although Kris Kasparek, Davanzo Tate, Mike Schepp and Jabari Arthur did not get drafted, each will probably get an invitation to camp.

Football

MACReportOnline.com discussed the draft potential for eight MAC players.

Two are Zips: Kris Kasparek and Nate Robinson. Kasparek is sliding down to offensive tackle, where he has more professional upside. Robinson has the NFL body, but his work ethic is iffy. Both could go in the sixth or seventh rounds.

Other Akron players to watch on Saturday include Jabari Arthur, Reggie Corner, Davanzo Tate and Mike Schepp.

Football

It may be a long shot, but Jabari Arthur, Reggie Corner and Davanzo Tate are trying to give Akron its third player selected in the NFL Draft in as many years. Some publications believe it's more likely that you might think.

That first story comes from the Buchtelite, as does this story about the rally to save Manny's Pub. The owner, Manny Nemer, claims his bar is "staying right here" and that $1.04 million is not enough to relocate. Make your own conclusions this time. I'm sick of getting nasty text messages about what I write.

Men's basketball

Zip Watcher, a moderator at ZipsNation.org, has a great idea.

He suggests the AK-Rowdies support Zeke Marshall, who will be in town for the King James Shooting Stars Classic this weekend.

Marshall is the best player Keith Dambrot has ever pursued. He is the No. 61 player in the nation, according to Scout.com.

Football

Departing Zips seniors Mike Schepp and Reggie Corner have visited Berea for private workouts with the Browns, according to Dan Kadar.

Football

Harry Jackson, the owner of the Odd Corner and Akron alumnus, decided that he will bequeath his $2 million estate to Kent State because Akron is closing his business for the new stadium.

Jackson's money will go to the gays, lesbians, etc. at Kent State. Originally he planned for that money to go to the "alternative lifestyle" students at Akron.

Meanwhile, Manny Nemer is staging a march from his business Manny's Pub to the Student Union on Friday afternoon. This is to "raise awareness" for small business owners. Oh, and the march members will finish up their civic duty with a bunch of booze at Manny's, so certainly some profits are to be had.

With all due respect for Nemer, who is the definition of the American dream, and Jackson, who put away quite a stash from his small tobacco paraphernalia shop, this batch of sour grapes is pathetic.

The framers of our nation foresaw the need to take a private business or home for the public benefit. They had sympathy for these private business owners by requiring the government to pay just compensation.

We all know how this will end. If Jackson wants to take it out on Akron students, that's his perogative. Personally, I won't mind seeing that kind of money spent at Kent State anyhow. I also have skepticism that 1) he really intended to give the money to Akron and 2) he really changed his decision. (Your will is not final until you die.)

As far as Nemer goes, the university is offering him whiskey barrels of cash ($1.05 million). He has plenty to re-establish his bar — which he intended to renovate anyhow. Jackson also got a sweetheart deal with the university setting him up with another spot on the other side of Exchange Street. Akron students would be justified in boycotting him.

This will all work out for everyone. Bitterness helps no one.

Football

Dave Ruthenberg at MACReportOnline.com compiled blurbs about each team's spring.

Take a look. I wrote the Akron part.

Also, here is another link to Dan Kadar's Browns blog.

Football

The Buchtelite's Adam Ferrise wrote about Jermaine Reid's first year in the Canadian Football League.

Reid got hurt last season, but he hopes his next year in "America Jr." will be more productive, maybe even catching the eyes of NFL scouts.

Speaking of the Buchtelite, props to Vincent Dorsey, who recently won his second John S. Knight Scholarship. It's good to see Akron pumping out solid writers like Ferrise and Dorsey, even though the university lacks a journalism school.

And while we're talking about Buchtelite people (or former ones), here is the link to Dan Kadar's Browns blog.

Football

As J.D. Brookhart and Co. travel the country in search of new Zips, expect the amount of scholarship offerees to increase.

Here are some new ones…

Fitzgerald Toussaint, running back, Youngstown (Liberty HS)
Offers: Akron, Cincinnati, Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Pittsburgh and West Virginia
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 185
Speed: 4.5
Notes: His elusive lateral agility makes him deadly in high school. Those kinds of moves lead to tackles for loss at the next level. Still, Toussaint would be a star in the MAC. It looks like Toussant will follow his high school teammate, safety Isaiah Bell, to Michigan, however.

Brian Wozniak, tight end, Loveland, Ohio
Offers: Akron and Miami (Ohio)
Height: 6-5
Weight: 224
Speed: 4.7
Notes: Wozniak is a two-sport star and is leaving his options open for basketball in college, too. He looked impressive at a recent Rivals camp.

Maalik Bomar, outside linebacker, Cincinnati
Offers: Akron, Nebraska, Miami (Ohio) and Toledo
Height: 6-1
Weight: 187
Speed: 4.5
Notes: Bomar is another basketball player. He would like to stay home and play for Brian Kelly, but he has not yet received an offer from the Bearcats.

Zach Boren, outside linebacker, Pickerington, Ohio
Offers: Akron, Ohio State, Cincinnati, Kent State, Toledo and Miami (Ohio)
Height: 6-1
Weight: 245
Speed: 4.61
Notes: His brother Justin Boren is the offensive lineman who transferred from Michigan and might wind up at Ohio State. That said, Zach appears to be headed to Columbus, too.

Bradley Battles, athlete, Marianna, Fla.
Offers: Akron, Colorado, Iowa State, Kentucky, Purdue, Wisconsin and Northern Illinois
Height: 5-11
Weight: 190
Speed: Not listed
Notes: The product from Florida's panhandle performs well in the classroom, as well as the football field. He plays defensive back and running back in high school.

Michael Dobson, safety, Mount Airy, N.C.
Offers: Akron and Duke
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185
Speed: 4.5
Notes: Dobson might play running back at the next level, instead. Most of the ACC schools are interested.

Darius Davis, wide receiver, College of the Siskiyous, Calif.
Offers: Akron
Height: 5-11
Weight: 195
Speed: 4.4
Notes: He is one of California's top juco receivers returning this season. He caught 61 passes and eight touchdowns last season.

Kevin Williams, running back, Los Medanos J.C., Calif.
Offers: Akron, West Virginia, Central Florida, South Florida, Oregon State, Arizona State and Memphis
Height: 5-10
Weight: 173
Speed: 4.39
Notes: Williams has tentatively committed to Memphis. He has not yet visited campus, though.

Miscellaneous

Now that basketball season and football spring practices are over, there isn't much Zips news to pass along.

It comes at a convenient time for me because school is getting really hectic. I still look for news every day and keep my ears open.

Oh, and congrats to Roo Fan for winning the Ohio.com Bracket Challenge. Danny K's Picky Picks and Zipper10 rounded out the top three.

Speaking of Danny K, aka Dan Kadar, he has a Cleveland Browns blog on Ohio.com. I can't find the link this moment, but once I do, I'll post it.