Football

Judge Bill Spicer refused this afternoon to set aside the $3.1 million verdict or order a new eminent domain trial on land owned by Joe Nemer.

The university probably will appeal, and that will likely result in a settlement. That’s how these things usually work.

New scholarship offers…

Michael Johnson, running back, Decatur, Ga.
Offers: Akron and Eastern Michigan
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 189
Speed: 4.48
Notes: Johnson would love to play for Florida, Georgia or Georgia Tech. However, he will weigh his options at midseason and decide then. A huge factor will be camaraderie with teammates.

Alan Bonner, wide receiver, Newnan, Ga.
Offers: Akron, Air Force and Alabama-Birmingham
Height: 5-10
Weight: 150
Speed: Not listed
Notes: UAB leads the race. Bonner caught 43 passes for 717 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior last season.

Martin Hopkins, inside linebacker, Chicago
Offers: Akron, Ball State and Western Michigan
Height: 6-2
Weight: 234
Speed: Not listed
Notes: Hopkins visited UA’s campus for a 7-on-7 tournament. He loved the facilities. The stadium plans excite him, too. Hopkins will not rush his decision, however.

Eric Page, cornerback, Holland, Ohio
Offers: Akron, Eastern Michigan, Miami (Ohio) and Toledo
Height: 5-10
Weight: 160
Speed: 4.5
Notes: What’s up with all of these skinny short kids? I can’t find any other information on Page.

Men’s soccer

Caleb Porter has spent two years continuing to build Akron’s soccer program.

The university rewarded him this week with a two-year contract extension that will last until 2011.

During Porter’s tenure, Akron has the best winning percentage in the nation. The Zips finished No. 10 in RPI last season. Moreover, the recruiting has been phenomenal.

Mack Rhoades should not have extended Porter’s contract. Rather, Rhoades should have found a sturdy pair of shackles to keep Porter tied to Lee Jackson Field.

Women’s basketball

Jodi Kest reeled in the nation’s 59th best recruiting class, an expert says.

This comes in the aftermath of a large portion of the team being kicked off the roster.

To be honest (and I want to stay as far from Don Imus territory as possible), the women’s basketball players who I saw around campus were, categorically, the rowdiest team on campus. Aside from Sarah Tokodi, who seemed nice, Kest probably achieved addition by subtraction.

Football

Scout.com launched ZipsReport.com in hopes to increase membership and provide a steady base of Akron news.

I will be a contributing writer every so often, but Bob Lichtenfels is doing most of the work to get the site off the ground.

Please consider visiting the site, take the seven-day trial, and perhaps become a member for about $100 a year. There is a lot of good information, and it’s nice to have Scout recognize the growth of the Zips’ fan base.

One interesting story is about top junior college cornerback Chaz Russell, who is considering Akron.

Some new scholarship offers…

Aaron Mershman, pro-style quarterback, Bowling Green, Ohio
Offers: Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan and Western Michigan
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 190
Speed: 4.7
Notes: Mershman, who models his game after Tim Tebow, hopes to get some Big Ten attention. Like Tebow, he can be a power runner at times. It’s a safe bet this guy will be starting somewhere in the MAC in a few years.

Chaz Russell, cornerback, Los Angeles (Pierce C.C.)
Offers: Akron, Memphis and Middle Tennessee
Height: 6-0
Weight: 195
Speed: 4.4
Notes: Russell originally gave a soft verbal commitment to Memphis, but it appears he backed out. He might also play receiver, punt returner or kick returner.

Dylan Farrington, defensive end, Adrian, Mich.
Offers: Akron, Bowling Green, Central Michigan and Indiana
Height: 6-5
Weight: 217
Speed: 4.65
Notes: Michigan and USC are his favorites, but those teams aren’t knocking down his door. Still, Farrington is quite an athlete, and Rivals.com gives him three stars.

John Prior, offensive tackle, Portsmouth, Ohio
Offers: Akron, Florida State, Illinois, Indiana, Louisville, N.C. State, Purdue, Syracuse, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Kent State, Marshall and Ohio
Height: 6-6
Weight: 283
Speed: Not listed
Notes: Florida State is Prior’s favorite. Akron is not in the top five.

Trey Smith, wide receiver, Perry, Ga.
Offers: Akron, Ball State, Kent State and Western Michigan
Height: 6-5
Weight: 208
Speed: 4.65
Notes: With good hands and solid blocking ability, Smith might wind up at tight end. If he really runs a 4.65, I’d be surprised to see him convert. It’s funny to see all these MAC schools traveling to Georgia. I suppose it’s trendy nowadays.

Jacoby Mitchell, wide receiver, Decatur, Ga.
Offers: Akron, Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan and Western Kentucky
Height: 6-1
Weight: 180
Speed: 4.5
Notes: Bowling Green is Mitchell’s favorite right now because the Falcon coaches were the first to really recruit him.

Marquis Miller, wide receiver, North Chicago, Ill.
Offers: Akron
Height: 5-11
Weight: 163
Speed: Not listed
Notes: Coach Brian Callahan recently extended this offer to Miller. He also has interest in Colorado, Purdue, Ball State and Western Michigan. (I love seeing a receiver who is my size and weight. He better be one shifty dude.)

Mark Mays, running back, Clayton, Ohio
Offers: Akron, Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Miami (Ohio) and Ohio
Height: 5-9
Weight: 170
Speed: Not listed
Notes: Mays almost landed in Rivals.com’s list of Ohio’s top 10 running backs. His highlight video makes him look like a slippery back to tackle.

Ted Bolser, wide receiver, Cincinnati
Offers: Akron, Kentucky, Louisville and Indiana
Height: 6-5
Weight: 212
Speed: 4.63
Notes: Bolser is No. 2 on Rivals.com’s list of Ohio’s top tight ends. Despite the Big East, Big Ten and SEC offer, Bolser wants to go somewhere he can play.

Charles Holmes, wide receiver, Rock Hill, S.C.
Offers: Akron, South Carolina and Buffalo
Height: 6-4
Weight: 197
Speed: 4.55
Notes: As you might expect, the Gamecocks top Holmes’ list. However, it is important for him to receive early playing time, so Akron has a chance.

Michael Colvin, dual-threat quarterback, Morristown, N.J.
Offers: Akron and Buffalo
Height: 6-2
Weight: 195
Speed: Not listed
Notes: Colvin has visited Rutgers and Syracuse. He ran for 800 yards and passed for 1,000 last season.

Football

If Akron loses its appeal of the $3.1 million verdict to Joe Nemer, it might back off purchasing the land, according to Nemer’s attorney Warner Mendenhall.

Probate court judge Bill Spicer will rule on UA’s motion to set aside the verdict early this week. Mendenhall said the university’s attorney told him it would not be interested in buying the land through eminent domain at that cost.

Would the university really set aside a huge plan for a residence hall over a measley million bucks? Probably not. It looks like posturing, because Nemer obviously can’t get $3.1 million for his land on the market. Even if the university is serious, it might not be able to back out.

Men’s basketball

Despite the recent reports, the University of Akron does not have a contract with Nike.

After I made a records request for the contract, a university official told me that the sides are still discussing the matter and do not have an executed agreement.

Men’s basketball

The Zips will play under the banner of Nike and hometown hero LeBron James for the next three years.

Despite its contract with adidas, Akron signed a contract to have the James’ “LJ23″ brand as its apparel provider.

Assuming that Nike re-designs the team’s look, Akron will be playing its third consecutive season with new uniforms. The partnership with the NBA’s finest young star should add some credibility to the team nationally. It should also impress top recruits, who have been more willing to play for Akron in the past few years.

I am curious about how this contract is structured. I made a public records request, and hopefully I will be able to upload a PDF of it soon.

Football

Akron recently received its first verbal commitment.

Dee Frieson is a wide receiver from Orange Park, Fla. Although the recruiting sites lack information on him, a news report calls him a speedy slot receiver, who committed to Akron so he could play a similar role in a Division I offense.

Here are some new offers…

Henry Conway, offensive tackle, Cleveland (Shaker Heights H.S.)
Offers: Akron, Cincinnati, Indiana, Bowling Green and Ohio
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 295
Speed: 5.0
Notes: Coach Joe Moorhead told Conway he has a “conditional offer” from Akron, which probably depends on Conway raising his below-average grades. Conway has visited campus. He would like to play in the Big Ten or Big East. Rivals.com gives him three stars.

Pete DeSouza, offensive tackle, Hyattsville, Md.
Offers: Akron, Maryland and Syracuse
Height: 6-7
Weight: 305
Speed: 5.2
Notes: Maryland is at the top of DeSouza’s list because he wants his mom to visit. He has only been playing football for three years, so it’s likely he would redshirt his true freshman year.

Juantez Hollins, offensive guard, Alliquippa, Pa.
Offers: Akron, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Marshall
Height: 6-4
Weight: 254
Speed: Not listed
Notes: Hollins has “low” interest in Akron, Buffalo and Marshall, according to Rivals. He wants to attend a school where a lot of players graduate. Rivals.com gives Hollins three stars.

Darrin Drakeford, outside linebacker, Washington, D.C.
Offers: Akron, Duke, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan State, Pittsburgh and Syracuse
Height: 6-0
Weight: 215
Speed: 4.6
Notes: Drakeford might also play tight end. Pitt is one of his favorites after camping there. He also likes Syracuse, which was the first school to offer him a scholarship.

Jerrell Rhodes, running back, Durham, N.C.
Offers: Akron, Ball State and Buffalo
Height: 5-10
Weight: 195
Speed: 4.52
Notes: Rivals suggested that Rhodes is underrated, considering his high school production.

Todd Thomas, wide receiver, Beaver Falls, Pa.
Offers: Akron, Colorado, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Boston College, Illinois, Iowa, Miami (Fla.) and West Virginia
Height: 6-2
Weight: 202
Speed: 4.59
Notes: It is sort of surprising to see Thomas have so many “big-time” offers, considering he does not play receiver in high school and he’s not the tallest or fastest guy around. Rivals.com gives him four stars. Michigan is leading the race so far.

Football

Almondo Sewell (defensive line), Bryan Williams (kickoff returner) and Andre Jones (punt returner) are the best players at their position in the MAC, according to MACReportOnline.com.

The Web site also predicted Chris Kemme (offensive line) and Ryan Bain (defensive line) to be second-team performers.

Akron is second in the conference with five players on both lists. Ball State leads with seven.

Sewell is one of only five sophomores to be honored.

New scholarship offerees…

Cody Magill, tight end, Gaithersburg, Md.
Offers: Akron, Syracuse, Buffalo, East Carolina, Eastern Michigan, Miami (Ohio) and Ohio
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 235
Speed: 4.85
Notes: Magill will probably wait until after his season to decide. Syracuse and Eastern Michigan were the first two teams to offer a scholarship.

Adam Calhoun, offensive tackle, Newnan, Ga.
Offers: Akron
Height: 6-7
Weight: 335
Speed: 5.5
Notes: Calhoun is also looking at the nearby ACC and SEC schools. No word whether they are looking back.

Football

The eminent domain disputes should be sorted out by the end of this week.

Judge Bill Spicer will decide whether to set aside the $3 million award to Joe Nemer. Manny Nemer’s trial also will begin.

The Beacon Journal had a good story in today’s paper that sums it up.

New scholarship offerees…

Alex Smith, linebacker, Barrington, Ill.
Offers: Akron, Air Force, Wyoming, Army, Ball State, Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 225
Speed: Not listed
Notes: Smith was really impressed with Indiana after camping there. It looks like a BCS offer would sway him in that direction.

John Wetzel, offensive tackle, Pittsburgh
Offers: Akron and Central Michigan
Height: 6-7
Weight: 266
Speed: Not listed
Notes: As you might expect after seeing his size, Wetzel is a basketball standout, too. Rivals.com’s writer believes his recruitment will take off soon.

Jarius Campbell, defensive end, Pickerington, Ohio
Offers: Akron and Bowling Green
Height: 6-5
Weight: 237
Speed: 4.78
Notes: Campbell notched 72 tackles and five sacks as a junior.

Christian Kuntz, wide receiver, Camp Hill, Pa.
Offers: Akron and Buffalo
Height: 6-4
Weight: 195
Speed: 4.5
Notes: Kuntz plays running back in high school, where he averaged about eight yards per carry.

Will Clarke, defensive end, Pittsburgh
Offers: Akron
Height: 6-6
Weight: 240
Speed: 4.8
Notes: Clarke also has interest in Iowa and Pitt.

Matt Faiella, linebacker, Freehold, N.J.
Offers: Akron, Buffalo and Temple
Height: 6-2
Weight: 225
Speed: 4.65
Notes: Faiella also has interest in Rutgers and Pitt.

Devin Street, wide receiver, Bethlehem, Pa.
Offers: Akron, Eastern Michigan, Temple and Pittsburgh
Height: 6-3.5
Weight: 180
Speed: 4.48
Notes: Street also has interest in Boston College and West Virginia.

Miscellaneous

This is not Zips related, but I’d like to share my sadness about the death of Tim Russert.

I met Russert in 2003 when he visited campus. It was a press conference, but it turned into a one-on-one conversation where I was grilling him on where he stood on issues. He got a kick out of it and mentioned me in his speech at E.J. Thomas.

Russert was 100 percent down-to-earth. Although his techniques made interviewees squirm, he will go down as one of the nation’s best television journalists.

Track

Stevi Large and Cadeau Kelley each performed well enough to merit All-American status.

Large took eighth in the hammer throw at the NCAA Championships. It was her second All-American award.

Kelley placed seventh in the long jump. He entered the competition with the third-longest jump in the nation all season.

Football

The university (wisely) will appeal the $3 million verdict that a jury awarded Joe Nemer last week.

Notes…

UA is also preparing to face off against Manny Nemer, who, according to an Internet spoof, has been busy foiling the Zips football golf outing.

Ticket sales for the new stadium are progressing nicely, according to GoZips.com. Construction also remains on pace.

New offers…

Aaron Kelley, defensive back, Cincinnati
Offers: Akron, Eastern Michigan and Kent State
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 165
Speed: 4.4
Notes: He is also listed as a wide receiver. With his size and speed, Kelley appears destined for punt return duty.

Sean McClellan, defensive tackle, Cincinnati
Offers: Akron, Kent State and Ohio
Height: 6-4
Weight: 245
Speed: 4.9
Notes: McClellan is a converted linebacker. He will look to the prestige of the academics and football program when making his decision.

Quron Pratt, wide receiver, Palmyra, N.J.
Offers: Akron, Duke, William & Mary and James Madison
Height: 5-11
Weight: 159
Speed:
Notes: Pratt also played defensive back last season, and he had seven interceptions.

Track

Two Zips earned high honors this week.

Coach Dennis Mitchell was named the Great Lakes Region’s best women’s coach. Meanwhile, jumper Cadeau Kelley is the region’s top male field athlete.

The ABJ’s Tom Gaffney wrote about what an at-large berth to the NCAA Championships means to Zips high jumper Ryan Jones.