Football
- Akron added a third verbal commitment on Wednesday…
Nico Caponi, inside linebacker, Sandusky COMMITTED TO AKRON
Offers: Akron, Columbia and Harvard
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 227
Speed: Not listed
Notes: Caponi's profile on Rivals.com looks more like a valedictorian's CV than a brutish linebacker's page. He carries a 3.87 GPA and had Ivy League scholarship offers. Nothing against my alma mater, but I would not have turned down Harvard for Akron.
- Here are six new scholarship offers…
Kyle Smith, quarterback, Lancaster, Pa.
Offers: Akron
Height: 6-3
Weight: 183
Speed: Not listed
Notes: As a junior, Smith threw 42 touchdowns and five interceptions, completing 65 percent of his passes. Smith is another academic whiz, with his 4.5 GPA. He wants to be an engineer, which will give Akron an edge over many schools. Other than Akron, Central Michigan, Connecticut, Rutgers and Northwestern have contacted Smith the most.
Darnell Laws, running back, Richland, N.J.
Offers: Akron
Height: 5-11
Weight: 202
Speed: Not listed
Notes: Laws would like to commit before his senior season begins. The bruising running back visited Syracuse in March. He also plays linebacker.
Giorgio Bowers, running back, Rich Central, Ill.
Offers: Akron, Bowling Green and Northern Illinois
Height: 5-9
Weight: 192
Speed: 4.59
Notes: Rivals.com gives Bowers three stars. He plans to visit Akron sometime this summer. Bowers' highlight video shows a determined runner who does not go down on first contact.
Max Williams, wide receiver, Marietta, Ga.
Offers: Akron
Height: 6-1
Weight: 180
Speed: 4.45
Notes: Williams' highlight video shows a good route runner whose concentration allows him to catch well in traffic. He has interest in schools from the ACC, SEC and Division I-AA.
Scott Miller, wide receiver, Egg Harbor Township
Offers: Akron
Height: 6-0
Weight: 165
Speed: 4.76
Notes: By his size and speed, Miller does not look like a Division I receiver to me. He also has interest from Nebraska, Rutgers and Ivy League schools.
Taylor Mack, cornerback, Atlanta
Offers: Akron and Connecticut
Height: 5-9
Weight: 160
Speed: 4.59
Notes: Rivals.com gives Mack three stars. The site was impressed with Mack's coverage skills at a camp last week.
- Notes…
Click here for a cumulative list of offers and commitments.
This week, I will focus on stadium coverage. On Monday, I will publish my extensive notes from touring the stadium. On Tuesday, I will review Akron's marketing plan to fill InfoCision Stadium. On Wednesday, I will post our video from touring the stadium.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
You make an excellent point Mike.
Q: How does one explain a person 3.87 GPA picking Akron over Harvard?
A: Grade inflation.
@Zipmeister
It's true. While in high school I've had 4.2 GPA's without getting straight A's. It's called AP classes, baby!
And does anyone notice anything about a few of these kids we're going after?
"Caponi's profile on Rivals.com looks more like a valedictorian's CV than a brutish linebacker's page. He carries a 3.87 GPA and had Ivy League scholarship offers."
Can't really blame Caponi. He most likely wanted to play division one football on a larger scale than what the Ivy league can offer.
"Smith is another academic whiz, with his 4.5 GPA. He wants to be an engineer, which will give Akron an edge over many schools. "
I hope we can pull Smith, too. Intelligence is something every football team can benefit from. And as Mike mentioned, Akron has a better engineering college than every school that's contacted Smith with the exception of Northwestern.