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2009 Akron Zips Football Recruiting

2009 Akron Zips Overview:

Akron signed 21 freshmen from seven different states. Of those 21 freshmen recruits, 10 from Ohio, three each from Michigan and Pennsylvania, and two from Georgia and one apiece from Florida, Maryland and Kentucky. On offense, there are six wide receivers, two tight ends, three linemen, one quarterback and one running back. On defense, there are three linemen, two linebackers and four backs. The specialists are a kicker and a long-snapper. There are three incoming players are from junior college ranks; a WR, a DT and a DB.

Top Players for the Zips:

• Jake Brandt, 6-6, 255, OL, Columbus, OH, Bexley HS

  Ohio High rated Brandt the #27 prospect in the state and Rivals has him listed as a three-star player. Named 2008 Ohio Division III first team All-State and rated the 79th best offensive tackle in the nation on Rivals.com. Could end up on defense. ESPN recruiting states “Brandt is a very athletic offensive lineman that can get to the second level to pick up linebackers and shows mobility when pulling.” Also recruited by Illinois and Cincinnati

• Patrick Nicely, 6-4, 220, QB, Willoughby, OH, Willoughby South HS

  Chose Akron after an early commitment to BGSU. Was recruited by almost the entire MAC. Has a gun of an arm and rated by one service as the #20 pro-style QB in the country. Two-time all-state selection and county POY. Selected to play in the “Big 33 Game.” Would have been recruited by bigger programs if he played on a better high school team.

• Chris Henderson, 6-2, 325, DL, Harrisburg PA, Milford Academy

  A non-qualifier academically a year ago from Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg, Pa. Attended Milford Academy in 2008 and was ranked the 21st-best prep school player in the country by Rivals. Could be an immediate impact player.

• Phil Tonga, 6-4, 275, DL, Torrance, CA, Los Angeles Harbor College, North HS

  Should provide immediate impact along the defensive line. Recruited by PAC-10 and Mountain West schools.

Sleepers in the 2009 Akron Recruiting Class:

• Anthony Meriwether, 6-2, 180, WR, Middleburg Hts (OH) Midpark High

  Meriwether was not highly recruited but has good size and very good speed to make an impact at WR. He set all sorts of school receiving records from total yards, TDs and receptions. Brookhart may look like genius for signing him in two or three years.

• Randy Greenwood, 5-11, 180, WR, Fairport Harbor (OH) Mentor Lake Catholic

  Greenwood was a two-time all-state player during his sophomore and junior years excelling at both WR and CB. He did not play football as a senior due to a leg injury. If he had, he would have signed with a Big Ten team.

Akron's Final Analysis:

Brookhart is really becoming one of the best recruiters in the MAC and with the Zips playing in a brand new stadium this fall; he has a lot to offer prep prospects. The Zips signed a very large and talented class and it could have been even better but Sean Farr, an excellent WR prospect from Baltimore Dunbar High switched his commitment late from Akron to Louisville. The three JUCOs should all be playing this fall filling immediate needs. Akron also signed a total of six WRs and one long snapper, filling both short and long term needs of the program. Jon Root, a 6-6 225 is another sleeper prospect who played at a power high-school program (Erie Cathedral Prep, PA) who may turn some heads in a few seasons while QB Patrick Nicely is the real plum of class. Overall this class rates as EXCELLENT compared to other MAC schools

> Official 2009 Akron Zips Football Recruits Press Release

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