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The Akron Zips went offense-heavy in their 17-person 2018 recruiting class, which might be a good thing in hindsight with the retirement of Chuck Amato, so the majority of this class won’t be looking to transfer for that reason. Five three-star recruits committed to Akron in this class, which was ranked #119 in the country by 247Sports.com. Terry Bowden and his staff recruited Ohio and Florida hard, and it might pay off with some big-time recruits at key positions. Without further ado, here are the prospects who are taking their talents to Northeast Ohio.
RB Abraham Alce - Immokalee, Florida, Immokalee High School (6’0”, 224 lbs., three-star)
RB Devanier Floyd - Akron, Ohio, East High School (5’9”, 200 lbs., two-star)
RB Keyondre White - Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Dillard High School (5’10”, 210 lbs., three-star)
The backfield for the Zips got a lot more dynamic with Alce rushing for 7.3 yards per carry and 13 touchdowns in his senior season, Floyd accounting for 1,465 rushing yards and 21 scores, and White is a fast and physical prospect at the position. With only four returners at RB, it may not be out of the question for some of these freshmen to get some touches in the fall.
WR Gavin Blunt - Aurora, Ohio, Aurora High School (6’2”, 195 lbs., two-star)
WR Daishawn Brimage - Akron, Ohio, East High School (6’1”, 195 lbs.,two-star)
WR Treon Sibley - Akron, Ohio, Coventry High School (6’0”, 187 lbs., two-star)
With nine WRs returning, it’s likely that this trio of pass-catchers will be redshirted for the 2018 season. Blunt is excellent at getting separation on his routes, Brimage possesses a pair of tremendous hands, and Sibley had nearly 1,800 all-purpose yards and 27 total TDs last season.
OL Vincent Fonte - Copley, Ohio, Copley High School (6’4”, 275 lbs., two-star)
OL Landon Forman - Kingfisher, Oklahoma, Northeast Oklahoma A&M (6’5”, 280 lbs., two-star)
OL Devin Jordan - Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Dillard High School (6’6”, 250 lbs., three-star)
OL Richard Kelly - Akron, Ohio, Archbishop Hoban High School (6’3”, 300 lbs., two-star)
OL Bryce Petersen - McKinleyville, California, Riverside City College (6’2”, 285 lbs., two-star)
OL Ben Phillis - Washington, Pennsylvania, Trinity High School (6’5”, 300 lbs., two-star)
The addition of six OLs to the 12 already on the roster is an interesting strategy, but there are some really good prospects here for Akron. Forman possesses a lot of physicality while fellow transfer Petersen brings athleticism at the guard position. Fonte and Jordan are maulers at tackle, while Kelly is an athletic force at center and Phillis is a well-rounded tackle.
DL Eric Bentley - Akron, Ohio, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (6’2”, 244 lbs.)
DL Logan Hawkins - Harrison City, Pennsylvania, Penn-Trafford High School (6’2”, 270 lbs., two-star)
Eight returners in the DL room probably means that Bentley and Hawkins will have to sit out the 2018 campaign for the Zips. The former is good at using his hands to get off of blockers while the latter is a wrecking ball at nose guard.
S Reggie Corner, Jr. - Canton, Ohio, McKinley High School (5’9”, 200 lbs.)
DB Rich Hall - Pompano Beach, Florida, Coconut Creek High School (6’1”, 175 lbs., two-star)
S Jalen Hooks - Warren, Ohio, Harding High School (6’2”, 170 lbs., three-star)
These three DBs may have to be redshirted this season with 14 DBs already on the roster. Corner Jr. has excellent ball skills, Hall has the skill set to be a good slot corner, and Hooks has the athleticism and physicality you want in a safety.
Next up in the National Signing Day 2018 Recap series: the Ball State Cardinals. You can get caught up with the recaps below.