The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Football Signs 24
February 07 | Football
AKRON, Ohio – University of Akron head football coach J.D. Brookhart announced 24 student-athletes signed National Letters of Intent as part of his 2007 football recruiting class, which includes two student-athletes who have already enrolled and participating in team functions.
Headlining the list is local product Bryan Williams, who played at Buchtel HS before spending the last two seasons at Valley Forge (Pa.) Military Academy. Also in the class are four players ranked nationally at their position, 10 ranked among their state's top prospects and six All-State performers.
The 2007 class was rated the highest in the Mid-American Conference by Scout.com, marking the third consecutive year UA's class has been tops in the league.
The two players who
are already at Akron include junior college transfers Casey Estrada
and Miguel Graham. Also, not included in the list, is Curtis Brown.
Brown signed with Akron last February, but was unable to play this
past fall due to a car accident. Brown did enroll at Akron this
January.
J.D. Brookhart on the 2007 Class:
"First I want to thank all those who participated during the recruiting process. There is a whole new energy on campus and people are excited with our direction, which I think the players could really see.
"You continue to see a program on the rise with this and the last
two classes. This class has both great quality and character. This
is the best class we have signed since I have been here. We
addressed all our needs, both in the short and long term.
I think we have taken the proper steps to this program what it
should be. I would like to thank a number of players who held firm
with their commitment to the University of Akron. I know a lot were
really pressed. Again, that goes back to the high character of this
class. Also, one weekend, the group we brought in developed great
chemistry together. That is unusual and think it will go a long way
towards our team's success."
2007 University of Akron Football Signing Class
Name
Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown / Previous School(s)
Jake Anderson
OL
6-4 280 Erie, Pa./McDowell HS
Brian Brikowski
LB 6-4 215 Freehold Township, N.J./Freehold Township HS
Jalil Carter
DB
6-1 175 Toledo, Ohio/St. John's Jesuit HS
Marquinn Davis
DL
6-6 265 Youngstown, Ohio/Youngstown Rayen HS
Casey Estrada * (Jr.) OL
6-5 285 Folsom, Calif./Sacramento City College/Folsom HS
Sean Fobbs
LB
6-1 205 Miamisburg, Ohio/Miamisburg HS
Miguel Graham * (So.) DB
5-9 160 Rock Hill, S.C./Coffeyville (Kan.) CC/Rock Hill HS
Vincent Hill
WR
5-11 175 Fort Washington, Md./Friendly HS
Zac Kasparek
OL
6-6 300 New Brighton, Pa./New Brighton HS
Matt Little
LB
6-2 200 Durham, N.C./C. E. Jordan HS
Dan Marcoux
DL
6-3 260 Ramsey, N.J./Don Bosco Prep HS
Da-Von Moore
Ath. 5-11 200 Pittsburgh, Pa./Brentwood HS
Deni Odofin
DL
6-4 230 Endicott, N.Y./Valley Forge (Pa.) Military Acad./Union-Endicott HS
Gary Pride
Ath.
5-9 180 Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain HS
Joe Rash
DL
6-2 260 Pittsburgh, Pa./Penn Hills HS
Matt Rodgers
QB
6-2 195 Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton LaSalle HS
Dan Ronsman
OL
6-3 280 Antioch, Ill./Lakes Community HS
Jerome Royal
WR
6-2 180 Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights HS
Almondo Sewell
LB
6-2 235 Trenton, N.J./Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy/Trenton Central HS
Shane Shead
DL
6-5 225 Plano, Texas/Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy/West HS
Paul Simkovich
OL
6-4 300 Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe HS
Ryan Simpson
DL
6-2 270 Xenia, Ohio/Xenia HS
Aaron Williams
LB/RB
6-0 200 Pittsburgh, Pa./Penn Hill HS
Bryan Williams
RB
6-0 195 Akron, Ohio/Valley Forge (Pa.) Military Acad./John R. Buchtel HS
* - are already enrolled at Akron and will participate in spring drills.
Jake Anderson
6-4, 280, OL
Erie, Pa. / McDowell HS
Prior
to Akron: Ranks as the 72nd-best prospect in Pennsylvania
by Scout.com ... Named second team WPIAL Quad A
North Football All-Star and first team All-Region 6 ... McDowell
posted a 5-6 record in 2006, falling to Pittsburgh Central Catholic
for the District 10 championship ... Led McDowell to an 11-2 record
as a junior, reaching the PIAA Western Quarterfinals ... After his
junior season, participated in the Scout.com 2006
All-American Football Combine in Pittsburgh, earning second-team
All-Steel City honors.
Personal: Born Jacob Michael Anderson in Manassas, Va., on Jan. 17, 1989 ... Son of Mike and Lori Anderson.
Brian Brikowski
6-4, 215, LB
Freehold Township, N.J. / Freehold Township HS
Prior to Akron: As a senior, had 30 catches for 400 yards and six touchdowns as a tight end and was selected by the coaches as the American Division's All-Division tight end ... On defense, registered 90 tackles, including 10 tackles for a loss and a team-best five sacks ... Also a standout on the Freehold Township basketball team, which has won each of its first 18 games in 2006-07 and ranked sixth in the state.
Personal: Born Brian Brikowski on Feb. 11, 1989 ... Son of Barry Brikowski.
Jalil Carter
6-1, 175, DB
Toledo, Ohio / St. John's Jesuit HS
Prior to Akron: A two-year starter at both wide receiver and cornerback, earning first-team All-City League honors on offense as a senior ... Hauled in 31 receptions for 617 yards ... Over his junior and senior years, scored 16 touchdowns, 14 on pass receptions plus two on kick returns ... Recorded three interceptions as a senior, helping St. John's Jesuit post an 8-3 record and qualify for the Division I state playoffs in each of the past two seasons ... Also a sprinter on the track team, qualifying for the state meet in the 100-meter dash as a junior.
Personal: Born Jalil Rayshwn Carter in Toledo, Ohio, on July 18, 1989 ... Son of Michelle Carter.
Marquinn Davis
6-6, 265, DL
Youngstown, Ohio / Youngstown Rayen HS
Prior to Akron: As a senior, recorded 35 tackles, including 10 for losses ... Led his team to a 7-3 record and a conference title in 2006 ... Was a two-time, first team all-conference selection ... Also participates in track.
Personal: Born Marquinn Rashard Davis in New Castle, Pa., on Mar. 26, 1989 ... Son of Devida Davis.
Casey Estrada
6-5, 285, OL
Folsom, Calif. / Sacramento City College / Folsom HS
Graduated from Sac City in December 2006 and is already enrolled at Akron and will participate in spring drills ... He comes to Akron for his junior season and will have three years to play two with the Zips.
Prior to Akron: Played one season at Sac City, earning first team All Mid-Empire Conference ... The Panthers went 7-4 and won a conference championship.
Personal: Born Casey E. Estrada on Nov. 11, 1986.
Sean Fobbs
6-1, 205, LB
Miamisburg, Ohio / Miamisburg HS
Prior
to Akron: Listed by OhioVarsity.com
as a top 10 safety
in Ohio ... Listed as the 79th-best prospect in Ohio by
JJHuddle.com ...
As a senior, logged 55 tackles with six pass breakups and a fumble
recovery ... Compiled 50 tackles, two interceptions, one forced
fumble, and 10 pass deflections as a junior ... Named his team's
Player of the Game seven times over his career.
Personal: Born Sean Xavier Fobbs in Bronx, New York, on Feb. 12, 1989 ... Son of Sean and Debbie Fobbs.
Miguel Graham
5-9, 160, DB
Rock Hill, S.C. / Coffeyville (Kan..) CC / Rock Hill HS
Graduated from Coffeyville CC this past December and is already enrolled at Akron ... Will be listed as a sophomore at Akron and have three years of eligibility remaining.
Prior to Akron: Tabbed second team All-KJCCC (Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference) ... Helped Coffeyville to a 7-4 record in 2006 and an appearance in the Zions Bank Top of the Mountain Bowl ... Tallied 48 tackles for the season with a 65-yard interception return ... Was redshirted his freshman season at Coffeyville.
At Rock Hill HS: Selected to play in the annual South Carolina-North Carolina Shrine Bowl ... Led Rock Hill to the 2004 South Carolina AAAA state championship.
Personal: Miguel Graham on May 12, 1986.
Vincent Hill
5-10, 175, WR
Fort Washington, Md. / Friendly HS
Prior to Akron: As a senior, caught 67 passes for 1,390 yards and 22 touchdowns, leading Friendly HS to a 14-0 record and a Maryland 3A championship ... Finished career with a state public school record 43 touchdown catches ... Was named to the Washington Post All-Metro team, first team All-State and was a second team All-American by MaxPreps.com ... Tabbed first team all-county and recipient of the Washington Pigskin Award ... Hauled in 42 passes for 879 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior, while having 40 receptions for 756 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore.
Personal: Born Vincent W. Hill II in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 19, 1988 ... Son of Vincent and Claudette Hill ... One brother,Keith, played cornerback at Bowie State, while his other brother, Colan, played basketball at Columbia Union ... His cousin, Bobby Houston, played with the New York Jets ... His cousin Roderick Lewis played with the Houston Oilers.
Zac Kasparek
6-6, 300, OL
New Brighton, Pa. / New Brighton HS
Prior to Akron: Selected first team all-conference by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ... Ranks as the 76th-best prospect in Pennsylvania by Scout.com.
Personal: Born Zachary Kasparek in New Brighton, Pa., on Oct. 7, 1988 ... Son of Edward and Deborah Kasparek ... Zac's brother, Kris, is currently a senior tight end with the Zips ... Their uncle, Dick Lasse, played with Jim Brown at Syracuse before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Matt Little
6-2, 200, LB
Durham, N.C. / C. E. Jordan HS
Prior to Akron: As a senior, recorded 97 tackles to earn first team all-conference and all-area ... Recorded 139 tackles, four sacks, 10 tackles for a loss, two interceptions and two passes defended as a junior ... Selected first team all-conference and second team all-area as a junior and sophomore ... Also a standout on his lacrosse team ... In 2006, scored 48 points and tallied 132 groundballs to earn second team All-State honors.
Personal: Born Matthew Daniel Little in Columbia, Md., on Feb. 22, 1989 ... Son of Reggie and Melody Little ... His father played football at North Carolina Central University ... His cousin, Camille Little, plays basketball for the University of North Carolina and his uncle, Robert Little, played for the Harlem Globetrotters.
Dan Marcoux
6-3, 260, DL
Ramsey, N.J. / Don Bosco Prep HS
Last name is pronounced Mar-Coo.
Prior to Akron: As a senior, tallied 47 tackles ( 24 solo and 23 assisted) for an average of 4.3 tackles a game, leading his team to a 2006 state title ... Logged 21 tackles for loss and his eight sacks on the season was second in the NNJIL Conference ... Earned first team all-league and all-county honors ... Tabbed All-North Jersey ... Selected MVP of the Kirk Herbstreit Challenge ... Also participates in wrestling.
Personal: Born Daniel Andre Marcoux in Ridgewood, N.J., on Mar. 26, 1989 ... Son of Ken and Patty Marcoux.
Da-Von Moore
5-11, 210, Athlete
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Brentwood HS
Prior
to Akron: Named to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"Terrific 25" team and first team all-conference by the
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ... Ranks as the 42nd-best overall
prospect in Pennsylvania and the 61st-best corner back in the
nation by Scout.com ... Tallied 686 yards receiving and
1,068 rushing ... Scored a total of 26 touchdowns in 2006 to earn
first team All-State and all-conference honors ... Led Brentwood to
an 11-2 record and a conference title in 2006 ... Finished his
career with 4,688 all purpose yards ... Earned first team
all-conference honors as a junior and returned three punts for
touchdowns as a sophomore ... Also a standout in track, running
10.4 in the 100 meters ... Holds his high school records for both
the 100
and 200 meters.
Personal:
Born Da-Von Lamont Moore in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Jan. 28, 1989 ...
Son of Marion Moore ... His cousin, Corey,
played football at Robert Morris.
Deni Odofin
6-4, 230, DL
Endicott, N.Y. / Valley Forge (Pa.) Military Academy /
Union-Endicott HS
Prior
to Akron: Played one season at Valley Forge, registering
11 sacks ... Initially signing with Hofstra out of high school.
At Union Endicott: Tabbed second team Class AA
All-State by New York State Sports Writers Association as a senior
... Had 36 sacks in his three-year high school career, including 10
as a senior, 16 as a junior and 10 as a sophomore ... Two-time
Defensive Player of the Year at Union-Endicott as well as a
two-time All-Metro Binghamton ... Named to fourth team All-State as
a junior ... Also played basketball in high school.
Personal: Born Amodeni M. Odofin in Johnson City, N.Y., on July 1, 1988 ... Son of Atkins and Yvette Odofin.
Gary Pride
5-9, 180, Athlete
Cincinnati, Ohio / Colerain HS
Prior to Akron: Lined up in the slot in his team's triple option as a senior and ran for 1,019 yards on 104 attempts with six touchdowns ... Was also Colerain's leading receiver, hauling in 17 receptions for 224 yards and five scores ... Helped lead Colerain to a 10-2 record ... Was named first team All-GMC as well as honorable mention All-City and All-Southwest Ohio District ... Listed as the 83rd-best prospect in Ohio by JJHuddle.com ... Rushed for 188 yards on 17 carries versus St. Xavier in the Division I regional final ... Selected to play in the Southwest Ohio East-West All-Star game ... Tabbed Southwest Ohio all-district ... Played quarterback as a junior ... Was the MVP in the I-Wireless Crosstown Showdown, versus Highlands (Ky.) HS, rushing for 140 yards on 13 attempts with two scores ... In the first Kirk Herbstreit Classic, led his team to a victory over Tyler Lee (Texas) HS by rushing for 150 yards, including a 41-yard TD, on 20 carries ... Finished his junior season with over 1,000 yards rushing (14 TDs) and passed for over 300 yards (six TDs) ... Named first team All-Greater Miami Conference and All-Southwest Ohio honorable mention ... Played his sophomore season at Roger Bacon High School, running the team's spread offense at quarterback ... Rushed for 639 yards (eight TDs) and passed for 675 (five TDs) ... Played basketball one year and has run track for the past three years including running the 100, 200 and 400 runs, as well as being an integral part of three relay teams.
Personal: Born Gary Angelo Pride II in Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 12, 1989 ... Son of Tony and Tanya Knott.
Joe Rash
6-2, 260, DL
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Penn Hills HS
Prior to Akron: Earned second team Class AAAA Associated Press All-State honors in 2006 ... Ranks as the 76th-best prospect in Pennsylvania by Scout.com ... Recorded seven sacks during his senior season, leading Penn Hills to an 11-2 record ... Was a three-time all-conference pick ... Named to the East Elite Team ... Over his three years, Penn Hills posted a 29-6 record.
Personal: Born Joseph Antonio Rash in Pittsburgh, Pa., on April 14, 1989 ... Son of Louis and Pamela Rash ... His father was a defensive back at Mississippi Valley State from 1978-83, playing with Jerry Rice, and played three years in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers ... His sister, Janice, runs track at Slippery Rock University.
Matt Rodgers
6-2, 195, QB
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Seton LaSalle HS
Prior to Akron: Named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Fabulous 22" team and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Terrific 25" team ... Tabbed first team all-conference by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ... Ranks as the 57th-best prospect in Pennsylvania by Scout.com ... As a senior, completed 110-of-190 passes for 1,565 yards and 20 touchdowns ... Completed 153-of-267 passes for 2,060 yards and 20 touchdowns during his junior campaign, adding seven scores rushing.
Personal: Born Matthew Gary Rodgers in Charlotte, N.C. on Jan. 2, 1989 ... Son of Gary and Mary Grace Rogers.
Dan Ronsman
6-3, 280, OL
Antioch, Ill. / Lakes Community HS
Prior to Akron: Named 2006 first team Class 5A All-State by Illinois High School Football Coaches Association ... Helped turn Lakes Community from a 1-8 team in 2005 to 6-4 scoresheet and a playoff appearance in 2006 ... Tabbed all-area by the Pioneer Press, Daily Herald and New Sun ... Elected to play in the 2007 ICA Shriner All-Star game and the Down Under Bowl ... Was an all-conference selection and named "Best in the Trenches" by the Pioneer Press ... Voted his team's MVP and team captain ... Did not allow a sack over his junior and senior seasons, leading the team in pancake blocks ... On defense, had 10 tackles for loss over his junior and senior seasons.
Personal: Born Daniel Joseph Ronsman in Waukegan, Ill., on July 17, 1989 ... Son of Joe and Peggy Ronsman ... Was an honor roll student and member of the National Honor Society ... Was a two-time member of the North Suburban Leadership Conference and received the United States Achievement Academy Award.
Jerome Royal
6-2, 180, WR
Cleveland Heights, Ohio / Cleveland Heights HS
Prior to Akron: Listed as the ninth-best receiver in the state by Rivals.com and the 66th-best overall prospect in Ohio by JJHuddle.com ... Earned all-conference as a junior ... Tallied 370 yards on 12 receptions along with five touchdowns.
Personal: Born Jerome Alexander Royal in Cleveland, Ohio, on Dec. 14, 1988 ... Son of Alexander and Sharon Royal.
Almondo Sewell
6-2, 235, LB
Trenton, N.J. / Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy /
Trenton Central HS
Prior
to Akron: Played one season at Hargrave Military, who went
7-3, after signing with Virginia last year.
At Trenton Central: Ranked the third-best inside
linebacker in the country by Max Emfinger ... Listed as the #97
linebacker nationally by Scout.com ... Rated as the #18
overall player in New Jersey by Scout.com and #29 by
Rivals.com ... Named a PrepStar All-Big
East/Independent Region ... Tabbed third team All-State as a senior
and first team All-South Jersey by the Newark Star-Ledger
... Made 125 tackles, caused seven fumbles, had three quarterback
sacks and an interception in just eight games ... Set a state
record with 55 tackles in a three-game span ... Had 11 tackles,
including two for loss, and caused a fumble in Max Emfinger's
All-American Bowl in Louisiana in January 2006 ... Finished his
junior year with 92 tackles, including 35 solo, and a quarterback
sack ... Rushed 82 times for 756 yards and 11 touchdowns as a
fullback ... Also played baseball and threw the shot put at Trenton
Central.
Shane Shead
6-5, 225, DL
Plano, Texas / Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy / West HS
Prior
to Akron: Played one season at Hargrave Military, who went
7-3.
At West HS: Tallied 63 tackles, including 8.5
sacks, as a senior, adding two blocked kicks, a fumble recovery and
a forced fumble ... Was tabbed all-area and all-district ... As a
junior, had 40 tackles, including seven sacks ... Named honorable
mention all-district ... As a sophomore, had 14 receptions with
three scores, earning second team all-district.
Personal: Born Shane Shead in Dallas, Texas, on April 25, 1988 ... Son of Ken and Cassandra Shead.
Paul Simkovich
6-4, 300, OL
Latrobe, Pa. / Greater Latrobe HS
Prior to Akron: As a senior, garnered first team Class AAAA Associated Press All-State honors ... Listed as the 24th-best offensive guard in the nation by ESPN Insider.com ... Ranks as the 36th-best overall prospect in Pennsylvania and the 53rd-best offensive guard in the nation by Scout.com.
Personal: Born Paul Simkovich in Latrobe, Pa., July 31, 1989 ... Son of Chrisia Simkovich.
Ryan Simpson
6-2, 270, DL
Xenia, Ohio / Xenia HS
Prior to Akron: Named first team All-Greater Western Ohio Conference and first team all-county, leading Xenia to a South Division championship ... Was an All-Southwest Ohio honorable mention and Region 14 nominee for North-South All-Star game ... Garnered Xenia's Defensive Lineman of the Year Award ... For his career, recorded 173 total hits, including 13 sacks and 14 tackles for loss, with 18 quarterback hurries ... As a junior and sophomore, was an All-GWOC honorable mention selection ... Also participates in track and field.
Personal: Born Ryan Craig Simpson in Dayton, Ohio, on Jan. 25, 1988 ... Son of Walter Simpson and Mary West ... Listed on Who's Who Among High School Students.
Aaron Williams
6-0, 205, LB/RB
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Penn Hills
Prior to Akron: Tabbed second team Class AAAA Associated Press All-State honors ... One of five finalist for the Maxwell Award, which goes to the top football player in Western Pennsylvania ... Named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Fabulous 22" team and was named first team all-conference by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ... Selected to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Terrific 25" team ... Ranks as the 23rd-best weakside linebacker in the nation and the 35th-best overall prospect in Pennsylvania by Scout.com ... As a senior, gained 1,189 yards and rushed for 12 touchdowns on 195 carries.
Personal: Born Aaron Michael Williams in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Dec. 18, 1988 ... Son of Michael and Louise Williams.
Bryan Williams
6-0, 195, RB
Akron, Ohio / Valley Forge (Pa.) Military Academy /
John R. Buchtel HS
Comes to Akron as a junior and will have three years to play two.
Prior
to Akron: Spent two seasons at Valley Forge, playing both
running back and defensive back.
At Buchtel HS: Selected to play for Ohio in the
Ohio-Pennsylvania Big 33 Game held in Hersey, Pa., as a senior ...
Intercepted a pass to stop one scoring threat and then knocked away
a fourth-down pass at the goal line with 55 seconds remaining to
help Ohio hold on for a 34-28 victory over Pennsylvania ... Named
first team All-Ohio ... Gained 1,831 yards 26 touchdowns as a
senior ... Named first team Division III All-State as a running
back ... Scout.com ranked him the 77th-best cornerback in
the nation coming out of high school ... Earned all-league and
second team All-Northeast Ohio honors as a junior ... Had 51
tackles and five interceptions and ran for 328 yards and 6
touchdowns during the 2003 campaign ... Also a track standout, has
been timed in the 100 meters as fast as a 10.7.
Personal: Born Bryan Allen Williams in Akron, Ohio, on Sept. 17, 1987 ... Son of Sterling Campbell and Desaray Williams ... His mother played basketball at Firestone HS and his father was a member of the 1987 and '88 state-champion Buchtel HS football teams.
