The University of Akron Athletics
Football Signs 23, Including 10 from State of Ohio
February 02 | Football
AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron football program signed 23 student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday, including 10 from the state of Ohio, second-year head coach Rob Ianello announced. The class also features five players who hail from the neighboring state of Pennsylvania.
View Archived Football National Signing Day Press Conference Video
"We are thrilled to welcome these young men to the Akron football family," Ianello said. "Today's class is a culmination of over one year's work by a lot of people. This truly was a team effort by our faculty, our administration, coaches and support staff, and most importantly our players, who feel strongly about the direction of Zips football."
The class includes five offensive linemen, four defensive backs, four defensive linemen, three running backs, three quarterbacks, two linebackers, one wide receiver and one placekicker. Included in this breakdown are two players who enrolled in class at Akron in January - QB Clayton Moore (transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College) and OL Vinnie Rizzo (transfer from Nassau Community College).
"Akron's having an outstanding year," CBS College Sports Network analyst Tom Lemming said. "They're doing an excellent job in their area. Rob Ianello is an excellent recruiter. It's going to take him three or four years to get to the top of the Mid-American Conference, but they're going to do it. I was really impressed with the way they went about their recruiting. They really attacked it, beating Bowling Green, Ohio and Toledo to a lot of top players."
UA football also announced today the inclusion of non-scholarship punter Zack Paul, an initial member of the school's "12th Man" program.
"We have met several needs in this class that should help us build upon the foundation we have established," Ianello said. "These young men come from excellent programs and backgrounds and we can't wait to get them on campus, as they join in the work of building our championship program."
Season tickets for the 2011 University of Akron football team's home schedule - including games against Mid-American Conference rivals Kent State and Ohio, and the home opener versus Florida International - went on sale Monday and renewal invoices for current Zips football season ticket holders will be mailed this week. For complete ticket information, please visit GoZips.com/tickets.
Akron announced last week its nonconference schedule, which along with the match-up with FIU on Sept. 10 includes a visit from Virginia Military Institute on Sept. 24 to two-year-old InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field. Additionally, the Zips travel to intrastate rivals and BCS opponents Ohio State on Sept. 3 and Cincinnati on Sept. 17.
Next season the Zips also will play host to MAC foes Temple and Central Michigan; and travel to league opponents Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Miami (Ohio) and Western Michigan. All game times, conference dates and television coverage will be announced later.
2011 Akron Football Signing Class Roster:
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown (Previous School/High School) |
| Andrew Bohan | OL | 6-3 | 260 | Avon Lake, Ohio (Avon Lake HS) |
| Karl Bostick | RB | 5-9 | 200 | Englewood, N.J. (Bergen Catholic HS) |
| Dylan Brumbaugh | OL | 6-4 | 270 | Green, Ohio (Green HS) |
| Bryce Cheek | DB | 6-0 | 176 | Lewis Center, Ohio (Olentangy HS) |
| John Clay | OL | 6-3 | 340 | East St. Louis, Ill. (East St. Louis HS) |
| Bre' Ford | DB | 5-11 | 200 | Bethel Park, Pa. (Bethel Park HS) |
| A.J. Fox | PK | 5-10 | 200 | Youngstown, Ohio (Cardinal Mooney HS) |
| Tyrell Goodman | QB | 6-2 | 210 | Yonkers, N.Y. (Archbishop Stepinac HS) |
| Cody Grice | FB | 6-0 | 240 | Akron, Ohio (Firestone HS) |
| John Griggs | DE | 6-5 | 260 | Piscataway, N.J. (Nassau CC/Piscataway HS) |
| Justin March | LB | 6-0 | 207 | Danville, Ill. (Danville HS) |
| Clayton Moore | QB | 6-1 | 210 | Louisville, Miss. (Gulf Coast CC (Miss.)/Louisville HS) |
| Devonte Morgan | DB | 5-11 | 180 | Cleveland, Ohio (Glenville HS) |
| Dajour Morris | DT | 6-2 | 285 | Johnstown, Pa. (Greater Johnstown HS) |
| Zach Paul* | P | 6-4 | 205 | Broadview Heights, Ohio (Padua HS) |
| Kyle Pohl | QB | 6-3 | 205 | Farmersville, Ohio (Valley View HS) |
| A.J. Price | WR | 6-4 | 190 | Reston, Va. (Dean College (Mass.)/South Lakes HS) |
| James Price | DT | 6-2 | 285 | Braddock, Pa. (Woodland Hills HS) |
| Vinnie Rizzo | OL | 6-3 | 275 | Manhasset, N.Y. (Nassau CC/Manhasset HS) |
| Johnny Robinson | DB | 5-10 | 180 | Cleveland, Ohio (Glenville HS) |
| Nick Rossi | FB/LB | 6-0 | 230 | Moosic, Pa. (Riverside HS) |
| Travis Switzer | OL | 6-3 | 265 | Lancaster, Pa. (Conestoga Valley HS) |
| Isaiah Williams | DE | 6-3 | 250 | Cleveland, Ohio (John Adams HS) |
| Tyler Williams | ATH | 5-7 | 155 | Cincinnati, Ohio (Colerain HS) |
* - non-scholarship player, member of Akron's "12th Man" program
2011 Akron Football Signing Class Player Profiles
:
Pos: OL
Height: 6-3
Weight: 260
Hometown: Avon Lake, Ohio
High School: Avon Lake HS
at Avon Lake HS: All-Ohio Third Team honoree and a team captain ... was a two-way starter as a senior ... winner of Lombardi Award (most valuable offensive lineman) in Avon County ... selected to play in the Ohio North-South Game ... recorded 36 tackles, two sacks and four fumble recoveries (one for a touchdown) ... won conference championships as a sophomore, junior and senior ... was named the county's most outstanding offensive player as a junior and was the Mike Medders Outstanding Offensive Lineman recipient as a senior ... returned an interception for a touchdown as a freshman ... Coached by: Dave Dlugosz ... also played basketball and ran track ... led the Shoremen basketball team to a district championship and a State Sweet 16 appearance as a junior ... also placed third in the conference in the discus ... member of the honor society and president of the Spanish Club ... was named to the Academic All-Ohio team as a senior ... member of the National Honor Society
Personal: Born Aug. 29, 1992 ... parents are John and Connie Bohan ... has one younger sister, Christine ... father was a high jumper at the University of Minnesota from 1973-77.
Karl Bostick
Pos: RB
Height: 5-9
Weight: 200
Hometown: Englewood, N.J.
High School: Bergen Catholic HS
at Bergen Catholic HS: Finished his high school career with 675 rushing yards on 99 carries and eight touchdowns; including 40 carries for 334 yards and two rushing TDs during his senior season ... also had 10 receptions for 177 yards and caught two TD passes as a senior ... helped team to a 10-2 record during his senior year, when he was named to the Star Ledger All-County Team ...also earned Star Ledger All-State Second Team ... Coached by: Nunzio Campanille.
Personal: Born March 2, 1993 ... parents are James and JoEllem Bostick ... older brother, Kevin, attends Rutgers and is a member of the track and field team ... black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Dylan Brumbaugh
Pos: OL
Height: 6-4
Weight: 270
Hometown: Green, Ohio
High School: Green HS
at Green HS: All-Ohio Third Team honoree as a senior... starter on the defensive line as a sophomore and junior ... starter on the offensive line as a senior ... recorded 49 pancake blocks to go with 44 tackles and 11 sacks ... also blocked one field goal and a pair of PATs as a senior ... ranked the ninth-best DT in the state of Ohio by JJ Huddle after his junior year ... Scouting Ohio Top 100 ... invited to play in the North-South game and Big 33 game ... as a senior named All-Suburban League, All-Northeast Inland All-District and all-state third-team ... Coached by: Tom Stacy.
Personal: Born Nov. 20, 1992 ... parents are Dean and Debra Brumbaugh ... has one younger brother, Dustin.
Bryce Cheek
Pos: DB
Height: 6-0
Weight: 176
Hometown: Lewis Center, Ohio
High School: Olentangy HS
at Olentangy HS: A three-time letterwinner and team captain ... was the team's defensive MVP, as well as a First Team All-OCC and second team all-district selection as a senior ... invited to play in the Ohio North-South Game ... made 40 tackles as a senior and also picked off three passes, and recovered one fumble ... blocked a pair of kicks and scored two defensive touchdowns ... one of the top kick and punt returners on the squad ... Coached by: Ed Terwilliger ... also competed in track and field and earned all-district and all-state honors.
Personal: Born Aug. 28, 1993 ... parents are Paul and Fanita Cheek ... has a twin sister, Embrye ... father played football and ran track at Ohio University.
John Clay
Pos: OL
Height: 6-3
Weight: 340
Hometown: East St. Louis, Ill.
High School: East St. Louis HS
at East St. Louis HS: A three-time all-conference selection ... ranked the No. 23 center in the nation by ESPN.com ... captained the team as a senior and was selected to the St. Louis American's All-American Team as a junior and senior ... named to the EA Sports Sophomore All-American Team as a sophomore ... East St. Louis won the 2008 Illinois state championship and captured three-straight Southwestern Conference titles ... three-time first-team all-conference, first-team all-metro and first-team all-area selection ... Coached by: Darren Sunkett.
Personal: Born July 2, 1993 ... parents John and Donna Clay ... father played football at Missouri and professionally for the Los Angeles Raiders and San Diego Chargers ... has two siblings, Jade and Jordan Nicole.
Bre' Ford
Pos: DB
Height: 5-11
Weight: 200
Hometown: Bethel Park, Pa.
High School: Bethel Park HS
at Bethel Park HS: Graduated as the program's all-time leading rusher (3,653 yards) and set a new school record for touchdowns (52) ... rushed for 1,300 yards and scored 22 TDs as a senior, and ran the ball 1,400 yards and recorded 20 TDs as a junior ... first-team all-conference, Fab 22 South and Terrific 25 All-Star as a senior ... third-team all-state and first-team all-conference as a junior ... Coached by: Jeff Metheny.
Personal: Born Jan. 2, 1992 ... parents are Tyrone and Diane Germany ... has three older siblings, Brooke, Brendon and Breann.
A.J. Fox
Pos: PK
Height: 5-10
Weight: 200
Hometown: Youngstown, Ohio
High School: Cardinal Mooney HS
at Cardinal Mooney HS: As a senior, was selected all-state, First-Team All-Northeast Ohio and Third-Team Division III ... played on the Division III state championship team as a junior ... set a school record for most PATs in a season (56) as a junior and highest season punting average (47.4 yards per punt) as a senior ... Coached by: P.J. Fecko.
Personal: Born July 30, 1992 ... parents are Robert and Kristine Fox ... both parents attended Akron and his mother competed for the Zips' tennis team.
Tyrell Goodman
Pos: QB
Height: 6-2
Weight: 210
Hometown: Yonkers, N.Y.
High School: Archbishop Stepinac HS
at Archbishop Stepinac HS: Three-year letterwinner ... as a senior was named Class A New York State Player of the Year, Madison Square Garden Player of the Year, Journal News Player of the Year, first-team all-state, first-team all-borough, first-team all-CHSFI and first-team all-city ... as a junior was tabbed an offensive player-of-the-year finalist and all-CHSFI ... led program to a 20-3 record as starting quarterback, including a 12-0 record and a division and conference championship during his senior year ... finished his interscholastic career with 3,012 passing yards and 1,867 rushing yards ... 1,686 passing yards during his senior campaign was the most in a single season at Stepinac ... Coached by: Michael O'Donnell ... same high school as Akron head coach Rob Ianello.
Personal: Born July 5, 1991 ... parents are Mark and Anna Phillips.
Cody Grice
Pos: FB
Height: 6-0
Weight: 240
Hometown: Akron, Ohio
High School: Firestone HS
at Firestone HS: Four-year letterwinner ... a three-time all-city performer who was also a second team all-district selection and a member of the Touchdown Club his junior and senior season ... rushed for over 1,000 yards in both his junior and senior seasons and combined to score 29 touchdowns as an upperclassmen (15 TDs as a senior) ... added eight scores during his sophomore campaign ... also a stand-out on defense, recording 195 career tackles and 10 career sacks ... named Firestone's offensive MVP in his sophomore, junior and senior seasons ... Coached by: Tim Flossie ... also an all-city selection in track and field.
Personal: Born June 17, 1992 ... parents Darius and Regina Grice ... has one sibling, Deshawn ... is an Eagle Scout.
John Griggs
Pos: DE
Height: 6-5
Weight: 260
Hometown: Piscataway, N.J.
Previous School/High School: Nassau CC/Piscataway HS
Originally signed with Iowa.
at Nassau CC (2010): Responsible for 50 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and eight sacks ... team finished 11-0 and closed out the season ranked as the No. 4 JUCO in the nation ... All-Northeast Conference and played in the Governor's Bowl ... teammate of fellow Akron signee Vinnie Rizzo ... Coached by: Jermaine Miles.
at Piscataway HS: As a senior helped the team to an 11-1 record and runner-up finish in the New Jersey state championship ... all-state ... all-area ... Coached by: Dan Higgins ... also earned all-state and all-area honors on the basketball court.
Personal: Born Nov. 5, 1990 ... parents are John and Catherine Griggs ... has one brother, Malcom, who plays football at New Hampshire ... fluent in sign language.
Justin March
Pos: LB
Height: 6-0
Weight: 207
Hometown: Danville, Ill.
High School: Danville HS
at Danville HS: Four-year letterwinner ... during his senior season was named first-team all-conference, first-team all-area and all-area player of the year... team captain ... competed in the state East-West All-Star game ... recorded 153 tackles as a senior and 203 stops as a junior ... nine career sacks (six as a junior) ... Coached by: B.J. Luke ... team won the conference championship in both his junior and senior season ... three-year letter-winner in basketball and a two-year letter-winner in baseball.
Personal: Born July 5, 1993 ... parents are Randy and Michelle Lillard ... has four siblings.
Clayton Moore
Pos: QB
Height: 6-1
Weight: 210
Hometown: Louisville, Miss.
Previous School/High School: Gulf Coast CC (Miss.)/Louisville HS
Originally signed with Mississippi ... enrolled at Akron in January.
at Gulf Coast CC: Clarion-Ledger's 2011 Junior College Top 25 Prospects List ... completed 155-of-257 passes for 2,395 yards and 23 touchdowns at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College last season while leading the Bulldogs to the JUCO state championship ... earned MVP honors at the Mississippi Bowl ... Coached by: Steve Campbell.
at Louisville HS: 3A Offensive Player of the Year as a junior after throwing for 3,036 yards and 30 TDs, while rushing for 744 yards and 10 scores as part of a state championship season ... was named one of the 12 best players in the state as a senior.
Personal: Born Nov. 26, 1990 ... parents are Clay and Caroline Moore ... has one younger sibling ... uncle played receiver at Mississippi State from 1999-2002 ... enjoys deer hunting.
Devonte Morgan
Pos: DB
Height: 5-11
Weight: 180
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
High School: Glenville HS
at Glenville HS: During his senior season, made 55 tackles, forced three fumbles, recovered three fumbles and scored one defensive touchdown ... All-Senate League ... team went 11-1 and was conference champion during his senior year and was state runner-up when he was a junior, going 14-1 ... teammate of fellow Akron signee Johnny Robinson ... Coached by: Ted Ginn ... also ran track.
Personal: Born Feb. 13, 1992 ... parents are Zachery and Denis Grier ... has four younger siblings, Evan, Terrell, Zakaya and Anton.
DaJour Morris
Pos: DT
Height: 6-2
Weight: 285
Hometown: Johnstown, Pa.
High School: Greater Johnstown HS
at Greater Johnstown HS: As a senior named second-team all-state and Tribune Democrat All-Area Team ... also was a Laurel Highlands All-Star and a Southern Alleghenies Coaches Association All-Star in his senior season when the squad was District VI champion ... program garnered a District VI championship during his junior year as well ... Coached by: Tony Penna, Jr. ... also competed in wrestling, baseball and track ... won over 20 matches as a wrestler ... considered a minor league pitching prospect until he decided to focus on football.
Personal: Born Oct. 13, 1992 ... son of DemeTrius Morris.
Zach Paul
Pos: P
Height: 6-4
Weight: 2-5
Hometown: Broadview Heights, Ohio
High School: Padua HS
Initial member of Akron's "12th Man" program for non-scholarship players.
at Padua HS: Converted 13-of-16 field goals and 56-of-58 point-after attempts in his final two seasons of high school ... scored 95 total points and maintained a 39.7 yards-per-punt average ... All-North Coast League First Team ... All-Sun News Team ... team posted a 7-4 record during his junior year and went 8-4 when he was a senior ... team was a regional semifinalist during his senior season ... converted a 54-yard field goal versus Elyria Catholic as a senior ... Coached by: Tony Shuman ... also competed for the basketball team.
Personal: Born April 18, 1993 ... parents are Jeffrey and Linda Paul ... has one younger brother, Jacob.
Kyle Pohl
Pos: QB
Height: 6-3
Weight: 205
Hometown: Farmersville, Ohio
High School: Valley View HS
at Valley View HS: Four-year letterwinner ... selected to the North-South All-Star game ... as a senior, earned honorable mention all-district, first-team all-league and was the team MVP and captain ... graduated with a 4.0 grade-point average... threw for over 3,000 yards and had 25 touchdown strikes ... closed out his high school career listed in third place in the school record book for most receptions in a season (43 as a sophomore) ... Coached by: Jay Niswonger ... also played basketball ... was a 1,000 point career scorer and two-time all-league selection on the hardwood.
Personal: Born June, 9, 1991 ... parents are Dennis and Sheri Pohl ... has an older brother, Aaron, a younger brother, Jon, and a younger sister Anna.
A.J. Price
Pos: WR
Height: 6-4
Weight: 190
Hometown: Reston, Va.
Previous School/High School: Dean College (Mass.)/South Lakes HS
Originally signed with Penn State.
at Dean College (2010): Competed in both football and basketball ... all-conference and Honorable Mention All-American on the football field ... led conference in receiving yards per game and ranked fourth in the league in all-purpose yards ... team posted a 6-4 record ... Coached by: Todd Vasey.
at South Lakes HS: All-Virginia Second Team ... All-Liberty Conference ... all-region ... Coached by: John Ellenburger ... also competed in basketball and track ... all-region on the hardwood and all-state in track.
Personal: Born Jan. 19, 1990 ... parents are Gerald and Nicole Price ... has two siblings, Brandon and Sean.
James Price
Pos: DT
Height: 6-2
Weight: 285
Hometown: Braddock, Pa.
Previous School/High School: Woodland Hills HS
at Woodland Hills HS: A three time all-conference selection who was twice named to the first team ... led Woodland Hills to a conference title in his junior season ... recorded 51 tackles and four sacks in 2010 ... made 32 stops as a junior ... Coached by: George Novak ... spent his freshman, sophomore and junior years at North Las Vegas High School in Las Vegas, Nev.
Personal: Born Oct. 2, 1992 ... parents are James and Charlene Price ... dad played football at Alabama ... has three sisters.
Vinnie Rizzo
Pos: OL
Height: 6-3
Weight: 275
Hometown: Manhasset, N.Y.
Previous School/High School: Nassau CC/Manhassett HS
Enrolled at Akron in January and will participate in spring workouts.
at Nassau CC (2010): earned JUCO all-conference recognition ... team finished 11-0 and closed out the season ranked as the No. 4 junior college in the nation ... teammate of fellow Akron signee John Griggs ... Coached by: Jermaine Miles.
at Manhasset HS: all-conference lineman ... team captain ... three-sport athlete in high school, also competing in track and field (shot put and discus), and baseball ... Coached by: Bill Jerry.
Personal: Born March 1, 1990 ... parents are Michael and Rita Rizzo ... has two older siblings, Sal and Sara.
Johnny Robinson
Pos: DB
Height: 5-10
Weight: 180
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
High School: Glenville HS
at Glenville HS: Three-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball and track ... tallied 86 career tackles (41 unassisted), 11 pass breakups and eight interceptions in his high school career ... posted 65 tackles (31 unassisted), six PBUs and five INTs during his senior season when he was a Second-Team Defensive Associated Press Northeastern Lake County All-District pick ... team went 11-1 and was conference champion during his senior year and was state runner-up when he was a junior, going 14-1 ... Coached by: Ted Ginn ... chosen to play in the USA game in Germany as a senior ... honor roll student ... was picked to attend a leadership seminar at West Point Military Academy during his junior year ... ranked No. 1 in his class all four years.
Personal: Born Feb. 9, 1993 ... parents are Johnny and Francine Robinson ... has two older siblings, Ernest and Delvon.
Nick Rossi
Pos: FB/LB
Height: 6-0
Weight: 230
Hometown: Moosic, Pa.
High School: Riverside HS
at Riverside HS: Helped lead team to the PIAA Class A Eastern Conference Championship and a berth in the state title game during his senior season ... rushed for over 1,200 yards and scored 23 touchdowns in 2010 ... also during his senior year, added 352 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns; registered 116 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and two interceptions ... was a two-year captain ... selected to the Pennsylvania Big 33 Game and the Chesapeake Bowl ... named to the all-state first team as a linebacker and was a two-time all-league selection ... was the 2010 all-regional defensive player of the year ... WNEP-TV Dream Team Player of the Year ... Coached by: Harry Armstrong.
Personal: Born July 18, 1992 ... parents are Rich and Lisa Rossi ... has one brother, Rich, who is an all-conference WR/TE at Sacred Heart.
Travis Switzer
Pos: OL
Height: 6-3
Weight: 265
Hometown: Lancaster, Pa.
High School: Conestoga Valley HS
at Conestoga Valley HS: Three-year letterwinner ... named to the All-Section 11 team in both his junior and senior season, and earned the honor at both offensive guard and defensive end in 2010 ... also earned all-league honors in 2009 and 2010 ... named the team's offensive, defensive, and outstanding lineman of the year in 2010 ... recorded 52 tackles and eight sacks during his senior season ... a PA Football News Honorable Mention All-State selection ... Coached by: Tom Nichols ... also was a two-year starter on the basketball team and competed in track and field (shot put).
Personal: Born Nov. 11, 1992 ... parents are Kent and Lori Switzer ... has one older brother, Paul.
Isaiah Williams
Pos: DE
Height: 6-3
Weight: 250
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
High School: John Adams HS
at John Adams HS: A three year starter who was named to the all-state team ... as a senior, posted 30 tackles (18 unassisted), seven tackles for loss and five sacks ... named to the East-West All Star Game ... also participated in basketball and track. Coached by: Gary Jackson.
Personal: Born May 5, 1993 ... son of Michael Williams and Peppi Johnson ... has two siblings, Aiesha and Rajah.
Tyler Williams
Pos: ATH
Height: 5-7
Weight: 155
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
High School: Colerain HS
at Colerain HS: Four-year letterwinner ... named Greater Miami Conference MVP, All-Southwest District Second Team and Cincinnati Enquirer Division I Player of the Year as a senior ... played in the North-South All Star Game and the Big 33 Game ... three-time first-team all-city selection, and was twice selected all-league ... rushed for 3,815 yards and 48 touchdowns in his career, both numbers set a new school record ... also threw 11 TD passes ... helped the program win three conference championships ... Coached by: Tom Bolden ... regional finalist on his track relay team.
Personal: Born July 31, 1992 ... parents are Terrell and LaShawn Williams ... father is an assistant football coach at Colerain HS.
