2008 Akron Zips Preview

The Zips were the class of the MAC only a couple of seasons ago, winning the conference championship game in the second season of J.D. Brookhart’s head coaching tenure. But after a pair of losing seasons, the onus is on Brookhart to get Akron back into contention in his fifth year at the helm.

Two Minute Drill

A Quick Look at the Zips

J.D. Brookhart came to Akron five years ago with a reputation as an innovative offensive mind, so after last year’s weak showing on that side of the ball, he has to direct some degree of dramatic improvement. The Zips were dead last in the MAC in passing efficiency (103rd nationally) in 2007, but when Akron was a feared offensive power in this conference just a few years ago, it lit up the air with its passing attack. Brookhart has to recapture that magic to make this program a real power in the conference once again. Junior quarterback Chris Jacquemain has to upgrade his performance for the Zips to make any move in the MAC’s East Division. He won’t have the luxury of first-team All-MAC receiver Jabari Arthur on the outside, but a veteran line should give Jacquemain more time and security. The Zips need their revamped secondary to mature quickly as well, since that unit saw the most turnover due to graduation. There is a sense of urgency after a pair of losing seasons, and a cluster of transfers should help Brookhart foster intense competition at a number of positions, and strengthen the team overall. A lot of young players got tossed into the ring a year ago, and if they show an upgrade across the board, the Zips could be a surprise in the MAC East.

The eight offensive starters coming back will make that task possible, but experience does not guarantee any success. The Zips were well under the bar in terms of production, scoring only 21.2 points per game and averaging just over 300 yards of offense. The defense returns only five starters and has to replace four of its top players in the secondary.

Quarterbacks

Brookhart has made it no secret that this position needs to be a lot more productive and efficient in 2008 if the Zips are going to entertain any plans of being a factor in the MAC East. Junior Chris Jacquemain threw only 11 touchdown passes with 10 interceptions last season. Jacquemain should benefit significantly from the presence of former Akron standout Luke Getsy, who joined the staff as a graduate assistant coach. Jacquemain will be backed up by Matt Rodgers and Kade Wagner, a pair of redshirt freshmen, and junior KC Patterson, a former junior college transfer.

Running backs

Senior Dennis Kennedy, who battled injuries last year, rushed for 914 yards in 2006. Kennedy will likely start following the move of Bryan Williams from offense to defense. Backup Alex Allen will see more carries as a result of Williams' move to safety. But the pressure will be on Kennedy to re-establish himself as a dependable back who can stay healthy while carrying the load for the Zips.

Receivers

Six of the top seven pass-catchers are back, but the one who is not is a big loss — first-team All-MAC pick Jabari Arthur. Senior Stephon Fuqua steps into the lead role after making 20 catches in 2007, and his primary backup, fellow senior Alphonso Owen, has had plenty of work with the first unit. Senior Brandon Williams starts at the other receiver spot, with sophomore Richard Sandilands and redshirt freshman Brigham Van Etten working behind him.

Offensive linemen

Akron’s skill-position players should be well-protected with four starters returning on the offensive line. Chris Kemme was a second-team All-MAC pick last year. He will start at left tackle after playing the right side a year ago. Mike Ward is back at guard after being forced into duty as a freshman, while Corey Woods plays the other tackle after enduring a similar baptism by fire as a freshman in 2007. Junior Zack Anderson sat out the spring to rehab an injury but is expected to be fully healthy and start at right guard in the season-opener. Junior Elliott Bates holds the inside track on starting at center.

Defensive linemen

End Almondo Sewell, a second-team All-MAC pick who made 11 starts in 2007 as a freshman, is the Zips’ most accomplished lineman. Senior Eric Lively returns at tackle, while Ryan Bain, a transfer from Iowa, is slated to start next to Lively at the nosetackle position. Highly regarded freshman Hasan Hazime is expected to work his way into the rotation. As a group, the Akron defensive linemen will be charged with cutting down on the almost 200 rushing yards per game the Zips allowed in 2007.

Linebackers

Senior Kevin Grant was one of the team’s top tacklers last season, when he made 12 starts in the middle. Grant should be bracketed by sophomore Sean Fobbs, who missed the spring due to injury, and senior Doug Williams, who recorded 63 tackles last season. Senior Ray Siler, redshirt freshman Matt Little and redshirt freshman Aaron Williams are the primary backups in the playing rotation at linebacker.

Defensive backs

There is considerable transition in the works in the secondary due to heavy graduation losses. Senior free safety Andre Jones is the lone returning starter, although junior Wayne Cobham got plenty of work at rover last year and has earned the starting role there. After playing a significant part on special teams and as a backup last year, junior Amin Kabir moves into the starter’s job at strong safety, while senior Brandon Anderson and junior Miguel Graham will most likely work the corners. The big news in the secondary, however, revolves around Williams, who was moved from running back to safety in the spring. Williams should provide the Zips with a big hitter and playmaker in the defensive backfield.

Specialists

This area of the Zips’ roster returns intact, with junior punter John Stec back after averaging 37.5 yards per kick and knocking 16 inside the 20 a year ago. Placekicker Igor Iveljic answered the call as a freshman in 2007 and hit 15-of-18 field goal tries, including a 51-yarder.

Del.icio.us | Digg it | Athlon Sports RSS Feeds