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AKRON – Living up to his promise when he was announced as The University of Akron’s head football coach last December, Rob Ianello landed 15 players from Ohio and Pennsylvania in his first signing class, which totaled 23.
The breakdown includes 10 from Ohio, five from Pennsylvania, two from Illinois, two from New York and one each from West Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware.
The class features six from the Akron-Cleveland area, including two-time Ohio Division I Player of the Year and Parade All-American Erick Howard. The list is bolstered by eight additional players ranked among Ohio’s top 155 prospects, including Nico Caponi (22nd), Seth Cunningham (30th), Zach D’Orazio (37th), Dylan Potts (110th), Anthony Ritossa (114th), Anthony Schrock (129th), L.T. Smith (133rd) and Carl Washington (152nd). Also, Jamar Williams is rated the 86th-best inside linebacker in the nation and has been invited to play in the annual Big 33 All-Star game.
Additional highlights include Richard Hall, the top-rated prospect in West Virginia; Giorgio Bowers, the sixth-rated prospect in Illinois; Mike Bizzarro, the ninth-rated prospect in Pennsylvania; and Keith Sconiers, the 53rd-rated prospect in Illinois.
UA Head Coach Rob Ianello on his 2010 signing class:
“The last 55 days, since being named head coach, have been a whirlwind. However, as I set out on our recruiting from the beginning, I wanted to sure up the young men who committed to The University of Akron before my arrival and concentrate heavily on the states of Ohio and Pennsylvania. I feel like we certainly have accomplished that with this group. We also want to have a consistent presence on the east coast and getting five signees from the region will help establish solid relationships there.
“My first signing class at The University of Akron will always be a special one. Our staff appreciates the faith these young men, as well as their family and coaches, have in our vision for the Zips football program. I am confident this class will be a strong foundation for the future.”
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown / Previous School(s)
Austin Bailey FB 6-1 240 West Friendship, Md. / DeMatha Catholic HS
Mike Bizzarro WR 6-1 170 Erie, Pa. / McDowell HS
Micklos Blake * DB 5-11 175 Staten Island, N.Y. / Nassau CC / Curtis HS
Giorgio Bowers RB 5-9 210 Olympian Fields, Ill. / Rich Central HS
Nico Caponi DE 6-2 255 Sandusky, Ohio / Sandusky Perkins HS
Seth Cunningham DB 6-0 185 Medina, Ohio / St. Edward HS
Zach D’Orazio QB 6-2 200 Avon Lake, Ohio / Cuyahoga Heights HS
Richard Hall DE 6-3 240 Wheeling Park, W.Va. / Wheeling Park HS
Anthony Holmes DB 6-1 195 Harrisburg, Pa. / Milford (N.Y.) Academy / Harrisburg HS
Erick Howard RB 5-11 225 North Canton, Ohio / North Canton Hoover HS
El’Rico Jones WR 6-0 190 Hermitage, Pa. / Hickory HS
Micah Lio OL 6-7 290 Butler, Pa. / Knoch HS
Patrick McCloskey * OL 6-4 290 Wilmington, Del. / Nassau (N.Y.) CC / St. Elizabeth HS
ShelDon Miller DB 6-0 195 Monessen, Pa. / Monessen HS
Dylan Potts ATH 6-0 190 Sardis, Ohio / River HS
Anthony Ritossa TE 6-4 220 Kirtland, Ohio / Kirtland HS
Anthony Schrock WR 6-3 200 Wadsworth, Ohio / Wadsworth HS
Keith Sconiers WR 6-3 190 Calumet Park, Ill. / H.L. Richards HS
L.T. Smith ATH 6-1 195 Painesville, Ohio / Riverside HS
Marvin Staten RB 5-10 195 Staten Island, N.Y. / Tottenville HS
Tamir Turpin RB 6-2 215 East Orange, N.J. / East Orange Campus HS
Carl Washington DB 5-10 180 Columbus, Ohio / Eastmoor Academy
Jamar Williams LB 6-1 215 Columbus, Ohio / Westerville South HS
* played two seasons at Junior College, giving each two years eligibility at Akron
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