Akron Football Signs 23, Including 10 From Ohio

AKRON, Ohio – 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