The Zips (5-7, 3-5) needed a shot in the arm after a disappointing attempt to defend their Mid-American Conference championship. Three services rank Akron at the top, while two others put the Zips' 2007 class in the second division of the conference.

The Zips signed 24 recruits, including local product Bryan Williams, who originally was headed to Pittsburgh, then landed at Valley Forge (Pa.) Military Academy. Williams, a running back-defensive back who starred at Akron Buchtel High, will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Set to begin his fourth season, coach J.D. Brookhart needs to retool his offensive line. Among five offensive line recruits is one prospect expected to see immediate action. Junior Casey Estrada, at 6-5 and 285 pounds, is enrolled at Akron after transferring from Sacramento City College.

Greater Latrobe (Pa.) High standout Paul Simkovich (6-4, 298) earned Class AAAA all-state and is considered one of the top guard prospects in the nation.

Other prize recruits in the class include wide receiver Vincent Hill (Fort Washington, Md.), athlete/defensive back Da-Von Moore (Pittsburgh), quarterback Matt Rodgers (Pittsburgh), and linebacker Almondo Sewell (Trenton, N.J.).

Hill's 43 career touchdown receptions are a state record.

Moore is a highly touted cornerback who accumulated more than 4,600 all-purpose yards at Brentwood High.

Rodgers passed for more than 3,500 yards his final two seasons at Seton LaSalle High.

Sewell played one season at Hargrave Military after being ranked among New Jersey's top 30 high school prospects one year earlier.

TOP RECRUITS:

--OL Casey Estrada, Folsom, Calif. -- A highly regarded offensive line prospect (6-5, 285), Estrada is enrolled at Akron with two seasons of eligibility remaining. He starred for Sacramento City College and earned first-team All Mid-Empire Conference notice.

--WR Vincent Hill, Fort Washington, Md. -- Clocked at 4.47 in the 40, Hill caught 67 passes for 1,390 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior to lead Friendly High to a 3A state title and capture MaxPreps.com second-team All-America honors.

--RB Bryan Williams, Akron, Ohio -- Williams initially signed with Pittsburgh out of high school, but opted for Valley Forge Academy and returns home to play for the Zips. He was selected for the Big 33 game following his senior year.

--Defensive end Jason Taylor of the Miami Dolphins, who played at Akron from 1993-96, was selected Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "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." -- Coach J.D. Brookhart on the class of 2007.

PRO POTENTIAL:

QB Luke Getsy -- The senior came with coach J.D. Brookhart from Pittsburgh and enjoyed two fine seasons with the Zips. He led Akron to a MAC title in 2005 and then had to adjust to a new corps of skill players. In two seasons at Akron, Getsy passed for 6,117 yards and 41 touchdowns.

DE Jermaine Reid -- A native of Pickering, Ontario, Reid has been selected by the Hamilton Tiger-cats in the second round of the 2006 CFL draft. Reid had 7.5 sacks in 2005.

NT Kiki Gonzalez -- A genuine run stopper, the 6-2, 300-pounder was selected second team All-MAC in 2005.

ROSTER REPORT: Eleven seniors, including QB Luke Getsy, OL Andy Alleman, DL Kiki Gonzalez, and DL Jermaine Reid, were feted at the team's postseason banquet.