Right now there’s little left to do but play a game.

 Random musings from the recesses of what is supposed to be my mind…yeah, that’s it.

Walnut Hills senior center Isaiah Johnson will reportedly take an unofficial visit to the University of Akron on Aug. 29, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Johnson, who is 6-foot-9, has offers from Akron, Kent State, Xavier University and Northern Kentucky University. He visited Kent State earlier this month.

 The Akron Zips will get to practice the preliminaries Wednesday evening at InfoCision Stadium.

Jamel Turner’s name wasn’t anywhere to be seen on that depth chart and could be seen practicing with the scout team Monday. 

Stephen Ericksen, a 6-foot-4, 275 lbs., offensive lineman from Carrollton High School has committed to the Zips, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed. Ericksen visited the team for Saturday morning's scrimmage at InfoCision Stadium.

Depth chart for base 4-3

DE

 Offense (Spread):

In a day for football junkies, the Zips held a mini-scrimmage with referees in attendance throwing laundry.

I call it mini because it was a situational exercise with the offense backed up to their two for a series of plays and eventually getting the ball at different points on the field ending at the defense’s one yard line.

 As I wrote earlier today, the new wrinkles for the Zips came courtesy of two players – Hakeem Lawrence and Jamel Turner.  Lawrence made his presence known with a TD run and Turner got in on a couple of plays.

Newcomers Jamel Turner and Hakeem Lawrence took to the field in full pads for the first time since joining the team.

The most noticeable aspect of today’s practice – the only one of the day – was the two-minute drill.  Each offensive unit took a stab at it and it didn’t look pretty.

 The Zips football team didn’t practice Sunday, but that didn’t mean they weren’t busy.

 The Zips football team may have caught a potentially huge break for the team's future.  Youngstown's Jamel Turner, a former four-star recruit back in 2008 who has overcome serious adversity, will have four years of eligibility.  If he's able to return to his high school form and remain eligible, the Zips defense is that much stronger at the linebacker position.

The Zips held their first intrasquad scrimmage Saturday morning at the Stile Athletic Field House.

 Yesterday the offense didn’t have a great day. Today it was the defense’s turn as the offense shredded them in most drills.  Here’s a quick rundown:

Sensing the intensity in the first practice with full pads wasn’t difficult. What was evident is that the players, for the morning practice anyway, were more concerned with getting the work done even in the face of a steady rain on a couple of occasions. But issues presented themselves, especially on offense.

Linebacker Jamar Williams tore his right anterior cruciate ligament and will be out for the season, coach Terry Bowden said during Thursday morning’s practice.

Looking at freshman Imani Davis would make anyone wonder just why he didn’t receive more offers coming out of Belen Jesuit Prep School in Miami, Fla.  Officially he had just three, according to ESPN. 

He is one of those speedy Sunshine State players with speed that coach Terry Bowden said that he was going to go after.  He continues to open eyes in camp with his receiving and running on reverses.

With most of the offense and defense installed, the coaching staff is beginning to expect more from the team by knowing what they are supposed to be doing and in which situations.

Coach Terry Bowden expected the incoming freshmen who didn’t come in last spring would be a bit lost, knowing that they will be walking about listlessly the first few days.  Time’s over for that. You either know it and take your shot at playing time at your position or prepare to be bypassed.

Leadership is what Terry Bowden is seeking from some of the players on the Zips roster.

 What is it about shoulder pads?

It’s clear that coach Terry Bowden wants two things of his offense – tempo and an element of explosion.  That’s why freshmen recruits such as Imani Davis are getting looks elsewhere.  For example:  Davis is getting a look at slot receiver.

The first day of pre-season camp is never sexy.  There’s no pads, no uniforms and little hitting.

Cass Technical High School (Detroit, Mich.) senior offensive lineman Dominick Hamilton has reportedly made a verbal commitment to Akron, according to Scout.com.

Hamilton, who is 6 feet 3 and 297 pounds, plays guard and center, according to Scout.com. He also reportedly had offers from Central Michigan and Coastal Carolina.