Firestone senior Jerome Lane commits to Akron for football

Firestone senior Jerome Lane is staying close to home for college.

Lane decided to commit to the University of Akron to continue his academic and football careers on scholarship.

“I feel good about this,” Lane said. “I feel it would not be right if I took my talents anywhere else. I felt it right to stay in Akron and play for the university.”

Lane, who is 6-foot-5 and 210-pounds, said the Zips recruited him as a “linebacker and athlete.” He said Toledo, Washington, Pittsburgh also offered him a scholarship.

“This is a real good thing,” Firestone coach Tim Flossie said. “The Mid-American did really well this year. Jerome is a good ballplayer. He is a good athlete who also plays basketball. He is big, strong and fast. I think Akron is getting a lot better with the coaching staff they have in place, and I think they will continue to do so.”

Lane started two years in football at Firestone, and played tailback, linebacker and defensive back. He is in his third year starting for the Falcons basketball team, and has played forward, guard and center.

“Coach [Todd] Stroud, coach [Chuck] Amato and coach [Terry] Bowden all had a hand in Jerome committing to Akron, especially coach Stroud,” Flossie said.

Lane said he plans to major in business management. He is the second Firestone football player in the senior class to commit to a Division I college, joining wide receiver Kevin Gladney (Nebraska).

Flossie said seniors Ja’Tice Shaw and Sam Allread are being recruited by colleges along with juniors Donteal Stone, Edmund Williams, Brennan Williams and Miles Kirk.