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Junior pulls out the stops

UA defender Bain doing so well, offense has trouble getting started

By Tom Gaffney
Beacon Journal sportswriter

Published on Friday, Mar 28, 2008

University of Akron football coach J.D. Brookhart looks forward to the days when Ryan Bain spends time in opponents' backfields rather than his own.

Bain, a junior noseguard and transfer from the University of Iowa, has been a disruptive force in the first three weeks of the Zips' spring practices.

On Tuesday at the UA indoor facility, the 6-foot-2, 305-pound Bain made tackles behind the line of scrimmage on three consecutive plays.

When asked after practice about that sequence, Brookhart said stops such as those are only a part of the big picture.

''Three plays? How about a hundred? He has been frustrating offensively for us because we can't get plays started now because of him,'' said Brookhart, who is in his fourth year as the Zips' coach. ''He is very quick, tough and productive down there.

''He is so quick off the ball and strong. He plays with the motor of an overachiever.''

Bain, who is from Bolingbrook, Ill., transferred from Iowa to UA in August and sat out the 2007 season due to NCAA regulations. He was a member of the scout team last season and quickly was moved to the top of the depth chart at noseguard heading to 2008.

''He is helping define a toughness on our defense,'' Brookhart said. ''I think he can be as good as anybody that has played here, if he stays healthy. He is earning his stripes and earning them quick.''

Bain said he welcomes the swift ascent and accepts the challenges that accompany it.

''I know the coaches have high expectations for
me and I am fine with that. I motivated myself . . . by being hard on myself,'' he said. ''I try to go all-out on every play and be consistent. Spring ball is going good, but I know I am still learning.''

Bain started at linebacker for three years at Bolingbrook High School and led the team in tackles each year. He was all-state and was a member of several All-America teams.

He selected Iowa and played 25 games for the Hawkeyes in 2005 and 2006. As a defensive tackle and defensive end, he had 56 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

After the 2006 season, he was listed as second team on the Iowa depth chart, so he decided to transfer.

''I was uncomfortable and unhappy,'' Bain said. ''A lot of things built up from the start. I didn't start out on the right foot as far as football went. It was some differences with the coaches.''

About a year ago, Bain asked for and was granted a release from his scholarship from Iowa. He then contacted via e-mail some coaches and recruiters with whom he talked when he was in high school.

One of them was UA defensive line coach Dana Chambers, who acted quickly to schedule an official visit.

One week after visiting Colorado State, Bain came to UA and, soon made his commitment with the Zips. He canceled an official visit to Oklahoma State and a tentative one with Louisville. He also told coaches from such schools as Southern Mississippi, Western Michigan and San Diego State that he had decided on UA.

''It came down to the coaches and where they were going with the program,'' said Bain, who has two seasons of eligibility remaining. ''When I visited here, it felt right. I had that gut feeling that I am not sure I did out of high school. This time I went with it and it seems to be working out.''

Bain's swift ascent on the field has been accompanied by a swift connection off the field.

''I have bonded really well with numerous guys on the team,'' he said. ''It wasn't like that at Iowa. The camaraderie is really good here.''

The Zips, as a team, also have a chance to be good in 2008. UA returns 38 lettermen, including 16 starters, and a host of talented transfers besides Bain.

''I like our chances. Every team always thinks they have a shot to be good. We talk and we believe we can do well,'' Bain said. ''The guys are pushing themselves. I am excited to be part of a team with guys who want to play hard and do well.''

Spring practice continues this week and next week. It concludes with the annual spring game at noon April 5 at the Stile Athletics Field House.

Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.

University of Akron football coach J.D. Brookhart looks forward to the days when Ryan Bain spends time in opponents' backfields rather than his own.

Get the full article here.


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