Akron Football starts a new era with Joe Moorhead
By Shane Lunnen
A talented quarterback returns from injury
If Akron is going to start improving, their offense must start scoring. The Zips have averaged below 20 points per game each of the last four seasons. With Joe Moorhead calling the plays, the improvement should start this season.
Quarterback DJ Irons returns after falling to injury midseason last year. In his five games, he threw eight touchdown passes and scored twice more on the ground. He is highly athletic and it will help the Zips’ fortunes for him to pick up where he left off last season.
The top three running backs return, led by sophomore Jonzell Norrils who had 573 yards and three scores a year ago. However, Cam Wiley, who transferred from Minnesota, could see the most production. In 2020, he was the second-leading rusher for the Gophers and averaged 6.2 yards per carry.
In order for the rushing attack to take a step forward, the offensive line must be vastly improved. All five starters who finished the season last year were freshmen and they allowed an FBS worst 63 sacks.
Being thrown into the fire last year should help their progression. The staff also added three transfers with starting experience at their previous schools.
Not much experience is returning in the receiving corps. Only sophomore tight end Tristan Brank is back with any proven experience. In 2021 Brank was a second-team all-conference selection.
The Zips lost pass catchers to the transfer portal but gained Alex Adams from LSU, Daniel George from Penn State, and Shocky Jacques-Louis who played 45 games for Pitt while topping 1,000 yards receiving. If the new additions can build some chemistry with Irons, the unit should be on par with last year’s.