In the ever-changing landscape of college football recruiting, there are always players who slip through the cracks.
Here are 10 players who we think Division I programs missed from Greater Akron and the Class of 2025:
Ben Chesser, Nordonia quarterback
Chesser will play for Thomas More University. He was a third-team Division II All-Ohioan and Suburban League Offensive Player of the Year after a senior season in which he went 137-of-228 passing for 2,379 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Nick Crawford, Hoban defensive tackle
Crawford was named Division II second-team All-Ohio last season. He has several Division II offers after a senior season in which he registered 65 tackles, 22 for loss, 17 sacks and four forced fumbles. He also scored a defensive TD and blocked a punt.
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Jordan Jackson, Nordonia defensive tackle
Jackson committed to Grand Valley State and was a third-team Division II All-Ohioan. He registered 48 tackles, 14 for loss, and five sacks. He caused and recovered a fumble last season.
Donald “Duck” Johnson, St. Vincent-St. Mary running back
Johnson picked Ohio Dominican over Gardner-Webb. He was second-team All-Ohio in 2023 and rushed for 703 yards and three touchdowns in seven games last season. He also returned an interception and kickoff for a touchdown.
Kodey Kish, Walsh Jesuit offensive tackle
Kish decided he didn’t want to pursue a path in college football and will head to the University of Dayton, where his family has a rich tradition. He was second-team All-Ohio last year and helped Walsh rush for a school record 4,196 yards and 299.7 yards per game.
Gabriel Mansel, Copley quarterback
Mansel signed with Charleston University and was named a Division III honorable mention All-Ohioan. He went 101-for-162 passing for 1,640 yards and 18 touchdown passes in seven games. He also rushed for 424 yards and six touchdowns.
Keller Moten, Walsh Jesuit quarterback
Moten had offers from St. Francis and Mercyhurst but will play for John Carroll. He is Ohio’s Division II Offensive Player of the Year after a senior season in which he was 118-of-193 passing for 1,734 yards and 17 TDs and ran for another 1,380 yards and 23 scores.
Noah Robinson, Tallmadge defensive end
An injury robbed Robinson of most of his senior season. He has offers from Charleston, Mount Union, Clarion and John Carroll. He was first-team All-Ohio as a junior and finished with 28 career sacks and 59 tackles for loss.
Mike Schaal, Green defensive end
An injury cost Schaal his senior season. He’s deciding between Walsh University, Ashland and the University of Charleston. Schaal was a first-team Division II All-Ohioan as a junior after he registered 58½ tackles, 13½ for loss, 13 sacks, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.
Ryan Zywiec, Highland defensive tackle
Zywiec was a two-time All-Ohioan and second-team all-state last season. He will play for Ashland over Robert Morris, Colgate and Clarion. He logged 76 tackles, 22 for loss, and had 10½ sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery as a senior.
Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival
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