Courtesy: Jeff Harwell-Zips Sports Photography Dennis Kennedy, as well as fellow running backs Alex Allen and Andrew Johnson, received praise from Coach Brookhart.

AKRON – Day three of the Akron’s 2008 preseason football camp brought a new level of excitement as the squad added shoulder pads to their helmets and shorts gear, allowing for a more contact and a better flow throughout the nearly three hour session at Schrank Field. The team did not just add shoulder pads, but a new member as fifth-year head coach J.D. Brookhart announced running back Dale Martin, a transfer from the University of Louisville, has joined the squad (see below for Martin’s bio).

“Today was great,” Brookhart said. “The weather was perfect and the addition of shoulder pads makes a huge difference in the tempo and flow of practice. I though we executed at a high level, even the younger guys. There was a lot of enthusiasm. This is a tough team and they enjoy the contact. I thought the three running backs (Dennis Kennedy, Alex Allen and Andrew Johnson) looked great. We had a good year on the special teams last year, but we will continue to emphasize that piece this year.”

One of the first drills of the day was the “Oklahoma” drill, which is typically a highlight of any camp when the pads are first donned. In the drill, a running back has to read blocks and avoid being tackled every five yards; first an offensive lineman versus a defensive line, followed by a tight end versus a linebacker and finally a receiver versus a defensive back.

Akron will have one more day in just the helmets and shoulder pads before putting on the full gear Friday. Saturday will mark the first of the Zips’ seven two-a-day practices.

On Sunday (Aug. 10), the team will practice one before hosting its annual “Meet the Team” celebration from 4-6 pm at Rhodes Arena. The event, which is free and open to the public, will allow fans to interact with each of the 2008 Zips and Coach Brookhart will address the crowd. There will also be free popcorn, snow cones and cotton candy, as well as music, inflatables and more.

#39 Dale Martin
6-0, 210, RFr., RB
Bolingbrook, Ill. (Univ. of Louisville / Bolingbrook HS)

Joined the Akron football squad during 2008 preseason camp ... Had one season at the University of Louisville, redshirting due to injury ... Will sit out the 2008 season due to NCAA transfer rules and have three years of eligibility remaining, starting with the 2009 season ... Attended the same high school as 2007 transfer Ryan Bain, who spent two seasons at the University of Iowa before coming to Akron last fall.

Prior to Akron: Spent one redshirt season at the University of Louisville ... At Bolingbrook HS: Considered one of the top running backs in the Midwest and the nation ... A two-time All-State performer ... Selected as a MSL Sports High School All-American and voted to play in the East-West All-Star game ... Rated the 19th-best running back in the nation and the sixth-ranked player in the state of Illinois by Rivals.com ... Ranked the 25th-best prospect in the country by Scout.com ... A four-star prospect by Rivals.com and Scout.com ... Three-year starter at running back and four-year varsity performer ... Finished as the school's second-leading all-time rusher with 3,727 yards ... Rushed for over 1,557 yards and 21 touchdowns during his senior season ... Averaged 7.0 yards per carry ... Guided the Raiders to a 9-3 record and an appearance in the state quarterfinals ... Named Most Valuable Offensive Player of the Southwest Suburban Blue Division ... Voted the team's Most Valuable Player and team captain... Ran for 1,100 yards and 11 scores during his junior campaign ... Named All-State and all-area as a junior ... Also a standout on the basketball team at Boilingbrook ... In addition to Louisville - received football scholarship offers from Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Tennessee.