Recruiting 2011--Cody Bell

Mark McLeod/gatorcountry.com image

Florida Today reports that UMass has offered to Cody Bell, a 5-8 145 pd K from Cocoa HS in Florida.

Story here.

YouTube highlight video here.

Story about Bell here.

Kicked the winning extra point in the State Championship game.

Also has an offer from Bethune Cookman.

Recruiting 2011--Breshad Perriman II

The Orlando Sentinel reports that Breshad Perriman has accepted an offer from UCF.

I had blogged about Perriman back in December.

Besides UMass, Perriman had interest from FIU, Florida State, Marshall, Miami of Florida and UConn.

Recruiting 2011--Andrew Ortiz

Berecruited.com image

Rivals.com reports Andrew Ortiz, a 5-10 160 pd K from Kings Academy/West Palm Beach FL has verbaled to UMass.

Bio here.

Highlight video here.

Thanks to a reader for catching this.

Recruiting 2011--Anddy Moas

The SunSentinel reports that Anddy Moas, a 6-6 322 pd OL from West Broward, FL has verbaled to the Minutemen.

Article here.

Moas played in the Miami-Dade Vs Broward All-Star game.

Image link here.

Thanks to the reader who alerted me.

Recruiting 2011--Tyjuan Fray

elitescoutingservices.com image

Rivals.com reports that UMass has offered to Tyjuan Fray, a 6-1 191 pd Safety  from Ocala, FL.

His Rivals page is here.

This article features him.

YouTube highlight video here.

Also holds offers from Duquesne, Eastern Michigan and Wagner.

Saturday--January 29, 2011

Ron Chimelis has an article on the five mid-year transfers to UMass.

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If we are still in the market for big WR's, USC's 6-4 195 pd  Brice Butler is looking to transfer to a FCS school. Butler was All-Everything in HS.

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TSN's Craig Haley says Montana State has been giving Montana hard time in recruiting lately.

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Recruiting 2011--Ronald Baines

Kevin Minnick/Courier Post Online

Rivals.com reports UMass is interested in Ronald Baines, a 6-0 179 pd CB from Vorhees, NJ.

Baines Rivals page is here.

This article features him.

He's mentioned here.

YouTube highlight video here.

Baines holds an offer from East Carolina. Also drawing interest from Florida International, JMU and Maine.

Friday--Jan 28,2011

UPDATE: UMass has an article on the five mid-year transfers for UMass football. Has stats and quotes from Minutemen HC Kevin Morris.

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UMass' HC Kevin Morris will speak at a Football Preview Luncheon at the University of Boston Club in Boston on Feb 3rd, 2011. That's the day after Letter-of-intent day.

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Ron Chimelis comments on UConn's booster trouble.

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Roger Brown has a couple of articles:

• Oregon's Chip Kelley will speak at New England Football Coaches clinic in March.
• New Hampshire adds a verbal from a New Jersey WR/DB.

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Boston College has interviewed Delaware's OC Jim Hofner for the same position at the Heights.

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Recruiting 2011- UMass adds five Spring semester players

Matty V has an article on UMass adding five players to the Spring roster.

Two, I have already blogged about:

• Chase Danska
• Greg Hilliard

Three are new names.

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Kellen Pagel, a 6-2 192 pd QB transfer from Bowling Green. Some info about Pagel here. An article here about Kellen and his father Mike Pagel who started 54 NFL games.

Kellen Pagel/Lisa Dejong/The Plain Dealer

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Chris Burns, 5-11 200 pd RB transfer from Pittsburgh.

Burns Panther's bio here. PrepStar All-American and SuperPrep All-Northeast. Ranked #14 in the nation in HS. Rushed 32-78 1 TD while at Pitt.

Scout.com four star player.

Getty Images

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Ryan Campbell, a 6-0 180 CB transfer from Mississippi.

Campbell's Rebels' bio here. Rated the #50 CB in the nation by ESPN.

Rivals two star player.

Scout.com image

Looks like some nice additions to the team.

Recruiting 2011--Iric Harris

Rivals image

UMass added its seventh (that I can confirm) verbal yesterday as Iric Harris committed to the Minutemen.

Harris is a Rivals two star recruit.

I've blogged about Harris twice before.

Welcome to the Minutemen Iric!

Thursday--Jan 27, 2011

UMass finished 23rd in the final CSN Gridiron Power Index for 2010.

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Former UMass assistant coach Bob Shoop (2006) and current William & Mary DC will be joining the staff at Vanderbilt.

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The Big East will not wait for Villanova to make its decision before expanding.

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In other News:

The poop hit the propeller at Iowa as 13 Iowa football players were hospitalized after a off season workout.

This CBS columnist calls for several Iowa football officials to be fired.

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Meanwhile...

The fecal particulate hit the rotary oscillator at UConn.

Quote from the article:"A major benefactor to the University of Connecticut wants the school to return $3 million in donations and remove his family name from its football complex".

Wednesday---Jan 26, 2011

The Blog and Mrs Blog join all UMass fans in being grateful that the UMass basketball team is safe on the ground after an emergency landing during their return trip from Charlotte.

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Craig Haley of TSN looks at potential NFL draft picks from the FCS division and their potential replacements.

Also from TSN: Southern Illinois adds four FBS transfers and two JUCO's.

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Former Michigan QB Tate Forcier is still looking for a place to play. He wouldn't fit the UMass offense at QB, but he would make a hellva WR.

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More on Richmond's Martin Parker's good showing at the East-West Shrine game.

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Recruiting 2011--Greg Hilliard II

Enterprisenews.com has an article about Brockton's Greg Hilliard joining the Minutemen.

I had blogged previously about Hilliard back on December 14th.

Recruiting 2011--Gregory Lewis

Miami Herald image

Rivals.com reports that UMass has offered to Gregory Lewis, 6-5 300 pd OL from Hollywood, FL (Chaminade Madonna HS).

Lewis's Rivals page here.

YouTube highlight video here.

Miami Herald write-up on Lewis here.

He also holds offers from Florida Atlantic, Florida International and Indiana.

Tuesday---Jan 25, 2010

This article features Danver's Pat Santin, who recently passed away. He was a long time presence as an official in the North Shore area.

Santin won letters as a UMass football player in 1940, 1941 and as Captain in 1946.

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The Cape Cod times tells the story of Cody Murray, who is coming back from a devastating injury. He was drawing interest from UMass football prior to the injury.

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Roger Brown reports that UNH has a new defensive coordinator.

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Richmond's Martin Parker was defensive MVP of the East-West Shrine game last Saturday.

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University of North Carolina Charlotte will have football in 2013.

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Recruiting 2011--Jonathon Rollins

Rivals.com reports that UMass is interested in Jonathon Rollins, a 5-11 205 pd OLB from Miramar, FL/

Rollins Rivals page here.

More info here.

YouTube video here.

Holds an offer from Western Illinois. Besides UMass, he is drawing interest from Florida Atlantic, Miami, Southern Illinois and Western Kentucky.

Recruiting 2011--Quayshun Smith

Nike Combine image

Rival.com reports UMass has offered to Quayshun Smith, a 5-9 160 pd CB from Tallahassee, FL.

His Rivals page is here.

ESPN two star player.

Junior highlight video here.

Besides UMass, Smith holds offers from Arkansas, Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, Florida International and Middle Tennessee.

Saturday---Jan 22, 2011

Matty Vautour features James Ihedigbo and his desire for a NFL career and and a championship for the Jets.

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Two Iowa State players, one of them a former four star recruit, are seeking to transfer to a FCS school.

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Villanova is polling public about its proposed move to the Big East. The Wildcats would be playing their home games off campus at PPL Park in Chester, PA.

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Why it's good to have a college education II--------you get to interact with brilliant professors.

Study by University of Minnesota researchers shows people like to drink at sporting events.

Recruiting 2011-Karlos Bimba

Rivals.com reports UMass is interested in Karlos Bimba, a 6-3 255 pd DE from Lackawanna CC.

Bimba's Rivals page here.

YouTube video highlights here.

Also interested is Duquesne.

Recruiting 2011--Iric Harris II

I've blogged before about UMass offering to VA cornerback  Iric Harris.

This article says he'll be visiting UMass today----I assume weather permitting.

Harris was called "Sleeper of the Year" by the Roanoak Times.

Friday Jan 21, 2011

Tyler Holmes adds another honor as he is chosen for the College Sporting News FCS All-American Team.

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The UMass football team (and the Blog) are going to be really tired on Oct 1st. Boston College and Old Dominion both have us scheduled for the same day.

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Mark Whipple is being mentioned as the next OC for the Cleveland Browns.

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Craig Haley lists UMass' last second loss to Richmond as one of the top events of the 2010 FCS season.

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Matt Szczur is happy with his decision to play baseball for the Cubs.

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Never doubt the value of a college education.

Virginia Tech alums build an iPhone controlled beer fridge. Be sure to play the video.

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Recruiting 2011--Riyahd Jones

Scout.com image

Scout.com reports that UMass has offered to Riyahd Jones, a 5-11 165 pd CB/WR from Columbus, GA.

Jones is a Scout.com three star player.

ESPN page here.

Decommitted from Kentucky.

YouTube highlight video here.

According to Scout.com he took a recruiting visit to UMass on 01/14.

Also looking at Georgia Southern, UAB and UCF.

Wednesday--Jan 19th, 2011

Matty Vautour says the rumored football upgrade has not changed recruiting for the UMass football team.

John Griffin, Kyle Havens, Greg Niland and Anthony Nelson all hope to get into a NFL camp.

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Ron Chimelis has an interview with Mark Whipple, who says he's still interested in coaching college football.

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Stony Brook adds four JUCO's.

ODU adds a JUCO.

Villanova signs a three-star linebacker.

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Roger Brown reports that UNH DC Sean McGowan has accepted a job at Temple.
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Villanova has two players on the roster of the Senior Bowl.

UPDATE: Matt Szczur signs with the Cubs for $1.5 Million.

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Recruiting 2011--Chase Danska

Danska #11, Alex Baranda image

The website for Diablo Valley JUCO is reporting that Chase Danska, a 6-0 187 pd WR from Pleasant Hill, CA has transferred to UMass.

Danska was the leading receiver at Diablo Valley: 10 games 46-663 3 TD's 67 LONG 66.3 YDS/G 14.4 YDS/catch.

He also had kick returns for 9-159 37 LONG 17.67 YDS/return.

Rushed 28-160 2 TD's 36 LONG 16.0 YDS/carry

Diablo Valley is Kyle Havens old school.

Danska was a HS QB, but was All-State after switching to WR at Diablo Valley.

2010 highlight video here.

Thanks to the anonymous commenter that brought this to my attention.

Recruiting 2011--Steven Miller

High School image by NJ Star-Ledger

Rivals.com report that UMass is interested in Steven Miller a 5-8 175 pd JUCO RB from Nassau CC. Originally from Piscataway, NJ.

Miller's Rivals page here.

Miller led the Northeast Conference in rushing with 11 GP 148-914 6.2 AVE 12 TD 65 LONG 83.1 Yds/G. He was the Northeast Conference player-of-the year.

2010 highlight film here.

Also interested are Akron, Fordham, Georgia Tech, Purdue and Rutgers.

Monday--Jan 17, 2011

James Ihedigbo was the focus of several stories prior to yesterday's Jets-Patriots playoff game. One story here and another here.

I tried to locate an image of Ihedigbo carrying Dennis Byrd's jersey out to the coin toss, but could not come up with one.

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NFL draft guru Josh Buchanan looks at EWU TB Taiwan Jones' decision to declare for the draft.

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Saturday -- Jan 15. 2011

Tyler Holmes rakes in another post season honor as he is chosen the ECAC Defensive player-of-the-year.

UMass OG Greg Niland was chosen for the ECAC offensive team. The complete team is here (.pdf download).

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 Two more stories featuring Jets GM -----and UMass alum----Mike Tannenbaum here and here.

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James Ihedigbo explains why the Jets players have Rex Ryan's back.

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The NCAA's report from the Frisco FCS summit. Trying to read between the lines, it does not seem as if the NCAA had any solutions to the structural problems in FCS.

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Often injured Eastern Washington RB Taiwan Jones declares for the NFL draft.

Recruiting 2011--Iric Harris

Rivals.com image

According to Rivals.com, UMass has offered to Iric Harris a 5-9 172 pd DB from Woodbridge, VA.

Harris is a Rivals two-star player.

He missed his junior season with an ACL injury.

YouTube highlight video here.

Will visit UMass on 01/21/11.

Also drawing interest from Marshall, UConn, Ohio, Penn State, Rutgers and Virginia.

Friday--Jan 14th, 2011

UConn hired Paul Pasqualoni. Stamford Advocate here and here.

Matty V has some info about what may have happened.

Too bad about Whipple, he'll make an excellent FBS coach somewhere. His offense would have sold a lot of seats Rentchler Field.

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NJ.com talks about UMass grad and curent Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum's continuing connection with the Minutemen. Note that the Jets Assistant General Manager Scott Cohen is another UMass Sports Management Alum.

If you are a non-UMass reader of the Blog, you should know that UMass has a nationally known Sports Management program at the Isenberg School of Management.The Isenberg School of Management is the Blog's old school, BTW.

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Jeremy Horne has been signed (again) to the Kansas City Chiefs' reserve squad.

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Recruiting 2011--Larenzo Fisher

A rival.com image

Rivals.com reports that UMass has offered to Larenzo Fisher, a 5-11 170 pd CB from Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington, DC.

Fisher is a rivals three star player.

He'll take a recruiting visit to UMass on 1/21/11.

YouTube highlights here.

Also has offers from Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Ohio, Temple (see any pattern here?) and  New Mexico.

Thursday---Jan 13, 2011

The Whipple watch continues at UConn: here and here and here.

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Michigan backup QB Tate Forcier has left the Wolverines and may transfer to Montana.

Denard Robinson may leave too.

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Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum is a UMass Sports Management alum.

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Recruiting 2011-- John Wallace II

I've blogged before  about how John Wallace a 6-4 265 pd OL/DL has verbaled to UMass.

Boston.com has an article on his commitment to UMass.

He sounds like a motivated student and football player.

Wednesday---Jan 12, 2011

UMass image

Multiple sources say Mark Whipple is close to being chosen as the next UConn HC. Here and here and here.

I guess they remember that 62-22 ass-whipping Whip put on Edsell...

Matty V. says it will seem odd to have Whipple on the UConn sideline.

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UMass loses one in the recruiting wars as Anto Almasian, a 6-4 245pd DE/TE from Massena chose Colgate over 13 other schools including the Minutemen.

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UMass Sports Blogger "Big Dan" repents the error of his ways and embraces UMass' goal of moving to the MAC.

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Tyler Holmes makes Josh Buchanan's First Team FCS All-America team.

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Uh Oh! Red field turf is spreading.

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Michigan has a new HC: Brady Hoke. He spent a lot of time coaching in the MAC.

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Recruiting 2011--Jamal Wilson

Mike Laughlin/Sun Sentinel image

Scout.com reports that UMass is interested in Jamal Wilson, a 5-10 190 pd RB from St.Thomas Aquinas HS in FL.

Scout.com profile here.

YouTube highlight film here.

Also drawing interest from UConn, South Dakota.

Tuesday---Jan 11, 2011

Good morning on 01/11/11.

UMass gets a mention in this article from the Patriots about the upcoming Jets playoff game.

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This article mentions former UMass QB Tim Day and his friend former UMass All-American lineman Alex Miller, who is now a graduate assistant with Oregeon.

Miller's Oregon bio here.
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Speaking of former UMass people, I thought former UMass assistant coach Ted Roof's defensive line had the better of Oregon's offense all night in the BCS National Championship game.

The Ducks should have kicked a field goal instead of going for it on the Auburn one yard line in the third quarter. Turning down points always ends up biting you on the butt.

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TSN says Eastern Washington is a clear #1, in FCS football.

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A honorary Boston driver's license is on the way to this Laconia woman.

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Recruiting 2011--Gary Wooten

fauowlsnest.com image

Scout.com reports that UMass has offered to Gary Wooten, a 6-3 190 pd MLB out of Hialeah Senior HS in Hialeah, FL.

His Scout.com page here.

Rivals.com page here.

YouTube highlight video here.

Wooten has a bunch of FBS offers including Western Michigan, Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, New Mexico, Vandy and just picked up Arkansas.

Monday --Jan 10th, 2011

Boston College's Gene DeFilippo says he has doubts about an annual game with UMass if we move up, but seems to be open to a 2-for-one series. The Blog has no problems with that. We're the newbies. It'll take time, but if we can start playing BC and UConn regularly, that will be a big boost to the UMass football program.

The MAC plays eight league games, so there will be a minimum of 3 OOC games and some years four.

BTW, the MAC is guaranteed three bowl bids, with possibility of a fourth.

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Auburn has canceled classes today. They say it's because of the weather, not because there might be some kind of event going on.

The Blog's sister, who lives in Eugene, sent me a Ducks hat. I had to promise to wear it today.

Former UMass assistant coach Jerry Azzinaro (1992-94,1997) will be coaching for Oregon today. He's an AIC grad, BTW.
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Craig Haley says the sun shone on the Eastern Washington Eagles.

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Kansas State QB Billy Cosh is transferring to JMU.

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Saturday--jan 8, 2011

Well the Eastern Washington Eagles won the National Championship game last night by absolutely dominating the Hens in the fourth quarter. Bo Levi Mitchell picked apart Delaware's defense in the last fifteen minutes. On the second-to-last drive, the Hens tried rushing three and dropped everybody back. That didn't even slow Mitchell down. On the Eagles last scoring drive, Delaware tried dialing up the pass rush, and he was deadly accurate on the move. The missed extra point was probably not an issue as I believe the Eagles would have gone for two points and would have made it.

On defense, Eastern Washington collapsed the pocket on Devlin on almost every play in the fourth quarter. And so it was on the last play of the game. Devlin had to throw an inaccurate pass that might have brought the Hens into field goal range.

Delaware's athletic dept writeup

ESPN's writeup.

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I missed the fact that former UMass assistant Ted Roof is the DC at Auburn. This article (at the end) talks about Roof vs Kelly back in the nineties.

Rivals.com talks about Kelly's days in the Northeast (mentions UMass).

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Matty V says Tyler Holmes will still be eligible for the Buck Buchanan award in 2011 because even if the Minutemen make the decision to go to FBS they'll still be playing a FCS schedule in 2011.

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James Ihedigbo says the Jets are New York's team.

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Recruiting 2011--Jye McBride

A Courier-Post Online image

Rivals.com reports UMass is interested in Jye McBride a 5-8 160 pd CB from Windslow Township HS in NJ.

He's a Rivals.com two-star player .

YouTube highlight film here.

Also interested are UConn, Pitt, Syracuse and Temple.

Friday---Jan 7,2011

Tyler Holmes finished 5th in the Buch Buchanan Award voting.

Stephen F. Austin Jeremy Moses won the Walter Payton.

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The Baltimore Sun has a story about Matt Lawrence connecting Randy Edsell with the Terps.

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The CAA hopes to gain some clarity from tonight's FCS summit at the National Championship game.

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The Norwich Bulletin says UConn should try for Mike Leach or Rich Rodriguez rather than Mark Whipple (BTW good luck with that).

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Delaware meets the media at the National Championship game.

The National Championship game will be tonight on ESPN2. If your cable system does not have the game, it will also be online at ESPN3.

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I watched the GoDaddy.com bowl last night. Miami of Ohio beat Middle Tennessee. It was a pretty good game. Both teams definitely had more talent than FCS squads.

If we join the MAC, UMass I think UMass fans will get to see some good football. The MAC does not have the semi-pro status of the SEC, but it will be an improvement over our current level.

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Thursday--Jan 6, 2011

I've been forgetting to mention I have a new E-mail address as of January 1st.

It's available in the "About me" section.

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WWLP reports on Don Brown staying with Maryland.

Two articles on Mark Whipple being interested in UConn here and here. The buzz was Whipple was interested back when Edsell got the UConn job in the first place. Remember Whipple beat the Huskies with DII New Haven.

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Matt Putnam, a 6-2 195 pd JUCO receiver from Snow College chose Southern Utah over UMass, Missouri State, Wagner, Southern Illinois and Southwest Minnesota State.

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How's this for a duesy of a rumor-------UMass football to the WAC.

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Another beautiful plan goes to hell: Michigan fires Rich Rodriguez. Apparently, they wanted Stanford's Jim Harbough. However, it appears that Harbaugh's going to the NFL.

Demetrius Hart decommits from Michigan.

Dallas Crawford decomitts from Michigan.

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Craig Haley of TSN says spell Delaware with a capital "D".

Andrew Gaddess says two true freshmen are critical to Eastern Washington and Delaware.

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Recruiting 2011--Ian Syblis

According to both ESPN and Rivals.com UMass is recruiting Ian Syblis, a 6-0 174 pd WR from Cheshire Academy in CT.

His Rivals page is here. ESPN here.

Video highlights here.

Also drawing interest from Maine, UConn and Penn State.

Wednesday---Jan 5, 2011

UMass WR Anthony Nelson was selected to the FCS ADA Academic All-America Team. Nelson was one of four CAA players chosen (.pdf download).

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Rumour has it that Don Brown's players lobbied for his retention at Maryland. They got their wish; he was kept as DC by new coach Randy Edsell. Stories here and here.

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Speaking of UConn, this article discusses possible replacements for Edsell at Storrs. The UConn AD says they'll move quickly.

Bill McGovern of BC who interviewed for the UMass HC, has met with UConn.

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Meanwhile, at Pitt things are melting down. They fired Dave Wannstedt and his assistants, then the new head coach Mike Haywood was fired due to domestic violence.

Now their recruiting class is evaporating.

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TSN has a writeup on Friday's National Championship game.

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Kyle Havens and John Griffin  are in the latest edition of Josh buchanan's Top 100 FCS players eligible for the NFL draft.

BTW, Havens 2,692 yards in 2010 puts him 6th in all-time career passing yards at UMass. He's behind Peil Pennington and ahead of now #7 Tim Day. His career 29 TD passes places Havens as #6 all-time between Dave Palazzi (31) and Tim Day (27).
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Recruiting 2011--lars larsen

UMass is interested in Lars Larsen, a 5-7 185 pd athlete, from Don Bosco Prep, NJ.

He was just named First Team All-State. See my previous blog post.

Larsen had 85 tackles and 4 INT's in his senior season.

Recruiting 2011--Brian Dowling III

Tim Farrell/Star Ledger image

UMass verbal Brian Dowling, a 5-11, 190 pd RB from Wayne Hills, NY has been named First Team All-State by the Star-Ledger.

Story here.

Note that UMass coaches have been active in the Garden State, as the All-State list includes Mike Detroia, who ultimately picked UNH and Lars Larsen, who I will blog about this morning.

Thanks to a blog reader who pointed me to this story!

Recruiting 2011--Kevin Ijoma

Jennifer Brown/Star-Ledger image

Rivals.com reports that UMass has offered to Kevin Ijoma, a 6-0 185 pd DB from Seton Hall Prep in West Orange, N.J.

His Rivals page here.

YouTube highlight film here.

Ijoma has offers from Columbia, Harvard, Maine, Penn and William & Mary. Has FBS interest from UConn and Rutgers.

Monday---Jan 3, 2011

This article from Scott Coen talks about Don Brown's options now that Randy Edsall is moving to HC at Maryland. According to the story, Brown has interviewed for DC for Vanderbilt and HC at Elon (!???).

Washington Post article about Brown.

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Ron Chimelis believes  UMass will move to FBS in 2011.

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The Wall Street Journal says Vladimir Ducasse did well in his first start with the Jets.

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The CAA has their first press release of 2011 up.

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If you are part of the UMass Diaspora and wear not able to  get to any of the home games this year, and you also have some Christmas gift money burning a hole in your pocket, the UMass on-line store has some of these t-shirts. The souvenir trailer at McGuirk was selling out of them at home games. The shirt is the best UMass Football T they've had in a number of years. Both Mrs Blog and I bought one. Lots of UMass fans were wearing them at the Michigan game. The fleece UMass football jackets are nice too.

Still no #5 replica football jersey though...

Recruiting 2011--John Wallace

Brendan Hall image

According to ESPN Boston, UMass has received its 5th verbal of 2011 when John Wallace a 6-4 265 pd OL/DL from Somerville, MA chose the Minutemen.

Rivals.com two stars.

ESPN MIAA All-State.

This article features him.

Wallace had 68 tackles and 5 sacks on defense.

Chose UMass over UNH.

Thanks to a blog reader for taking the time to e-mail about Wallace.

New year ---2011

2011 dawned clear and bright here in Jaffrey. The Blog will take that as a good omen.

How about joining Friends of Football or making a dedicated gift to the UMass Athletic Association in 2011? Do something to help the team.

Happy New year to the Blog community! I've got a feeling the 2011 is going to be an interesting ride.