UMass Football Recruiting 2020--Chris Long

Hudl.com image

Chris Long, a 6-2 170 pound athlete from Willingboro, NJ has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

MaxPreps has stats.

UMass is the first offer for Long.

UMass Football News--April 30th, 2018

The Orlando Sentinel previews UMass and ranks the Minutemen #120 for preseason 2018. The UMass offense figures to be the best in school history since moving the FBS. We're going to score a lot of points this year.

In 2017 the Minutemen scored 35 points against Hawaii, 50 against Ohio and 45 against FIU and lost all three games. The 2018 season may turn on how well Ed Pinkham can rebuild the front seven of the UMass defense.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Madison Sadler of the Daily Collegian says athletics are important at UMass.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Duquesne recruit Jake Collins is being held without bail after his second B&E charge in April.

Two FBS transfers reunite at Dusquesne.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Three Boston College players were taken in the NFL draft.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football Recruiting 2019--Kristian Varner

Recruit Georgia image

Kristian Varner, a 6-4 240 pound DE from Hiram, GA has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247Sports three-star player.

Hudl.com has video.

MaxPreps has stats.

This article co-features Varner receiving an offer from Tennessee.

Varner holds ten offers including Buffalo and Boston College from the Northeast.

UMass Football News--April 28th, 2018

Matty Vautour has a post on Da'Sean Downey's bid to make the NFL.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Penn Live has a story on Adam Breneman wondering how the NFL draft would have gone if he'd been able to stay healthy.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NCAA.com has stats on which college conferences have the most first round NFL picks.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Orlando Sentinel previews the 2018 Coastal Carolina team and picks them #123 preseason.

CCU just had a player arrested for DUI.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CBS Sports picks BYU as one of five teams who will improve their win totals bye at least two wins.

BYU LB Fred Warner was drafted by San Francisco in the third round of the NFL Draft. Warner had five tackles and two pass breakups against UMass.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football Recruiting 2019--Connor Grieco and C.J. Hanson II

NJ.com looks at some in-state recruits Rutgers might recruit.

At least two the the players have UMass offers.

I've blogged about C.J. Hanson before. Hanson has 13 offers and both Western Michigan and Kent State have offered in April.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Karyn Ochiuzz image

Connor Grieco is a 6-3 210 pound Safety from Montclair, NJ. Received an offer from UMass back in February.

247Sports three-star player.

Hudl.com has video.

This article from December of 2017 features Grieco.

Grieco holds double-digit offers including Syracuse, Temple, UConn and Buffalo from the Northeast.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--April 27th, 2018

SEC Country has a post on what Jack Driscoll brings to Auburn. Has video of Driscoll in action against SEC linemen and mentions UMass put up over 100 points against the SEC in the last two season.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Orlando Sentinel previews FIU and ranks them at #122 for the 2018 season.

FIU has confidence in its rebuilding defense.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2018 opponent Liberty releases the times of the Flames home games.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OT, but the Gazette has quotes from UMass A.D. Ryan Bamford on the NCAA's basketball recommendations. Also quotes from former UMass player Luke Bonner.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football Recruiting 2019--Treron Collins

Langston Hughes image

Treron Collins, a 6-2 190 pound Safety from Fairburn, GA has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247Sport three-star player.

Hudl.com has video.

Also ran track.

Collins has 21 offers mostly from Power Five schools. SEC teams Florida, Tennessee and Ole Miss have extended offers. Syracuse is the only other Northeast team that has offered.

UMass Football Recruiting 2019--James Godon IV

247Sports image

James Gordon IV, a 6-1 207 pound OLB from Plant City, FL has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247Sports three-star player.

Hudl.com has video.

MaxPreps has stats.

This article from 2017 features Gordon.

Gordon has 15 offers with UMass as the only school from the Northeast. Has Power Five offers from North Carolina, Purdue, Iowa State and more.

UMass Football News--April 25th, 2018

UPDATE: Driscoll commits to Auburn. More from College and Mongolia.

247Sports Auburn site also has a post on Driscoll's commit to the Tigers.

AU Now has another story on Driscoll.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

NBC Sports says Jack Driscoll has narrowed his choice to Auburn, UCLA and USC.

SEC Country reports on Driscoll's visit to Auburn.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Behind the scenes with Randy Edsell at UConn.

Edsell says he could play a number of true freshmen in 2018.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Josh Mack, the Maine RB who led the FCS division in rushing last year, will transfer to Liberty. He'll have to sit out 2018.

The News Advance looks at some of the Flames 2018 recruits including Jessie Lemonier who had a UMass offer.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OT BUT A SIGN OF THE TIMES:

Penn State will ban activities by it's outdoor clubs because being outdoors is risky.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Footbal Recruiting 2019--Treshaun Ward

Ward #29/ Tampa Bay times image

Treshaun Ward, a 5-10 190 pound RB from Tampa, FL has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247Sports three-star player.

Hudl.com has video.

MaxPreps has some stats.

This article features Ward.

Ward has 15 offers with UMass as the only Northeast school.

UMass Football News--April 24th, 2018

UMass recruiting mostly the East coast and Ohio and Michigan.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boston College signs a legacy QB Steve Lubischer. He had camped at UMass but apparently did not have a UMass offer.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This article rates Greg Landry as one of the top-15 all time Detroit Lions draft picks.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sports Illustrated reports there will be a college football video game out by 2020.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Orlando Sentinel previews 2018 opponent Charlotte.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football Recruiting 2019--Ireland Bruke

Twitter image

Ireland Burke, a 6-3 280 pound DT from Sparta, NJ has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247Sports three-star player.

Hudl.com has video.

Temple offered in 2017.

Rutgers also offered last year.

Burke has nine offers with Temple and Rutgers joining UMass from the Northeast. He also has Power Five offers from Minnesota, Maryland and Purdue.

UMass Football Recruiting 2019--Bam Brina II

247Sports image

I've blogged about Bam Brima (good name), a 6-6 230 pound DE from Williamsport PA before.

This article from 247Sports lists Brima as a Top-25 recruit from Pennsylvania.

Bama currently has six offers with Buffalo and Temple joining UMass from the Northeast.

UMass Football News--April 21st, 2018

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" has a post about Michigan joining one of the UMass training camps this summer.

This is good work by the UMass staff. The presence of Michigan should help attract more (and better) recruits. The Minutemen need a good recruiting year in 2019. UMass had less-than-optimal results in 2018.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ryan Bamfod Tweets Coach Whipple's contract extension will be announced soon.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Former UMass OL Jack Driscoll visits UCLA.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Recruiting 2019--Patrick McMurtrie

Twitter image

Patrick McMurtrie, a 6-5 285 pound OL from Montvale, NJ has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

NCSA recruiting profile here.

Besides UMass, McMurtrie has FBS offers from Buffalo, Old Dominion and Temple.

UMass Football News--April 20th, 2018

Colorado plays New Hampshire this year and UMass in 2021. Maybe I'll get a chance to see Ralphie run yet.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Amherst police had some alcohol related calls after the student tailgate at the Spring game.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BYU aims to have "the toughest" O-line in the country in 2018.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In 2017, Steve Addazio was Boston College's highest paid employee.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fifty-three of 129 college football programs sell beer at their stadiums during games.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--April 19th, 2018

James Ihedigbo and the entire 1998 Football team have been inducted into the UMass Sports Hall of Fame.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Eagle-Tribune has a post about Matt Jordan, who was a member of the 1998 team. I did a blog post about Jordan back in 2012.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Coastal Carolina had a number of players stand out at their Spring game.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

USF wants feedback on their proposed on-campus stadium.

The Daily Stampede recaps the Bulls Spring game.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Preseason Sports Books are predicting between ten and eleven wins for Georgia. The Bulldogs should be favorites for the SEC East title.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football Recruiting 2019--Solomon Brown

247 Sports image

Solomon Brown, a 5-11 170 pound CB from Largo, FL has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247Sports three-star athlete.

Hudl.com has video.

MaxPreps has stats.

2nd team All-Pinnellas County.

Brown has nine FBS offers including Rutgers and Syracuse from the Northeast.

UMass Football News--April 17th, 2018

SB Nation previews the 2018 UConn Huskies and predicts UMass as a 4.5 point favorite. A win for UMass would be balm to the souls of the UMass faithful after the epic defensive smackdown UConn put on us in 2012.

Two reports from the Huskies Spring game here and here.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two reports from Boston College's Spring game here and here. The Eagles have been struggling with their kicking game. With Logan Laurant gone, here's hoping UMass does not revert to what we had during the first 5.5 years in FBS.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fiu looks to rebuild its defense in 2018.

The Panthers are looking to improve on a 8 win season and a bowl appearance.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football Recruiting 2018--Donte Lindsey commits to UMass

Hudl.com image

Donte Lindsey, a 5-11 180 pound CB from Phoenix AZ has joined the Minuteman's 2018 class.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

MaxPreps has stats.

UMass was the first offer for Lindsey.

UMass Football News--April 16th, 2018

Check out the between the tackles run by Jordan Fredericks at about 1.05 of the video.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ryan Ames and Thomas Johnson of the UMass Daily Collegian recap Friday's Spring game.

The Collegian also has a story about women in sports media. It includes a story about a Collegian woman reporter's difficulty trying to cover a Minutemen football game.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--April 14th, 2018

Click on the image and Blogger displays a larger view.

Matty Vautour reports on the Spring Game. Perhaps the biggest news is that starting right tackle Jack Driscoll is leaving.

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" has re-cap of the game.

The UMass website has a story on the game.

My take:

• Syracuse transfer Jordan Fredericks looks like the real deal. He looked fast and powerful. The UMass running game looks like it will be improved in 2018.
• The UMass offense in general appears to be the best team we have had since our move to FBS. This squad is deep at QB, RB and WR.
• QB Michael Curtis displayed a nice touch on his throws and looked fast when he ran the ball. I think he'll be in the mix for 2019.
• Jesse Britt was used at both RB and WR. He's real athlete.
• Walk-on WR Jovann Tucker looked like a find. He displayed good hands and some serious speed.

I think UMass fans have reason to be optimistic in 2018. We should score a ton of points.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spring Game Day--April 13th, 2018

Note that kickoff for the Spring Game has been moved to 6:30 pm.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Matty Vautour reports UMass is counting on a veteran offensive line.

The starting OL for 2018 should be;

LT Ray Thomas-Ishman JR 6-5 310

LG Jake Largay RSSR 6-4 325

C Derek Dumais RSJR 6-4 330

RG Lukas Kotler RSSR 6-4 315

RT Jake Driscoll RSJR 6-5 300

The second team OL according to the November 27th 2017 depth chart:

LT James Reilly RSSO 6-3 290

LG Mike Yerardi RSJR 6-4 315

C Lucas Kotler

RG Dan DiNicola RSSR 6-6 305

RT Larnel Coleman RSSO 6-7 300

Other OL on the roster:

Spencer Goldberg SO 6-2 280

Brian Abosi SO 6-8 310

Parker Ogle FR 6-3 290

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Athletic Dept's post on today's Maroon & White game.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Another article on Albany scheduling Hawaii and UMass in 2023 and 2020 respectively.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Patriot News interviews Jordan Matthews and he has good things to say about UMass when he played them at Gillette.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to the blog reader who pointed me to this article featuring UMass Director of Player Personnel Tim Silvernail.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football Recruiting 2019--A.J. Woods

Hudl.com image

A.J. Woods, a 5-10 170 pound athlete from Germantown, MD has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

MaxPreps has stats.

NSCA recruiting profile.

Woods has four offers including Army and Navy.

UMass Football News--April 12th, 2018

UMass Seniors Nick Berus and Andrew Libby received recognition from the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society for a career-long 3.2 or better academic average.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Times Union reports Albany will play at UMass in 2020.

The Minutemen have a nice 2020 schedule with home games against Troy, Temple and Army. UMass will also play Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn AL.

JMI Sports image

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Hero Sports writer says Mark Whipple is on the hot seat, which he's not.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UConn special teams look to be game changers under new coach Eddie Allen.

The Huskies will play their Blue-White scrimmage on Saturday.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--April 11th, 2018

Thomas Johnson of the UMass Daily Collegian features UMass QB Randall West as West will get a lot of reps during the Spring game.

Johnson reports Andrew Ford is only expected to play two series and Ross Comis is being held out because of an injury.

QB Mike Curtis was MVP of the 9th Spring practice. Curtis threw for 2,311 yards and 24TD's in his one year at Trinity College. He could be in the mix for 2019.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Matty Vautour has a post about Brice McAllister returning to Western Mass as a possible starter at Safety.

The Minutemen should be deep at Safety. In addition to McAllister, UMass has a number of players with game experience.

Bakhari Goodson Junior 12-0 GP-GS 19 UA 9 AT 28 TT 5 PD's

Micah Morel SO 2-0 GP-GS

Claudin Cherrelus SO 2-0 GP-GS

Martin Mangram JU 12-0 GP-GS 3 AT

Tyler Hayes SR 12-12 GP-GS 30 AT 23 AT 53 TT 3.0 TFL 5 PD 1 FR

Tyler Lebeau SO 11-0 GP-GS 8 UT 9 AT 17 TT

Hayes and McAllister would give UMass a strong Safety position.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BTW, the closing of Mt Ida means the end of Mustang Football. Mt. Ida went 3-4 in the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference. The Mustangs placed 13 players on the ECFC All-Conference team.

Always sad to see a program closing.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football News--April 10th, 2018

Hope to see a lot of the UMass Die-Hards at the Spring game Friday.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Matty Vautour reports the Coach Whipple's contract extension is almost completed. He also reports A.D. Bamford is working on an indoor practice facility. The options range from an inflatable bubble to a high-end permanent structure. Bamford mentions a mid $20s million structure. That should allow a hard-sided building, but without some bells and whistles.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" reports Chris Berman will again be a guest coach at the Spring Game.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OT, but after beating its second #1 team, UMBC trash talks about Alabama. When I heard UMBC's mascot "The Retrievers"  during the hoops tourney, I thought "Man, that's a dumb nickname!". It turns out UMBC is actually the "Chesapeake Bay Retrievers". I can understand the school wanting to have some local connection, but they could have done better.

How about the UMBC oysters?

Ya got to admit "The Fightin' Mollusks" would be a great sports name.

UMass Football Recruiting 2019--Nick Curtis

Twitter image

Nick Curtis, a 6-5 205 pound OLB/DE from Hoover, AL has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247Sports three-star player.

Hudl.com has video.

Drawing interest from SEC programs.

Besides UMass, Curtis has an offer from Virginia and four Group-of-Five schools.

UMass Football News--April 27 2018

AP image

Matty Vautour reports UMass QB Andrew Ford looks to improve in 2018.

Ford finished #13 in passing efficiency in 2017. He was #24 in passing yards per game and #37 in passing yards. I believe two of his four INT's were off the hands of a receiver. UMass was #127 in sacks allowed last year (only Idaho was worse). Ford tends to hold the ball too long, but he needs a better run game and better offensive line blocking. The Minutemen gave up five sacks and were out rushed 148 to 100 yards against Maine.

Also on the Minutemen roster:

Ross Comis SR 10-2 GP-GS 49-87 646 4 TD's 1 INT, also ran for 187 yards and 3 TD's

Randal West RSJR 2-0 GP-GS 0-2 passing.  Became a fan favorite after walking on to the UMass hoops team and playing well.

Michael Curtis RSJR 0-1 GP-GS.

Mike Fallon RSSO.

The Minutemen also signed two three-star QB recruits.

Josiah Johnson 6-5 197

Jaret Pallotta 6-5 205.

The Minutemen appear to be fairly deep and talented at QB. It would be nice if UMass could integrate Comis' mobility into the offense more. The two freshman QB's were fairly highly rated pro-style players. The QB position looks like there is enough talent that UMass won't have a huge falloff in 2019.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CBS Sports picks BYU as one of five teams likely to improve by at least two wins in 2018.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sporting News has the places and dates for the 2018 college playoffs.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football Recruiting 2019--Eloi Kwete

Hudl.com image

Eloi Kwete, a 6-1 250 pound DL/ILB has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247Sports page here.

MaxPreps has stats.

Hudl.com has video.

Also ran track.

This article features the Kwete brothers.

UMass is the first team to offer Kwete.

UMass Football News--April 6th, 2018

Above is Whipple's message to the Gridiron Club. I renewed in March. Any donation helps. In addition your name indicates interest in the program. That really helps in academic wars.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Athlon Sports analyses BYU's 2018 schedule.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ESPN predicts Georgia has a 98.3% chance of winning when the Bulldogs play UMass on November 17th.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BTW, ESPN has UMass ranked #93 in its preseason power rankings. That's easily the best rating UMass has had since the move to FBS.

ESPN also has the Minutemen favorites (abet by narrow margins) in seven games on their 2018 schedule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football Recruiting--Jaelin Leroy

Rivals image

Jaelin Leroy, a 5-11 150 pound DB from Jacksonville, FL has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

Hudl.com has video.

MaxPreps page here.

Also drawing interest from South Alabama and Florida Atlantic.

UMass Football News--April 5th, 2018

Erica Lowenkron image

The UMass Daily Collegian reports when Minutemen football went FBS---so did the Dance Team.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The UCF student newspaper thinks the Bulls would get more bang for the bucks with an indoor practice facility than an on-campus stadium.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UConn sets its Spring Game to be April 14th.

JUCO transfer David Pindell looks to be UConn's starting QB this fall. Pindell's UConn bio.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Coastal Carolina is close to the end of Spring ball.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Liberty is hosting the annual meeting of NFL chaplains.

BTW, the Flames are building a $29 million indoor football practice facility plus a $40 million expansion of their stadium.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football Recruiting 2019--Tyler Devera

Hudl.com image

Tyler Devera, a 6-4 220 pound TE from Bergen Catholic HS in NJ has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247Sports three-star player.

Hudl.com has video.

This article features Devera.

MaxPreps has stats.

Devera has four FBS offers including Buffalo, Miami of Ohio and Old Dominion.

UMass Football News--April 4th, 2018

Athlon Sports looks at Georgia's 2018 schedule. Quote from the article "The Minutemen have been a thorn in the side of SEC opponents over the last two years".

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An AP writer thinks new Georgia Southern HC Chad Lunsford will get the Eagles offense rolling.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boston College "finally" gets some outdoor practice time.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An SB Nation writer picks Ohio as the top team in the 2018 MAC.

Ohio graduated nearly their entire front seven on defense. The Bobcats are looking for some JUCO transfers to fill the gaps.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BYU returns the Cougars top seven running backs in 2018.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football Newws--April 3rd, 2018

Caroline O'Conner image

Matty Vautour has a post on UMass wide receivers with Spring Ball having about two weeks to go.

He mentions:

Andy Isabella SR 12-12 GP-GS 65-1020 (7th in single season receptions) 12 TD's 69 LONG 15.7 yards/catch

Jesse Britt SO 4-12 GP-GS 29-422 3 TD's 40 LONG 14.6 yards/catch

Brennon Dingle RSSO 4-12 GP-GS 21-330 4 TD's 43 LONG 15.7 yards/catch

Sadiq Palmer JR 11-12 GP-GS 35-518 1 TD 38 LONG 14.0 yards/catch

Silky Brown SO 5-0 GP-GS 1-7

Zack Simon RSFR Redshirted in 2017

Also on the roster:

Jacoby Herring SR 10-0 GP-GS 7-81 18 LONG 11.2 yards/catch

Jonathan Derolus RSJR DNP in 2017

Jovahn Tucker SO DNP in 2017

Patrick Volcy SO Redshirted in 2017

Melvin Hill SO Redshirted in 2017

Elijah Robinson RSSO DNP in 2017

Patrick O'Reilly, RSSO 5-0 GP-GS played special teams in 2017.

2018 WR recruits:

Samuel Emilus 6-1 200

Wide receivers seem to be the deepest and most talented skill unit on the 2018 Minutemen. I would speculate Isabella would be the "X" receiver, Britt as the "Y" and Palmer or Dingle as the slot receiver. All of them would be the four-wide.

The UMass single season team receiving record was in 1998 306-4050. In 2017 the Minutemen went 272-3570, so the all-time record could within reach in 2018.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Collegian writer mulls over the philosophy of cheerleading.

UMass Cheerleading's  Facebook page.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football Recruiting 2019--Calob Dalton

Dalton #1/ Free Press image

Calob Dalton, a 6-4 190 pound OLB has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247 Sports three-star player.

Hudl.com has video.

This article from October of 2017 features Dalton.

An Ohio scouting service has a couple of lines about Dalton.

This article from November 2017 by Scout.com talks about his offer from Pitt.

Dalton has offers from three MAC teams and also from Pitt and Cincinnati.