UMass Football Recruiting 2019--Ryan Driscoll commits to UMass

Ryan Lanigan image

Ryan Driscoll, a 6-0 175 pound WR/DB from Franklin, MA has Tweeted he'll attend UMass as a PWO.

Hudl.com has video.

Averaged 31 yards/catch with 12 TD's.

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UMass Football News--March 30th, 2019

The Daily Collegian reports new UMass coach Walt Bell is using social media to his advantage.

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The Sun Sentinel reports Palm Beach coach Billy Clark is stepping down to become a school administrator. He coached UMass OL Parker Ogle

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A 247Sports writer predicts a bowl game for UMass 2019 opponents FIU, Louisiana Tech,  Army, Northwestern and BYU.

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The Packers Wire reports Green Bay is "really interested" in Andy Isabella.

Clutch Points says New England is also interested in Isabella.

Chowder and Champions says the Pats interest in Andy is very real.

CLNS looks at Isabella fitting into New England's slot receiver spot.

For the Win reports every draftnik on the planet has connected  Andy with the Patriots.

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UMass Football Recruiting 2019--Charles Payson commits to UMass

Twitter image

Charles Payson, a 6-2 265 pound MLB/OL has Tweeted he's joining the Minutemen as a PWO.

Hudl.com has video.

Central Mass Division III All-Star.

Payson had 93 tackles and three INTs on defense.

UMass Recruiting 2020--Ethan Mottinger verbals to UMass

Twitter image

UMass scored its second 2020 commit in two days as Ethan Mottinger, a 6-6 290 pound OT has Tweeted he's verbaled to UMass.

247Sports page here.

Hudl,com has video.

Rivals two-star player.

UMass was the first offer for Mottinger.

UMass Football Recruiting 2020--Brady Martin comitts to UMass

UPDATE: Mike Train of "Fight Massachusetts" has a post on Martin verbaling to UMass.

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Brady Martin, a 5-11 188 pound pro-style QB from Leominister, MA has Tweeted he's verbaled to UMass

247 three-star player.

Hudl.com has video from last year.

I blogged about Martin way back in 2016.

Martin also had a FBS offer from Arkansas State. Nice in-state pickup for the Minutemen.

UMass Football News--March 27th, 2019

Image by Thom Kendall/UMass Athletics

The Boston Herald has coach Bell is bringing his enthusiasm to UMass Spring practice.

Josh Walfish reports Bell is making progress installing his offense.

Mike Curtis seems to be in the lead as starting QB so far. Curtis went 6-1 GP-GS 174.52 EFF 26-40-412 2 INT 65.0% 4 TD's in 2018. He actually led all the Minutemen QB's in efficiency (abet by a small margin).

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The UMass Football Twitter feed has some stills and video from the latest practice.

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Football Study Hall has the four main schools of the spread offense.

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Patriots Wire has a mock draft with New England picking Andy Isabella #37 in the third round.

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UMass Football News--March 26th, 2019

Matty Vautour reports Andy Isabella's unyielding belief made him a rising star in the NFL draft.

Saints Wire has three WR's for New Orleans to consider in this year's NFL Draft.

CBS Sports has Andy #65 in the top-100 players in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Football Maven thinks the Seahawks could take Isabella in the fourth round.

Andy also appears in this Detroit Lions mock draft.

Roto World has Isabella #1 in their WR success predictions.

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UMass legacy Kevin Lemieux commits to Syracuse.

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UMass Footbal Recruiting 2020--Hunter Salmon

Hunter Salmon, a 6-3 310 pound OL from Milford Academy has visited UMass.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

This article mentions Salmon's visit to UMass.

His father Nick Salmon lettered for UMass in 1986, '87 and was captain in 1988.

UMass Football News--March 25th, 2019

Salem HS elects 14 into the schools Hall of Fame. Among those honored is Kyle Harrington who is currently stationed in Afghanistan as a member of the US Special Forces. Harrington won letters for UMass football in 2004, 05 and 06. His UMass bio.

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Bryton Barr and Ross Comis are the 2018-2019 winners of the Michael Boland Inspirational award.

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UMass Football Recruiting 2019--Timmy Lawton

Timmy Lawton, a 6-2 275 pound DL/TE from Maynard, MA has Tweeted he's joining the Minutemen as a PWO.

Hudl.com has video.

MaxPreps has stats.

Lawton is another local player and defensive line/TE is a position of need for UMass.

UMass Football Recruiting 2019--Derek Laundry

This Tweet reports former Bryant LB Derek Laundry has joined the Minutemen.

Bryant bio here.

Hudl.com has senior year highlights.

Laundry is a Massachusetts kid and we can use all the help we can get on defense.

UMass Football News--March 22nd, 2019

UMass had its Pro Day yesterday. Josh Walfish reports from the event.

The UMass Football Twitter account has some video from Pro Day.

NFL Draft Diamonds says Andy Isabella shone. Walfish's Twitter feed said Marquis Young also had a good day. I think Young will surprise if he gets a chance. He might also do well in the CFL with some space around him.

Also nice to hear Andrew Ford is recovering and will be available Pro mini-camps.

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Boston College also held their Pro Day yesterday.

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Former UMass assistant strength and conditioning coach Darren Mustin joins the USC staff.

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TCU coach Gary Patterson thinks the NCAA's new transfer rule will ruin college football.

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UMass Football News--March 21st, 2019

UMass DB's lookin' alert!

Joseph Norwood
Donte Lindsey
Justin Lewis
Martin Mangram
Isaiah Rogers
Elijah Johnson
Aaron Kelly

Mangram must have decided to play his senior year at UMass. Kelly is not listed on the UMass roster.

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The UMass student militia is growing.

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Old CAA foe Albany adds West Virginia to its future opponents list. UMass and the Great Danes play next year.

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Zach Venesky means to be Rutgers starting left guard when the Minutemen visit on August 30th.

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NBC Sports Boston looks at Andy Isabella as a slot receiver for the Pats.

Isabella could be on the 49ers shopping list.

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NO WONDER AUBURN RECRUITS SO WELL

Auburn Tigers win sex tournament.

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UMass Football News--March 20th, 2019

UMass has it's first Spring practice.

Highlights of the first Spring practice . There is also an audio interview of Coach Bell.

Josh Wallfish says the Minutemen were energized.

The Berkshire Eagle reports on UMass' first practice under Coach Bell.

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Arrowhead Addict has a multi-page draft analysis of Andy Isabella.

Sports Day thinks Dallas won't draft Andy.

A Steelers four-round mock draft includes Isabella in the third round.

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UMass Football News--March 19th, 2019

Josh Walfish has burning questions at the start of UMass' Spring football practices.

IMHO coach Bell and staff have the biggest rebuilding task since Molnar was fired. On offense, which was the team strength last year, Bell must replace the starting QB, the starting RB, the nation's best WR and and the entire interior offensive line. The return of Bilal Ally will help. Bel will have Mike Curtis who led UMass QB's with a 174.52 efficiency rating. UMass will also add Andrew Brito, a JUCO QB from the College of the Canyons. Brito was a Top-100 player from New Jersey in HS.

Development of the offensive line is more worrying. As I said in a previous blog post, the Minutemen have never finished above the #100 mark in rushing offense since the move to FBS. Jaylan Larry should start at center, but both guard positions are open. In addition to three starters UMass must find at least a couple reserves.

On defense the rebuild is even more total. The two top play makers in the front seven, Bryton Barr and Jarell Addo are both gone from a unit that finished in the bottom-five in any defensive category you wish to name. Last year's coaching staff struggled to put eleven players on the field. The 2019 UMass defense could be Isiah Rogers and ten new starters. Most of the defensive freshmen recruits will see playing time. It's going to take a couple of recruiting cycles before the Minutemen defense is re-stocked.

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Two Texas A&M-Commerce football players are shot and robbed during Spring break.

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UMass Football News--March 18th, 2019

Joel Reinhardt joins the UMass football strength and performance staff. He's a Springfield College grad.

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NJ.com has random thoughts after the first five Spring practices at Rutgers.

Quote from the article:

"While you never know, most presume the Scarlet Knights will be coming off an early open date at 1-1 with a win over UMass and a loss at Iowa"

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Purpleptsd.com has a Viking draft profile of Andy Isabella.

Sports Hub 98.5 has a podcast that touches on Isabella.

The Cardinals interviewed Andy during the NFL Combine.

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UMass Football Recruiting 2020--Israel Abanikanda

247Sports image

Israel Abanikanda, a 5-11 183 pound Athlete has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247Sports three-star player.

Hudl.com has his Junior year video.

MaxPreps has stats.

2nd Team USA Today All-NY.

Abanikanda has nine offers including BC, Pitt, Temple, Syracuse and Rutgers from the Northeast.

UMass Football Recruiting 2020--Eric Rogers II

Twitter image

I've blogged about Eric Rogers, a 6-2 170 pound DB from Camden Catholic HS in Cherry Hills NJ before.

NJ.com has a post on his recruiting status and lists him as one of New Jersey's Top-50 recruits.

Hudl.com has his Junior highlights.

UMass seems to be his only offer at this time after a change in coaches at North Carolina.

UMass Football Recruiting 2020--Charles Bell VI

Twitter image

Charles Bell VI, a 5-11 195 pound Safety from Galthersburg, MD has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

MaxPreps has some stats.

This article features Bell's offer from Maryland.

Besides UMass, Bell has offers from BC, Syracuse, Pitt, Temple, Liberty and Maryland.

UMass Football News--March 13th, 2019

The Athletic has a Q&A with new UMass football coach Walt Bell (note the article is paywalled unless you sign up for a seven day free trial).

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Roto Baller has Andy Isabella as a NFL Draft sleeper.

Fox 13 says an undersized underdog's road to the NFL runs through Tampa.

With Cole Beasley leaving Dallas WFAA.com wonders if there is a role for Isabella with the Cowboys.

Sports Day says Beasley is a step back for Dallas' passing game but the Cowboys could draft a similar receiver.

Fantasy Pros reports Andy could go in the second round of the NFL draft. Spotrac has projected NFL draft contracts for the entire 2019 draft. If the Patriots picked Isabella as the last pick in the second round, his signing bonus would be about $1.3 million.

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The college entrance bribery scandal may impact college football recruiting.

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247Sports has an article on the schools who led the nation in fan ejections in 2018.

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IT'S NOT CHEATING IF THE GOVERNMENT DOES IT

North Carolina legislature helps with school performance.

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UMass Football Recruiting 2020--Justin Bellido

247Sports image

Justin Bellido, a 5-10 165 pound WR has a 2020 offer from UMass.

247Sports three-star recruit.

Hudl.com has video.

This article features Bellio's visit to Rutgers.

2018 2nd Team All-New York.

Bellido has seven FBS offers including BC, Syracuse, Temple and Rutgers from the Northeast.

UMass Football Recruiting 2020--Andrew Nee

Hudl.com image

Andrew Nee, a 6-4 282 pound OG from Walpole, MA has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247Sports three-star player.

Hudl.com has video.

247Sports National Combine All-Combine team. 

UMass is the first offer for Nee. Drawing interest from Army and several Ivy League schools.

UMass Football News--March 9th

UMass Football is working hard in the weight room.

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The Newburyport News has a mock NFL draft with the Patriots taking Andy Isabella in the third round.

Fantasy Pros has sleeper prospects that boosted stock at the 2019 Combine.

Cleveland.com on why the Browns should draft Andy.

247Sports says the Packers take a DL and Andy Isabella.

A CBS Sports writer has the Patriots picking Isabella #32 in the draft (as in the first round).

The Gloucester Times has the Pats picking Andy in the third round.

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Neal Brown's wife Brooke is settling in her job as the first lady of West Virginia football.

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UMass Football News--March 8th, 2019

Athlon Sports ranks all 130 FBS teams going into Spring Ball. UMass is #128. With the Minutemen losing the division's top receiver, both starting QB's and the starting RB and three of the five starting linemen, the offense needs a complete rebuild. We also lose two starting LB's and three of the four 2018 DB's. That's a lot.

Coach Bell will have his hands full for a couple of years.

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Berkshire Eagle image

NFL Draft Diamonds introduces Jarell Addo. At 6-1 200 Addo would be a Safety in the pros. At UMass he played mostly OLB.

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College Sports Maven says adding Penn State to the Big Ten changed Eastern football. The article thinks if Penn State had stayed in the Big East then the Big East football could have looked like this in 2019:

"Penn State, Pitt, West Virginia, Boston College, Rutgers, UConn, Miami, Virginia Tech, Temple, Syracuse, UMass and Cincinnati".

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Sports Illustrated has a story on how Rivals and 247Sports turned college football recruiting into a internet obsession. 

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UMass Football Recruiting 2020--Cole Finney

Twitter image

Cole Finney, a 6-6 230 pound TE from Hingham, MA has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247Sports three-star player.

Hudl.com has video.

MaxPreps has stats.

Finney has FBS offers from UMass, Air Force and Army. FCS offers from Ivies Yale, Dartmouth and Fordham.

UMass Football News--March 6th, 2019

The Amherst Wire has a post on the recently announced McGuirk Stadium upgrades.

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Watchstadium.com has changes to the 2019 Bowl schedule. Mentions UMass would have try for an open slot if a bowl could not fill it's tie-in's.

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MassLive image

When Mrs Blog and I lived in Western Mass we would go to Joe's cafe in Northampton after football or basketball games. This article has post on the Northampton fixture.

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The Draft Network has Andy Isabella #75 in NFL Draft.

MassLive considers how Andy Isabella and other Massachusetts players performed at the NFL Combine.

CBS Sports says Andy is trending towards a Day 2 position in the NFL Draft.

247Sports reports Andy was Green Bay's most interesting interview at the Combine.

Larry Brown Sports says Isabella was one of ten prospects who boosted their stock at the Combine.

Chris Johnson at one time held the NFL Combine 40 yard dash record. He has a conspiracy theory about the current 4.22 mark.

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UMass Football Recruiting 2019---Jaykwon jefferson

Twitter image

Jaykwon Jefferson, a 6-3 230 pound TE from Minnesota State Community College has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

Hudl.com has video.

247Sports page here.

UMass did not sign a TE in February's 2019 recruiting class. Jefferson has two FCS offers.  He would have three years of eligibility.

UMas Football News--March 4th, 2019

UMass Athletics image

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" has a Twitter post reporting starting UMass center Derek Dumais won't return for his senior year.

That will bring the number of open OL positions to three as LG Jake Largay and RG Lukas Kotler have both graduated.

The probable replacement at center will be Jaylan Larry who appeared in ten games in 2018

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USA Today has a human interest story about Andy Isabella.

Yahoo Sports wonders if the next Patriots slot receiver will come from this year's draft.

The News Herald reports after a timing snafu is fixed Andy Isabella sizzles at the NFL Combine

The News Herald said the clock malfunction could have cost Andy a lot of money.

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Cougar Sports insider ranks BYU's 2019 schedule by how much the fan base wants a win.

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UMass Football News--March 3rd, 2019

Andy Isabella----- faster than your average laser timer..

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" says it could have been 4.27.

MassLive reports Isabella tied for the Combine lead.

Boston.com says Andy ran the fastest.

USA Today reports after clarification, Andy ran 4.31.

NESN thinks Isabella could add another gear to the Patriots offense.

NFL.com reports Paris Campbell and Andy Isabella clocked 4.31's at the Combine.

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UMass Football recruiting 2019--Alec Miseo verbals to UMass

Twitter image

Alec Miseo, a 6-5 280 pound OL from Bridgewater, NJ has Tweeted he's joining the Minutemen as a PWO.

Hudl.com has video.

NJ.com has him as one of New Jersey's top-40 underrated players.

Chose UMass over a PWO offer from Colorado and several FCS schools.

UMass Football News--March 2nd, 2019

Coastal Carolina releases it's 2019 schedule. UMass and Coastal meet on September 21st. The Chants are 2-0 against the Minutemen. Sigh.

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Andy Isabella aims to keep impressing at the NFL Combine.

The 49ers Web Zone says Isabella met with San Francisco coaches.

Isabella says he was "star struck" on meeting Wes Welker.

The 49ers need a WR who can take it to the next level.

Daniel Jeremiah predicts Andy will run a 4.35 40.

WEEI looks at WR's who could stand out from the Patriots perspective. 

Patriots Wire reports Andy was one of a group of WR's who met with the Pats.

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UMass Football News--March 1st, 2019

Coach Bell at the UMass Club in Boston event

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UMass and Toledo schedule a home & home in 2021 and 2022. The Rockets are usually the MAC's best team. Toledo went 7-6 in 2018 and lost to FIU in the Bahamas Bowl.

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Thanks to the blog reader who sent me the link the top five candidates to run the fastest 40 in the NFL Combine.

NBC Sports has 12 players with something to prove at the NFL Combine.

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Football Scoop says the "Air Raid" offense is more of a philosophy than X's and O's.

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