Monday, August 31, 2020

UMass Football Recruiting 2021--Jadon Washington

Twitter image

 Jadon Washington, a 5-11 180 pound RB from Iowa Central Community College has received an offer from UMass.

Hudl.com has highlights.

Iowa Central bio has some stats.

Washington gets a mention in this article.

Washington is the second player from ICCC offered by the Minutemen. I blogged about OT Jakob Bradford a few days ago. UMass is thin at RB and Washington would have a chance to contribute early in Amherst.

Saturday, August 29, 2020

UMass Football Recruiting 2021--Jakob Bradford

Twitter image

 Jacob Bradford, a 6-5 298 pound OT from Iowa Community College has received a UMass offer.

Hudl.com has highlights

All-Conference and All-Region in 2019.

With the Minuteman offensive line heavily stocked with freshman and sophomores, Bradford could find a lot of playing time in Amherst.

Friday, August 28, 2020

UMass Football Recruiting 2021--Rakem Ross

Hudl.com image

 Rakem Ross, a 5-9 180 pound RB from Irvington, NJ has received an offer from UMass.

Hudl.com has video highlights.

MaxPreps has stats.

Running back is a position where UMass needs more recruited athletes. Ross would have a chance to play early in Amherst.

Thursday, August 27, 2020

UMass Football Recruiting 2021--Trace Campbell

Image credit unknown

 Trace Campbell, a 6-5 230 pound athlete from Olney, Maryland has received an offer from UMass.

247Sports page here

Hudl.com has highlights.

This article from July 2020 features Campbell.

Campbell has FBS offers from Cincinnati, Navy and New Mexico as a TE, LB and athlete respectively and Ivy offers as a QB. The Minute have needs at all three positions and the versatile Campbell could contribute quickly in Amherst.

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

UMass Football Recruiting 2021--Anthony Grant

247Sports image

 Anthony Grant, a 5-11 200 pound RB from Garden City Community College has received an offer from UMass.

247Sports page here.

Originally signed with Florida State.

Transferred to Garden City.

Grant was a Rivals four-star recruit out of high school and had multiple Power Five offers. RB is a position UMass needs more players and Grant and Coach Bell should be familiar with each other from the time Bell was with the Seminoles.

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

UMass Football Recruiting 2021--Sean Murray

Hudl.com image
 

 Sean Murray, a 6-4 235 pound TE/DE from Milford, MA has announced he will join the Minutemen as a PWO.

Hudl.com has video highlights.

Murray has a big frame looks like an athlete in his highlight film. Tight end and defensive end are both positions UMass needs help. After a year on a collegiate weight program, Murray should have a good chance to earn a scholarship and make a valuable contribution in Amherst.

Monday, August 24, 2020

UMass Football Recruiting 2020--Cameron Carson

 

Twitter image
 

Cameron Carson, a 6-0 150 pound kicker/punter has joined the Minutemen after transferring from Maine.

Carson's UMass bio.

Hudl.com has some highlights.

This article covers his signing with Maine.

NCSA 2019 recruiting page here.

As a FCS transfer, I would expect Carson would have to sit out a year before being eligible. He should be in the mix for UMass special teams going forward.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

UMass Football Recruiting 2020--Nasir Mills

 

Mills #14/ Fabian Radulexcu image
 

Nasir Mills, a 6-0 200 pound DB from Wake Forest HS in NC has joined the Minutemen as a PWO.

I blogged about Mills back in September of 2019.

Hudl.com has updated highlights since my September post.

MaxPreps has stats.

Mills has good size for a DB and playing time wide open in the UMass defense. Mills should have a good chance to earn a scholarship and playing time in the future.

Friday, August 21, 2020

UMass Football Recruiting 2020--Michael Oppong

 

Hudl.com image
 

Michael Oppong, a 6-0 195 pound DB transfer from Bryant University and originally from Worcester, MA has joined the Minutemen as a PWO.

UMass bio.

Bryant bio.

Hudl.com has some highlights.

Oppong is a big-framed DB and opportunity is wide open in the UMass defense. Transferring up from FCS, it's likely he'll have to sit out a year.

Thursday, August 20, 2020

UMass Football Recruiting 2020--Darryl Munoz

 

Munoz #6 returning a INT/Mesabi Range image
 

Darryl Munoz, a 6-1 190 DB from Lawrence, MA by way of Mesabi Range College has joined the UMass team.

Hudl.com has 2018 highlights.

This article from 2017 features Munoz at Mesabi Range.

Led the JUCO universe in 2017 with 9 INT's and returned two for TD's.

Munoz was a two-time JUCO All-American in 2017 and 2018. He has good size for a DB. It would seem Munoz would have a good chance to earn a scholarship and also be a valuable addition the the Minutemen defensive backfield.

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BTW, the UMass Football Blog went over 3 million page views last night.

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

UMass Footbal Recruiting 2020--Zack Magdis

Hudl.com image

Zack Magdis, a 6-2 225 pound OLB from Charlton, MA has joined the Minutemen as a PWO.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has highlights.

Originally committed to Syracuse.

This article from Inside the House features Magdis.

Magdis received an offer from UMass during the first hectic days when Coach Bell was trying to put together his 2019 class. He also received PWO offers from Syracuse and Hawaii. Magdis also had several FCS offers. Linebacker is position where the Minutemen have needs and Magdis will have a strong opportunity to contribute in the future.

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

UMass Football News--August 18th, 2020

 Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" has a post on the changes in the UMass roster.

There were some gains and pains in the roster update. As Mike points out, the big news is JUCO QB Kyle Lindquist leaving the program. He would have been the likely starter.

 NJ.com image

The good news at QB is addition of Zamar Wise. He's listed as an "athlete", I would think his biggest impact could be as a dual-threat QB. He could be a bigger, more durable version of Ross Comis. Ross, BTW,  is currently on the roster of the Ottawa Red Blacks. Given the level of QB play last year, Wise could be an instant contender for the starting position.

UMass also added four defensive players, a LB and three DB's. Since they are new to me, I'll do a recruiting post on all four later in the week. The Minutemen defense needs all the help it can get.

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Former 2020 opponent Appalachian State adds Marshall to this year's schedule.

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Temple is moving full speed ahead with Fall football.

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Monday, August 17, 2020

UMass Football News--August 17th, 2020

UPDATE:    I got a couple of e-mails saying that Nick Orekoya was, in fact still on the Fall roster. I checked and that was the case. Originally, I  tried to cross-check to make sure I had it right, but evidentially, I did not. I'm glad Orekoya is still with us. I think he has run well when he has been given the chance. Additionally, RB is a really thin position at UMass. Welcome back Nick :)

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 The Fall 2020 version of the UMass roster is up on the UMass athletic website.

A couple of notable deletions are:

Parker Ogle OL 6-3 280 Soph.

Kyle Lindquist QB 6-4 215 JUCO. Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" said on his site that Lindquist had left for "personal reasons" and it was his scholarship that allowed UMass to sign Zamar Wise.

I blogged about Wise back in May.

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Former UMass WR Marken Michel signs with the Carolina Panthers.

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CBS Sports says no one can get on the same page regarding college football.

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Parents of Big10 players are outraged by the decision to cancel the Big10's season.

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Saturday, August 15, 2020

UMass Football News--August 15th, 2020

 The Denver Broncos activated former UMass OL Elijah Wilkinson off the injured list.

Wilkinson is slated to compete for the starting RT for the Broncos this season.

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Thanks to the Blog reader who sent me this link to CardsWire about Andy Isabella.

Big Red Rage has a video interview with Andy Isabella about making a bigger impact in 2020.

Arizona Sports says Isabella could have a breakout year.

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The Canadian Football league delays its season, may not play in 2020.

The CFL has financial problems.

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Friday, August 14, 2020

UMass Football News--August 14th, 2020

 UMass coach Walt Bell created a stir when he said the cancellation of the 2020 season was more stressful than the death of his parents. Gotta be careful when talking to the press. Taking stuff out of context never bothers them.

Yahoo Sports reports on Coach Bell's statement.

Fox Sports says Bell is known as an emotional coach.

AOL.com comments on his statement.

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ESPN reports on how college football's uncertainty will affect the NFL draft.

USA Today says it's going to be a "scouting nightmare".

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Fellow Independent BYU is the last college football program standing in Utah.

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Sports Illustrated has a post on the "stubborn six" conferences still intending to play in the Fall.

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Thursday, August 13, 2020

UMass Football News--August 13th, 2020

 Mike Moran of the Hampshire Gazette reports external factors forced UMass to cancel Fall football and shift to a potential Spring schedule.

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MSN.com reports on how UMass came to the decision to cancel its Fall season.

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AL.com reports UMass cancelling its season costs Troy another game.

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With UMass out, Temple has lost its third non-conference game.

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Army loses UMass on its schedule and gains Georgia Southern.

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ESPN has how a century old season could teach college football how to embrace the unexpected.

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Yahoo Sports says college football cancellations will cost major universities billions of dollars.

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Wednesday, August 12, 2020

UMass Football News--August 12th, 2020

 As you probably have already heard, UMass has cancelled the 2020 football season.

 Matty Vautour reports Coach Bell and A.D. Bamford are hopeful for Spring Football.

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The Big Ten also will not play football in the Fall.

The Pac-12 also will not play.

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Maybe there will two college football seasons.

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CBS Sports wonders if some college teams will switch conferences.

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ESPN has a long post on what may or may not happen if football is played in the Spring.

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It seems most of the UMass team will stay on campus and that will enable the players and the coaches to have a program that will keep some organization and sense of mission going. Since Spring practice was also canceled earlier this year, it would be nice if the NCAA allowed some organized practices in the Fall.

If everyone works together and stays motivated it'll work out.

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Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Blog news--August 11th, 2020

 No blog post today. Not feelin' good.

Be back tomorrow, God willing.

Monday, August 10, 2020

UMass Football News--August 10th, 2020

 

UMass WR Zak Simon will sit out the 2020 season.

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ESPN reports sources say Power Five conferences are talking about canceling Fall sports.

ESPN also reports on efforts of college players to unite.

Eleven Warriors says college football in 2020 is dead and there is no real plan for what's next.

CBS Sports says it's "inevitable" that college football won't be played this fall

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If college football is canceled the players and the powers-that-be need to hash out the parameters of football in a COVID-19 world. IMHO, the virus will probably never totally go away, even with a vaccine. Fall season is flu season. So there probably never will be a time when there is a zero chance of contacting it. Does that mean college sports are gone forever? 

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Saturday, August 08, 2020

UMass Football News--August 8th, 2020

UPDATE: The MAC conference cancels Fall Sports.

CBS Sports says the MAC will attempt to play in the Spring.

 ESPN reports on what the MAC's decision means for the Power Five.

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FCS will not have a playoff this year as the number of teams playing falls below 50%

If FCS ends up playing in the Spring, I would bet they would get some pretty good ratings. They would blow away the XFL or pre-season baseball.

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Buffalo delays the start of Fall practice as the school awaits the decision if the MAC conference will play football this fall

If the MAC cancels their Fall season, that might be the first domino in FBS universe.

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The UMass Daily Collegian reports UMass is preparing for the 2020 season despite COVID-19.

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The Greenfield Recorder says UMass stays on gridiron.

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The Lexington Herald summarizes who's playing football in 2020.

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Friday, August 07, 2020

UMass Football recruiting 2021--Kenard Synder

Twitter image 
 

Kenard Synder, a 6-1 220 pound OLB from Rockledge, FL has UMass in his top-6.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has junior highlights.

MaxPreps has some stats.

Returned an INT 47 yards for a TD in this game.

Snyder has 12 total offers and two of his top-six are Power Five teams. UMass has the best food and the best academics of his top group. In addition, LB is a position the Minutemen really need help. Snyder would likely play early and often in Amherst.

Thursday, August 06, 2020

UMass Football News--August 6th, 20200

As you have probably heard by now, UConn has canceled it's 2020 season.


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Like everything else in 2020, the situation is changing minute by minute. The media is strongly against playing. It's probably up to each player if he wants to face the consequences of playing during the pandemic.

One way or another, not playing the 2020 season will have lasting effects on college football. I want the best thing for UMass football. Not sure what that means in 2020.

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Wednesday, August 05, 2020

UMass Football Recruiting 2021--Nahjee Adams

Hannah Buss image
Nahjee Adams, a 5-9 200 pound RB from Easton, NJ has UMass in his top-five.

247Sports three-star player.

Hudl.com has junior highlights.

MaxPreps has stats.

This article from February features Adams.

This article from April also features Adams recruiting.

Adams has 19 total offers with UMass, Delaware, JMU, Louisiana-Monroe and Liberty as his top-five. The Minutemen only have two-recruited running backs on the roster and there will be a lot of playing time available in the future at that position in Amherst.

Tuesday, August 04, 2020

UMass Football Recruiting 2021--Amir Renwick II


Amir Renwick, a 6-2 207 pound Safety from Gwynn Oak, MD has UMass in his top three.

I blogged about Renwick back in April (which seems a long time ago).

Choosing UMass could lead him to the best food in college football, great academics and being on the field  when UMass plays B.C., Pitt, Texas A & M, Auburn, Penn State and more in future years.

Monday, August 03, 2020

UMass Football Recruiting 2022---Maleek McNeil

Twitter image
Maleek McNeil, a 6-8 320 pound OT from Brooklyn, NY and Northampton-Williston Academy has a UMass offer.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has sophomore highlights.

McNeil is a pro-sized athletic OL. He has offers from B.C., Central Michigan, Rutgers and the Minutemen. UMass signed OL Dominic Behrens in the 2020 recruiting class from Williston and has added TE  Eni Falayi for 2021.

Saturday, August 01, 2020

UMass Football Recruiting 2022--Austin Firestone

Hudl.com image
Austin Firestone, a 6-5 260 pound OL from Niceville, FL has a UMass offer.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has sophomore highlights.

This article from March 2020 features Firestone and his offer from Virginia.

This article from June covers Firestone's offer from Arizona State.

Firestone has 19 total offers including multiple Power Five teams. UMass and Syracuse have offered from the Northeast. The Minutemen offer the best food in college football, high academics and wide open roster that would give him a chance to play early and often.

UMass already has two Niceville grads on the roster: Xavier Graham and Will Koch.