Recruiting 2014--Courtel Jenkins

Courtel Jenkins, a 6-2 310 pound DL from Wayne, NJ verbaled to Miami (Florida).

Story here.

Jenkins had offers from UMass, Maryland, Pittsburgh and Buffalo.

Recruiting 2014-James McHale

ESPN image

UMass has offered to James McHale, a 6-6 285 pound OL from Dunmore, PA.

This article features McHale and his recruiting.

Scout.com three-star recruit.

ESPN video interview here.

HcHale holds offers from Syracuse and Temple. The article says he likes to fish. Western Mass would be the place for him with Quabbin and rainbow trout in the Deerfield river.

Friday--June 7, 2013

UMass has announced that a UMass Alum, Ed Ward has made a major gift to Athletics Dept. Special thanks to him for supporting UMass athletics. UMass has a number of prominent alumni, hopefully Ed's generous gift will jump start more gifts to UMass Athletics.

The Minutemen Club is the central fund raising organization for UMass athletics. Please help UMass football by joining. Joining the 100-yard Club shows UMass football has a constituency---and that's a big help in the culture wars that go on in academia. Help Coach Molnar and the team by joining this year!

MassLive has a story about the "UMass Rising" campaign.

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A Bleacher Report writer predicts the Alamo Bowl for Kansas State.

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Eli Manning wishes Victor Cruz was at the Spring OTA's.

Meanwhile, Victor is endorsing Entenmann’s donuts...

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Keron Williams is on the move for the B.C. Lions.

Anton McKenzie is proving himself again this year. The Vancouver Sun says McKenzie's contribution is hard to appreciate.

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Recruiting 2015-- Ronnie Harrison

247 Sports image

247 Sports shows UMass has offered to Ronnie Harrison, a 6-2 185 pound Safety from Tallahassee, FL.

Harrison's 247 Sports page here.

YouTube highlight video here.

Besides UMass Harrison holds offers from East Carolina, North Carolina, Northern Illinois and Samford.

Thursday--June 6, 2013

It's official. Michigan transfer Ricardo Miller is a member of the 2013 Minuteman squad. The UMass website has post on Miller.

Miller's Michigan bio page.

Miller has an extensive Wikipedia page.

Matty V. has an article about Miller's transfer to UMass here.

MassLive.com also has a post on Miller here.

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Anderson #95

In further transfer news, Matty said Coach Molnar expects to announce soon  Justin Anderson,  6-5 280 pound DE will join UMass after transferring from Maryland.

Anderson's Terp's bio here.

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Matty also reports that Dalvin Battle, a RSFR WR will miss the entire 2013 season rehabbing an injury suffered last year.

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Athlon Sports previews the MAC.

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Recruiting 2014---Brock Merrit

Several recruiting services say UMass has offered to Brock Merritt, a 6-6 295 pound OL from Lakewood, Florida.

Merritt's NCSA page here.

247 Sports page here.

Merritt "can run for a big guy".

He also holds an offer from Florida A&M.

Recruiting 2014--Miles Wright II

I've blogged about Miles Wright, a 6-4 200 pound QB/Athlete from Tabor Academy before.

This recent article from ESPN profiles Wright and says UMass would consider him playing two sports for the Minutemen.

Wright now holds offers from Syracuse, UMass, BC, Holy Cross and Yale.

Wednesday--June 5, 2013

The UMass-Kansas State game TV will be available on K-State's All-Access site.

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Bob Leifheit-US Presswire image

A Bleacher Report writer predicts nine wins for the Badgers this year.

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USA Today previews #98 Western Michigan. The Broncos, who blew out UMass last year, finished the last five games of the season 1-4. Western Michigan will be a benchmark in 2013 on how much the Minutemen have improved.

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The PAC-12 will limit player contact during practices.

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Mike MacIntyre, the new HC of next year's OOC opponent Colorado, says turmoil in the Buffs' athletic dept won't hinder his coaching.

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Rant Sports profiles Victor Cruz.

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Recruiting 2014 and 2015--six prospects

This NJ.com article discusses the top risers in the Spring New Jersey prospect universe. Six of the players have UMass offers.

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Rivals image

I've blogged about Terrance Harris, a 6-2 245 pound DE before.

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George Pacciello image

Jason Cabinda is a 6-1 210 pound LB from Hunterdon Central.

Cabinda's Rivals page here. Had 117 yards rushing and three TD's on 17 carries in one game.

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2015 recruits

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Daiquan Kelly (6-3, 190), WR. ESPN bio here.

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Cinjun Erskine (6-2, 200), ATH. Rivals page here. ESPN page here.

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NJ.com image

Tommy Hatton (6-3, 275), OL. Rivals page here. This article features Hatton.

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247 Sports image.

Steven Gonzalez (6-4, 315), OL. Rivals page here. 247Sports page here.

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 Irvin Charles (6-4, 205), WR. Rivals page here. I've blogged about Charles before.

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Tuesday--June 4, 2013

Remember the UMass Football Open House is tonight. Western Mass UMass fans can get some insider access by attending.

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Kansas State, which is having record ticket sales, has only 1,300 seats available for the UMass game.

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The Orlando Sentinel previews #83 Central Michigan.

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Victor Cruz denies reality show reports.

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James Ihedigbo supports teammate Landarius Webb's foundation.

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BC Lions image

Keron Williams and the BC Lions look formidable again this year.

Anton McKenzie is also on the Lions roster.

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Recruiting 2014-- Noah Beh III

I've blogged a couple of times about Noah Beh, a 6-6 245 pound OL from Scranton, PA.

He recently verbaled to Penn State.

Recruiting 2014-- Eric Gallo II

I've blogged about Eric Gallo, a 6-3 280 pound OG from Council Rock South HS in PA before.

Fansided 150 reports he verbaled to Virginia Tech.

Recruiting 2014--Jamal Custis III

I've blogged a couple of times before about Jamal Custis, a 6-6 WR from Philadelphia.

This article from Cityofbasketballlove.com reports UMass would consider Custis playing two sports for the Minutemen.

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Monday--June 3, 2013

From the UMass website:

May 30, 2013

AMHERST, Mass. - The University of Massachusetts football team will host its annual UMass Football Open House for all fans, donors, season ticket holders and friends on Tuesday, June 4 from 6-8 PM. This event is free, open to the general public, and will be held at the UMass Football Offices on 101 University Drive in Amherst.

Fans are invited to join Head Coach Charley Molnar, Assistant Football Coaches, football student-athletes, and members of the department's External Relations Team for an inside look at Minutemen Football, autographs from student-athletes and information on 2013 ticket opportunities.

This event will allow fans to hear about the team for the upcoming season and have a chance to interact in a one-on-one setting with the coaches and players. Additionally fans will have the opportunity to secure season ticket packages and get other information on upcoming events which will be held throughout the summer.

There will also be a chance to get autographed memorabilia, take photos with members of the program, and see what's new for 2013.

The evening's festivities will include a question and answer session with Coach Molnar, guided tours of the facilities, and the ability for fans to walk out of the Open House as the proud new owner of 2013 football season tickets.

It is NOT required to RSVP, but encouraged. To RSVP for the event, fans can call the UMass Football Office at 413-545-2026 or email us at jchauvin@admin.umass.edu.

Fans may park for free in the parking area. There will be signs pointing to the event on University Drive, next to the post office.

Minutemen football season tickets are currently on sale. If interested, fans are encouraged to call 866-UMASS-TIX or visit umassathletics.com/tickets. Single game tickets for lower level seating will go on sale July 8.

The Football Open House is part of this summer's `All In!' Tour as Charley Molnarand the UMass football program look to engage fans across the state in advance of the 2013 season. The remaining events are as follows


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A Bleacher Report writer looks at the fan base of all 127 FBS teams and ranks UMass #99.

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Miami (Ohio) looks to rebound in 2013.

BTW, Central Michigan faces UNH in their home opener on September 7th. The Wildcats, who had a winning streak against FBS teams a while ago, have not been competitive lately. Last year they lost to Toledo 58-22.

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Brandon London (#14) and the Alouettes opened training camp Sunday.

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And now---- Victor Cruz in a reality show.

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Another Bleacher Report writer has five reasons Wisconsin will overachieve in 2013.

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The Orlando Sentinel thinks Kansas State will struggle in 2013

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Despite its recent success, student apathy and filling seats at Vanderbilt stadium have been a problem for the Commodores.

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Athlon Sports previews Boston College.

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Deleted blog comment of the week, so far:

"Asking questions are truly good thing if you are not understanding something totally, but this piece of writing provides pleasant understanding yet."

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Recruiting 2014--Norvel Stewart verbals to UMass

Michael McAndrews image

247Sports reports Norvel Stewart, a 6-2 220 pound WR/DB from Bloomfield, CT has verbaled to UMass yesterday.

247 Sports page here.

2012 All-State.

All-Courant Team Offense.

UMass was his first offer.

Recruiting 2014-- Chase Litton

image credit unknown

247Sports reports UMass has offered to Chase Litton, a 6-5 190 pound pro-style QB from Tampa, FL.

247Sports page here.

ESPN has some physical stats.

This SB Nation article features Litton.

Rivals three-star QB.

Litton holds offers from FIU, Florida Atlantic, Georgia State, LSU, South Florida, Western Kentucky and Western Michigan.

Saturday -- June 1, 2013

USA Today previews #102, Central Michigan.

The Miami Redhawks look at their 2013 schedule, which includes UMass on October 12th.

Can NIU get their fourth straight 11+ win season in 2-13.

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New FBS team Old Dominion looks at financial "guarantee" games. Mentions UMass.

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OOC opponent Vanderbilt looks at scheduling.

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2014 OOC opponent Penn State is working through scholarship limits.

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Victor Cruz and the Giants hit stalemate in their contract talks.

Victor hobnobs with Christina Ricci at a Fresh Air Fund function.

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James Ihedigbo will battle first-round Ravens pick for the starting strong safety position.

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Recruiting 2014--Deon Thompson

Tampa Bay Times reports UMass has offered to Deon Thompson, a 5-9 176 pound RB from Tampa Bay Tech HS in Florida.

Tampa Bay Time article here.

Big County Preps bio here.

This News 9 article features Thompson.

Thompson also holds an offer from Marshall.

Recruiting 2014--Keith Harrington

Tampa Bay Times reports Keith Harrington, a 5-8 165 pound RB from Northeast HS in Florida has verbaled to Washington State.

Tampa Bay Times article here.

Harrington chose Washington State over offers from UMass, Arizona, FIU, Marshall, Ball State and Northern Illinois.

Friday--May 31, 2013

Registration is open for the UMass women's Football 101 Clinic. All proceeds will go towards breast cancer reasearch.

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UMass Library Service

Two UMass professors look at the architecture of the UMass Amherst campus. The story relates Munson Hall was named for William Munson. My football press guide says Munson was Captain of the 1904 UMass team. The Mass Aggies went 5-2-1, with wins over Williams, Wesleyan, Springfield College, Worcester Polytech and Tufts.

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USA Today previews Miami (Ohio).

Athlon Sports previews Ball State.

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A Bleacher Report writer predicts each conference's record after week #1 in 2013.

Relevant quote: "No conference has a more difficult load Week 1 than the MAC."

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Another Bleacher Report article lists the 12 biggest deep-threat WR's in 2013. The Minutemen will face two of them starting with the first week of the season.

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ESPN has a post about the Giants and Hakeem Nicks and the anti-Victor Cruz-approach.

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Only two teams in college football return fewer starters than Kansas State.

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