UMass Football Recruiting 2020--Daniel Moyer

Hudl.com image

Daniel Moyer, a 5-8 170 pound CB/athlete from Pfafftown, NC has a UMass offer.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

MaxPreps has stats.

UMass in his top eight.

UMass Football News--August 17th, 2019

The new UMass practice field turf is in. This is going to be a big aid to the program when the practice bubble is available in the Winter.

The UMass Football Twitter account has aerial video of the new field. I gotta get a drone...

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

Josh Walfish reports that sophomore DB Joseph Norwood is on the rise for Minutemen defense. Senior safety Martin Mangram has also returned to UMass to work on his Master's degree. Mangram is a number of players who have returned to the Minutemen program after Coach Bell was named to head the team.

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

The Rutgers QB battle to decide who will start against UMass is still ongoing.

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

TE Charles Finney, a TE with a UMass offer, commits to West Virginia.

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

The Boston Herald looks at the upcoming season in Massachusetts HS football including Lawrence Academy with UMass-bound QB Brady Martin.

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

Sporting News comments on Andy Isabella's TD catch (scroll down ).

The News-Herald also has a post on Andy's catch.

UMass Football News--August 16th, 2019

The Berkshire Eagle report the Minuteman's new (and young) staff are excited about building the UMass program.

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

Andy Isabella's first NFL TD. MassLive has a story about the catch

Clutch Points says the catch was "dazzling"

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

247Sports says Rutgers' QB competition is close to being over.

The Spun says Rutgers HC Chris Ash could be on the hot seat.

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

The Watertown Press wonders what would happen if the Ivies were allowed to play FBS schools. Mentions UMass-Harvard.

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

UMass Football News--August 15th, 2019

The Boston Herald report graduate transfers Jordan Adams and Jarvis Miller are providing some needed reinforcements for UMass.

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

Hampshire Gazette image

Josh Walfish reports on Fall camp for the UMass linebacking corps. He mentions Chinedu Ogbonna, Cole McCubery, Mike Ruane and transfer Jarvis Miller.

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

The Post-Gazette says a former UMass skill player called Whipple a "genus" at designing offenses to attack each opponent's weaknesses.

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

NJ.com reports on the high school showcase "Rumble on the Raritan". UMass offer Jada Byers will play.

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

Andy Isabella was held out of the Cardinals first preseason with a minor knee injury, but he should play against the Raiders. The game is tonight on ESPN

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

The Hartford Courant reports UConn is also having a quarterback battle.

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

UMass Football News--August 14th, 2019

Josh Walfish has a post on UMass' young defensive line is gaining confidence. Josh mentions Dennis Osagiede, Jake Byczko and the return of Charlie Timite. The DL may have been the Minutemen's weakest unit last year. No pass rush, no outside contain, not much run stopping.

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

NJ.com wonders if Rutgers will face a New Jersey QB when they open against UMass.

NJ.com has a podcast on the Scarlet Knights own QB battle.

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

UMass and Georgia will play again in November of 2024. The Minutemen will receive $1.9 million for the game. That's almost four times the guaranty FCS Tennessee Tech will receive for playing the Dogs the same year.

Future college football schedules has story on Georgia's guaranty games.

UMass needs two home games and one away game to complete the 2024 schedule.

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

247Sports has the best case and worse case win-loss records for Big Ten teams in 2019

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

KSL.com reports BYU's defense is relying on senior leadership for success in 2019.

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

The News Herald says Andy Isabella is OK after a "minor knee" injury.

Isabella buys cleats for his old high school team.

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

UMass Football News--August 13th, 2019

UMass Athletic dept image

Josh Walfish has the good, the bad and the ugly from the Minutemen's first scrimmage.

Josh mentions UMass freshman RB Kevin Brown had  a good  day with three long runs from scrimmage.

The UMass Athletic Dept has a short post on the second week of practice.

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

The News-Advance previews UMass for Liberty fans. Says to follow Josh Walfish and  UMass Football on Twitter. Does not  mention the UMass Football Blog :(

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

Sports Video.org reports on UMass and Flo Sports signing a two year deal.

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

CBS Sports picks the best college football team in each  state and decides BC is best in Massachusetts.

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

A Rutgers ex-football player is arrested for plotting to murder his former girlfriend's parents.

The Ashbury Park press wonders if transfer QB McLane Carter has impressed enough to start for Rutgers.

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

The Daily Stampede previews the 2019 BYU Cougars.

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

UMass Football News--August 12th, 2019

Blog Note: Mrs Blog and I are leaving today for two weeks in Nova Scotia. As usual, I'll try to keep the blog going. There will be one stretch of four days next week when I will not have internet access. We'll be staying in what is described as a "rustic" cabin at Cape Breton National park. No telephone, no TV and no internet.

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

Josh Walfish has a notebook about UMass camp including the QB competition. UMass has seven QB's on the roster.

Josh reports Andrew Brito, Mike Curtis, Mike Fallon and Randall West took all the 7-on-7 and 11-on 11 offensive drills.

He also mentions 6-2 245 pound Adam Deese who has been moved to TE. That's a wide open position in the new offense.

Josh also mentions the good performance of freshman CB Josh Wallace. Wallace was ranked the #24 overall player out of Maryland by 247Sports. I think by the end of the season there will be a lot of new faces on the starting defense.

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

Auburn senior RT Jack Driscoll has a video interview about the Auburn team. Driscoll is a UMass grad who played two years for the Minutemen.

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

Liberty adds three OL verbals including three-star Brian Hannibal, who had a UMass offer.

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

Vladimir Ducasse has been released by the Buffalo Bills.

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

The Hartford Courant has notes from UConn's camp.

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

UMass Football Recruiting 2020--Andy-Jeffery M'ba

Andy-Jeffery M'ba, a 6-6 315 pound DT from Paris, France has a UMass offer.

247Sports four-star player.

Hudl.com has some video.

Recently de-committed from Virginia.

M'ba has 23 total offers, mostly from Power Five schools. UMass, Rutgers and BC have offered from the Northeast. He'd be a game changer for the Minutemen defense.

UMass Football News--August 10th, 2019

The UMass athletic dept says UMass brings energy to the first week of training camp.

From the article:

"All 2019 UMass Football Preseason Camp practices are open to the public for viewing from the McGuirk Alumni Stadium grandstands. The team practices from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. each day through Fri., Aug. 16, with no practice on Tues., Aug. 13. Practice shifts to 9:25 a.m. beginning on Sat., Aug. 17 with an off-day on Mon., Aug. 19."

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

Howard Herman of the Berkshire Eagle has grad transfers Miller and Adams bring valuable experience to the 2019 Minutemen.

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

Matt Vautour has a post on UMass alum Marken Michel making the most of his chance to play for the Eagles.

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

Josh Walfish reports on senior QB Randall West's last camp with the Minutemen.

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

Penn Live has a story featuring former UMass coach Sean Spencer.

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

Sports Betting Dime discusses if Rutgers and UConn can hit the over. The story says their likely chances of a win is against UMass.

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

Army Blog "Against All Enemies" breaks down the Black Knights 2019 schedule. I was there the last time UMass played at Michie Stadium. It's a great place to watch a game.

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

The News-Gazette predicts the season for the entire Big Ten. It says pencil in wins over UMass and Liberty for Rutgers.

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

UMass Football News--August 9th, 2019

Sadiq Palmer/ Hampshire Gazette image

Josh Walfish reports the Minutemen passing attack will feature WR's by committee.

Back in December of last year, the wide receiver unit was, I felt, maybe the top unit in terms of depth and talent going into 2019. If we're going to have an offense in 2019, it's probably going to mostly fall on the WR's. Football Study Hall has a nice article on the deference between the pro set and the spread.

I would guess Zack Simon as the "X" receiver, Samuel Emilus as the "Y" and Sadiq Palmer as the "Z". Jessie Britt, Brennon Dingle and JUCO Javon Turner should also get a lot of reps.

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

Rutgers blog "On the Banks" has reasons for Scarlet Knights fans to be optimistic in 2019. The writer feels Rutgers will easily cover the 14.5 point spread against the Minutemen.

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

The Montgomery Advisor reports Auburn has released its 2020 schedule including a "tune-up" game against UMass.

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

Off Tackle Empire looks at Northwestern's schedule and predicts about a 7 and five record for the Wildcats.

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

Bleeding Green Nation has Nate Sudfield throws a 75-yard TD pass to Marken Michael.

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

UMass Football News--August 8th, 2019

Hampshire Gazette image

Josh Walfish has a post on Larnel Coleman becoming a leader on the offensive line.

Josh reports so far the OL looks as follows:

LT---Larnel  Coleman
LG --Ray Thomas Ishman
Center--Mike Yerardi or Jalen Larry
RG--Helber Fagundes or Parker Ogle or Mike Sullivan
RT--Brian Abosi or Bruce Wade.

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

Underdog Dynasty has news from around the Group-of-Five leagues.

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

Rutgers media guide lists the Scarlet Knights as playing the 4-3 defense, but really they play 3-4.

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

Don Brown compares Michigan safety Daxton Hill to James Ihedigbo.

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

SIU quarterbacks fail to separate themselves after the first scrimmage.

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

The Spectrum News reports the Charlotte 49ers have no shortage of QB options.

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

TOTALLY PLAUSIBLE

Georgia Southern QB Shai Werts is arrested for the possession of cocaine and tells the police it's bird poop.

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

UMass Football Recruiting 2020---Aaron Beckwith

Aaron Beckwith, a 6-3 270 pound DE from Germantown, MD has UMass in his final three.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

Beckwith has nine total offers. Buffalo is coming of the best season in their program history. The Bulls went 10-4 with wins over Temple and Rutgers and an appearance in the Dollar General Bowl. Athlon Sports picks them 6-6 in 2019.

Central Michigan went 1-11 in 2018 and Athlon Sports picks the Chippewas last in the MAC West in this year.

Reasons to pick UMass? Well, best food in country for the fourth straight year.

Want to play against the best? The Minutemen have games scheduled against Auburn, BC, Army, Mississippi State, Missouri, Colorado and more.

Defensive End is a position of need for UMass. Lots of playing time available in the future.

UMass Football News--August 7th, 2019

Inside Northwestern has know your opponent: UMass.

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

Josh Walfish reports Josiah Johnson juggles QB work and WR reps.

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

The College Sports Journal previews the Charlotte 49ers.

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

The Ashbury Park Press wonders if Rutgers' defense will finally improve.

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

The Southern says the running game could help the Salukis' defense.

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

The Hartford Courant says Husky running backs Kevin Mensah and Art Tompkins could form a potent backfield for UConn.

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

UMass Football News--August 6th, 2019

Once again, UMass football will be available on the FLO network.

Flo Network, they started with $10,000, now they're challenging ESPN.

NESN has an announcement they'll be carrying UMass home games.

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" writes UMass announces broadcast info, start times for the 2019 season.

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

Mike also has an interview with Julian Ganthier, a recent 2020 DB commit.

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

Josh Walfish reports the UMass Renascence started during the off season.

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

NJ.com reports Phil Steele thinks Rutgers will beat the 14.5 point spread against UMass in the season opener for both teams.

Scarlet Knights LB Tyshon Fogg has an interesting way of decompressing during training camp.

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

The Southern thinks the Salukis can still make the FCS playoffs despite playing two FBS teams.

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

A 247Sports writer predicts the won-loss record for every Big Ten team including UMass opponents Rutgers and Northwestern.

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

UMass Football News--August 5th, 2019

A blog reader had a short stop in Amherst and took the above image of practice.

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

With this weekend's verbal from Julian Ganthier, UMass has 16 hard commits for the 2020 recruiting class.

247Sports has the Minutemen neck-and-neck with BYU in the high 70's ranking out of 130 FBS teams. There is a strong correlation (in a macro sense) with recruiting and success in football. I think Bell and staff did an excellent job with the 2019 class given the limited time they had available to recruit. The 2020 class seems to be on course to be the best of UMass' FBS era. I think we'll see some of the results soon.

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

True Freshman Cole Snyder is ready for whatever role Rutgers wants him to play.

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

Longest bowl droughts for FBS teams: UMass is tied with Kent State, Louisiana Monroe and Texas state for six seasons.

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

Boston College opens Fall Practice. Athlon Sports predicts a 6-6 season for the Eagles and a 3-5 ACC win total. BC needs to do well early as their last five games are @ Clemson, @ Syracuse, Florida State, @ Notre Dame and @Pitt.

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

Andy Isabella may miss the Cardinals preseason opener with a "minor" knee problem.

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

UMass Football Recruiting 2020--Julien Ganthier verbals to UMass

Julian Ganthier, a 6-1 170 pound DB from Laurel, MD has committed to UMass.

247Sports three-star player.

Hudl.com has video.

Scout.com top-40 player in Maryland.

Chose UMass over FBS offers from Liberty and Rutgers.

UMass Football News--August 4th, 2019

The Berkshire Eagle reports UMass is back on the field and ready to practice.

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

NJ.com reports dueling Rutgers QB's have a good relationship.

On the Banks reports on the importance of Rutgers new offensive coordinator.

Scarlet Knights transfer QB McLane Carter had an encouraging first day.

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

Akron Football opens camp aware of the challenges ahead.

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

UMass Football News--August 3rd, 2019

Hampshire Gazette image

Josh Walfish reports on the opening of UMass training camp. He says QB Josh Johnson has been taking reps with both the receivers and QB's.

The team is wearing new white Schutt helmets.

Josh said new QB Andrew Brito stood out with his arm strength.

Ray Thomas-Ishman has been moved to guard. 

WMUA has some video and Q &A with Coach Bell from the first practice.

BTW, I contacted the Sports information office and asked if any of the Fall practices will be open to the public. No word so far.

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

The Boston Herald says the Walt Bell era opens at UMass.

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

The UMass Twitter feed has some images from the practice.

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

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" reports on the Minutemen's final recruiting camp of the summer.

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

The Miami Herald reports FIU opens Fall practice with high expectations.

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

Louisiana Tech opens Fall practice with former UConn coach Bob Diaco as defensive coordinator.

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

Northwestern is ranked #25 in the 2019 preseason coaches poll.

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

UMass Football News---August 2nd, 2019

The 2019 preseason practice roster is up.

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

Josh Walfish says there's a new energy at the UMass football camp. He also said it looks like seniors Michael Curtis and Randall West, junior Andrew Brito, sophomore Josiah Johnson and redshirt freshman Jaret Pallott are the top competitors for the starting QB slot. He also reports Coach Bell does not like to platoon quarterbacks.

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

UMass officially welcomes Notre Dame transfer Noah Boykin.

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

Liberty completes their transition to FBS football.

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

Jack Driscoll is listed as the starter at RT for Auburn for the second straight season.

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

Rutgers starts camp minus some players.

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

Hero Sports previews Southern Illinois.

The Southern Illinoisan says the Salukis look deep.

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

Like the Minutemen, Charlotte starts camp with a new head coach.

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

Coastal Carolina thinks they'll exceed expectations in 2019.

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

Hustle Belt has the key story lines for Akron in 2019.

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

UMass Football News--August 1st 2019

UMass Fall Camp opens tomorrow.

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

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" has a post and interview with JUCO offensive lineman Reggie Marks.

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

Josh Walfish previews 2019 opponent BYU.

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

The Scarlet Knights go into Fall camp with a quarterback battle.

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

The BYU Cougars will lose WR Neil Pau'u to a redshirt season after taking a plea deal for DWI.

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

My Fantasy Sports previews UConn's season and predicts a 2-10 record.

UConn introduced new defensive coordinator Lou Spanos at Media Day and it did not go well.

The UConn Blog previews the Huskies offensive line.

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

247Sports reports BC has picked up a verbal from Owen McGowen, a 2021 local LB prospect who had a UMass offer.

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