Recruiting 2017--Chris Hunt verbals to UMass

Steve Early image

Chris Hunt, a 6-1 177 pound CB from Virginia Beach, VA has verbaled to UMass.

Article by Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" about Hunt's verbaling to UMass.

I've blogged about Hunt twice before.

Hunt chose UMass over offers from Army, East Carolina, Navy and Charlotte.

Hunt's verbal brings the Minutemen to five three-star recruits so far.

Recruiting 2017--Chris Hunt

247 Sports image

Chris Hunt, a 6-1 165 pound CB from Virginia Beach has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247Sports three-star player.

Hudl.com has video.

MaxPreps has stats.

Hunt has six FBS offers. 247Sports shows he will visit UMass on 01/20.

Recruiting 2017--Chris Hunt II

Steve Earley image

Back on Saturday, I blogged about Chris Hunt, a 6-1 165 pound CB from Virginia Beach.

Mike Traini on his "Fight Massachusetts" site has a post on Hunt, which includes some quotes from him on his being recruited by UMass.

Cornerback is a position of need for UMass. Recruits have a chance to play early for the Minutemen.

UMass Football News--August 6th, 2018

The Minutemen ran their first scrimmage of the Fall camp yesterday. The UMass website has an image gallery from the scrimmage.

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Not a lot of football news on the intertubes this morning. Mass Live has not done a UMass story in more than a month.

Lets look at the redshirt freshmen for 2018. If I counted right, UMass will have 18 RSFR available this year.

In the already crowded WR corps we have:

Zac Simon 5-10 180.

Jovohn Tucker 5-8 165

Patrick Volcy 6-2 210

Melvin Hill 6-2 195

One new TE becomes available.

Solomon Siskind 6-4 220

One RB.

Victor Santiago 5-9 165

Three offensive linemen.

Spencer Goldberg 6-2 280

Jaylen Larry 6-3 275

Brian Abosi 6-8 310

One LS

Harry Blair 6-3 205

One kicker

Evan Padilla 5-7 160

Seven defensive players become available:

One Safety

Claudin Cherrelus 6-1 210

Two CB's

Chris Hunt 6-0 185

Brian Roberts Jr 6-0 195

Four DL's

Chris DiTommaso 6-4 275

Zack Loan 5-11 240

Alex Piechocki 6-5 255

Caeleb Washington 6-1 250

Of the  offensive linemen Brian Abosi could make the two-deep. Maybe all of the defensive linemen might be in the rotation. Chris DiTommaso could start. The Safety position is pretty deep, but Claudin Cherrelus will get some reps.

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UMass Football News--December 5th, 2017

Matty Vautour has an article about UMass football having an interesting off season.

He mentions the possibility that UMass defensive coordinator Ed Pinkham could get an offer from another staff. While UMass could not match a Power Five offer, the Minutemen currently do not have a "assistant head coach". UMass could offer him a raise or extension and the assistant head coach title. I would hope UMass could keep him. The two best wins of 2017, and they were the two best wins of the program in the FBS era, were Appalachian State and BYU. Both games were defensive gems.

Matty mentions the Minutemen will have six QB's on the roster if no one leaves. Andrew Ford has already said he's staying. Ross Comis, Randall West and JUCO Mike Curtis are currently on the roster. UMass adds Jake Pallotta and Josiah Johnson.

Matty says Whipple stated he's received some feelers about grad transfers and is looking at some JUCO's on defense and punter.

He mentions possible breakout players for 2018. Jordan Fredericks joins the running backs.

Chinedu Ogbonna and Jake Byczko will be available for the defensive line. Ogbonna played in eleven games in 2017 and Byczko in twelve. Byczko had 23 TT and three TFL. Ogbonna had 10 TT.

At linebacker, Mike Ruane and Cole McCubrey will complete for playing time. McCubrey had 14 TT and appeared in eleven games. Ruane appeared in ten and had one tackle.

Claudin Cherulis, Xavier Steele and Tyrus Lebeau will be available at Safety. Steele appeared in seven games and five TT. Cherulus and Lebeau redshirted.

Chris Hunt and Brian Roberts will join the cornerbacks.

Brian Abosi joins the offensive line.

Zak Simon, Silky Brown and Melvin Hill will join the receiving corps.

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The UMass Daily Collegian has a post about Whipple's extension.

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UMass Football News--July 3rd, 2017

Appalachian State and South Florida get "favorable" schedules in 2017 based difficulty including playing weaker opponents like UMass.

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This article mentions QB Jaret Pallotta verbaling to UMass and also mentions the state of Ohio averages 140 FBS recruits a year.

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The latest version of the UMass roster lists five CB's (stats are from 2016):

Jordin Hamilton 20 CB 5-10 172 RSSO 5-1 GP-GS 5 UT 3 AT 8 TT 2.0 TFL 1 PD
Lee Moses 3 CB 5-11 193 JR 11-9 GP-GS 25 UT 19 AT 44 TT 0.5 TFL
Jackson Porter 28 CB 6-1 197 RSSR 10-9 GP-GS
Isaiah Rodgers 9 CB 5-10 155 SO 11-8 GP-GS 21 UT 17 AT 40 TT 0.5 TFL 9 PD 1 FF 1 FR 1 BLK
Charan Singh 24 CB 6-1 RSJR 197 9-1 GP-GS 10 UT 18 AT 28 TT
Joseph Tavares 48 CB FR

Lee Moses and Isaiah Rogers received most of the starts in 2016. James Allen started the first four games of 2016, but had trouble with larger, more physical receivers. He left the program this winter.

Rogers was a two-star recruit in 2016 and did not redshirt. Bakhari Goodson, another two-star 2016 recruit, is now listed as a safety.

The Minutemen add three-star CB Brian Roberts, three-star CB Chris Hunt and two-star Xavier Steele in the 2017 recruiting class. At least one of those three probably won't redshirt.

UMass was #126 out of 128 teams in INT's last year. The Minutemen were also #106 in passing yards allowed. Part of that was the quality of the 2016 opponents, but we need to do better in 2017.

The defensive roster is slowly filling up with three-star recruits and UMass should be more competitive in the future.

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UMass Football Recruiting 2019--Malik Sanders II and Jaylin Bannerman II

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" has two posts on recent letter-of-intent signees.

Mike's post on JUCO CB Malik Sanders is here. The Minutemen had three of four 2018 defensive back starters graduate. There should be plenty of playing time for the versatile Sanders.

Remember when Don Brown had three or four defensive packages besides his base set? Brown loved DB's. You have to have more than just two guys who are ready to play. Did UMass play the Nickle in 2018? Did we have a Dime package? The new DC should have Isiah Rogers, Malik Sanders, Chris Hunt and Bakhari Goodson.

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Mike also has a story on JUCO signee Jaylin Bannerman. Bannerman fills a position the Minutemen did not possess in 2018--a rush defensive end. UMass finished next-to-last in the entire FBS in sacks last year. We actually tied for last in number of sacks. And it's a good thing that the NCAA apparently does not have an official "QB hurries" stat or we would be a trivia question for the foreseeable future.

At 6-5 240, the Minutemen do not have another player in his category. Bannerman probably will be the first UMass recruit since Blake Fronapfel  to have a green light from day one.

"Son, go in and do your thing."

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Friday--February 3rd, 2017

Howard Herman of the Berkshire Eagle on UMass' 2017 recruiting class.

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DA Online has an article on how coaches recruit with a backup plan. Mentions UMass recruit Chris Hunt.

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The Union Leader mentions UMass walk-on Jake Froehlich.

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The Telegram cover UMass signeee Cole McCubrey and has some video. Like the UMass banner in the background.

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SOME THAT GOT AWAY

UMass target Jaylen Hall signed with Western Michigan.

Gerrick Vollmer signs with Virginia.

Sekai Lindsay signs with DII Florida Tech.

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Friday--August 12, 2011

As I mentioned yesterday the 2011 roster is up.

Deletions from the Spring roster

• Derik Beck (2011 recruit)
• Cedric Gonnet RS JR
• Jesse Hunt RS FR
• John McGrath FR (2011 recruit)
• Bill Nesselt RS So
• Jacob Scott no information

Additions to the Minutemen in 2011(including freshmen already on the Spring Roster as they now have offical numbers). According to articles 40% of the team is new from 2010. There are 100 players on the 2011 roster. There were 91 in 2010.

• Frank Barile OL
• Jarvis Bentley WR (2011 recruit)
• Jordan Broadnax RB (2011 recruit)
• Chris Burns HB (transfer from Pitt)
• Ryan Campbell DB (transfer from Mississippi)
• Jamie Casselberry OL (2011 recruit)
• Chase Danska WR (JUCO)
• Kevin Donahue LB
• Brian Dowling RB (2011 recruit)
• Dan Foesel TE  (2011 Recruit)
• Iric Harris DB (2011 recruit)
• Andre Hill WR (JUCO)
• Greg Hilliard LB (2011 recruit)
• Brandon Howard TE (2011 recruit)
• Randall Jette DB (2011 recruit)
• T.J. Keefer WR
• James Lizotte WR (transfer Holy Cross)
• Elgin Long WR
• Marken Michel WR (2011 recruit)
• Addy Moas OL (2011 recruit)
• Kyle Morgan DL (2011 recruit)
• Manoel Nascimento RB
• Andrew Ortiz PK (2011 recruit)
• Kellen Pagel QB (transfer Bowling Green)
• Benjamin Patrick RB
• Ryan Phillips LB
• Matthew Quinn QB
• Sebastian Russell LB
• Quayshun Smith DB (2011 recruit)
• Malcom Speller OL (transfer from Bowie State)
• John Wallace OL (2011 recruit)
• Cody Watts DB
• Carlito Weaver LB
• Mike Wegzyn QB (2011 recruit)
• Jamal Wilson RB (2011 recruit)
• Brandon Yelovich (transfer from Rice)

I miss anyone?

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Watched Chris Koepplin kick off for the Pats last night. He hit one out of bounds, but boomed the remainder of his kicks deep into the endzone.

ProJo.com mentions Koepplin in their writeup of the game. Gostkowski looked good on his field goals, so Koepplin has to hope his film impresses some other team, or the Pats sign him to their practice roster as insurance.

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Matty V. has an article on Emil Igwenagu's frustrating 2010 season. With UMass' receiving corps depleted this year, hopefully they will throw to Igwenagu and Rob Blanchflower early and often.

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Things went bad for 2012's OOC opponent Indiana Coach Kevin Wilson during a radio interview.

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USA Today has an article on Delaware's Andrew Pierce including an image of him running at the UMass defense.

Day before the Rhode Island Game-09/18/09

The Rhode Island student newspaper has a look at Saturday's game from the Rams side here.

Matt Vautour says that UMass has been prepping for the Rams.

Rhody finally has its game notes up. Html here and pdf here.

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Chris Paul-Etiene 6-3 200 pd Jr QB transfer from Rutgers makes Rhode Island go.


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OK, the mystery QB is Jesse Hunt from Oakmont Regional. Spencer has left as had been reported previously. Thank you to just about everyone on the planet who contacted me about the correction :)


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CSN's Bruce Dowd has his weekly column "Dowd's Den" here.

Chuck Burton has a long article on the CAA and this week's FCS games here.

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Brett Kahn of CSN previews this week's FCS games and picks UMass over the Rams (so does Bruce Dowd, so that is a worry).

Dave Coulson cover FCS news including "What's going on at Georgia Southern"

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The state of UMass 2010---Linebackers

This will be the fifth unit review for 2010. Previous editions include:

• Defensive Line
• Offensive Line
• Running Backs
• Receivers

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Losses for 2010:

• Eric Dickson -RSSr 10 Starts, 95 TT, 5 BKRP, 2nd on team in TT, 6th in CAA TT

Returning 2010 (class rank for 2010):

• Tyler Holmes- Jr, 10 Starts, 2nd Team All-CAA, Led UMass 110 TT, 2nd in CAA and 8th in NCAA in TT, led UMass in INT's and tied for most BKRP's
• Perry McIntyre -Soph, Played 11 games-started 7, 3rd on team with 64 TT, CAA Rookie-of-the Week Sept 26th Stony Brook
• Kurt Filler - Sr (?) Played 4 games started 4, season ending knee injury 9/26. Not sure if he wants/will get medical redshirt.
• D.J. Adeoba - RSSoph, Played 8 games-started one. CAA Rookie-of-the-week 9/5 Kansas State, injured during that game 12 TT
• Nick Haag - RSSoph , Played 11 games-started 0, 12 TT
• Mike Mele -SR, Played 3 games-started 1, 11 TT
• Scott Duggan -RSSR, Played 8 games-started 0, 8 TT
• Chris Chamberlin -RSSoph, Played 11 games-started 0, 5 TT
• Dawan Nolton -RS Soph, Played 3 games-started 0, 1 TT

Red Shirt Freshmen for 2010:

• Tim Brandt
  
• Tom Brandt, Scout Team Defensive Player-of-the-Year
• Devin Linsey

True Freshman recruits:

• Stanley Andre 6-1 250
• Matt Campbell 6-1 230

Transfers:

• Chad Hunte -Soph, Transfer Northeastern-Played 11 games, 32 TT
  

Notes: Dickson's graduation causes UMass to lose 29% of their 2009 linebacker tackles. A commenter in another post stated that Nick Haag has transferred to Assumption. I have no information about that. We probably won't know if Kurt Filler took a redshirt year until the spring roster comes out.

Even if we are without those two, there will still be seven returning linebackers who played in 2009. Also available will be three redshirt freshmen and one transfer. So we will have at least eleven linebackers and maybe thirteen available in 2010. UMass will have five linebackers (six if you count the Hofstra transfer) who started at least one game in 2009.

The linebacker corps is the only UMass position unit that returns an All-CAA player for 2010: Tyler Holmes. This has to be the deepest unit on the team. It would seem the two true freshmen linebackers will almost certainly be redshirted unless they are switched to another position.

UMass appears to have a lot more linebackers than defensive linemen. Would UMass consider playing a 3-4 defense----or even a 3-5-3 (gaining popularity to defense the spread) ?

Northeastern transfer Chade Hunt played as a true freshman for the Huskies. I wonder if UMass would like him to take a redshirt year? He is more of a safety in size --- 6-0 205. The UMass secondary could probably use him more than the linebacker corps.