Recruiting 2010--Edward St.Vil

UMass has gained another verbal, this time from Edward St.Vil a 6-0 175 pd DB/athlete from Hollywood Hills FL. He runs a reported 4.47 40.

St.Vil had verbaled to FAU, then changed his mind after taking a visit to Amherst.

This article features his verbal to UMass.

YouTube has six minutes of highlights.

Apparently St. Vil only played one year of HS football. The recruiting services don't have much on him.

The state of UMass football--Defensive line

The UMass defensive line will be very different in 2010 as we lose four starters.

Gone in 2010 are

• Michael Hansen-started 11 games, 5th in total tackles
  
• Kyle Harrington-started 11 games, 6th in total tackles, 2nd team All-CAA
• Anthony Monette-started 11 games, 7th in total tackles
• Brandon Collier-started 11 games, 9th in total tackles, 3rd team All-CAA

Returning are:

• Charles Thompson RS Soph-played in 9 games, 0 starts 14 TT
• Bob McLaughlin RS SR-played in 7 games, 0 starts 8 TT
• Tyler Major RS FR-Red shirt
• Kevin Byrne RS Fr-Red shirt
• Bill Nesselt RS Fr-Red shirt
• James Gilchrist RS Sr-Played, 0 TT
  
• Gliddens Radeau RS Soph-No game action
  
• Theo Agnew RS FR-Red shirt
• Courtney Jackson RS Jr- six games, 0 starts, 8 TT (corrected)
  

• Brandon Potvin RS Fr- Redshirt

In addition, we will add one transfer:

• Galen Clemons RS Fr (?)- transfer from Central Michigan. No stats listed

Notes: Charles Thompson looks to be the leader of the returning defensive line. Bob McLaughlin should see lots of playing time. Every thing else seems up for grabs. Outside of QB, this has to be the major area of concern for 2010.

Saturday News---Jan 30th, 2010

Vladimir Ducasse is ranked #1 in Josh Buchanan's latest "Small Schools" NFL Draft List. Jeromy Miles and Chris Zardas also make the list.

On the same site, Appalachian State's Armanti Edwards has started a Draft Journal.

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Matty Vautour reports the UMass AD John McCutcheon is a top candidate for the AD job at San Diego State. The UMass Football Blog would be sorry to see McCutcheon go. He has been a strong supporter of UMass football and has overseen the revival of McGuirk Stadium.

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Vladimir Ducasse will play in the Senior Bowl today at 4:00 pm EST. The game is on the NFL network.

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A commenter has made a number of posts, which I have moderated, saying UMass has a verbal from a FBS-level QB recruit. I'll run those---and apologize for moderating the comments--as soon as I can get some independent verification of the information.

As everybody knows, the last few days are really hectic in FCS/I-AA recruiting circles. Players who have been holding out for I-A offers don't get the call and suddenly want to commit. Players that have been committed to UMass leave when they receive a last minute FBS offer. That's life in I-AA.

Recruiting 2010 --Kirkland Nelms

Image by Robert's Recruits.

UMass has received a verbal from Kirkland Nelms a 5-11 175 pd DB and kick returner from Fredricksburg, VA.

Press release on Nelms decision here.

Nelms' player profile here.

Nine minute YouTube highlight video here.

He drew interest from Duke, Liberty, North Carolina and Richmond.

Whoa! UMass-UNH to play at Gillette Stadium

UPDATE FRIDAY 01/29: MassLive Online has a article on the Gillette game here.

According to the Boston Globe, UMass and UNH will play at Gillette Stadium in 2010 and 2011!

That converts a 2010 away game to a neutral field. This can be nothing but good as UMass is sure to bring the amazin' UMass Marching Band. Should make a good show for UMass football and the University.

If Kraft is serious about college football at Gillette, maybe UMass could schedule a FBS opponent or maybe a headline FCS team like Montana.

More tomorrow, my internet connection is pooping the bed working slowly right now. Fairpoint strikes again :(

Recruiting 2010 -- Dylan Swartz

UMass is recruiting Dylan Swartz a 6-3 220 pd pro-style QB from Modesto CA. Image from Scout.com.

His Rivals page is here.

YouTube highlights here.

The Modesto Bee has a video interview with him here.

Swartz was Conference Offensive MVP.

Drawing interest from a number of FBS/I-A teams including Arizona, Arizona State, Fresno State, Idaho, Nevada, San Diego, San Diego State,UCLA, Washington and Washington State.

Thursday News---Jan 28th, 2010

The CAA has released the 2009 All-Academic team and the Academic All-conference team. The UMass athletic dept also has a press release here.

UMass underclassmen Emil Igwenagu and John Ihne made the team as well as seniors Jarad Chivers and Jeromy Miles (Academic All-Conference)

UMass will welcome Hofstra transfer Anthony Nelson who also made the list.

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MassLive.com reports that former UMass star and coach Joe Cullen has named defensive line coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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FCS team Eastern Washington will install artificial turf-----in the team colors of red & white.

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the latest edition of David Coulson's "Around FCS" newsletter discusses FCS players in the various All-Star games.

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Recruiting 2010 ---E.J. Schneider

UMass is interested in E.J. Schneider a 6-0 190 pd QB from Morristown, NJ.

His Rivals page is here.

This article features Schneider.

Some highlights here. Schneider is #4.

He was 2nd team All-State and All Morris County.

Also recruited by Penn, JMU, Colgate, Holy Cross, Bucknell and Bryant

Wednesday News-- Jan 27th, 2010

One week until National Signing Day!

UPDATE: As first reported by Matty Vautour, Mike Quinn verbals to Elon.

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Matty Vautour has an article on Antoine Tharpe's verbal commitment to UMass as well as some other UMass football news here.

I've blogged before about the two potential freshman QB's mentioned in Matty's article

• Mike Quinn
• Billy Perez

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The Patriot Ledger has an article on UMass' transfer Greg Nyland

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Don Brown signs a blitz specialist.

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Tuesday News --- Jan 26th, 2010

Still lots of stories about Valadimir Ducasse being published. NJ.com has a good human interest one here.

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William & Mary's 2010 schedule is up. They have games with new FCS/I-AA team Old Dominion and North Carolina.

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First brought to my attention over at the Wizard of Odds Blog: NCAA rules for college football recruiting.

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The FCS Now blog has list of the 18 head coaching changes in FCS/I-AA this year.

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Recruting 2010 --Anthony Baskerville

Baskerville is #8. Image by Dean College. Photographer not listed.

UMass is interested in Anthony Baskerville a 5-11 180 pd Athlete from Dean College in MA.

Baskerville did it all for the Bulldogs this year.

At QB he went 87-160 123.20 EFF 1155 yards 5 INT 7 TDs 80 LONG 115.0 yards/game

At WR he went 7-83 11.9 AVE 2 TDs 8.3 yards/game

Rushing he went 160-722 4.5 AVE 6 TDs 53 LONG 72 yards/game (rushing totals include 211 yards lost in QB role). Averaged 195 yards/game in all roles.

Baskerville's Rivals page here.

This 2007 article from NJ.com features him.

Also recruited by Rhode Island.

Recruiting 2010---Antoine Tharpe

As reported by a commenter yesterday, Antoine Tharpe a 5-11, 180 pd DB from Coral Springs FL has verbaled to UMass.

I had blogged about Tharpe back on Oct 14th, 2009. The original blog post has his Rivals page, video highlights and more.

Tharpe is the second verbal (that we know about) in UMass' 2010 class.

Welcome to the Minutemen, Antoine!

Saturday News --- Jan 23rd, 2010

As reported by a commenter in yesterday's blog post Chris Zardas is on the roster of Texas Vs. The World All Star game.

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On Jan 21, I received an e-mail from the UMass On-line store that a number of UMass football items were on clearance prices. There were some nice stuff including UMass football t-shirts and a #28 replica jersey. However, when I go to the on-line store the articles are not in the "clearance" section and seem to be at regular prices. Not sure what's going on here, but football fans should keep an eye out for some bargains, if the original e-mail was correct.

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UNH will play at Toledo in 2011.

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Recruiting 2010-- Two more transfers

UPDATE Friday evening: The UMass athletic dept now has a article on the football transfers.

As reported by "Sign Man" here yesterday and today by Matty Vautour in this article about transfers to UMass, the Minutemen have added another two mid-year transfers to the football squad.

Travis Poston a 6-6 320 pd OL will transfer from Villanova. I've blogged about Poston three times before when UMass was recruiting him. Since he is transferring laterally, he will have to sit out one year before being able to play.

Galen Clemons a 6-2 255 pd DE from Central Michigan will also transfer to UMass. The Chippewas have already scrubbed his bio, but the recruiting notice is here.

Relavent quote on Clemons:

Galen Clemons • DE • 6-2 • 255 • Danielsville, Pa./Northampton • Coach Bob Steckel
At Northampton High School: Four-year starter ... 2008 team captain ... all-conference first team selection as an offensive and defensive lineman in 2008 ... earned all-area first team honors from both the Express-Times and the Morning Call ... credited with 87 tackles in 2008 ... made 83 stops in 2007, 102 tackles in 2006 and 71 in 2005 ... helped lead team to 4A Eastern Conference championships in 2006 and 2008 ... Northampton finished 10-3 overall in 2008 ... two-year letterman in track and field. Personal: Son of Steve and Wendy Clemons ... born June 3, 1990 ... chose CMU over Akron and Army.

Since he is transferring from a FBS/I-A team, Clemons will be eligible immediately.

That brings UMass to a total of seven transfers and one verbal so far in the 2010 recruiting wars.


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Two more articles about Vladimir Ducasse and his efforts to help Haiti here and here.

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New Hampshire lands a NJ running back.

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Thursday News -- Jan 21st, 2010

Ron Chimelis has an article on the five transfers to UMass from Hofstra and Northeastern.

I've blogged on the five before, but this is another way to parse the list:

One year of eligibility

• John Griffin- 1009 yards in 2009, First Team All-CAA, All-New England
• Anthony Nelson- Top-20 all-time receptions for the Pride, Nominated for CAA Scholar Athlete.
• Greg Niland-Starter at LT for the Huskies in 2009

Three years of eligibility

• Chad Hunte LB
  

Four years of eligibility

• Anthony Dima- Red Shirt OL
  

There were 19 seniors in the Media Day seniors photo. Probably not all of them were receiving scholarships. Assuming all five transfers get a ride, there should be 12 or so slots remaining for the rest of 2010 recruits.

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James Madison has announced its official 2010 schedule.

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The FCS discussion board "Any Given Saturday" is down again along with the related CSN website.

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The Boston Globe has a story on BC's Mike McLaughlin, son of UMass legend Mike Sr.

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News --- Jan 20th, 2010

MassLive.com has a story on Vladimir Ducasse's family in Haiti and his efforts to help his nation.

Matty Vautour has another story on Ducasse coping with the tragedy in his homeland.

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Bleacher Report says the Big East should grab UMass to fill the ( basketball) vacancy if Notre Dame should leave. It would be even better if UMass football made the leap also. That would end the cycle of funding problems every time there is a recession---which seems to happen every four years or so lately.

Off topic question. What happened to Atlantic 10 TV basketball? Like most males I surf sports a lot. Last night I ended up watching Hofstra-George Mason (dropping football does not seem as if it has jump started any interest in Pride basketball, but I digress) ---- I never hit an Atlantic 10 game. Where did all the A10 basketball games go?

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Fordham's John Skelton has been impressing people at the Shrine game workouts. Mike McLaughlin gets mixed reviews.

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Two weeks to go till National Letter-of-Intent Day (a National Holiday for college football fans).

Status of UMass 2010--- Offensive linemen

I went through the stats for all eleven games in 2009 to check on offensive linemen.

In 2010 we lose:

• Vladimir Ducasse 11 starts at LT. All-American, NFL Draft pick
• Jarad Chivers 10 starts at C, 1 start at RG
• Bryan Fisher 0 starts
• Rob Getek 0 starts (injured)
  

Returning in 2010 are:

• Josh Samuda RS Jr-11 starts at LG
• Quinton Sales RS Soph -0 starts
• John Ihne RS Sr- 2 starts at C, 1 start at RG
• Brandon Flanagan RS Sr- 2 starts at RG
• Nicholas Gottshall RS Soph- 0 starts
• Ryan McMakin RS Fr- redshirt
  
• Brian Ostaszewski RS Jr-11 starts at RT
• Michael Binkowski RS Jr- 0 starts
• Stephane Milhim RS Soph - 6 Starts at RG
• John Moran RS Soph- 0 starts
• Justin Sawicki RS Jr - 0 starts, made traveling squad
  
• Sean O'Connor RS Soph- 0 starts
• Vincent Westcarr RS FR - Red Shirt

In addition, we will add:

• Greg Niland 6-5 305 - Transfer from Northeastern, Started at LT for the Huskies
  
• Anthony Dima- 6-7 271 Transfer from Hofstra-Red Shirt
  

NOTES: The UMass offensive line led the CAA in sacks against with only 17-130 yards 1.55/game AVE. We had seven different players start, including four at RG. Senior math major Jarad Chivers came out of nowhere to start eleven games for the Minutemen. Before the season started, I thought the UMass running game would dominate. I felt we under achieved somewhat in the run aspect of the offense. We did have an injury to Tony Nelson. We also got behind early in a number of games and that forced a reduction in carries. The Minutemen ended up 5th in the CAA with 148.8 yards/game.

In 2010, we lose two starters. Niland and Milhim would seem to be top two contenders--- except neither are centers. Samuda has played center before and that would allow Milhim to stay at RG. Ostaszewski has played some guard, so he could possibly move to LG if Samuda moved to center. That would free up LT for Niland.

News ----- Jan 18th, 2010

Vladimir Ducasse has been selected to the Senior Bowl. UMass athletic dept story here. Full roster for the Senior Bowl here.

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Former UMass star James Ihedigbo had another big day for the NY Jets yesterday. He forced a fumble on special teams and continues to make an impact when he plays.

Former UMass star Brian Smith is the quality control coach for the Jets.

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Sunday News--- Jan 17th,2010

If nothing else this Sunday, read this story by the New Haven Register about UMass' Vladimir Ducasse.

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More from Matty Vautour about the 2010 UMass football schedule.

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Official 2010 Rhode Island schedule (pdf).

Provisional 2010 Delaware schedule .

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If you had a rough years in 2008 and 2009 with your investments -----you're still doing better than Bernie Kosar.

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Saturday News-- Jan 16th 2010

Scott Coen of MassLive.com says James Ihidigbo is having a great season for the Jets.

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Holy Cross QB Dominic Randolph has picked up an agent.

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Full list of the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine Invitees (including Vladimir Ducasse)

Another NFL mock draft picks Ducasse a third round pick for the Oakland Raiders.

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Former UMass coach Jimmy Reid talks about his life in coaching.

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Rhode Island has posted its 2010 schedule.