Monday---May 5th, 2014

Dan Malone has six potential NFL landing spots for UMass TE Rob Blanchflower.

CLNS Radio mentions Blanchflower in an article "Expect the unexpected in the Patriots Draft"

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Fan Sided says pencil in Central Michigan as the MAC's dark horse team for 2014.

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After ranking UMass #128, USA today ranks 0-12 Miami # 121.

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The NFL Draft could leave New York as early as next year.

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The University Herald says 2014 OOC opponent Penn State will be resurgent.

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Recruiting 2015-- Qaadir Sheppard III

I've blogged about Qaadir Sheppard a couple of times before. He's a 6-3 222 pound DE from New Rochelle, NY.

Sheppard is a Scout.com three-star player.

Partial quote from a May 2nd Scout.com article:

"Joining the Orange are Rutgers and Boston College in his top three. While that group remains intact, there are two other schools starting to make some noise. Originally looking at an early summer decision, that time frame appears to have been pushed back just a bit.

”That’s still the case,” Sheppard said. “But I’m really starting to like Old Dominion University and UMass a lot. They’re starting to get in the picture. I really don’t know when I’ll decide right now."

Besides UMass, Sheppard holds offers from BC, Syracuse and Rutgers.

Saturday--May 3rd, 2014

The Sporting News ranks MAC head coaches. Coach Whipple is #5 in the 13 team conference. And they an actual correct picture of Whip!

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The All-Time MAC NFL draft picks (video and list).

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More on former UMass player Adham Talaat. Too bad it didn't work out for him at UMass.

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The Sun-Sentinel has a story about Florida recruiting powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas. Mentions current Minuteman player Jamal Wilson.

Other former UMass players from St.Thomas Aquinas:

• Adrian Zullo
• Justin Montgomery
• Mike Ziccardi
• Brandon Brudzinski
• Matt Guice

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Cleveland.com says Khalil Mack could provide another boost to the MAC if he is chosen first in the NFL Draft.

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Friday--May 2nd, 2014

UMass football blog image

Dan Malone has five questions with Kessan Messiah. It's going to be an interesting year for the defense.

Everybody who sees last year's tapes is going to try to run on the UMass defense. Our foray into the 3-4 last year was terminated when we were run over. Maine ran the ball 45 times and averaged 5.5 yards a carry. Kansas State ran 46 times for 7.2 yards a pop.

Most 3-4 defenses like to have a monster nose tackle that the offensive lineman can't move. We don't have that. One thing a defense can do is commit the strong safety to run stopping. Our two 2014 DB recruits Jerall Addo 6-2 190 and Charan Singh 6-2 195 are both bigger than any of our current DB's. It wouldn't surprise me to see at least one of them play as a true freshman.

At the Spring game the following were the "ones" for the linebackers:

• Jovan Santos-Knox SO 4 starts 32 TT 3 TFL 0.5 SACKS 1 INT
• Stanley Andre RSJR 12 starts 111 TT 6 TFL 0.5 SACKS
• Kassan Messiah SO 0 starts 21 TT 0.5 TFL
• Trey Seals RSO 4 starts 9 TT

Out of spring ball with injuries were:

• Steve Caseli FR 3 games 3 TT
• Shane Huber 5 starts 16 TT 0.5 TFL 0.5 SACKS

Other linebackers looking to contribute:

• Andrew Ellis FR 
• Hassan Graham FR
• Vondell Langston SO
• Michael McKenna SO
• Peter Ngobidi 6 games 1 TT
• Trey Seals 4 starts 9 TT
• John Robinson-Woodgett SO 
• Adam Richard SO 7 games 4 TT

New this year to the team:

• Da'Sean Downey FR Joined team this spring
• Zeke Edmonds FR

In the 3-4, the SAM linebacker can play standing up or with his hand down depending on the situation. So a number of Minutemen DE's could see time as a LB.

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Nick O'Malley of MassLive looks at Rob Blanchflower as a draft day sleeper.

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Adham Talaat, a former UMass player now at Gallaudet University hopes for call during the NFL draft.

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UMass is one of 55 schools under investigation for Title IX sex abuse complaints.

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CBS Sports looks at the impact of the playoffs on BCS and non-BCS leagues.

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Remember I said FBS teams will want to run the ball at us? Boston College will look to the run again this year.

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Recruiting 2015--- Elijah Robinson II

Aristide Economopolos image

I've blogged about Elijah Robinson, a 6-1 195 pound dual-threat QB before.

This article from NJ.com updates his recruiting.

247Sports page here.

Besides UMass, Robinson holds offers from UConn, Michigan State, Nebraska, Rutgers, Temple and Virginia.

Thursday----May 1st, 2014

Vandy.com says the Commodores OOC schedule of Temple, UMass, Charleston Southern and Old Dominion may be the softest in Vanderbilt's history.

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Walter Thurmond talks about joining the Giants and going up against Victor Cruz every day in practice.

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The Boston Globe reports Buffalo's Khalil Mack is no longer under the radar.

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The new college playoffs could devalue the results of the regular season.

The SB Nation Mountain West blog says devaluation is already happening.

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NIU wants to schedule more SEC teams.

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The NCAA's reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston was arrested for shoplifting.

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Recruiting 2015-- Qaadir Sheppard II

I've blogged about Qaadir Sheppard, a 6-3 230 pound LB from Iona Prep in NJ before.

This article from NJ.com updates Sheppard's recruiting.

247Sports page here.

Besides UMass, Sheppard holds offers from Rutgers, Boston College, Syracuse, Temple and Old Dominion.

Wednesday--April 30th, 2014

USA  Today starts a college football preview countdown and has UMass as #128, last in all of football. Behind 0-12 Miami, behind 0-12 Georgia State.

Dan Malone also has a mention of USA Today's article. Dan doesn't think that image is Coach Whipple either.
My dear friends, I can only say "Bleep 'em all----- Go UMass!"

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Dan has a story on UMass' OOC opponent Penn State being projected to a seven win season. The article has an image of Coach Whipple's son Austin Whipple handing the ball off in the Nittany Lion's Blue and White game.

Austin Whipple's Penn State bio.

Stats from the Blue & White game here. Austin went 1-6 7 Yards 1 INT.

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A UMass Daily Collegian looks at his efforts to cover UMass Sports.

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UMass has raised $44 Million so far in it's "UMass Rising" campaign.

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Former UMass player Jason Tudryn has taken a job at UNC. Tudryn was a four-year letter winner with the Minutemen 1992, 93, 94 and 95.

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Many college football administrations believe the FBS football playoffs will expand in the next 10 years.

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2014 OOC opponent Colorado has its first ever sophomore captains.

The Buffs are also allowing more academically at-risk recruits.

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Tuesday---April 29th, 2014

247Sports image

Dan Malone has a story about future Penn State transfer Alex Kenney's exploits in the Penn Relays. Coach Whipple likes vertical passing routes, I hope Kenney will provide provide the long ball aspect that the Minutemen offense woefully lacked the last couple of years. The longest completion by a UMass WR last year was only 36 yards.

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Matty V. says a later NFL Draft may have helped Rob Blanchflower's chances.

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Max Moore of Hustle Belt looks at UMass' NFL Draft history.

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The Detroit News looks at spring football at Central and Western Michigan. Note that Western Michigan may start as many as 14 freshman this year.

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The Orlando Sentinel which had ranked UMass 123rd (and last in the MAC) previews:

Miami (Ohio) #120
Eastern Michigan #118

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Sports on Earth looks at the college football realignment scoreboard.

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Recruiting 2015--- Alec Shriner

247Sports image

A number of recruiting services report UMass has offered to Alec Shriner, a 6-3 281 pound OL/DL from Oviedo, FL.

Scout.com page here.

Partial quote from a Scout.com article dated April 25th :


"Playing time and just the way they play football and how they take pride in it (are important)," Shriner said. "Distance isn't a factor for me, but it's a benefit for USF being so close."

Shriner and his family recently took a trip to Georgia Southern, but have no scheduled visits in the near future.

The offensive also has no leaders in his recruitment, but hopes to make his college decision before his senior campaign."

247Sports three star player.

Hudl.com has junior highlights.

Besides UMass, Shriner has an offer from South Florida.

Monday--April 28th, 2014

Jesse Allen of Hustle Belt looks at UMass' quarterback options and doesn't like any of them.

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e-Bay has a number of Rob Blanchflower Upper Deck rookie cards. In addition, they have some by other companies.

One of Victor Cruz's rookie cards goes for as high as $225 (by the time you click the link, the list probably will have changed).

Emil Igwenagu's rookie card.

Vladimir Ducasse's senior bowl card.

Collect 'em all.

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OOC opponent Penn State will open against UCF in Croke Park (good name) Ireland.

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The Orlando Sentinel looks at the top storylines to watch in MAC football.

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If your eyes haven't glazed over yet-------- another Khalil Mack analysis, this time by a Vikings blogger.

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Former UMass player Stacey Bedell joins a deep group of running backs at Stony Brook.

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Recruiting 2015-- Daiquan Kelley II

Frank Conlon image

I've blogged about Daiquan Kelly, a 6-3 210 pound athlete from Union City, NJ before.

This April 24th article updates his recruiting. Kelly is now ranked #14 in the New Jersey Top 50.

Partial quote from a Scout.com article on Kelly dated April 20th:

"Obviously with those comments from the coaching staff, Syracuse is recruiting Kelly as a safety. The three-star talent prefers to play defense as opposed to offense, despite his abilities as a wide receiver.

In fact, the Orange vaulted to the top of his list after a strong visit.

”It actually boosted them up on my list to number one,” Kelly said. “Just the fact that it felt great being there.”

Kelly said he has visits planned to Michigan State and UMass before making a decision. A return trip to Syracuse is also a possibility."

Besides UMass, Kelly holds offers from Michigan State, Rutgers, Syracuse, BC, Virginia, Pitt and Old Dominion.

Saturday--April 26th, 2014

Dan Malone has five questions with Trey Dudley-Giles. In the two years we've been in FBS, the one unit that's been competitive both years has been the defensive backfield.

At the spring game, the "ones" were (2013 stats):

• Randall Jette RSO 11 starts 45 TT 2 TFL 1 INT 11 BU 12 PD
• D'Metrius Williams SO 2 starts 29 TT 1 TFL 2 BU 2 PD
• Joey Colton SO 9 starts 65 TT 2 TFL 11 BU 12 PD (also 9 kick returns for 175 total yards)
• Trey Dudley-Giles SO 9 starts 42 TT 1.5 TFL 3 BU 2 PD (also led team in punt returns and kick returns 147 punt 669 kick return 816 total returns)

Also in the defensive backfield are:

• Jesse Monteiro FR 
• Quayshun Smith JR 1 start 17 TT 2 TFL 2 BU 2 PD
• Jackson Porter FR 
• Ed Saint-Vil RSJR 8 starts 85 TT 0.5 TFL 3 BU 3 PD
• Jaurice Jones SO
• DuVaugh Beckford SO
• DJ Woods FR 6 kick returns 94 yards total
• Lucas Amato FR

True freshmen in 2014

• Jarell Addo FR
• Charan Singh FR

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Scout.com has Buffalo's Khalil Mack on their NFL draft "dream team".

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And now----- college football games in Mexico City?

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The new college football Hall-of-Fame will open in Atlanta in August.

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Friday--April 25th, 2014

Dan Malone has a short article on Jovan Santos-Knox's video tour of the new UMass football performance facility.

I did a blog post on the video back last Saturday.

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Dan also has a story about Upper Deck's Rob Blanchflower rookie card I blogged about yesterday.

NFL.com's draft bio on Blanchflower.

SB Nation blog "Hogs Haven" says Blanchflower best fits with the Redskins, Bucs or the Falcons.

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SB Nation looks at what college football players do during the off season between spring practice and fall camp.

The NCAA just changed the rules to allow mandatory summer workouts.

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The NCAA is looking at how the non-BCS conferences: the American Athletic Conference, USA, MAC, Mountain West and Sun Belt should be tiered.

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Victor Cruz thinks the Giants should target another receiver in the NFL Draft.

Newsday says Cruz is looking for more home runs in 2014.

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Gators transfer Tyler Murphy has been named starting QB for Boston College.

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Penn State boosters look to move the Joe Paterno statue that the University put in storage to downtown State College.

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Thursday--April 24th, 2014

Amazon has only three Upper Deck Rob Blanchflower rookie cards available. Get yours now!

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The Orlando Sentinel ranks UMass #123 out of 129 FBS teams in a preseason review. That image sure doesn't look like Whip.

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WWLP did a survey of UMass students and found less than 1/3 supported a player union.

CBS Sports looks at the can of worms that could be opened if players become employees. Could boosters give a player $100,000 to represent their business? Could the schools fire a player who doesn't perform up to a standard? The Tax Man is sure to be involved; the scholarships could be a taxable fringe benefit...

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USA Today says Khalil Mack rises to elite status in the NFL Draft.

CBS Sports predicts Mack to be #3 overall in the NFL Draft.

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Two former football players, including one from Boston College, are charged with beating a homeless man in Allston.

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The Lions welcome James Ihedigbo.

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Victor Cruz on the Giants new offense.

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Recruiting 2014--Dartez Jacobs

Hudl.com image

Several recruiting services report UMass has offered to Dartez Jacobs, a 6-2 200 pound safety from College of the Canyons, CA. Jacobs will have two years of eligibility to use in three years.

In his sophomore JUCO year, Jacobs had 31 TT, 1 INT and 1 BKUP.

Scout.com page here.

Wednesday--April 23rd, 2014

Downey #41

Dan Malone profiles freshman LB Da'Sean Downey. His UMass bio is here.

At 6-5 240, Downey is blessed with a BCS---- or NFL for that matter sized body. As an early enrollee he could play significant role in the 2014 defense. Both Steve Casali and Shane Huber did not take part in the spring game. In August, when everybody should be healthy, the linebacker corps should be a strength of the defense.

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OOC opponent Penn State is slated for a lot of prime time TV this year.

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A Virginia Tech blogger thinks Tyler Murphy will be Boston College's starting QB when the Eagles meet UMass on August 30th.

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Southeast commissioner Mike Silve spoke at UMass last week concerning the new BCS football subdivision.

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A NESN Patriots mock draft includes Rob Blanchflower.

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Victor Cruz, one year later.

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Because the state legislature has solved all the state's other problems.

The Massachusetts state sandwich.

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Recruiting 2015-- Danny Thomas II

I've blogged about Danny Thomas, a 6-2 220 pound LB/DE from Tallahassee, FL before.

Thomas just picked up an offer from UAB.

Thomas now has 14 offers including Western Michigan and Miami (Ohio) from the MAC

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Tuesday--April 22nd, 2014

Dan Malone reports UMass has added Florida International to it's 2015 and 2018 schedule.

The FIU notice is here. In 2013 FIU went 1-11 with a loss to Bethune-Cookman. The Panthers did have a nice win over UAB for their homecoming.

FBS Schedules has a post on the match-up.

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Matty Vautour looks at the ramifications of future UMass schedules.

I'm not sure on how to read the tea leaves on future schedules. Playing four BCS teams as OOC opponents is brutal. No one else does this (see my blog post of April 15th). Playing two money games would be good and three would be pushing the limit if we want to have an chance for a winning season.

Probably the ideal schedule would be two money games, one winnable FBS game such as FIU and one  local FCS game such as Maine, UNH or RI.

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The Sun-Sentinel looks at the results of FIU's spring game.

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Meanwhile, Akron is looking forward to a big 2014 season.

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Will Penn State change their uniforms for 2014?

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OT, but this article mentions several players UMass hoops is recruiting.

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Recruiting 2014-- Jamal Danley

Several recruiting services report UMass has offered to Jamal Danley, a 6-5 310 pound OT from East Mississippi Community College.

He's a Scout.com three star player.

247Sports page here.

Partial quote from a April 17th Scout.com article on him: "Danley describes himself as a “better run blocker than pass blocker”, but he said he’s working on his pass blocking. He said that he expects to see a Missouri coach at East Mississippi next week.  

Danley is cognizant of just having two years remaining to play, so early playing time is going to be a major consideration in his decision."

Besides UMass Danley has offers from Cincinnati, Memphis, Missouri, Middle Tennessee State, Mississippi State, South Florida and Temple.