Thursday--June 2nd, 2016

This article from Tennesse Titans site reports Tajae Sharpe is already taking reps with Titans starters.

Partial quote from the above article:

“He has made the plays. He has been very impressive in the one-on-ones where he is going against No.1 corners...He is playing like he has been in the league for a while.”

Sharpe, the team’s fifth-round pick out of Massachusetts, has consistently caught the football in practices. Mularkey complimented his poise, and approach."

The Tennessean says Sharpe is winning rave reviews.

Titan Sized.com says Sharpe is already standing out.

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Thanks to the blog reader who pointed me to this article about UMass' excellent bond rating. You remember McGuirk was built with a bond issue at no cost to the Taxpayers.

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CBS Sports looks at the SEC West including 2016 opponent Mississippi State.

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In 2015 UMass offered to Imhotep DE Shaka Tony. He ended up at Penn State. He says Temple could have had his whole class at state champion Imhotep Charter.

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While other NY Giants run OTA drills, Victor Cruz works out on the sidelines with a trainer.

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Recruiting 2016--Tyler Thompson

Russ DeSantis image

The Ashbury Park Press features UMass recruit Tyler Thompson in this article dated today. (fixed link)

I've blogged about Thompson before.

Quote from the article:

"So after rushing for 1,478 yards as a sophomore, Thompson returned as a senior to rush for 1,572 yards and 21 TDs, as well as catching 17 passes for 286 yards and two TDs. He finished his career with 4,866 yards rushing and 52 TDs."

This article from 2015 talks about Thompson's rehab after his severe injury in his sophomore year.

This article reports Thompson chose UMass over offers from UConn, BC, Old Dominion, Syracuse and Virginia.

Wednesday--June 1st, 2016

Wow! 2016 is moving right along folks. To prove it I picked up Athalon 2016 College Preview magazine yesterday at the grocery store. It's the first of this year's preview magazines I've seen.

They pick us #127, ahead of North Texas. They predict UMass as 1-11.

Athlon predicts UMass opponents:

Florida 8-4 5-3 SEC, third in the SEC East
Boston College 6-6 2-6 ACC , sixth in the ACC Atlantic Division
Florida International 4-8 3-5 CUSA, sixth in the Conference USA East
Mississippi State 6-6 2-6 SEC, seventh in the SEC West
Tulane 2-10 0-8 AAC, last in the AAC West
Old Dominion 6-6 4-4 CUSA, fifth in the CUSA East
Louisiana Tech 7-5 5-3 CUSA, second in the CUSA West
South Carolina 4-8 1-7 SEC last in the SEC East
Wagner--not rated in their FCS pages
Troy 6-6 4-4 Sun Belt, fourth in the Sun Belt (no divisions)
BYU 6-6 Independent
Hawaii 3-10 1-7 Mountain West, last in the Mountain West's West Division

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Nick Saban still hates satellite camps.

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The Dallas News says 6 to 8 Big 12 schools support expansion.

One unverified report says the Big 12 won't expand or launch their own TV network

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The AAC is focusing on growth according to the Orlando Sentinel.

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Victor Cruz can contend for the NFL's Comeback Player-of-the-Year Award.

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Recruiting 2016--Bentely Easley II

JUCO Football Frenzy says Bentley Easley, a 6-3 320 pound DT from Coffeeville, JUCO will visit
UMass this Thursday.

I blogged about Easley last week.

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Tuesday--May 31st, 2016

The Wall Street Journal says Victor Cruz faces a a giant hurtle in his comeback attempt.

Hauteliving.com reports on the "All-American" Victor Cruz.

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A NY website previews 2016 opponent FIU.

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ESPN breaks down 2016 opponent Mississippi State post Spring ball.

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Former UMass A.D. Ian McCaw to resign at Baylor.

USA Today reports he resigned last evening.

Baylor hires former Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe as interim coach.

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OTHER THAN THAT, IT WAS A PERFECT PLAN

One of Mrs Blog's relatives is graduating this year. We've been involved in several of the class activities such as Senior Awards Night, etc.

For their Senior Prank, several members of the class snuck in and spray painted "Class of 2016" slogans on one wall of the boy's locker room-------------and then signed the artwork with their initials.

Recruiting 2018--Cameron Davis

247sports image

Several recruiting services indicate UMass has offered to Cameron Davis, a 5-10 195 pound RB from Opa Locka, FL.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

Davis has eleven FBS offers including UMass. The Minutemen are Davis' only offer out of the Northeast.

Memorial Day--2016

E-bay has some Tajae Sharpe stuff:

Tennessee Titans draft leaflet

Score Football rookie card.

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The Orlando Sentinel previews 2016 opponent Troy and ranks them #89.

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SB Nation says Baylor football recruiting is collapsing after Art Briles has been fired.

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Florida Gators QB recruit Feleipe Franks can throw a football 78 yards.

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Vegas Insider predicts eight wins for 2016 opponent BYU.

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Recruiting 2017--Auston Burton and James Brown

The Orlando Sentinel has a story about central Florida QBs in the 2017 recruiting class. UMass has offered to two of them.

I've blogged about Auston Burton before. He's a 6-3 203 pound pro-style QB originally from Newton Center, MA. The article says he recently transferred to West Orange, FL.

ESPN page here.

On May 17th, 2016 a Scout.com article on 2017 "sleepers" in the 2017 recruiting class had this to say about Burton.

"Good sized passer who consistently hit the mark with his passes and has good size. Has a UMass offer, but still categorizes as a sleeper in our eyes."

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I've also blogged about James Brown before. He's a 6-4 205 pound pro-style QB from Orlando Jones HS in Florida.

Some of Brown's stats from the Nike Orlando football event (enter James Brown into the search box).

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Saturday--May 28th, 2016

SB Nation is rookies from small schools looking to prove they belong in the NFL. Tajae Sharpe is one of them.

A Titans Online writer likes the looks of Tajae Sharpe after the first week of OTA's (second question).

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MassLive has a story about how UMass welcomed African-American students around the turn of he last century. Several were football players. UMass had a black football coach and William Craighead was captain of the football team in 1905.

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Ole Miss self-imposes a double digit reduction in football scholarships.

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A Bleacher Report writer thinks Don Brown's Michigan defense could be on the best ever in college football.

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FBS went 96-6 against FCS opponents in 2015.

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Recruiting 2017--Sherod Johnson

Andrew Uloza image

Several recruiting services report UMass has offered to Sherod Johnson, a 5-11 174 pound WR from Miami, FL.

247 Sports page here.

MaxPreps has video.

This article says he committed to Syracuse in April, but is still open to visiting other schools.

Johnson has a dozen FBS offers including Temple from the Northeast.

Friday--May 27th, 2016

UMass announces a 12:00 Noon kickoff for UMass-BC on September 10th.

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UMass will attend the football recruiting satellite camp at Cheshire Academy in CT.

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South Point Vegas Sports Book has UMass' win total for 2016 as 2.5. As I pointed out a couple of days ago, few if any,  Group-of-Five teams would be anything other than 0-6 against Florida, BC, Mississippi State, Louisiana Tech, South Carolina and BYU.

UMass should be competitive with FIU, Tulane, Old Dominion, Wagner, Troy and Hawaii. The Minutemen could have a better team than last year and again have three wins. No more Eastern Michigan on the schedule. Our talented 2016 recruiting class should show more wins starting in 2017.

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Former UMass A.D. Ian McGraw has been sanctioned as part of the football troubles at Baylor University.

ESPN has more on Baylor's troubles.

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OT, but the News-Observer says UMass is favored to win the ultimate frisbee tournament.

Quote from the article "we're physical on defense".

Recruiting 2019--Brieon Fuller

Rivals.com image

Several recruiting services indicate UMass has offered to Brieon Fuller, a 6-1 170 pound WR from Miami, FL.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

This article from Scout.com on May 5th features Fuller.

Rivals.com has an article from April 2016 that also covers Fuller.

Besides UMass, Fuller has seven Power Five offers including Syracuse from the Northeast.

Thursday--May 26th, 2016

247Sports takes a look at the South Carolina Gamecocks 2016 schedule.

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The Giants Sterling Shepard says he got to know Tajae Sharpe during the various pre-draft training camps.

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Randal Jette sat out the Packers Tuesday drills.

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SB Nation suggests changes to improve the targeting rule and other stuff to make college football more fun.

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Could the ACC be interested in Temple?

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Recruiting 2016--Bentley Easley

Twitter image

Several recruiting services report UMass has offered to Bentley Easley, a 6-3 320 pound DT from Coffeeville JUCO.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

Originally committed to Idaho back on December 20th.

Recently visited UTSA and Eastern Michigan.

Partial quote from a March 28th article from Scout.com.

"I’m a nose guard with a big body. I can clog the hole, run stop. At the same time, I’m a good pass rusher so I’m versatile. For my size, I’m agile.”

After he visits Eastern Michigan, Easley says he’s looking to make a decision quickly. He plans on enrolling at the school he selects in June."

UMass will be Easley's first FBS offer after Idaho.

Wednesday--May 25th, 2016

ESPN ranks Week #1 SEC games including UMass @ Florida.

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CBS Sports reports today's recruits don't like classic uniforms.

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Speaking about uniforms, UCLA signs a $280 million deal with Under Armour.

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The Deseret News says it's the Big 12 or bust for 2016 opponent BYU.

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Underdog Dynasty looks at 2016 opponent Troy Trojans.

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Louisiana Tech has a challenging early schedule.

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Recruiting 2019--Owen Pappoe

USA Today image

Several recruiting services indicate UMass has offered to Owen Pappoe, a 6-0 200 pound OLB from Loganville, GA.

247Sports page here.

YouTube Video "The Freak".

A partial quote from a May 16th Scout.com article on Pappoe:

"Pappoe is a freak freshman with over 30 scholarship offers.  He started the second half of his freshman season at outside linebacker and he fit right in.  He is very athletic and he really processes things well and plays the game under control. Some that have known him for years think he could be even better as a running back.  Regardless of where he plays, he is going to be one of the best in 2019.  Most top programs in the South have offered. "

This article from March 26th, 2016 features Pappoe.

USA Today has him as the top recruit in the 2019 class.

Pappoe has thirty offers including most of the SEC and Boston College from the Northeast.

Tuesday--May 24th, 2016

Inside the Gators previews UMass and has five questions about the 2016 Minutemen with Dan Malone.

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Victor Cruz and the Giants have a targeted return date.

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Old foe and 2017 opponent Georgia Southern changes its athletic logos.

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Conference USA gets a new TV contract.

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BC's Troy Flutie gets arrested.

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Recruiting 2016--Elijah J. Robinson

Todderick Hunt image

Michael Traini reports UMass has picked up its 17th three-star recruit for August's freshman class.

Robinson is a 6-2 170 pound WR from Monclair, NJ.

Elijah J. Robinson is a 247Sports three-star player.

Hudl.com has senior season highlights.

This article from March 2015 features Robinson.

MaxPreps has stats. In his senior year Robinson had 8 GP 31-626 20.2 AVE 70 LONG 10 TD's

Robinson had offers from Old Dominion, Rutgers and Temple.

He is the fifth WR to join the Minutemen's 2016 class. He joins:

Brennon Dingle 5-9 170 three-stars
Patrick Volcey 6-3 190 two-stars
Infinite Tucker 6-5 195 three-stars
Sadiq Palmer 6-3 185 three-stars.

Seventeen three-star players is one more than BC and should move the Minutemen's 2016 class ranking in the high 70's nationally.

Monday--May 23rd, 2016

The Eagle-Tribune says Boston College's 2016 OOC schedule is a collection of cupcakes.

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Buffalo's Colin Lisa is the fourth former UAB player to transfer back to Blazers.

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AAC team South Florida has been playing their games at Tampa Bay's Raymond James Stadium. They're exploring an on-campus stadium.

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Speaking of the AAC, Campus Insiders previews the 2016 league.

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Pilot Online has a post about Old Dominion's choices if the Big12 grabs one or more of the AAC's teams. Mentions UMass.

Speaking of Old Dominion, our October 8th opponent is previewed by the Orlando Sentinel.

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SB Nation has "UConn makes its case for the Big 12".

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Recruiting 2019--Kenyetta Watson II

247Sports image

Several recruiting services report UMass has offered to Kenyetta Watson II, a 6-1 160 pound Safety from Loganville, GA.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

Attended a Junior Day at Florida State earlier this Spring.

His dad played for BC.

UMass and BC are currently Watson's two offers.