Friday, December 31, 2021

UMass Football Recruiting 2022--Bence Polgar

 


Bence Polgar, a 6-3 288 pound grad transfer center from Buffalo has a UMass offer.

Bulls bio here.

Was a 247Sports two-star recruit.

This article discusses his HS recruiting. 

Polgar was an academic All-MAC and started 11 games for the Bulls. He would be a good fit in Amherst.

Thursday, December 30, 2021

UMass Football News--Cecember 30th, 2021

 

The UMass assistant coaches are completed with the addition of Ben Albert.

Albert was most recently co-defensive coordinator and DL coach for Duke. His Duke bio.

Albert coached at Boston College and with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Albert was a four-year letter winner at UMass 1991, '92,'93 and was captain in 1994. He was first team All Yankee conference in '94. He worked with Coach Brown at BC and should be a valuable addition to the UMass staff.

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

The Berkshire Eagle reports Coach Brown's staff is taking shape.

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

Pitt QB Kenny Pickett is skipping today's Peach Bowl game against Michigan State.

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

UMASS FOOTBALL NEEDS ONE OF THESE.

A t-shirt cannon that can shoot a t-shirt out of the stadium.

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

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

UMass Football Recruiting 2022--Jakovi Bryant

 

Orlando Sentinel image

Jakovi Bryant, a 5-11 178 pound CB transfer from Florida International has a UMass offer.

247Sports three-star player.

This article from 2020 talks about his recruiting and his decision to commit to FIU.

Bryant had five INT's in his senior season as well as 1,000+ yards as an athlete on offense. He could be a steal for UMass and, in addition, since the Minutemen need help everywhere, he could play early and often in Amherst.

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

UMass Football Recruiting 2022--Mac Hollensteiner

 

Twitter image

Mac Hollensteiner, a 6-6 310 pound OL grad transfer has received a UMass offer.

Hollensteiner's Georgetown bio here.

YouTube has his video highlights.

Hollensteiner has an offer from Utah State plus multiple MAC teams. There should be a lot of playing time available in Amherst.

Monday, December 27, 2021

UMass Football Recruiting 2022--Ben Johnson

 

Marist Ahtletic Dept image

Ben Johnson, a 6-3 283 pound graduate OL trasfer has a UMass offer.

Marist bio here.

2nd team All-PFL. 

Johnson gets a mention in this article

Johnson would add some veteran experience to Coach Miller's offensive line. Johnson should be in line to compete for a starting position in Amherst.

Sunday, December 26, 2021

UMass Football Recruiting 2022--Jalen Mackie

Dartmouth athletic dept image

 Jalen Mackie, a 6-1 240 pound grad transfer LB from Dartmouth has a UMass offer.

Big Green bio here.

Was on the Buchanan Award watch list and twice Ivy defensive-player-of-the-week. 

YouTube has 2021 highlights.

Mackie could see a lot of playing time in Amherst with Coach Brown's attacking defense.

Saturday, December 25, 2021

UMass Football Blog--Christmas Day 2021

 

Merry Christmas to all UMass fans, players and coaches. May this year bring us better football.

I'm amazed at Minutemen football fans. You people are hardcore. We really deserve something other than coal in our stockings.

I'm hoping Santa brings us a defense and maybe a Power Five dual-threat QB. Stay merry and bright and we'll see what happens in '22.

Best wishes from me and Mrs. Blog!

Friday, December 24, 2021

UMass Football News 12/24/2021--UMass adds three assistant coaches

 The UMass athletic dept has announced three assistant coaches have joined Coach Brown's staff.


 Former Michigan analyst Mike McCray joins the staff as linebackers coach. Wolverines Wire has a post on McCray's hiring. McCray's Michigan bio.

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


 Joining the staff will be Damian Mincey who will coach running backs. This is the second stint in Amherst for Mincey as he worked as TE coach under Coach Brown. Mincey was an assistant coach for UMass from 2006-2011.

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


 Also joining Coach Brown is Ryan Partridge who will be coaching wide receivers. Tucson.com has a story on Partridge leaving Arizona to come to Amherst. Desert Swarm also has a post on Partridge joining Brown at UMass.

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

Thursday, December 23, 2021

UMass Football Recruiting 2022--George Caratan transfers to UMass

 


George Caratan, a 6-2 210 pound punter from Arkansas has transferred to UMass.

Razorbacks bio here.

Hog Sports has a post on Caratan's entering the transfer portal. 

Caratan played for new UMass coach Jeff Moore at St. Thomas More in Ct.

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

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

UMass Football Recruiting 2022--Ben Bohnenberger transfers to UMass


 Ben Bohnenberger, a 6-5 325 pound OL from Colgate has transferred to UMass.

Bohnenberger's Colgate bio here.

Originally from Mashpee MA, Bohnenberger will have two years of eligibility for the Minutemen. He chose UMass over offers from UNH and Buffalo.

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

UMass Football Recruiting 2022--Juan Lua commits to UMass


 Juan Lua, a 6-0 192 pound DB from Saddleback Junior College has committed to UMass.

247Sports page here.

Saddleback stats here.

Hudl.com has video.

This article from 2019 mentions Lua. 

UMass need defensive help everywhere. Lua should be in the mix for 2022.

Monday, December 20, 2021

UMass Football Recruiting 2022--Jamal Hood

247Sports image

UMass has offered to Jamal Hood, a 6-0 180 pound DB from Baltimore, MD.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

De-committed from BC on 12/15/2021.

Hood has eleven offers, mostly from Power Five schools. UMass and Liberty have also offered. Hood would have an opportunity to play early and often in Amherst

Sunday, December 19, 2021

UMass Football News--December 19th, 2021

 

Coach Brown has hired Steve Casula as offensive coordinator and QB coach.

Maize & Brew has a post on Michigan offensive analyst Steve Casula joining the Minutemen.

MLive also has a report on Casula being named offensive coordinator in Amherst.

Casula was OC plus TE's and RB's coach for Ferris State in their run to the National Championship. His Ferris State bio

MLive has a post on his being hired at Michigan.

This looks like a good hire for the Minutemen. He does need more offensive weapons than just running Ellis Merriweather between the tackles to be successful.

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

Coastal Carolina beat Northern Illinois for their first ever bowl win. This was a terrific college football game. Seven lead changes and Northern Illinois had a change to win with seven seconds left.

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

Liberty ran all over Eastern Michigan 56-20.

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

Saturday, December 18, 2021

UMass Football News--December 18th, 2021

 


UMass DB Bryce Watts declares for the NFL draft.

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

Toledo falls to Middle Tennessee State in the Bahamas Bowl.

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

JMU lost to North Dakota State in the FCS semifinals.

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

Eastern Michigan and Liberty hook up today at 4:45 pm in the Lending Tree Bowl.

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

OT, but Coach Calipari organized a tornado relief telethon for Kentucky.

Coach Cal raised $3 million for the relief fund.

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

Friday, December 17, 2021

UMass Football News--December 17th, 2021

 

 

 Coach Dudzinski officially join Brown's staff.

Arizona Desert Swarm has a post on Dudzinski joining the Minutemen.

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

The Hampshire Gazette reports Coach Brown's recruiting efforts leads to nine additions to the UMass roster.

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

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" has "What we learned about UMass' early signing period".

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

Toledo plays today against Middle Tennessee State in the Bahamas Bowl.

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

Coastal Carolina plays Northern Illinois at 6:00 pm in the Tail Greeter Cure Bowl.

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

Thanks to the Blog reader who sent me the link to this Tweet saying Penn offensive coordinator Kevin Morris will not return next year.

Morris' Penn bio

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

Thursday, December 16, 2021

UMass Football Recruiting 2022--Tyler Leinberger and Luke Dobson join UMass

 

Included in yesterday's early signing class was Tyler Leinberger, a 6-5 310 pound OL from Chester, VA.

247Sports two-star player.

Hudl.com has video.

This article relates how Leinberger used the COVID shutdown to make himself into a Division I football player.

Leinberger originally committed to East Carolina, but reopened his recruiting. He should be a nice addition to the Minutemen offensive line.

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


Also joining this year's class as a PWO,Luke Dobson, a 5-10 165 pound kicker/punter from St. Vincent HS in Ohio.

Named one of the top players in the Cleveland-Akron area.

Kornblue kicking camp video here

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

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

UMass Football Recruiting 2022--Early Signing Day

 

Today is the first day of the early signing period. The window is open for 72 hours, which means Friday. The regular signing day is Feb 2nd, 2022.

247Sports currently has UMass with six hard commits and two transfers

On offense the Minutemen need a starting QB and running backs. On defense, UMass needs size, athleticism and speed everywhere. 

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

Sports Illustrated asks if this will be the last early signing day.

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

UMass met its goal for raising $1 million for the football improvement fund. 

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

I'll do some updates later today and again tomorrow.

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






 



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



Tuesday, December 14, 2021

UMass Football News--December 14th, 2021

 Bob McGovern, who was one of the best UMass reporters, has a guest report on the "Fight Massachusetts" 247Sports site. Bob talks about the various Minutemen powers-that-be supporting UMass' search for conference affiliation. 

IMHO, the UMass administration needs to grab any offer to join a conference. Right now the Minutemen have no bowl tie-ins, no TV package and no income from the FBS playoff revenue sharing.

I don't think there are any conceivable circumstances where UMass would get an offer from a Power Five conference. Look at UConn. The Husky fabulously successful basketball programs, both male and female, got UConn absolutely nothing in regards to a Power Five offer. 

Should UMass consider an "all-sports" offer if that is what it takes to join a conference? The only sport that would really be affected is basketball. The current A10 roster is definitely not the old Atlantic Eight with UMass playing Penn State, Rutgers and Pitt every year. I don't think leaving the A10 would make much of a difference to UMass hoops fans.

We'll have to wait and see what shakes out.

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

Meet Walt Bell, the man charged with fixing Indiana's offense.

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

UMass ended up playing six bowl teams in 2021. Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Army, Boston College, Pitt and Coastal Carolina are all going to bowls. Florida State ended 5-7 and is not bowl-eligible.

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

Monday, December 13, 2021

UMass Football Recruiting 2022--Zukudo Igwenagu transfers to UMass

 


Zukudo Igwenagu, a 6-4 235 pound LB/DE has transferred to UMass.

247Sports page here.

This article describes his entering the transfer portal.

Was a Top-40 football recruit (last twenty years) from Massachusetts.

Igwenagu had a UMass offer back in 2018. Rutgers had him playing TE last year, but I would think he would go back to defense for the Minutemen.

Sunday, December 12, 2021

UMass Football Recruiting 2022--Nadame Tucker

Twitter image

 Nadame Tucker, a 6-3 235 edge rusher  from Hutchinson C.C. has a UMass offer.

247Sports page here.

Originally committed to South Alabama.

Hudl.com has video.

Tucker has 17 offers including Buffalo and Temple from the Northeast. He also has Power Five offers from Kansas and Arizona State. He could be an instant starter off the edge in Amherst and would have a lot of fun in Brown's attacking defense.

Saturday, December 11, 2021

UMass Football Recruiting 2022--Tyler Rudolph transfers to UMass


 Tyler Rudolph, a 6-1 204 pound safety has transferred to UMass.

247Sports page here.

Penn Live has a story on his transfer. 

Rudolph was a four-star recruit out of HS. He's graded as a three-star transfer by 247Sports. He played for new UMass coach Jeff Moore at Loomis Chaffee in CT. The Minutemen defense needs a total rebuild. Hopefully, Rudolph will be one of the building blocks. He has three years of eligibility left.

Friday, December 10, 2021

UMass Football News--December 10th, 2021

 Coach Brown adds to his new staff.


The CT Post has an article from 2018 saying Jeff Moore turns St Thomas Moore into a powerhouse.

He was hired from Loomis Chaffee in CT.

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


Perkins was last at UConn as defense backs coach.

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

Howard Herman of the Berkshire Eagle reports with Brown at the helm, UMass football moves forward.

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

The Hampshire Gazette says the Minutemen's football staff is growing. 

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

Lots of football on TV today. Toledo plays Middle Tennessee State at noon and Coastal Carolina meets Northern Illinois at 6:00, both on ESPN video.

Good FCS game at 7:00 pm as James Madison meets Montana in a FCS quarterfinal game on ESPN2.

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

Thursday, December 09, 2021

UMass Football News--December 9th, 2021

 

Hampshire Gazette image

Nathan Strauss reports that Coach Brown has hired Central's Valdamar Brower as UMass' new defensive line coach. Brower has been very successful as Central's head coach.

Brower lettered for UMass four straight years 2000 to 2003. He was first team All-A10 in 2001, '02 and '03. Second team All-American in 2003.

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

Mark Whipple joins Nebraska's staff as offensive coordinator and QB coach.

Whipple will be operating without Huskers QB Adrian Martinez, who entered the transfer portal. Martinez was three-time captain and had 38 starts for Nebraska.

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

The Bahamas Bowl will play tomorrow at noon. Toledo vs Middle Tennessee state.

Yahoo Sports predicts a Rockets victory.

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

Wednesday, December 08, 2021

UMass Football News--December 8th, 2021

 

Kelly Presnell image

247Sports reports Keith Dudzinski will join Coach Brown at UMass. 

Dudzinski's Arizona bio.

Tucson.com has a short post on Dudzinski's leaving for Amherst.

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

Mark Whipple resigns from Pitt the day after Kenny Pickett is name a Heisman finalist.

Pat Narduzzi comments on Whipple's leaving.

Omaha.com reports Nebraska was close to signing Whipple as offensive coordinator. 

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

Tuesday, December 07, 2021

UMass Football News--December 7th, 2021

 The Daily Hoosier reports former UMass coach Walt Bell has been hired as offensive coordinator for Indiana.

MassLive also has a post on Bell's hiring.

The Hampshire Gazette also has a story on Bell becoming Indiana's OC.

As the stories relate, this is good news for UMass as Bell's earnings will offset the cost of his buyout. Which, in turn means there will be more funding available for Brown's new staff.

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

If you missed it, Pitt beat Wake Forest 45-21 to win it's first ACC championship. I watched the game and Coach Whipple got a lot of air time during the broadcast.

In addition, Pitt QB Kenny Pickett is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.

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

Toledo will play Middle Tennessee on 12/17/21 in the Bahamas Bowl. The Rockets have been bowl eligible for eleven straight years.

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

Monday, December 06, 2021

UMass Football Recruiting 2022--Wallace Unamba

Marvin Hillhouse image

 UMass has offered to Wallace Unamba, a 6-5 320 pound OL from Kilgore Junior College in Texas.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

First Team All-Conference.

Besides UMass, Unamba has offers from Maryland, UTEP and Texas Southern. 

Sunday, December 05, 2021

UMass Football News--December 5th, 2021

 Howard Herman of the Berkshire Eagle asks: Can Don Brown get UMass on the right track?

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


Avien Peah declares for the NFL Draft.

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

Evan Deckers enters the transfer portal.

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


Dalton Tomlinson enters the transfer portal.

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


Saturday, December 04, 2021

UMass Football Recruiting 2022--Ty Harding commits to UMass

 


Ty Harding, a 5-9 180 pound athlete from Cambridge, MA has verbaled to UMass.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

1st Team All ISL.

Harding also drew interest from Arkansas State and Harvard.

Friday, December 03, 2021

UMass Football Recruiting 2022--Jalen Stewart commits to UMass


 

Jalen Stewart, s 6-1 225 pound LB from Monroe College in Pennsylvania has committed to UMass.

247Sports bio here.

Monroe college bio here.

This Q & A from 2018 features Stewart.

UMass needs LB help badly. Stewart should in the mix early in Amherst.

Thursday, December 02, 2021

UMass Football News--December 2nd, 2021

 


I watched the on-line press conference for Coach Brown last evening. He said UMass is home and he enjoys a challenge (he'll be getting one with the Minutemen). Brown said he was not going to watch tape from last season. He focused on the future.

Brown seem to say he was going to hit the transfer portal to fill in some immediate gaps in the roster.On defense UMass needs linebackers, defensive ends and a pass rush specialist. UMass averaged less than one sack/game in 2021.

Brown said he would keep Alex Miller as offensive line coach. No decision on the other coaches yet.

The entire press conference is available here.

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

MassLive reports Brown is eager to build on his legacy in Amherst.

The Hampshire Gazette says Don Brown is a UMass football guy.

The Gazette also reports it's been a full circle for Coach Brown.

The Boston Herald says Brown is upbeat.

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

Wednesday, December 01, 2021

UMass Football News--December 1st, 2021


 UMass will live stream a presser at 5:00 pm EST for Don Brown.

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

MassLive reports former UMass A.D. Ian McCaw believes Don Brown is the right coach for UMass.

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

UMass and UConn complete their 2022 schedules by scheduling a November 5th, 2022 game at UConn. 

UMass' 2022 schedule:

 09/03 - at Tulane
    09/10 - at Toledo
    09/17 - Stony Brook
    09/24 - at Temple
    10/01 - at Eastern Michigan
    10/08 - Liberty
    10/15 - Buffalo
    10/29 - New Mexico State
    11/05 - at UConn
    11/12 - at Arkansas State
    11/19 - at Texas A&M
    11/26 - Army

UMass could have a chance of winning against Tulane (2-10), Stony Brook (5-6), New Mexico State (2-10), UConn (1-11) and Arkansas State (2-10).

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

Minutemen CB Bryce Watts declares for the NFL draft.

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