QB
#10 Kellen Pagel QB RS JR 6-3
212 Stongsville, Ohio/Strongsville H.S/Bowling Green--8 games played, 7 starts.
17 carries for 28 yards and 2 TD. 153-267 passing for 1725 yards and 9 TD.
#06 Brandon Hill QB RS SO 6-5 218 Audubon, N.J./Audubon H.S.--5 games
played, 3 starts. 16 carries for -104 yards. 49-84 passing for 598 yards and 3
TD.
#11 Mike Wegzyn QB FR 6-5 215 Knoxville, Tenn./Knoxville Catholic
H.S.--No stats in 2011.
#13 Matthew Quinn QB RS SO 6-3 210 Seekonk, Mass./Proctor Academy--No
stats in 2011.
#12 Ian Shultis QB SR 6-2 194 Thousand Oaks, Calif./Thousand Oaks
H.S/Moorpark College--No stats in 2011.
The Minutemen come into 2012 with
2 quarterbacks with game experience in junior Kellen Pagel and sophomore
Brandon Hill. Pagel is the likely starter after making 7 starts in 2011 with
over 1700 yards passing for the UMASS offense. Hill earned 3 starts that saw
him pass for nearly 600 yards and 3 touchdowns last fall. Wegzyn, Quinn, and
Shultis should all be battling for the 3rd quarterback spot with no real shot
at the starting job.
RB
#20 Alan Williams TB RS SR 5-8
191 Framingham, Mass./Framingham H.S./Wilbraham Monson Academy--5 games played.
35 carries for 140 yards and 1 TD. 1 catch for 4 yards.
#28 Jordan Broadnax RB SO 5-9 175 Virginia Beach, Va./Landstown High
School--7 games played. 35 carries for 117 yards.
#05 Jamar Smith TB RS JR 5-11 202 Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton H.S.--3
games played. 10 carries for 14 yards.
#31 Brian Dowling RB SO 5-9 190 Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills H.S.--10 games played.
8 kickoff returns for 15.8 yard average. 1 tackle.
#24 Chris Burns HB RS SR 5-10 202 Wilmington,
Pa./Wilmington/Pittsburgh--4 games played. 2 tackles.
#33 Jamal Wilson RB RS FR 5-10 190 Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas
Aquinas H.S.--Redshirted in 2011.
#21 Matthew Carini RB RS SO 5-10 200 Franklin, Mass./Franklin/New
Hampshire--No stats in 2011.
Senior Alan Williams and
sophomore Jordan Broadnax look to split carries for the Minuteman offense in
similar fashion to 2011. Williams carried the ball 35 times last fall for 140
yard and a touchdown. Broadnax was right behind him with 35 carries for 117
yards on the season as a redshirt freshman. Junior Jamar Smith saw the ball 10
times for only 14 yards but should earn some playing time and move the running
back situation into a three-headed monster.
TE
#87 Rob Blanchflower TE RS JR
6-4 250 Leominster, Mass./St. John's H.S. Shrewsbury--11 games played, 8
starts. 18 catches for 208 yards and 1 TD.
#42 Dan Foesel TE RS FR 6-3 240 Wayne, N.J./DePaul Catholic--Redshirted
in 2011.
#85 Brandon Howard TE RS FR 6-5 250 Wrentham, Mass./Worcester
Academy--Redshirted in 2011.
#80 John McGrath TE RS FR 6-4 250 Hamden, Conn./Hamden HS--Redshirted
in 2011.
With no one else stepping up,
junior Rob Blanchflower stepped up in 2011 and made 18 catches for the
Minuteman offense but only 1 touchdown. Look for Blanchflower to get the
majority of the snaps at tight end although Foesel, Howard, and McGrath will
fight to earn the backup spot and earn playing time.
WR
#26 Marken Michel WR SO 5-10 185 Plantation, Fla./American Heritage
H.S.--11 games played. 2 carries for 1 yard. 1 tackle. 3 catches for 31 yards
and 1 TD.
#19 Chase Danska WR SR 5-9 173 Pleasant Hill, Calif./College
Park/Diablo Valley Junior College--11 games played. 1 catch for 6 yards. 11
kickoff returns for 10.7 yard average.
#15 Shawn Campbell WR RS SO 6-2 205 Woodstock, Conn./Hartford Public
H.S./Hyde School--1 game played.
#81 Julian Colarusso WR RS SR 6-4 225 Quincy, Mass./Catholic Memorial
H.S.--10 games played.
#34 Derek Beck WR FR 6-4 205 North Bridgeton, Maine/Bridgewater-Raritan
HS--Freshman.
#04 Jaurice Jones WR FR 6-1 180 Linden, N.J./Linden HS--Freshman.
#22 Rodney Mills WR FR 6-1 205 Gainsville, Fla./Jefferson HS--Freshman.
#16 Elgin Long WR RS FR 5-10 189 Arlington, Texas/Arlington Bowie
H.S.--Redshirted in 2011.
#18 Andre Hill WR RS JR 6-2 190 Carson, Calif./Narbonne H.S./LA Harbor
Community College--No stats in 2011.
#?? Deion Walker WR SR 6-3 Christchurch, Va./Notre Dame--Transfer from
Notre Dame. eligible immediately.
The Minutemen return only 4
catches from last fall with sophomore Marken Michel (3 catches) and senior
Chase Danska (1 catch). Sophomore Shawn Campbell and senior Julian Colarusso
also played in 2011 accumulating no stats but must battle alarge group of
inexperienced players for playing time. Former Notre Dame wide receiver Deion
Walker joins the team for one year and is expected to make a big splash in his
one year in Massachusetts.
OL
#72 Nick Speller LT RS SR 6-5
334 Baltimore, Md./Edmondson-Westside H.S./Syracuse--11 games played, 11
starts.
#51 Quinton Sales C RS SR 6-2
290 Fort Washington, Md./Friendly H.S.--11 games played, 10 starts.
#65 Malcolm Speller LG SR 6-4
300 Baltimore, Md./Paul Laurence Dunbar HS/Bowie State--2 games played.
#74 Stephane Milhim RG RS SR 6-5
315 Pembroke Pines, Fla./Charles Flanagan H.S.--11 games played, 10 starts.
#66 Anthony Dima RT RS JR 6-7
302 Centereach, N.Y./Centereach/Hofstra--11 games played, 11 starts.
#79 Vincent Westcarr LT RS JR 6-4 308 Miramar, Fla./Miramar H.S.--3
games played.
#60 Anddy Moas C SO 6-4 295 Pembroke Pines, Fla./West Broward H.S.--2
games played, 1 start.
#71 Ryan Young RT RS SO 6-5 293 Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley H.S.--No stats
in 2011.
#76 Jamie Casselberry OL RS FR 6-6 280 Chicago, Ill./Phillips Andover
Academy--Redshirted in 2011.
#70 John Wallace OL RS FR 6-4 275 Sommerville, Mass./Sommerville
H.S.--Redshirted in 2011. 1 game played.
#68 Mike Kahale OL RS SO 6-2 260 Marlborough, Mass./Marlborough
H.S.--No stats in 2011.
#61 Frank Barile OL JR 6-2 240 Nahant, Mass./Swampscott HS--No stats in
2011.
The most experienced area of the
UMASS team is its offensive line with 4 of the 5 projected starters making 10+
starts last fall. Speller (11 starts), Sales (10 starts), Milhim (10 starts),
and Dima (10 starts) are all experienced and should make the base of a very
strong offensive line. Left Guard Malcolm Speller looks to step into the
starting lineup after playing in 2 games as a reserve in 2011. His development
as a starter is the single most important question for the offensive line this
fall.
DL
#93 Kevin Byrne DT RS JR 6-3 290
Mashpee, Mass./Mashpee H.S.--8 games played, 8 starts. 26 tackles, 1 for loss.
#95 Brandon Potvin DT RS JR 6-1
262 Worcester, Mass./Holy Name Catholic H.S.--11 games played, 7 starts. 36
tackles, 4.5 for loss. 1 sack, 1 pbu, 1 pd.
#99 Charles Thompson NT RS SR
6-2 282 Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck H.S.--11 games played, 11 starts. 35 tackles, 4
for loss. 3 sacks, 2 pbu, 2 pd.
#49 Galen Clemons NT RS JR 6-2 275 Danielsville, Pa./Northampton
Area/Central Michigan--11 games played. 23 tackles, 2 for loss. 1.5 sacks.
#91 Tyler Major DL RS JR 6-1 290 New London, Conn./New London H.S.--2
games played.
#54 Trey Seals DL RS FR 6-4 231 Columbia, S.C./Spring Valley HS--Redshirted
in 2011.
#98 Daniel Maynes DL RS SR 6-2 230 Waltham, Mass./Waltham Senior--No
stats in 2011.
With the Minutemen running a 3-4
defense, experienced players are very important for the transition to the MAC
conference. Junior Kevin Byrne (26 tackles), junior Brandon Potvin (36
tackles), and Cahrles Thompson (35 tackles) combined for 26 starts and look to
be a very impressive defensive line this fall for the Minutemen. Clemons (23
tackles) and Major will be in the rotation and get extensive playing time this
fall in relief of the starters.
LB
#46 Chad Hunte OLB SR 5-11 212
Brookline, Mass./Brookline/Northeastern--11 games played, 10 starts. 58
tackles, 2 for loss.
#44 Perry McIntyre ILB SR 6-1
240 Royal Palm Beach, Fla./Royal Palm Beach H.S.--11 games played, 10 starts. 116
tackles, 11.5 for loss. 6.5 sacks, 2 pbu, 2 pd.
#47 Tim Brandt ILB RS JR 6-0 212
Natick, Mass./Natick H.S.--11 games played. 33 tackles, 3.5 for loss. 3 sacks,
1 pbu, 1 pd, 1 fumble recovery.
#07 D.J. Adeoba OLB RS SR 5-11
217 Hollywood, Fla./Hollywood Hills H.S.--11 games played, 3 starts. 30
tackles, 2 for loss. 1 interceptions, 3 pbu, 4 pd, 1 forced fumble.
#35 Stanley Andre LB RS SO 6-2 240 Dorchester, Mass./Reading H.S.--1
game played. 1 tackle.
#56 Greg Hilliard OLB SO 6-3 205 Brockton, Mass./Brockton/Suffield
Academy--10 games played. 8 tackles, 0.5 for loss. 0.5 sacks.
#25 Matt Campbell LB RS SO 6-1 235 Attleboro, Mass./Attleboro H.S.--11
games played, 1 start. 1 carry for 1 yard.
#55 Ryan Delaire LB RS SO 6-4 245 Windsor, Conn./Windson H.S.--10 games
played. 9 tackles, 1 for loss. 0.5 sacks.
#37 Tom Brandt ILB RS JR 6-0 215 Natick, Mass./Natick H.S.--9 games
played, 1 start. 9 tackles, 1 for loss. 1 sack.
#34 Carlito Weaver LB RS JR 5-11 215 Brockton, Mass./Brockton HS--3
games played. 2 tackles.
Just like with the rest of the
Minuteman defense, the linebacker corps is very experienced coming into the
2012 season. Senior Perry McIntyre made an impressive 116 tackles in 11 games
from his inside linebacker spot. Beside him in the middle is junior Tim Brandt
who made 33 tackles and 3 sacks from his inside linebacker spot. The outside
linebackers are senior Chad Hunte (58 tackles) and senior DJ Adeoba (30
tackles). This quartet combined for 23 starts but all 4 starters played in
every game last fall. The Minutemen have 6 other linebackers that made tackles
in limited action and are ready to step in and increase their roles this fall.
DB
#02 Antoine Tharpe CB JR 5-10
190 Lauderhill, FL/Coral Springs Charter School--9 games played, 9 starts. 31
tackles, 2 for loss. 7 pbu, 7 pd.
#06 Ed Saint-Vil S RS SO 5-11
190 Miramar, Fla./Hollywood Hills H.S.--9 games played, 8 starts. 35 tackles,
1.5 for loss. 2 pbu, 2 pd, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble.
#27 Darren Thellen S RS SR 6-2
207 Brockton, Mass./Brockton H.S.--11 games played, 11 starts. 68 tackles. 5
interceptions, 3 pbu, 8 pd. 1 defensive touchdown.
#09 Christian Birt CB RS JR 6-2
197 Laconia, N.H./Laconia H.S.--10 games played, 2 starts. 31 tackles, 1 for
loss. 1 interception, 4 pbu, 5 pd.
#12 Quayshun Smith CB SO 5-9 160 Tallahassee, Fla./Godby H.S.--7 games
played, 1 start. 7 tackles. 2 pbu, 2 pd.
#29 Ryan Carter S RS JR 5-11 188 North Laurel, Md./Bedford H.S.
(Mass.)--11 games played, 1 start. 19 tackles, 2 for loss. 1 sack, 1
interception, 1 pd, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble.
#17 Randall Jette S RS FR 5-11 175 Oak Bluffs, Mass./Martha's Vineyard
H.S.--Redshirted in 2011.
#30 Iric Harris DB RS FR 5-8 175 Woodbridge, Va./Hylton
H.S.--Redshirted in 2011.
#32 Ryan Collins DB JR 6-1 188 Walpole, Mass./Walpole H.S--7 games
played. 5 tackles.
#08 Mike Lee DB RS JR 6-1 185 McDonough, Ga./Eagle's Landing H.S.--3
games played, 3 starts. 9 tackles, 2 for loss. 1 pbu, 1 pd.
With a combined 30 starts among
the projected starting secondary, UMASS should be well represented. Safety
Darren Thellen made 68 tackles and 5 interceptions from the back end with
sophomore Ed Saint-Vil making 35 tackles from the other safety spot last fall.
Antoine Tharpe (31 tackles) and Christian Birt (31 tackles) were solid from
their cornerback spots but only combined for 1 interception and must increase
that total this fall. Smith (7 tackles), Carter (19 tackles) and Collins (5 tackles)
all look to get into the rotation with Jette, Harris and Lee also battling for
playing time.
P
#41 Jeff Strait P RS JR 6-0 197
Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central H.S.--11 games played. 34 punts for a 37.3 yard
average and 10 inside the 20 yard line and 5 over 50 yards. 1 blocked.
Junior Jeff Straight looks to
expand his role this fall after only averaging 37.3 yard per punt on 34
attempts last fall. Straight landed 10 inside the 20 yard line and boomed 5
over 50 yards with one blocked. He must improve those totals to become a weapon
for the UMASS special teams.
K
#96 Brendon Levengood K/P RS JR
6-1 197 Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest H.S.--9 games played. 5-7 field goal attempts
with a long of 38 yards. 18-23 extra point attempts. 8 kickoffs with 3
touchbacks.
Junior Brendon Levengood was a
solid 5-7 on field goal attempts last fall with a long of 38 yards but was less
than impressive missing 5 of his 23 extra point attempts. Levengood also kicked
off 8 times with 3 touchbacks but will be making more kickoffs with 2 kickers
leaving the program following the 2011 season.
LS
#59 Vance Barton LS RS JR 6-2 236 Albany, N.Y./Burr and Burton
Academy--No stats in 2011.
The Minutemen are jumping right
into things as a full-fledged member of the MAC in 2012. UMASS starts with a road
trip to Connecticut, a home game versus Indiana, and a trip to Ann Arbor to
face Big 10 foe Michigan. If the Minutemen win 1 of the 3 opening games, there
would be significant cause for celebration. The Minutemen face Miami OH, WMU,
NIU, and Akron on the road in-conference with Ohio, Bowling Green, Buffalo, and
CMU at home in addition to a late season trip to Nashville to face SEC up and
comer Vanderbilt. 2 wins would be reasonable for the Minutemen although if
things go really well, 4 wins is possible.
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