University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Announces 2001 Football Signings
February 07, 2001 | Football
"We have brought in a very solid class this year, especially on defense," said Whipple. "With these players we should be able to create more competition in practice and add a lot of depth to our roster. There are a number of players who we think can contribute for us in the 2001 season, including a few impact players."
The 24 players making up this year's class include 14 on defense and 10 on offense. UMass has added six linebackers, five backs and three linemen on the defensive side of the ball, while bringing in three linemen, three wide receivers, two tailbacks, one quarterback and one tight end for the offense.
UMass returns 10 of 22 position starters from its 2000 squad which finished with an overall record of 7-4 and finished third in the Atlantic 10 Conference with a 5-3 league mark. The Minutemen won the NCAA Division I AA National Championship in 1998, and claimed the Atlantic 10 title in 1999.
2001 UMASS FOOTBALL INCOMING CLASS Name Yr. Pos. Ht. Wt. Isai Bradshaw Fr. LB 6-1 208 Brandon Brudzinski Fr. LB 6-1 210 R.J. Cobbs Fr. DB 5-11 185 Brandon Cook Fr. DL 6-2 270 Mike Douglas Fr. TE 6-2 230 Courtney Holmes Fr. DL 5-11 245 Omari Howard Sr. TB 5-8 215 Shannon James Fr. DB 5-10 180 Rob Kane Fr. OL 6-4 295 Louis Love Fr. LB 6-0 220 O.J. McBride Fr. OL 6-3 279 Jason McQuay Fr. LB 6-2 200 Lamarr Monterio Fr. DB 5-9 165 Matt Parsons Fr. OL 6-2 275 Jason Peebler Fr. WR 6-1 190 Scott Ratliff Fr. QB 6-2 195 Jamel Richardson Fr. WR 6-3 200 Raunny Rosario Fr. TB 5-9 185 Dominique Stewart Fr. WR 6-0 180 Serge Tikum Fr. LB 6-0 213 Gerard Washington Fr. DB 6-1 175 Kellen White Fr. DB 6-0 200 Jonathan Younkins Fr. DL 6-2 265 Mike Ziccardi So. LB 6-0 210
Click on a player's name to view his biographical information.
Isai Bradshaw (Fr., LB, 6-1, 208, Cambridge, Mass., Cambridge Rindge & Latin H.S.)
Totaled 150 tackles and four sacks during his senior season at Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School ... Named an Eastern Massachusetts All-Star ... Earned Greater Boston League All-Star honors ... Selected to play in the Shriner's All-Star Game.
Brandon Brudzinski (Fr., LB, 6-1, 210, Weston, Fla., St. Thomas Aquinas H.S.)
Totaled 86 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, one sack and one interception during his senior season at St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. ... Named first team All-Broward County and first team All-State ... Starter in the Dade County-Broward County All-Star Game ... Father, Bob, played football at Ohio State University, and went on to play 13 seasons in the National Football League ... Father played on three Super Bowl teams, with the 1979 Los Angeles Rams, 1982 Miami Dolphins and 1984 Miami Dolphins ... Comes from the same high school as UMass senior wide receiver Adrian Zullo, sophomore linebacker Jeremy Cain and redshirt freshman quarterback Matt Guice.
R.J. Cobbs (Fr., DB, 5-11, 185, Parsippany Hills, N.J., Parsippany Hills H.S.)
Made 65 tackles with eight interceptions and 32 pass breakups during his senior season at Parsippany Hills ... Also scored 19 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,208 yards and catching 15 passes for 380 yards on offense ... Finished his career with 191 tackles, 18 interceptions and 67 pass breakups, while also rushing for 3,548 yards, catching 68 passes for 1,155 yards and scoring 51 touchdowns ... Set school records for career interceptions (18), single season rushing yards (1,587 as a junior) and most touchdowns in a single game (six) ... Named All-State by the Newark Star Ledger ... A two-time All-Conference, All-Morris County and All-Area selection ... Ranked as the 30th-best prospect in New Jersey and the third-best defensive back in the state by the McCarthy Report ... Also a four-year starter at point guard on the Parsippany Hills basketball team ... Has averaged 20 points per game in basketball this year ... Has scored over 1,000 points in his high school basketball career, while being a two-time All-Morris County and All-Area selection.
Brandon Cook (Fr., DL, 6-2, 270, Groton, Conn., Fitch Senior H.S.)
Recorded 84 tackles, nine sacks and two blocked punts during his senior season at Fitch Senior ... Also caught nine passes for 140 yards and four touchdowns as a tight end ... Led team to two state championships and an overall record of 44-2 during his high school career ... A first team All-State selection by the New Haven Register and the Hartford Courant ... Named first team All-ECC on both offense and defense, while also being selected to the New London Day All-Area team ...?Also plays both basketball and lacrosse at Fitch Senior.
Mike Douglas (Fr., TE, 6-2, 230, Plantation, Fla., Plantation H.S.)
Caught 14 passes for 325 yards and five touchdowns during his senior season at Plantation ... Listed as one of the top 100 players in the state of Florida by Super Prep ... Named second team All-County and honorable mention All-State ... A starter in both the Dade-County-Broward County All-Star Game and the Broward County North South All-Star Game ... Selected to the Florida Coaches Association All-State team.
Courtney Holmes (Fr., DL, 5-11, 245, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Stranahan H.S.)
Recorded 13 sacks, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two blocked punts and two blocked extra points during his senior season ... Totaled 49 sacks during his high school career ... A first team All-Broward County selection by the Miami Herald and the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel ... Named Defensive Player of the Year by the Florida Coaches Association ... A starter in both the Dade-County-Broward County All-Star Game and the Broward County North-South All-Star Game ... Earned first team All-State honors as a senior, after being a second team selection during his junior year.
Omari Howard (Sr., TB, 5-8, 215, Syracuse, N.Y., University of Central Florida)
A transfer from the University of Central Florida, who will have one year of eligibility remaining ... Rushed for 605 yards and nine touchdowns on 144 carries over the last three seasons at Central Florida ... Also caught seven passes for 89 yards ... His top season came in 1999, when he carried 65 times for 327 yards and five scores ... Prior to his time at Central Florida, played one season at Milford (Conn.) Academy ... A 1997 graduate of Corcoran High School in Syracuse, N.Y., where he played for coach Leo Cosgrove ... Rushed for over 1,800 yards and 25 touchdowns during his senior season at Corcoran ... Named a high school All-American by Super Prep, Blue-Chip Illustrated and Parade, in addition to being selected State Player of the Year ...?Attended the same high school as UMass sophomore offensive lineman Carmen Collins.
Shannon James (Fr., DB, 5-10, 180, Stratford, Conn., Bunnell H.S.)
Totaled 55 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries during his senior year at Bunnell ... Also rushed for 1,600 yards and scored 27 touchdowns on offense ... Had career totals of 151 tackles, nine interceptions and six fumble recoveries, in addition to scoring 49 touchdowns, rushing for over 2,500 yards and catching 19 passes for 210 yards ... Set school records for career touchdowns (49), single season rushing yards (1,600), single season touchdowns (27) and single game touchdowns (five) ... Earned first team All-State honors from the New Haven Register and the Hartford Courant ... Also named first team All-SWC and first team All-Connecticut Post ... Earned All-State honors at second base on the baseball team ... Also a member of the Bunnell basketball team.
Rob Kane (Fr., OL, 6-4, 295, Londonderry, N.H., Londonderry H.S.)
A starter on both the offensive and defensive lines at Londonderry ... Selected to the New Hampshire All-State team following his senior season ... Also a member of the track and field team at Londonderry, where he had a career best of over 50 feet in the shot put.
Louis Love (Fr., LB, 6-0, 220, Bryan, Texas, Bryan H.S.)
Recorded 101 total tackles, two sacks and three pass breakups during his senior season ... Had career totals of 155 tackles, five sacks, eight pass breakups, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two blocked punts ... Set a school record for most tackles in a playoff game with 19 against The Woodlands H.S. ... Received the FCA Sportsman of the Year and Outstanding Leader of the Year awards.
O.J. McBride (Fr., OL, 6-3, 279, Sunrise, Fla., Marjory Stoneman Douglas H.S.)
Named first team All-County by both the Miami Herald and the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel following his senior season at Marjory Stoneman Douglas ... A starter in both the Dade-County-Broward County All-Star Game and the Broward County North-South All-Star Game.
Jason McQuay (Fr., LB, 6-2, 200, Eatontown, N.J., Monmouth Regional H.S.)
Totaled 110 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 10 sacks during his senior year at Monmouth Regional ... Had career totals of 317 tackles, 48 tackles for loss and 32 sacks, while also rushing for 1,042 yards on offense ... Set school records for career sacks (32) and career tackles for loss (48) ... A two-time All-Jersey Shore selection by the Asbury Park Press ... Also named All-Conference and All-Division C South two times ... Earned All-Jersey Shore honors from the Asbury Park Press in track and field, where he long jumped 21'10" and high jumped 6'8" ... Also a three-year starter at forward on the Monmouth Regional basketball team.
Lamarr Monterio (Fr., DB, 5-9, 165, Easton, Mass., Oliver Ames H.S.)
Recorded 43 tackles and two interceptions during his senior season at Oliver Ames in North Easton, Mass. ... Also rushed for 1,800 yards and 25 touchdowns at tailback during his senior year ... Had career totals of 116 tackles and six interceptions, to go along with 4,808 rushing yards and 63 touchdowns ... Set school records for single season rushing yards (1,800), single season touchdowns (25) and career touchdowns (63) ... Also ranks fifth all-time in the state of Massachusetts in career rushing yards (4,808) ... A two-time All-Scholastic selection by both the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald ... Named to the Brockton Enterprise All-Scholastic team, while being chosen the Offensive MVP of the Hockomock League ... Selected to play in the Shriner's All-Star Game.
Matt Parsons (Fr., OL, 6-2, 275, Erie, Pa., Cathedral Prep School)
Started at guard for three seasons at Cathedral Prep School ... Led an offensive line which allowed his team to average 379 rushing yards per game and rush for 63 touchdowns during his senior season ... Named first team All-Alleghany Conference and first team All-Metro following his senior year ... Team was ranked No. 1 in Pennsylvania and No. 2 in the nation during the 2000 season.
Jason Peebler (Fr., WR, 6-1, 190, Modesto, Calif., Modesto Central Catholic H.S.)
Caught 13 passes for 453 yards and seven touchdowns during his senior season at Modesto Central Catholic, with an average of almost 35 yards per reception ... Also rushed for 1,458 yards and 20 touchdowns on 125 carries, averaging nearly 12 yards per rush ... Totaled 2,368 all-purpose yards and 193 points as a senior ... Set school records for single season points scored (193), single game touchdowns (six) and single game rushing yards (346) ... Named the Outstanding Offensive Player of the Trans Valley League ... Earned Division 4 All-State honors, in addition to being named All-San Joaquin District ... Also a member of the Modesto Central Catholic track team, where he ran a time of 10.9 in the 100 meter dash and long jumped 21'5".
Scott Ratliff (Fr., QB, 6-2, 195, Helendale, Calif., Granite Hills H.S.)
Completed 95 of 175 passes for 1,016 yards and seven touchdowns during his senior season at Granite Hills in Apple Valley, Calif., while also rushing for four touchdowns ... Over the course of his high school career, completed 169 of 323 passes for 1,737 yards and 13 touchdowns ... Two-time team captain, and two-time team Offensive MVP ... Also pitched on the baseball team at Granite Hills, going 3-1 with 49 strikeouts last season ... Father, Jan, played football and baseball at the University of Michigan.
Jamel Richardson (Fr., WR, 6-3, 200, Syracuse, N.Y., Corcoran H.S.)
Played for coach Leo Cosgrove at Corcoran H.S. ... Had 557 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns during his senior season ... Also returned two punts for touchdowns, and intercepted three passes with one touchdown return in senior year ...?Had career totals for 1,188 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns ... Earned All-State and All Central New York honors following senior season ... Named to the New York Golden 50 ... Selected to play in the New York-New Jersey All-Star game ... A two-time All-League selection ... Also earned All-League honors in basketball, where he averaged 15 points per game.
"Jamel is a big, physical wide receiver, who has great athletic ability. He has the ability to come in and make immediate contributions for our program." -- UMass defensive line coach Frank Forcucci
Raunny Rosario (Fr., TB, 5-9, 185, Lowell, Mass., New Hampton (N.H.) Prep School)
Rushed for 770 yards and nine touchdowns in only six games last season at New Hampton (N.H.) Prep School in ... Set school records at Lowell H.S. for career rushing yards (3,669), career touchdowns (52), single season rushing yards (1,763 as a junior) and single season touchdowns (30 as a junior) ... A two-time Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic and All-State selection ... Named All-Merrimack Valley Conference three times ... 1998 Merrimack Valley Conference Player of the Year and Lowell Sun Offensive Player of the Year ... Also a member of the indoor track team at Lowell, where he went undefeated in the 55 meter dash.
Dominique Stewart (Fr., WR, 6-0, 180, Severn, Md., De Matha Catholic H.S.)
Caught 27 passes for 595 yards and six touchdowns during his senior season at De Matha Catholic in Hyattsville, Md. ... Also recorded 37 solo tackles and two interceptions as a defensive back ... Had career totals of 67 receptions for 1,010 yards and 14 touchdowns, to go along with 110 tackles and 10 interceptions ... Once had a 75-yard touchdown reception, a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, an 80-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown and an interception all in the same game ... Selected second team All-State and second team All WCAC ... Named De Matha Catholic's Offensive MVP.
Serge Tikum (Fr., LB, 6-0, 213, Silver Spring, Md., The Bullis School)
Recorded 121 tackles and 23 sacks during his senior season at the Bullis School in Potomac, Md. ... Also rushed for 1,570 yards and 16 touchdowns on offense ... Had career totals of 313 tackles and 36 sacks, while also rushing for over 3,300 yards and scoring 32 touchdowns ... Set school records for sacks in a single game (five), sacks in a single season (23) and rushing yards in a single season (1,570) ... Named Defensive Player of the Year by the Montgomery Journal ... Also selected Private School Player of the Year ... Named first team All-State and second team All-Met... Also a member of the track and field team at the Bullis School.
Gerard Washington (Fr., DB, 6-1, 175, Columbia, S.C., C.A. Johnson H.S.)
Totaled 86 tackles, four interceptions, 12 pass breakups, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries during his senior season at C.A. Johnson ... Also rushed for 567 yards and three touchdowns on 75 carries, caught 10 passes for 198 yards and three scores, and returned 10 kickoffs for 183 yards ... Named All-Region, All-Area and All-State ... An honorable mention Prep Star All-American ... Ranked as the 27th-best prospect in South Carolina and the third-best defensive back in the state by Prep Star ...Earned three letters in basketball and was an All Region selection in track ... Second cousin of NFL wide receiver Jerry Rice ... Father, Willie, is the Athletic Director at Benedict College in Columbia, S.C. ... Father played basketball at Tougaloo (Miss.) College and professionally in Europe.
Kellen White (Fr., DB, 6-0, 200, Fort Washington, Md., Valley Forge (Pa.) Military Academy
Has enrolled at UMass for the 2001 spring semester ... Played for coach James Burner at Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pa. ... Totaled 53 tackles, two sacks, six quarterback hurries and two interceptions in 1999 ... Also caught 11 passes for 135 yards and a pair of touchdowns while playing at wide receiver ... Younger brother of UMass All-America cornerback Jerard White, who concluded his career in 1999.
Jonathan Younkins (Fr., DL, 6-2, 265, Jacksonville, Fla., University of Idaho)
A transfer from the University of Idaho, who redshirted last season and will have four years of eligibility remaining ... Prior to his time at Idaho, played his prep ball at the Bolles School, where he was a starter for two and a half seasons ...?Recorded 83 total tackles during his senior season, and was named All-Area ... Team won the 1998 State Championship during his junior season, with an overall record of 15-0 ...?Team went 12-2 during his senior year in 1999, and finished third in the state ... Also a member of the track and field team at the Bolles School, throwing the shot put and discus ... Finished second in the 1999 Florida State Weightlifting Championship.
Mike Ziccardi (So., LB, 6-0, 210, Coral Springs, Fla., University of Connecticut)
A transfer from the University of Connecticut, who will have three years of eligibility remaining ...Played in 10 games at outside linebacker for the Huskies last season, totaling 36 tackles and two tackles for loss ... Ranked ninth on the team in total tackles ... Prior to his time at Connecticut, was a three-year letterwinner at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. ... Twice named All-County, All-State, All-Grid Iron and to the Broward County All-Star Team ... Served as team captain during his senior season, when the team went 13-1 and won the 4A State Championship ... Comes from the same high school as UMass senior wide receiver Adrian Zullo, sophomore linebacker Jeremy Cain and redshirt freshman quarterback Matt Guice.
