University of Massachusets Athletics
Football Announces Two Additional Recruits
March 13, 2001 | Football
March 13, 2001
AMHERST, Mass.--University of Massachusetts head football coach Mark Whipple today announced two additions to the 2001 incoming class for the Minutemen. The two new players for the Minutemen are Matt Parsons (Erie, Pa.) and Jamel Richardson (Syracuse, N.Y.). UMass has now received commitments from 24 individuals for the 2001-2002 academic year.
"The addition of these two players has further solidified the class we have brought in this year," said Whipple. "With this class 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."
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.
Biographical information on the two new signees follows. For a complete list of UMass' incoming class, click here.
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.
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
