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University of Massachusets Athletics
Photo by: Jamie Hall
Minutemen Quartet Tabbed Phil Steele Preseason All-Independent
June 28, 2021 | Football
Deckers collects First Team honors; Johnson, Peah and Powell named Second Team
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts football placed four members of the team on the 2021 Phil Steele Preseason All-Independent Team, including long snapper Evan Deckers, tight end/quarterback Josiah Johnson, defensive lineman Avien Peah and defensive back Te'Rai Powell. Deckers earned First Team accolades, while Johnson, Peah and Powell each were named Second Team.
In a 2020 season abbreviated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Deckers served as Massachusetts' primary long-snapper in all four games. He saw action for each of the team's three field goal attempts as well as on punts and extra points.
Johnson, who received All-Independent honors as a tight end, split time between that position and quarterback across the team's four contests. He caught three passes for 48 yards and logged 12 carries on the ground for 32 yards. Under center, Johnson was 6-of-9 totaling 39 yards with one interception.
Peah started each contest last season at defensive end, securing 19 tackles (6-13), including a team-best 6.0 TFLs totaling 18 yards lost. Following the season, Peah was tabbed Phil Steele All-Independent Second Team. It marked Peah's first season on the defensive side of the ball, following a move from tight end and fullback.
In his true freshman campaign, Powell started at safety for the Minutemen and contributed kickoff return duties as well. He logged 19 tackles in the secondary, including 12 solo stops, and also returned four kickoffs for 46 yards.
The NCAA Division I Board of Directors awarded an extra year of eligibility to all football student-athletes competing in Fall 2020 on Aug. 21, 2020. As a result, Deckers enters the 2021 season as a junior, Johnson as a redshirt sophomore, Peah a graduate student and Powell as a second-year freshman.
Massachusetts football season tickets are on sale now, covering all six home games at McGuirk Alumni Stadium. For more information, contact the UMass Athletics Ticket Office at 866-UMASS-TIX. To purchase season tickets, visit our UMass Athletics Ticket Central page here.
For the latest news and updates around UMass football, follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@UMassFootball).
2021 Phil Steele Preseason Independent All-Conference Teams
First Team Offense
QB Malik Willis, Liberty
RB Kyren Williams, Notre Dame
RB Kevin Mensah, Connecticut
RB Tyler Allgeier, BYU
WR Cameron Ross, Connecticut
WR Gunner Romney, BYU
TE Isaac Rex, BYU
TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
C James Empey, BYU
OG Cain Madden, Notre Dame
OG Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame
OT Sage Doxtater, New Mexico State
OT Tristan Schultz, Liberty
Second Team Offense
QB Jack Coan, Notre Dame
RB Jakobi Buchanan, Army West Point
RB Joshua Mack, Liberty
RB O'Maury Samuels, New Mexico State
WR DJ Stubbs, Liberty
WR Avery Davis, Notre Dame
TE Johnny Huntley, Liberty
TE Josiah Johnson, Massachusetts
C Eli Johnson, New Mexico State
OG Clark Barrington, BYU
OG Brendan Schlittler, Liberty
OT Connor Finucane, Army West Point
OT Ryan Van Demark, Connecticut
First Team Defense
DE Durrell Johnson, Liberty
DT Nolan Cockrill, Army West Point
DT Kurt Hinish, Notre Dame
DE Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, Notre Dame
LB Drew White, Notre Dame
LB Arik Smith, Army West Point
LB Keenan Pili, BYU
LB Payton Wilgar, BYU
CB Marcus Haskins, Liberty
CB Jabari Moore, Army West Point
S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
S Cedrick Cunningham, Army West Point
Second Team Defense
DE Avien Peah, Massachusetts
DT Ralfs Rusins, Liberty
DT Elijah James, Liberty
DE TreShaun Clark, Liberty
LB Andre Carter, Army West Point
LB Trevor Brohard, New Mexico State
LB Omar Fortt, Connecticut
LB Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
CB Clarence Lewis, Notre Dame
CB Te'Rai Powell, Massachusetts
S Chaz Ah You, BYU
S Javon Scruggs, Liberty
First Team Special Teams
K Jake Oldroyd, BYU
P Zach Harding, Army West Point
KR Juwaun Price, New Mexico State
PR Demario Douglas, Liberty
LS Evan Deckers, Massachusetts
Second Team Special Teams
K Alex Barbir, Liberty
P Ryan Rehkow, BYU
KR Shedro Louis, Liberty
PR Tyrell Robinson, Army West Point
LS Austin Mock, Liberty
In a 2020 season abbreviated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Deckers served as Massachusetts' primary long-snapper in all four games. He saw action for each of the team's three field goal attempts as well as on punts and extra points.
Johnson, who received All-Independent honors as a tight end, split time between that position and quarterback across the team's four contests. He caught three passes for 48 yards and logged 12 carries on the ground for 32 yards. Under center, Johnson was 6-of-9 totaling 39 yards with one interception.
Peah started each contest last season at defensive end, securing 19 tackles (6-13), including a team-best 6.0 TFLs totaling 18 yards lost. Following the season, Peah was tabbed Phil Steele All-Independent Second Team. It marked Peah's first season on the defensive side of the ball, following a move from tight end and fullback.
In his true freshman campaign, Powell started at safety for the Minutemen and contributed kickoff return duties as well. He logged 19 tackles in the secondary, including 12 solo stops, and also returned four kickoffs for 46 yards.
The NCAA Division I Board of Directors awarded an extra year of eligibility to all football student-athletes competing in Fall 2020 on Aug. 21, 2020. As a result, Deckers enters the 2021 season as a junior, Johnson as a redshirt sophomore, Peah a graduate student and Powell as a second-year freshman.
Massachusetts football season tickets are on sale now, covering all six home games at McGuirk Alumni Stadium. For more information, contact the UMass Athletics Ticket Office at 866-UMASS-TIX. To purchase season tickets, visit our UMass Athletics Ticket Central page here.
For the latest news and updates around UMass football, follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@UMassFootball).
2021 Phil Steele Preseason Independent All-Conference Teams
First Team Offense
QB Malik Willis, Liberty
RB Kyren Williams, Notre Dame
RB Kevin Mensah, Connecticut
RB Tyler Allgeier, BYU
WR Cameron Ross, Connecticut
WR Gunner Romney, BYU
TE Isaac Rex, BYU
TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
C James Empey, BYU
OG Cain Madden, Notre Dame
OG Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame
OT Sage Doxtater, New Mexico State
OT Tristan Schultz, Liberty
Second Team Offense
QB Jack Coan, Notre Dame
RB Jakobi Buchanan, Army West Point
RB Joshua Mack, Liberty
RB O'Maury Samuels, New Mexico State
WR DJ Stubbs, Liberty
WR Avery Davis, Notre Dame
TE Johnny Huntley, Liberty
TE Josiah Johnson, Massachusetts
C Eli Johnson, New Mexico State
OG Clark Barrington, BYU
OG Brendan Schlittler, Liberty
OT Connor Finucane, Army West Point
OT Ryan Van Demark, Connecticut
First Team Defense
DE Durrell Johnson, Liberty
DT Nolan Cockrill, Army West Point
DT Kurt Hinish, Notre Dame
DE Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, Notre Dame
LB Drew White, Notre Dame
LB Arik Smith, Army West Point
LB Keenan Pili, BYU
LB Payton Wilgar, BYU
CB Marcus Haskins, Liberty
CB Jabari Moore, Army West Point
S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
S Cedrick Cunningham, Army West Point
Second Team Defense
DE Avien Peah, Massachusetts
DT Ralfs Rusins, Liberty
DT Elijah James, Liberty
DE TreShaun Clark, Liberty
LB Andre Carter, Army West Point
LB Trevor Brohard, New Mexico State
LB Omar Fortt, Connecticut
LB Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
CB Clarence Lewis, Notre Dame
CB Te'Rai Powell, Massachusetts
S Chaz Ah You, BYU
S Javon Scruggs, Liberty
First Team Special Teams
K Jake Oldroyd, BYU
P Zach Harding, Army West Point
KR Juwaun Price, New Mexico State
PR Demario Douglas, Liberty
LS Evan Deckers, Massachusetts
Second Team Special Teams
K Alex Barbir, Liberty
P Ryan Rehkow, BYU
KR Shedro Louis, Liberty
PR Tyrell Robinson, Army West Point
LS Austin Mock, Liberty
Players Mentioned
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