Football Signs Five On Early Signing Day

AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts football signed five student-athletes as part of Wednesday's early signing period, including three offensive and two defensive players.

The new additions are defensive backs AJ Azuakolam Jr. (Dorchester, Massachusetts) and Jahmale Clark (Dayton, Ohio), running back Dajoure Hollingsworth (Erie, Pennsylvania), quarterback Zach Lawrence (Charlotte, North Carolina) and tight end Jax Markovich (Scottsdale, Arizona).

Massachusetts football will continue to add to the roster through the midyear and junior college transfer windows and the additional February 5 signing day.

AJ Azuakolam Jr. | DB | Dorchester, Mass. | 6'2" | 175 lbs.

A defensive back out of Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
A three-year varsity letterwinner
Ranked as On3's No. 13 recruit in the state of Massachusetts
2024 All-ISL honoree
Named to the 2024 All-NEPSAC Team
A 2024 All-Prep Defense member
Helped team to an 8-1 overall record and a 7-0 conference mark as a senior
Team ranked as high No. 12 in the state during the 2024 season
Also played basketball

Jahmale Clark | DB | Dayton, Ohio | 5'10" | 160 lbs.

An On3 three-star recruit out of Trotwood-Madison High School
Ranked as On3's No. 105 recruit in the state of Ohio and 247Sports' No. 153 recruit for the state
A four-year varsity letterwinner as a cornerback
Named a 2024 First Team All-Southwest selection
Aided team to perfect conference records all four years, including a 5-0 mark in 2022, 2023 and 2024
Recorded 63 tackles and four tackles for loss as a senior (2024)
Added three interceptions and two interceptions returned for touchdowns, as well as 10 pass breakups as a senior (2024)
Also ran track

Dajoure Hollingsworth | RB | Erie, Pa. | 5'9" | 175 lbs.

An On3 and 247Sports three-star recruit out of Cathedral Prep
Ranked as 247Sports' No. 19 recruit in the state of Pennsylvania
On3's No. 47 recruit out of the state of Pennsylvania
A three-year varsity letterwinner as a running back
Registered 2,565 yards rushing on 277 carries in 32 games played throughout his career
Tallied 38 touchdowns, including 18 as a senior (2024)
Had eight 100-plus yard rushing games, with five as a junior (2023)
Recorded 1,576 yards on the ground as a senior (2024) with a career-long 79-yard rush
Posted 15 receptions for 183 yards and four touchdowns
Totaled two touchdowns and a career-long 37-yard catch as a senior (2024)
Received the Jospeh Hassett Memorial Award in 2023
Played senior season at Salisbury School in Connecticut

Zach Lawrence | QB | Charlotte, N.C. | 6'1" | 195 lbs.

An On3, ESPN.com and Rivals.com three-star recruit out of Butler High School
Ranked as the No. 35 recruit in the state of North Carolina according to Rivals.com
Ranked as On3's No. 58 recruit and ESPN's No. 45 recruit in the state of North Carolina
A two-year varsity letterwinner as a quarterback
A two-time All-Conference honoree
A two-time Academic All-State member
A three-time SW4A Conference Champion
Threw for 3,377 yards on 213-for-340 passing with 37 touchdowns
As a senior, completed 48 of 79 passes for 820 yards, including an 85-yard completion, with five touchdowns
Completed 165 of 261 passes for 2,557 yards with 32 touchdowns in the 2022 season

Jax Markovich | TE | Scottsdale, Ariz. | 6'4" | 245 lbs.

An On3, 247Sports, and ESPN.com three-star recruit out of Horizon High School
Ranked as the No. 22 recruit in the state of Arizona according to On3
Ranked as ESPN's No. 23 recruit and 247Sports' No. 32 recruit in the state of Arizona
A three-year varsity letterwinner as a tight end
A four-time Player of the Game, winning the honor twice in 2021
Also garnered the accolade in the 2023 and 2024 seasons
Ranked in the top 71 in Division 5A for total touchdowns with seven, while ranking in the top 14 in the 5A Northeast Valley
Totaled 45 receptions for 551 yards, including a career-long 52-yard catch as a senior
Caught nine total touchdown passes, including seven as a senior
Also played varsity basketball as a junior, averaging 2.1 points per game with 32 points total on the season
Had for blocks, averaging 0.3 per game, ranking within the top 98 in Division 5A and among the top 14 in the 5A Northeast Valley

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University of Massachusets Athletics

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