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University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Announces 1998 Football Signees
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AMHERST, Mass. - First-year Head Football Coach Mark Whipple has wasted no time in making his mark on the University of Massachusetts program, compiling a recruiting class based heavily on speed and big-play ability at the skill positions. Whipple announced today the signing of 13 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 1998-99 academic year, and an additional three student-athletes to Institutional Letters of Intent.
"We wanted speed first, then size and character, and we feel we accomplished just that," said Whipple, who took over the reigns at UMass on December 16. "We have attracted a quality class from all over the country, but we still landed some of the top talent in our home state."
Eight of the 13 individuals who signed National Letters of Intent are skill position players, including three wide receivers, two quarterbacks, one running back, one defensive back and one tight end. The Minutemen also added two offensive linemen, two defensive linemen and one linebacker.
UMass returns 14 of its 22 position starters from its 1997 squad that posted a 2-9 overall record (1-7 Atlantic 10). Whipple and the Minutemen are slated to begin spring practice on Friday, April 3, with the Spring Game set for Saturday, May 2. UMass kicks off the 1998 campaign with a road date against Atlantic 10 Conference rival Delaware on September 5.
1998 UMass Football Signees
| Name | Yr | Pos | Ht | Wt | Hometown / Previous School |
| Jr. | QB | 6-3 | 200 | Escondido, Calif. / Palomar J.C. | |
| Fr. | DL | 6-3 | 260 | Cherry Hill, N.J. / Cherry Hill West | |
| Fr. | WR | 5-10 | 170 | Paterson, N.J. / Paterson Catholic | |
| Fr. | DE | 6-2 | 230 | Bristol, Conn. / Bristol Central | |
| Fr. | OL | 6-3 | 275 | Miami, Fla. / South Miami | |
| Fr. | WR | 5-10 | 180 | Foxboro, Mass. / Xaverian | |
| Fr. | RB | 5-10 | 170 | Somerville, Mass. / Malden Catholic | |
| Fr. | DB | 5-11 | 200 | Doylestown, Pa. / Central Bucks West | |
| Fr. | OL | 6-3 | 280 | New Britain, Conn. / Avon Old Farms | |
| Fr. | LB | 6-4 | 215 | Somerville, N.J. / Somerville | |
| Fr. | QB | 6-2 | 185 | Monroe, N.Y. / Monroe Woodbury | |
| Fr. | TE | 6-3 | 210 | Doylestown, Pa. / Central Bucks West | |
| Fr. | WR | 5-7 | 160 | Pompano Beach, Fla. / St. Thomas Aquinas | |
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| Institutional Letters of Intent | |||||
| Fr. | K | 6-0 | 180 | Monmouth Junction, N.J. / Notre Dame | |
| Fr. | K | 5-9 | 155 | Weymouth, Mass. / Weymouth | |
| Fr. | WR | 5-10 | 180 | Holyoke, Mass. / Holyoke | |
Jr. - QB - 6-3 - 200 - Escondido, Calif. / Palomar J.C.
Played for Coach Mark Eldridge at Palomar Junior College in San Marcos, Calif. (outside San Diego) during his freshman and sophomore seasons ... will enroll at UMass as a junior ... should immediately challenge for the starting quarterback position ...completed 47-of-84 passes (.560) for 703 yards with three touchdowns during his sophomore campaign ... went 73-of-153 (.477) for 1,010 yards with six touchdowns as a freshman ... played for Coach Rob Gilster at Orange Glen High School in Escondido, Calif. ... threw for over 2,400 yards during his high school career.
"Todd is a very mature quarterback who comes from a pass-oriented offense. He has the ability to make big plays at anytime during the course of a game, and he's going to be asked to make some big plays in our offense." &emdash, UMass tight ends coach Brian Crist
Fr. - DL - 6-3 - 260 - Cherry Hill, N.J. / Cherry Hill West
Played for Coach Keith Britton at Cherry Hill West High School ... saw action on both sides of the ball during his high school career, but will be asked to play on the defensive line at UMass ... recorded 83 total tackles (43 solo) with 12 sacks, 20 quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles as a senior ... also recorded 43 "pancake" blocks during his senior campaign ... first-team All-Conference choice at offensive line and defensive line as a senior ... second-team All-Group defensive lineman during his senior campaign ... earned All-Conference honors in track during his junior year.
"Khalil is a very athletic defensive lineman who has a natural nose for the football. He has a great motor and will be a perfect fit for our defensive system." - UMass running backs coach Mike Cassano
Fr. - WR - 5-10 - 170 - Paterson, N.J. / Paterson Catholic
Played for Coach Benje Wimberly at Paterson Catholic ... saw action at quarterback, wide receiver, running back and defensive back in high school, but will be asked to play wide receiver at UMass ... rated as one of the Top 50 players in the Northeast Region by Tom Lemming Report ... preseason All State selection ... ranked as the second-best wide receiver in New Jersey after his junior season ... first-team All-County choice as an offensive specialist in his senior campaign ... named to the Tri State Blue Chip team as a senior ... had 1,517 all-purpose yards during his senior year ... had 433 rushing yards on 41 carries (10.6 avg.) with seven touchdowns, while completing 24-of-41 passes for 502 yards and five touchdowns as a senior ... also had 16 punt returns for 303 yards (18.9 avg.) with two touchdowns and nine kickoff returns for 279 yards (31.0 avg.) in his senior year ... recorded 35 tackles with six interceptions and two forced fumbles ... made 32 receptions for 611 yards (19.1 avg.) with five touchdowns during his junior season ... cousin of former Ohio State quarterback Stanley Jackson.
"Shaheed is a very versatile athlete with great hands and outstanding quickness. Shaheed is a playmaker at wide receiver who is equally as dangerous as a return specialist." &emdash, UMass running backs coach Mike Cassano
Fr. - DE - 6-2 - 230 - Bristol, Conn. / Bristol Central
Played for Coach Rob Thompson at Bristol Central High School ... saw action at defensive end and running back during his high school career, but will be asked to play defensive end at UMass ... first team All-State performer as a senior ... recorded 86 tackles with seven sacks, four PBU and one fumble recovery during his senior year ... also rushed for 527 yards on 101 carries (5.2 avg.) with nine touchdowns as a senior ... three-time All-CCC South Conference selection ... team captain and Academic All-Conference pick as a senior.
"Brian is a very passionate football player who brings tremendous ability and desire to the table. He will improve our defense tremendously during his time at UMass." &emdash, UMass defensive coordinator Don Brown
Fr. - OL - 6-3 - 275 - Miami, Fla. / South Miami
Played for Coach Charlie Yanda at South Miami High School ... three-year starter on the offensive line ... saw action at all five spots on the offensive line during his high school career ... third-team All State pick as a senior ... first-team All-District and second-team All-County choice in his senior campaign ... consistently graded out in the 90th percentile during his senior year ... also served as the long snapper as a senior ... currently the top Class 6A heavyweight wrestler in the state of Florida ... captured his high school's Athlete of the Year honor during his junior campaign.
"Maikel was one of the finest offensive linemen in the talent-rich state of Florida this year. We are excited to have of player of his talents come to UMass." &emdash, UMass defensive coordinator Don Brown
Fr. - WR - 5-10 - 180 - Foxboro, Mass. / Xaverian
Played for Coach Charlie Stevenson at Xaverian High School ... Taunton Daily Transcript All-Star selection as a senior ... two-time All-Catholic Conference pick ... had 22 receptions for 235 yards during his senior season ... Most Valuable Player of the Thanksgiving Day Game.
"Jason has great speed and will give us depth at the wide receiver position. He also possesses enough athletic ability to play on either side of the ball." &emdash, UMass recruiting coordinator Paul Gorham
Fr. - RB - 5-10 - 170 - Somerville, Mass. / Malden Catholic
Played for Coach Richard Cullen at Malden Catholic High School ... Boston Globe Player of the Year as a senior ... rushed for 4,366 yards and 70 touchdowns (both school records) on 571 carries during his four-year high school career ... two-time All-Scholastic choice by the Boston Globe and Boston Herald ... two-time Catholic Conference Most Valuable Player ... three-time All-Catholic Conference selection ... posted 1,670 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns on 211 carries during his senior year ... also played safety, recording 96 total tackles with four sacks and three fumble recoveries ... had 1,570 yards rushing and 27 touchdowns (school single-season mark) on 202 carries as a junior ... registered 1,051 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns on 151 carries as a sophomore ... captain of his high school's indoor track team who specializes in the 50-yard dash ... member of the Class B state champion 4 x 50 relay.
"We're very happy that the Boston Globe Player of the Year is coming to UMass. That is a great statement for the direction our program is headed. We feel his talents will be a nice fit in our offense." &emdash, UMass recruiting coordinator Paul Gorham
Fr. - DB - 5-11 - 200 - Doylestown, Pa. / Central Bucks West
Played for Coach Mike Pettine at Central Bucks West, one of the top high school football programs in the nation ... starter at quarterback and defensive back in high school, but will be asked to play in the secondary at UMass ... led Central Bucks West to a perfect 15-0 record and the Pennsylvania state championship during his senior season ... his high school was ranked No. 4 in the USA Today final national rankings ... first-team All-State pick as a defensive back by the Associated Press as a senior ... first-team All-Philadelphia Area and All-Suburban 1 Power 10 League selection during his senior season ... recorded 81 tackles (42 solo) with three interceptions as a senior ... ran for 1,090 yards and 13 touchdowns and passed for 718 yards and seven touchdowns in his senior campaign.
"Corey is an outstanding defensive back with great athleticism and physical toughness. He comes from a great program, where they went undefeated, won the state title and were ranked as one of the top teams in the nation." &emdash, UMass defensive coordinator Don Brown
Fr. - OL - 6-3 - 280 - New Britain, Conn. / Avon Old Farms
Played for Coach Kevin Driscoll at Avon Old Farms last fall ... has the versatility to play either the guard or tackle spots ... first-team All-Erickson League at Avon Old Farms ... played for Coach Lew Corb at New Britain High School in New Britain, Conn. ... first-team All-State selection by the Hartford Courant as a senior.
"We're looking for Mike to come in and contribute right away. He is a very physical player that has an extra year of maturity, both mentally and physically, with the year of prep school at Avon Old Farms." &emdash, UMass recruiting coordinator Paul Gorham
Fr. - LB - 6-4 - 215 - Somerville, N.J. / Somerville
Played for Coach Kevin Carty at Somerville High School ... saw time as a linebacker and running back during his high school career, but will be asked to play linebacker at UMass ... first-team All State selection as a senior ... recorded 110 total tackles (63 solo) with six tackles-for-loss, three forced fumbles and one interception (returned for touchdown) in his senior season ... had 134 rushing yards on 24 carries (5.4 avg.) with one touchdown and nine catches for 228 yards (25.3 avg.) with one touchdown as a senior.
"Damon is a very gifted athlete who possesses a very unique combination of size and speed. He has the potential to become a dominant force for us at linebacker in the near future." &emdash, UMass running backs coach Mike Cassano
Fr. - QB - 6-2 - 185 - Monroe, N.Y. / Monroe Woodbury
Played for Coach Patrick D'Aliso at Monroe Woodbury High School ... enrolled at UMass as a freshman at the beginning of the spring 1998 semester and will practice with the team this spring ... completed 68-of-145 passes (.469) for almost 900 yards and 14 touchdowns during his senior campaign ... also compiled almost 600 yards rushing and seven touchdowns as a senior ... All-Orange County choice by the Middletown Times Herald Record during his senior year ... All-Orange County Coaches Association pick as a senior ... paced his high school team to an 8-3 mark during his senior campaign ... two-time team Most Valuable Player and captain ... also a two-year letterwinner in both basketball and baseball.
"Kelly is a very athletic quarterback who has the skills to drop back and throw as well as throw on the run. He is an outstanding team leader and will be a very positive addition to the team." &emdash, UMass tight ends coach Brian Crist
Fr. - TE - 6-3 - 210 - Doylestown, Pa. / Central Bucks West
Played for Coach Mike Pettine at Central Bucks West, one of the top high school football programs in the nation ... starter at tight end and defensive end in high school, but will be asked to play tight end at UMass ... led Central Bucks West to a perfect 15-0 record and the Pennsylvania state championship during his senior season ... his high school was ranked No. 4 in the USA Today final national rankings ... excellent blocking tight end who helped his team rush for over 500 yards in the state championship game, setting a Pennsylvania state title game record ... recorded 104 tackles (40 solo) with seven sacks and 11 PBU from his defensive end post as a senior ... first-team All-Philadelphia Area and first-team All-Suburban 1 Power 10 League selection during his senior season ... second-team All League pick at defensive end as a senior.
"Greg is an outstanding athlete with tremendous agility and quickness. He is a perfect mix athletically to play tight end in our offensive scheme." &emdash, UMass linebackers coach Mark Michaels
Fr. - WR - 5-7 - 160 - Pompano Beach, Fla. / St. Thomas Aquinas
Played for Coach George Smith at St. Thomas Aquinas High School ... had 20 receptions for 386 yards and nine touchdowns during his senior season ... also averaged 24.2 yards per kickoff return and 12.8 yards per punt return, including one punt return for a touchdown ... Most Valuable Player of the Division 5 state title game ... second-team All-Broward County selection ... has been selected to the pool of high school seniors from Florida for the chance to play in the prestigious Florida-Georgia All Star Senior Game to be held in June in Atlanta ... led his high school to the Florida state championship as a senior ... also an exceptional track athlete, who will challenge for the state title in the 100 meters this spring ... has been timed electronically at 10.5 seconds in the 100 meters.
"Adrian comes from a great high school program in Florida. He has outstanding speed and quickness, and we will be looking for him to contribute as a freshman." &emdash, UMass recruiting coach Paul Gorham
Fr. - K - 6-0 - 180 - Monmouth Junction, N.J. / Notre Dame
Played for Coach Darren Doherty at Notre Dame High School ... two-time All-Colonial Valley Conference selection ... averaged 43 yards per punt, including a long of 65 yards, during his senior year ... was a perfect 20-of-20 in PATs as a senior ... converted 5-of-6 field goals during his high school career ... also lettered in baseball and ice hockey at Notre Dame.
"Tony didn't have the chance to show his potential during his senior season due to a lack of kicking opportunities. He does have a strong leg and his best years are ahead of him. He gives us some versatility in that he can handle both the placekicking and punting duties." &emdash, UMass linebackers coach Mark Michaels
Fr. - K - 5-9 - 155 - Weymouth, Mass. / Weymouth
Played for Coach Ross Tortora at Weymouth High School ... first-team All-Scholastic punter and placekicker by the Quincy Patriot Ledger as a senior ... averaged over 40 yards per punt during his senior season ... set a school single-season record by connecting on 36-of-36 PATs as a senior ... also converted 6-of-8 field goals in his senior year, including a long of 48 yards to beat Framingham ... earned the Weymouth Golden Toe Award during his senior year.
"Bill is a very accurate and consistent placekicker. He placed most of his punts inside the five yard line and did not miss an extra point in his senior year. Bill has the ability to compete for a starting position early on in his career. &emdash, UMass defensive line coach Keith Dudzinski.
Fr. - WR - 5-10 - 180 - Holyoke, Mass. / Holyoke
Played for Coach Ray Mitchell at Holyoke ... two-time All-Western Massachusetts selection by the Springfield Union News ... also a two-time All-Hockomock League performer ... set a school-record with 39 receptions during his junior season ... also saw time at cornerback while in high school.
"Rafael will be a very solid player in our offensive system. He has outstanding hands and a great feel for the game. He will be a dependable wide receiver for our program." - UMass wide receivers coach Gerard Wilcher.