UConn Football Recruiting 2012: National Signing Day Recap

The UConn football program added 25 players on Wednesday, including 11 three star recruits. Head coach Paul Pasqualoni remarked on the additions, saying, "I like the character, I like the profile of this group. When I say profile -their character, their commitment, their passion for football. Their willingness to do this the way we want to do it at the University of Connecticut."

Middle linebacker Jason Sylva is amongst the three star recruits, and was ranked as the 39th best player in the country at his position by Scout.com. He was one of 12 defensive recruits lured by the Huskies, and the class is rounded out by 12 offensive players and one kicker.

UConn recruited throughout the Northeast, and was able to land 5 players from New Jersey, tied with Florida for the most for players from one state.

Scout.com ranked the class 66th overall in the country, and seventh out of eight current Big East schools.

Check out SB Nation's top 25 team recruiting rankings here. For more National Signing Day 2012 coverage, follow our stream and visit SB Nation.

UMass Football Recruiting 2012: National Signing Day Recap

UMass will begin its foray into the Mid American Conference in the fall of 2012 under new head coach Charley Molnar, and his first recruiting class was officially assembled Wednesday during national signing day.

Twenty four recruits will join the Minutemen program this fall, including 19 from the Northeast Region. The prize of the class is three star running back Stacey Bell (William Floyd HS, Mastic Beach, NY), one of three running backs in the class, and one of 17 overall offensive newcomers.

UMass searched far and wide beyond the Northeast region for players, and landed a two star guard all the way from the Punahou School, located in Honolulu, HI. Matthew Sparks spurned his home state university and several West coast schools in favor of the Minutemen.

The class has not earned much praise from national recruiting services, as Scout.com ranks it as the 122nd best in the country (out of 124 schools), and the worst recruiting class in the MAC.

Learn more about UMass football's new players on the school's officiate website.

For more National Signing Day 2012 coverage, follow our stream and visit SB Nation.

Boston College Football Recruiting 2012: National Signing Day Recap

Boston College signed 16 recruits to letters of intent on Wednesday, highlighted by two four star players. The signees come from six different states and one player from Canada.

Linebacker Steven Daniels (Worcester Academy, Worcester, MA) and offensive lineman Win Homer (Christchurch School, Christchurch, VA) headline the class. Boston College picked up eight recruits on either side of the football, including four linebackers, the most recruits for a single position.

Eagles head coach Frank Spaziani expressed his enthusiasm for the class, “There are few things that excite the fan base more than thinking about the recruiting class and how it’s going to affect the football program. I can tell you this, we’re very excited about the 16 that we’ve signed. This is our third [year] of being in the program, having the full cycle of recruiting and evaluating and bringing young men in.”

The class ranked 71st overall (and 11th of 12 ACC schools), according to Scout.com, but Spaziani was quick to note that there are multiple ways to evaluate a recruiting class, and referenced that Boston College has more players (6) than any other school playing in this Sunday’s Super Bowl.

Check out SB Nation’s top 25 team recruiting rankings here. For more National Signing Day 2012 coverage, follow our stream and visit SB Nation.

UMass Football Recruiting 2012: UMass' Class Of 2016 Introduced

UMass football issued in the Charley Molnar era on Wednesday when the school announced its 2012 recruiting class, in which 24 players have signed letters of intent, committing them to the state university as it transitions to Division I.

"We are extremely pleased with this recruiting class and what they mean to the future of the UMass football program," Molnar said (via UMassAthletics.com). "With this class, we have increased our size on the offensive line, improved improved team speed especially in the defensive back and wide receiver positions, have added immediate help at defensive end, and added depth at several other key positions."

The Minutemen class of 2016 spans 11 different states and 19 players are from the northeastern region of the country. In addition to the new class, UMass introduced Jaurice Jones, Derek Beck and Rodney Mills, all of whom enrolled for the spring semester after completing postgraduate work during the fall.

Here is the complete list of UMass' committed recruits, courtesy of the school's website.

UMASS MINUTEMEN FOOTBALL - CLASS OF 2016

• Khary Baily-Smith (WR, Weymouth H.S./Weymouth, MA)
• Dereck Beck (WR, Bridgewater-Raritan HS, Bridgeton Acad. (ME)/North Bridgton, Maine)
• Stacey Bedell (RB/CB, William Floyd HS/Mastic Beach, N.Y.)
• Michael Boland (OT, Georgetown Prep/Rockville, MD)
• Byron Cooper (OLB/TE, Imhotep HS (PA)/Philadelphia, PA)
• Nevin Cyr (LB/TE, Cushing Academy (MA)/Pelham, NH)
• Bernard Davis (WR, Lake Worth H.S./Lake Worth, FL)
• A.J. Doyle (QB, Catholic Memorial (MA)/Lakeville, MA)
• Trey Dudley-Giles (WR/DB, Pasco H.S./Dade City, FL)
• Jaurice Jones (WR, Linden H.S./Linden, NJ)
• Julian Kaminoff (S/RB, New Hope-Solebury H.S./New Hope, PA)
• Robert Kitching (DL, Abraham Lincoln HS/Brooklyn, N.Y.)
• Leo Krizanovic (LB, Paramus Catholic HS/Clifton, N.J.)
• Vondell Langston (RB/OLB, Everett H.S./Everett, MA)
• Kassan Messiah (TE/LB, Orange H.S./Orange, NJ)
• Rodney Mills (WR, Jefferson HS • Milford Academy (N.Y.)/Gainsville, FL)
• Cameron Mock (OT, Clayton H.S./Clayton, NM)
• Bernardo Nunez (DL, Hoboken HS • Pittsburgh • Lackawanna College (PA)/Hoboken, N.J)
• John Robinson (LB, Cathedral High School • Worcester Academy/Springfield, Mass)
• Jovan Santos-Knox (LB/TE, Xavier HS (CT)/Middletown, Conn.)
• Tajae Sharpe (WR/DB, Piscataway Township HS/Piscataway, N.J.)
• Tyrell Smith (WR/DB, Lacey Township HS/Lanoka Harbor, N.J.)
• Matt Sparks (OL, Punahou School/Mililani, HI)
• D'Metrius Williams (DB, Salem H.S. (VA)/Virginia Beach, VA)

Learn more about UMass football's new players on the school's officiate website.

For more National Signing Day 2012 coverage, follow our stream and visit SB Nation.

Frank Spaziani Talks About Boston College Football's 16 New Recruits

CHESTNUT HILL - Boston College's football team welcomed 16 new members during a press conference at the Yawkey Athletics Center in Chestnut Hill, MA on National Signing Day, which was on Wednesday. The Eagles' class of 2016 consists of eight offensive players and eight defensive players representing six states and two countries.

"Obviously its an important day for college football teams," said Boston College head coach Frank Spaziani, who is entering his fourth year at the helm. "[It's] significant, and we'll find out in four or five years how important it was and how good it was.We're excited today about our signees, we have 16 of them."

On offense, the Eagles added three offensive linemen -- Jim Cashman, Win Homer and Frank Taylor -- while adding three wide receivers --- Marcus Grant, Harrison Jackson, Karim Zoungrana -- and two tight ends -- Dan Crimmins and Mike Giacone.

Defensively, the Eagles added four linebackers -- Steven Daniels, Tim Joy, Mike Strizak and Bobby Wolford -- while bringing on three defensive backs -- David Dudeck, Bryce Jones and Just Simmons. In addition, defensive end Malachi Moore will also join Boston College, rounding out the recruiting class.

"There are few things that excite the fan base more than thinking about the recruiting class and how it's going to affect the football program," said Spaziani. "I can tell you this, we're very excited about the 16 that we've signed. This is our third [year] of being in the program, having the full cycle of recruiting and evaluating and bringing young men in."

Boston College's recruiting class this year is ranked No. 72 overall in the nation by Scout.com. The Eagles did not land any Scout100 or Rivals100 players, nor did they sign any five-star recruits, but they did come away with two four-star recruits, 10 three-star recruits and four two-star recruits. Spaziani, however, isn't focused on the stars.

"I know there's a lot of ways to evaluate a recruiting class," he said. "There's ESPN, Rivals, Scout, 24/7 and who knows what else is out there that gets recruits stars, I think it's from one to five. There a lot of other ways to evaluate a recruiting class."

Spaziani was quick to note the success of Boston College's recruiting in the past, noting that the school has six graduates playing for either the New England Patriots or New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5 in Indianapolis.

"A couple of other things I would point out is that we have six players on the Super Bowl roster," Spaziani said. "I think it's the most of any college out there."

Boston College will now have all of the spring and summer to integrate their 16 new recruits as it prepares for the 2012 season. The Eagles finished last season with a disappointing 4-8 overall record and a 3-5 mark in conference play.

For more National Signing Day 2012 coverage, follow our stream and visit SB Nation.

UMass Football Recruiting 2012: Class Of 2016 Announced At 3 P.M.

UMass football will announce its Class of 2016 in a press conference at 3:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, a.k.a. National Signing Day. The press conference will be streamed live over the internet, and you can watch by clicking here.

As of Wednesday morning, UMass has received the following recruiting commitments.

UMASS FOOTBALL - COMMITTED RECRUITS (AS OF WEDNESDAY, FEB. 1)

• Stacey Bedell (RB, William Floyd H.S./Mastic Beach, NY; 3-Star Recruit; Verbal)
• A.J. Doyle (QB, Catholic Memorial School/West Roxbury, MA; 2-Star Recruit; Verbal)
• Julian Kaminoff (S, New Hope-Solebury H.S./New Hope, PA; 2-Star Recruit; Verbal)
• Michael Boland (OT, Georgetown Prep./North Bethesda, MD; 2-Star Recruit; Verbal)
• Joe Jones (RB, North Gwinnett H.S./Suwanee, GA; Verbal)
• Jaurice Jones (WR, Linden H.S./Linden, NJ; Verbal)
• Tajae Sharpe (WR, Piscataway Township H.S./Piscataway, NJ; Verbal)
• Cameron Mock (OT, Clayton H.S./Clayton, NM; Verbal)

Check out other recruits targeted by the UMass Minutemen over at Scout.com.

For more National Signing Day 2012 coverage, follow our stream and visit SB Nation.

Boston College Football Recruiting 2012: Class Of 2016 Announced

Boston College's football program announced its Class of 2016 on Wednesday afternoon, adding 16 new recruits to the program. Among the new recruiting class, six different states are represented as well as one Canadien province. BC added eight offensive players while adding seven players on defense. Here's the recruiting class, via BCEagles.com.

Boston College Football - Class Of 2016

Player Pos. Ht. Wt. High School/Hometown

Jim Cashman Offensive Line 6-7 275 Haddonfield Memorial HS/Haddonfield, N.J.

Dan Crimmins Tight End 6-5 220 Demarest HS/Closter, N.J.

Steven Daniels Linebacker 6-0 225 Worcester Academy/Cincinnati, Ohio

David Dudeck Strong Safety 6-0 195 The Hun School/Princeton, N.J.

Mike Giacone Tight End 6-5 246 St. Peters Prep/Jersey City, N.J.

Marcus Grant Wide Receiver 6-2 190 Lawrence Academy/Carver, Mass.

Win Homer Offensive Line 6-5 245 Christchurch School/Christchurch, Va.

Harrison Jackson Wide Receiver 6-2 181 Loudoun Valley HS/Round Hill, Va.

Bryce Jones Cornerback 5-11 160 Cleveland Heights HS/University Heights, Ohio

Tim Joy Linebacker 6-2 215 Chelmsford HS/Chelmsford, Mass.

Malachi Moore Defensive End 6-6 240 Pope John XXIII/Hackettstown, N.J.

Justin Simmons Defensive Back 6-3 175 Martin County HS/Stuart, Fla.

Mike Strizak Linebacker 6-2 228 Don Bosco Prep/Fair Lawn, N.J.

Frank Taylor Offensive Line 6-3 285 Archbishop Wood/Warrington, Pa.

Bobby Wolford Linebacker 6-3 232 Bishop Kenny HS/Jacksonville, Fla.

Karim Zoungrana Wide Receiver 6-0 183 Champlain-Lennoxville/Montreal, Quebec

For more National Signing Day 2012 coverage, follow our stream and visit SB Nation.

Boston College Football Recruiting, National Signing Day 2012: Eagles Hoping For Last Minute Surprises

The Boston College Eagles currently have 16 commitments for the class of 2012. They are hoping for a few surprises on National Signing Day.

Boston College Football Recruiting 2012: Recruits On Signing Day

Boston College football is far and away the most successful collegiate football program in New England, even if it is up against very little competition. Yet recently, its been very hard to feel the same level of pride in the declining program.

All of that can change with a quality recruiting class, and head coach Frank Spaziani and the Eagles will begin to learn their recruiting fates on Wednesday, which is National Signing Day. Here's a look at BC's committed recruits so far (via Rivals).

BOSTON COLLEGE FOOTBALL - COMMITTED RECRUITS (AS OF FEB. 1)

• Steven Daniels (LB, Worcester Acadmey/Worcester, MA; 4 Stars)
• Win Homer (OL, Christchurch School/Christchurch, VA; 4 Stars)
• Jim Cashman (OL, Haddonfield Memorial/Haddonfield, NJ; 3 Stars)
• Michael Giacone (TE, St. Peter's Prep/Jersey City, NJ; 3 Stars)
• Dan Crimmins (ATH, Demarest/Demarest, NJ; 3 Stars)
• Tim Joy (LB, Chelmsford/North Chelmsford, MA; 3 Stars)
• Justin Simmons (DB, Martin County/Stuart, FL; 3 Stars)
• Mike Strizak (LB, Don Bosco Prep/Ramsey, NJ; 3 Stars)
• Frank Taylor (Archbishop Wood Catholic/Warminster, PA; 3 Stars)
• Bobby Wolford (LB, Bishop Kenny/Jacksonville, FL; 3 Stars)
• Harrison Jackson (WR, Loudon Valley/Purcellville, VA; 2 Stars)
• Joel Zoungrana (WR, Champlain-Lennoxville/Montreal, Quebec; 2 Stars)
• David Dudeck (ATH, The Hun School/Princeton, NJ; 2 Stars)
• Malachi Moore (DE, Pope John XXIII/Sparta, NJ; 2 Stars)
• Bryce Jones (QB, Cleveland Heights/Cleveland Heights, OH; 2 Stars)
• More information (and even video) on these recruits can be viewed on EagleAction.com.

For more National Signing Day 2012 coverage, follow our stream and visit SB Nation.

UConn Football Recruiting 2012: List Of Recruits On Signing Day

Connecticut Huskies football took a step backwards last season after making an appearance in a BCS Bowl two seasons ago. As we reach National Signing Day on Wednesday, the Huskies will begin to learn their recruiting fate and rebuild.

Here is the list of the Huskies' committed recruits as of Wednesday morning (via Rivals).

UCONN FOOTBALL - COMMITTED RECRUITS (AS OF FEB. 1)

• Casey Cochran (QB, Masuk/Monroe, CT; 3 Stars; LOI signed)
• Chandler Whitmer (QB, Butler County C.C./El Dorado, KS; 3 Stars; LOI signed)
• Joseph Williams (RB, Fork Union Military Academy/Fork Union, VA; 3 Stars; LOI signed)
• Joseph Williams (RB, Fork Union Military Academy/Fork Union, VA; 3 Stars; LOI signed)
• Brendan Battles (DE, Nauset Reg. H.S./North Eastham, MA; 2 Stars; Verbal)
• Rennick Bryan (OL, Hillhouse/New Haven, CT; 2 Stars; Verbal)
• Jazzmar Clax (LB, Freehold Borough/Freehold, NJ; 3 Stars; Verbal)
• Neally Cunningham (WR, Bayside/Palm Bay, FL; 3 Stars; Verbal)
• Jordan Floyd (ATH, Loyola/Baltimore, MD; 2 Stars; Verbal)
• John Green (WR, Felix Varela/Miami, FL; 2 Stars; Verbal)
• Ricky Gutierrez (WR, American/Hialeah, FL; 3 Stars; Verbal)
• Jon Hicks (LB, Palmyra Senior/Palmyra, PA; 2 Stars; Verbal)
• Chauncey Lanier (DB, Nova/Davie, FL; 2 Stars; Verbal)
• Richard Levy (OL, Trenton Central/Trenton, NJ; 2 Stars; Verbal)
• Michael Ellis Marder (DB, Lake Highland/Orlando, FL; 2 Stars; Verbal)
• Obi Melifonwu (DB, Grafton Memorial/Grafton, MA; 3 Stars; Verbal)
• Mikal Myers (DT, Newburgh Free Academy/Newburgh, NY; 3 Stars; Verbal)
• Elijah Norris (LB, Archbishop Carroll/Washington, District of Columbia; 2 Stars; Verbal)
• Bobby Puyol (K, Dwyer/ West Palm Beach, FL; 2 Stars; Verbal)
• Zach Rugg (OL, Bishop McCort/Johnstown, PA; 3 Stars; Verbal)
• Tyler Samra (OL, Don Bosco Prep/Ramsey, NJ; 2 Stars; Verbal)
• Jason Sylva (LB, Tabor Academy/Plymouth, MA; 3 Stars; Verbal)
• Wyatt Vinci (LB, Hun School/Princeton, NJ; 2 Stars; Verbal)
• Jhavon Williams (DB, Palm Beach Central/Wellington, FL; 2 Stars; Verbal)

More information on these recruits is available at UConnReport.com and Rivals.com.

For more National Signing Day 2012 coverage, follow our stream and visit SB Nation.

UMass Football Recruiting 2012: List Of Recruits On Signing Day

UMass football recruiting takes on a new meaning this offseason, as the Minutemen prepare to embark upon a journey they have never encountered. Starting with the 2012 season, UMass makes the jump to Division I football where it will play in the Mid- American Conference while playing its home games at Gillette Stadium, home of the Patriots.

As of Wednesday morning, a.k.a. National Signing Day, UMass has eight players verbally committed to the school. Here's a list of UMass' committed recruits, courtesy of Scout.com.

UMASS FOOTBALL - COMMITTED RECRUITS (AS OF WEDNESDAY, FEB. 1)

• Stacey Bedell (RB, William Floyd H.S./Mastic Beach, NY; 3-Star Recruit; Verbal)
• A.J. Doyle (QB, Catholic Memorial School/West Roxbury, MA; 2-Star Recruit; Verbal)
• Julian Kaminoff (S, New Hope-Solebury H.S./New Hope, PA; 2-Star Recruit; Verbal)
• Michael Boland (OT, Georgetown Prep./North Bethesda, MD; 2-Star Recruit; Verbal)
• Joe Jones (RB, North Gwinnett H.S./Suwanee, GA; Verbal)
• Jaurice Jones (WR, Linden H.S./Linden, NJ; Verbal)
• Tajae Sharpe (WR, Piscataway Township H.S./Piscataway, NJ; Verbal)
• Cameron Mock (OT, Clayton H.S./Clayton, NM; Verbal)

For more National Signing Day 2012 coverage, follow our stream and visit SB Nation.

National Signing Day 2012: Boston College, UConn, UMass Learn Recruiting Fates

National Signing Day is upon us! Boston College, UConn and UMass -- the only Division I football programs in New England -- begin to finalize their rosters for the 2012 season and beyond as athletes submit their Letters of Intent.

Boston College Football Offseason: Eagles To Hold Signing Day Press Conference Feb. 1 At Yawkey Center