Here’s the press release from the UConn Huskies football program concerning the transfer of tailback D.J. Shoemate from USC to UConn. I’ve also included links from what head ball coach Randy Edsall had to say on his conference call this morning after the release.
STORRS, Conn. – D.J. Shoemate, a 6-0, 225-pound, tailback from Corona, Calif., will enroll at the University of Connecticut and play for the Husky football team this fall. Shoemate transfers to Connecticut after spending his first two years at the University of Southern California. Shoemate will be eligible to play at UConn immediately and has two years of eligibility remaining.
Shoemate served as a backup fullback for the Trojans and played on special teams as a sophomore in 2009. He played in 12 games for USC and had a pair of carries for two yards and two receptions for 23 yards, including a 13-yard TD.
Shoemate began 2008 as a wide receiver, and then was moved mid-season to fullback. He also played on special teams and played in a total of nine games.
He enjoyed a tremendous career at Servite High School in Anaheim where he was teammates with current Husky quarterback Johnny McEntee.
Shoemate earned ESPN 150 honors as a senior and was named Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team, Orange County Register Fab 15, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Los Angeles Times All-Star, Orange County Register All-Orange County first team and was the Trinity League Co-Offensive MVP.
In his senior year, he ran for 1,291 yards on 241 carries with 24 TDs. Shoemate also caught 40 passes for 570 yards with 4 TDs.
As a sophomore in 2005, he made the All-CIF Division I first team, Orange County Register All-Orange County first team and was the All-Serra League Co-MVP while rushing for 604 yards on 71 carries with 13 touchdowns, catching 46 passes for 930 yards with eight TDs and getting four scores on blocked punts.
Edsall discusses Shoemate [Chip Malafronte – New Haven Register]
UConn Coach Randy Edsall Talks About Transfer Shoemate [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]
Shoemate To Edsall: “All I Want To Do Is Win” [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]
Shoemate officially in the fold [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]
Edsall on Shoemate [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]
Photo credit: AP Photos
