On Sunday, February 9, the UConn Huskies women's basketball team will take on Louisville for this year's Play4Kay game. Take a look at what the game means to the Huskies, and show your support by visiting Play4Kay.org/UCONN and donating today.
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http://youtube.com/watch?v=6PHxw8_z6H8?rel=0 |
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The 2004, 2007, and 2013 World Series trophies will visit fans in Connecticut this weekend, making stops in Waterbury and Hartford on Sunday, February 9. The visit to Connecticut is part of an effort to share the 2013 World Series trophy with fans throughout New England., the U.S., and the globe.
The three trophies will be in Waterbury from 8-9:30 a.m. at the Police Activity League of Waterbury, located at 64 Division Street. From 2:30-5:30 p.m., the trophies will be at the XL Center in Hartford, located at 1 Civic Center Plaza. Both stops are open to the public.
Sunday's trip will be the fourth time the 2013 World Series trophy has been to the Constitution State for both public and private events.
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Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell talks to ESPN's Kevin Negandhi about the expectations for the Red Sox this year and the experience of winning the 2013 World Series.
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According to GoVolsXtra.com, the UConn Huskies football team will not be playing the Tennessee Volunteers at Rentschler Field in 2015.
UT signed a two-year agreement with Connecticut in 2008 that was scheduled to include a trip to play the Huskies in 2015, but UT athletic director Dave Hart said that series had been suspended.
The Huskies were supposed to return the favor and play at Neyland Stadium in 2016.
If this report turns out to be true, UConn would need to add another FBS schedule to the schedule as this gives them just three non-conference games. The others are Villanova (home), Army (home) and BYU (away).
UPDATE: It's been confirmed by UConn that the series won't be happening in 2015/16.
"Warde and the Tenn AD (Dave Hart) have been in discussions about this for a few months. We have a letter from the Tenn AD agreeing that the current dates of the series will not happen and new dates will be determined by 9/26/15."
February 6, 2014 – NESN, the official home of the defending World Series Champion Boston Red Sox, will deliver 44 consecutive days of live Boston Red Sox Spring Training coverage. NESN’s coverage will be highlighted by 12 Grapefruit League games and NESN Sports Today live from JetBlue Park in Fort Myers. NESN’s continuous coverage begins on Friday, February 14 at 10:00 pm on NESN Sports Today. NESN then adds 11 consecutive days of Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers presented by Jordan’s Furniture starting February 16 at 6:00 pm and six days of WEEI’s The Dennis and Callahan Morning Show from JetBlue Park beginning February 19.
44 Days of NESN Sports Today from Fort Myers presented by People’s United Bank
NESN’s unparalleled coverage of the Red Sox begins on Friday, February 14 at 10:00 pm as players begin to arrive in Fort Myers. Co-anchor Adam Pellerin and Red Sox host Tom Caron will highlight the first week of coverage, which will also include a special 6:00 pm edition of NESN Sports Today on Saturday, February 15. The network’s coverage will expand to include over a dozen on-air personalities, including exclusive one-on-one interviews by NESN’s Red Sox play-by-play announcer Don Orsillo and color analyst Jerry Remy, features from NESN reporters, and coverage from Red Sox writers who are with the team every day.
11 Days of Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers presented by Jordan’s Furniture
NESN expands Spring Training coverage when pitchers and catchers report on Sunday, February 16 at 6:00 pm with Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers presented by Jordan’s Furniture. NESN’s Red Sox host Tom Caron will look ahead to the 2014 season with players, coaches, and executives on 11 consecutive days at 6:00 pm from JetBlue Park.
6 Days of WEEI’s The Dennis and Callahan Morning Show presented by Town Fair Tire
NESN’s live coverage from Fort Myers will also include six days of WEEI’s The Dennis & Callahan Morning Show beginning Wednesday, February 19 at 6:00 am. John Dennis, Gerry Callahan and Kirk Minihane will be at JetBlue Park at Fenway South to deliver exclusive interviews with players, coaches, and experts who cover the team.
12 Spring Training Games presented by Southwest Airlines
NESN’s coverage of 12 Red Sox Spring Training games presented by Southwest Airlines will begin Sunday, March 2 at 1:00 pm when the Red Sox host the Baltimore Orioles at JetBlue Park at Fenway South. Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy will team up for their 14th season together in the NESN broadcast booth to deliver the action.
The game schedule includes a special Red Sox Foundation Game Night on March 20 when the Red Sox host the New York Yankees. Coverage begins at 6:30 pm with a 30-minute pre-game show that will tell stories of the foundation’s impact on families in New England. The game telecast will include Red Sox Foundation Chairman Tim Wakefield in the broadcast booth, and concludes with a special 30-minute, Foundation-focused post-game show.
NESN’s Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers Telecasts
| DATE | PROGRAM | TIME |
| Sunday, Feb. 16 | Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Monday, Feb. 17 | Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Tuesday, Feb. 18 | Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Wednesday, Feb. 19 | Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Thursday, Feb. 20 | Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Friday, Feb. 21 | Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Saturday, Feb. 22 | Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Sunday, Feb. 23 | Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Monday, Feb. 24 | Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Tuesday, Feb. 25 | Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Wednesday, Feb. 26 | Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
WEEI’s Dennis & Callahan Morning Show in Fort Myers
| DATE | PROGRAM | TIME |
| Wednesday, Feb. 19 | Dennis & Callahan in Fort Myers | 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
| Thursday, Feb. 20 | Dennis & Callahan in Fort Myers | 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
| Friday, Feb. 21 | Dennis & Callahan in Fort Myers | 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
| Monday, Feb. 24 | Dennis & Callahan in Fort Myers | 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
| Tuesday, Feb. 25 | Dennis & Callahan in Fort Myers | 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
| Wednesday, Feb. 26 | Dennis & Callahan in Fort Myers | 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
NESN’s 2014 Red Sox Spring Training Game Telecasts
| DATE | OPPONENT | TIME* |
| Sunday, March 2 | Baltimore | 1:00 PM |
| Saturday, March 8 | Baltimore (Sarasota) | 1:00 PM |
| Sunday, March 9 | Pittsburgh (Bradenton) | 1:00 PM |
| Monday, March 10 | Tampa Bay | 1:00 PM* |
| Saturday, March 15 | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM |
| Sunday, March 16 | Tampa Bay (Port Charlotte) | 1:00 PM |
| Wednesday, March 19 | Pittsburgh | 7:00 PM |
| Thursday, March 20 | New York Yankees | 7:00 PM |
| Saturday, March 22 | Atlanta (Orlando) | 1:00 PM |
| Sunday, March 23 | Tampa Bay | 1:00 PM |
| Tuesday, March 25 | Tampa Bay (Port Charlotte) | 1:00 PM* |
| Friday, March 28 | Minnesota (Hammond Stadium) | 1:00 PM* |
*Select Spring Training day games will be replayed in their entirety at 7:00 pm as the schedule permits.
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Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men's basketball and women's basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you're on the home page.
Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.
It's game day for the UConn Huskies men's basketball team as they are in the Queen City for a matchup with the Cincinnati Bearcats. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN. You can also catch the game online on WatchESPN. If you can't catch the broadcast, you can always listen on the UConn IMG Sports Radio Network.
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
UConn Men's Basketball links
DeAndre Daniels Dealing With Back Spasms, Ankle Injury, But Ollie Says He’s ’75 Percent’ To Play Vs. Cincinnati [dom amore – hartford courant]
DeAndre Daniels "About 75-Percent" for Cincinnati Game; Shabazz Napier Draws Kobe Bryant Comparison [david borges- new haven register]
UConn Getting it Done in the Classroom, Too [david borges – new haven register]
Ollie talks about Daniels, Cincinnati, etc. [gavin keefe – the day]
Daniels “75 percent” for Cincinnati game [william paxton – ct post]
Leftovers from UConn, Cincy prior to Thursday’s game [william paxton – ct post]
Jackson's improvement energizes No. 7 Cincinnati [ct post]
Cincy defense a stiff test for UConn [ct post]
No. 22 UConn Can Make A Statement Against No. 7 Cincinnati [hartford courant]
UConn vs. Cincinnati represents AAC's marquee matchup [new haven register]
First-place Cincinnati to take on gritty UConn men [the day]
UConn Women's Basketball links
Video: UConn Women's Basketball Traditions [sox & dawgs]
Notebook: Auriemma supports Williams [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]
Lynne Reif And The Hint From Field Hockey [john altavilla – hartford courant]
Paige Sauer And The Nykesha Sales “Moment” At Villanova [john altavilla – hartford courant]
Carol Callan And The First Impression [john altavilla – hartford courant]
Lori Kulo-Mathieu And Learning To Do Things Geno’s Way [john altavilla – hartford courant]
Meghan Pattyson-Culmo And The House Guest [john altavilla – hartford courant]
Huskies Enjoying Success On And Off The Court [rich elliott – ct post]
Big Second Half For Huskies Vs. SMU; Commits Honored By ASGR [rich elliott – ct post]
Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis Displays Confidence Against SMU [uconnhuskies.com]
Auriemma Proud Of UConn Women's Success In The Classroom [hartford courant]
UConn women know it won't be as easy against No. 4 Louisville [new haven register]
Geno’s Legacy: Sue Bird [snyuconn.com]
UConn Football links
UConn Football Receives 14 Letters of Intent for 2014 [sox & dawgs]
Video: Bob Diaco's Challenges At UConn [sox & dawgs]
Video: Inside UConn Football's 2014 Signing Day [sox & dawgs]
The ratings game [jim fuller – new haven register]
Report: UConn/Tennessee game in 2015 not happening [jim fuller – new haven register]
Diaco wraps up Signing Day [john silver – snyuconn.com]
Don’t get too starry eyed over recruiting rankings [ct post]
UConn's Bob Diaco Plays Up Size In Incoming Class [hartford courant]
After Shoveling, Newsome Signs UConn Commitment Letter [hartford courant]
Star Search? Diaco Dismisses Recruiting Sites' Assessments [hartford courant]
UConn football gets all 14 recruits they expected on signing day [new haven register]
2013 Opponent Review: UConn Huskies [maize n brew]
Other UConn related links
M. Ice Hockey. Huskies Set for AHA Clash with Bentley [uconnhuskies.com]
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
By Bob Crawford
Ryan Bourque’s work ethic, effort and tenacity have stood out from day one of his career with the Hartford Wolf Pack, but until recently he has never been looked to as a source of consistent offense.
Bourque contributed six goals and 14 points in 69 games his rookie year of 2011-12 and then had eight goals and 15 points in 53 games last season. This year the son of Hall of Fame defenseman Ray Bourque has already fired home ten goals and added seven assists for 17 points, with the season only just past the halfway point. His newfound offensive production began to blossom around the turn of the New Year, and recently he has thrived playing left wing on a line with J.T. Miller at center and Jesper Fast on the right side. That has been the Wolf Pack’s top offensive line as of late, and being expected to fill a major offensive role has made all the difference for Bourque.
“Going through the first half of the season, it was kind of a defensive role, and PK (penalty-killing), and still getting an opportunity here and there in an offensive role, but I think as it’s progressed, it’s quickly developed into kind of a two-way role,” Bourque said this week. “And I’m definitely relishing it, and trying to make everything of the opportunity I’ve been given.”
His two linemates, both of whom have been more well-known for their offensive potency throughout their development than has Bourque, have relished having his brand of hustle and desire on their left flank.
“His work ethic shows the most,” Miller said of Bourque. “He provides energy for our line, and there’s always kind of a positive vibe when he’s around. He’s pretty even-keeled, and obviously he’s been putting the puck in the net lately. He’s doing it all, really.”
“It’s been awesome,” Bourque said. “When you have the opportunity to play with two guys like that, it’s pretty simple out there. You’ve just got to get in on the forecheck, hustle and try and get in the right areas, because they’ll find you. Both of them have played in the NHL for long periods of time this season, and I think J.T., if he were in a lot of different areas in the league, he’d be in the NHL, he’s definitely that caliber of a player, and (Fast) is the same way. He’s just so quick, and he gets in there and he gets the puck and he wins his one-on-one battles in the corner. And he’s got the skill and the playmaking abilities to find you out there. When you’re playing with guys like that, you’ve just got to go in and work hard and you’ll have success, night in and night out.”
Gernander added, “He (Bourque) forechecks, so he gets in and creates turnovers, and puck recovery he’s been very good at. He just enables that line to have more puck possession, and allows them to use their skills more offensively.”
That element of forechecking is an interesting calling card for Bourque, as his small stature (5-9, 178 pounds) does not put him in the category of a typical crashing, banging power forward. Bourque is truly relentless on the forecheck, though, and tirelessly works the hard areas of the ice, often turning the tables on bigger defenders.
“I think that a guy his size can be extremely effective against bigger players, if he uses his quickness and he’s willing to get in underneath those players,” Gernander asserted. “If you stay on the perimeter, it often allows those bigger players to use their reach and their size to their advantage, but if you get right in their kitchen and you’ve got body position and leverage and you’re using your quickness, I think you can be even more effective.”
Bourque feels that both he and Fast, who is only slightly bigger than Bourque at six feet and 185 pounds, have been consistent in causing problems for bigger opponents.
“It’s definitely just trying to make the most with what you have,” Bourque said. “We’re both smaller guys, but we both have the assets of quickness. And we’re short in stature, but it’s not like we’re small in strength or anything like that. I think we have the strength that you need to play in this league at a smaller size, but with that quickness you need to go in the corners and enjoy winning those battles, and not be afraid to mix it up. And fortunately for me and Jesper, we share that quality, and if you can use your size to your advantage, it helps out a lot. You have the ability to be a little more slippery out there, and also to get lower on guys, and it almost makes it harder for them to be able to move you. So as long as you’re doing the right things and making the most with what you have, then I think that’s why we can have the success we have.”
Bourque’s success has always gone back to his consistent effort. He never takes a shift off on the ice, and, according to Gernander, his energy level is the same in practice as well.
“He tries to win every drill,” the Wolf Pack bench boss said, “or he’s first in line, usually one beat before the whistle blows. But that’s part of his makeup or part of his character, one of his assets that he can draw upon.”
For Bourque, that is a way to motivate both himself and his teammates.
“It’s not only the games that you’re competing in,” he said. “If you have a competitive attitude, you definitely want to make the players around you, and your teammates, the best that they can be too. And it’s not only that, it’s trying to be the best that you can be on a daily basis. I hate losing to those guys. Obviously I hate losing more in the real competition, but in practice if you can try and set those things in place, day in and day out, it’s not only going to make you better, but it’s going to make everyone around you better.”
Now that Bourque has latched on to a spot among the Wolf Pack’s top six forwards, the challenge now is to hang on to that role, and solidify the notion that he has turned a corner in his career.
“At this level, I definitely think it’s just that once you get that opportunity, once you get comfortable and are doing it on a daily basis, if you have the right attitude and work ethic with it, you can definitely fit in and make the most of it,” he said. “I’ve gotten more and more comfortable with it. At first it was kind of newer to me because I was doing things that I really haven’t done since Junior, but it’s definitely the most fun I’ve had as a pro, and I’m just trying to make the most of it.”
As far as those things that hadn’t been part of his role since his Junior days in the Quebec League, Bourque elaborated, “In some situations in the past, you’re always thinking defense first, but while still having that responsible attitude, and definitely that responsibility in your game, you can still try to take a few more chances because you know you’re going to have that leeway offensively. And sometimes when you make a read or two offensively it can definitely go in your favor, and if you have the hustle and the work ethic to get back if you do make a mistake, then that makes up for it a lot too.”
Furthermore, it’s not a situation of leaving one identity behind and assuming another. Bourque is acutely aware that being a diligent defensive player and a source of energy is what got him to where he is, and he has no intention of forgetting that, no matter how many offensive numbers he manages to put up.
“That’s something definitely that I’ll always carry with me, and I know I won’t ever leave that side of my game behind,” he said. “I think I’ve grown up being responsible defensively, with that work ethic, and I know that if I’m going to have the opportunity to play at the next level, it’s definitely going to be with those assets, with penalty-killing and the energy that I provide, and being responsible in both zones. And although I can chip in offensively, it’s definitely with the responsibility of being a very good defensive forward, but also having that offensive capability as well.”
That, clearly, is just what Gernander has in mind, as the organization continues to foster Bourque’s rapidly accelerating development.
“The offensive play is always a benefit, regardless of who the player is,” Gernander said. “We have to have some minimum requirements as far as forechecking, defensive responsibility, those types of things, but some excel at it, and I think he’s one that leads the way in those areas, as far as defensively responsible, penalty-killing, provide some energy, provide some forecheck. And now, I think with just a change of linemates or a little bit more offensive opportunity, you’re starting to see more output from him.”
“I still think his future as far as an NHL career will be more of a third, fourth-line guy, penalty-killer, and he still has to be diligent in all those tasks, but any time you can get someone from that portion of your lineup that can score goals when the opportunity presents itself, that makes him that much more valuable of a tool. He’s proving that, given the opportunity, he can be a significant part of our offense, and I think it’s been a great progression for him.”
photo credit: chris rutsch
As we know, new UConn Huskies football coach Bob Diaco and his staff received 14 letters of intent on Wednesday from high school student-athletes.
Huskies All-Access gives us a behind the scenes look at what transpired on Wednesday. It's broken down into six parts.
Part 1
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http://youtube.com/watch?v=qhhT3iJtUfc?rel=0 |
Part 2
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http://youtube.com/watch?v=KxEO6eNDUe8?rel=0 |
Part 3
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http://youtube.com/watch?v=vfGNub39jXM?rel=0 |
Part 4
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http://youtube.com/watch?v=pSkip0yWXBU?rel=0 |
Part 5
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http://youtube.com/watch?v=n6PW_w0y6fs?rel=0 |
Part 6
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http://youtube.com/watch?v=6kaiSDswdkw?rel=0 |
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
UConn Huskies women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma and players talk about special and little-known traditions that come with being part of the Huskies.
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http://youtube.com/watch?v=GfQo3AgwkP8?rel=0 |
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
STORRS, Conn. (February 5, 2014) – The following is a list of football players who signed a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday to enroll at the University of Connecticut and player for the Huskies.
James Atkins | DL | 6’5 | 255 | Saugus, Mass./Blair Academy (N.J.)
Alec Bloom | TE | 6’6 | 235 | Ligonier, Pa./Ligonier Valley Senior High
Luke Carrezola | LB | 6’3 | 230 | Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy
Ryan Crozier | OL | 6’4 | 297 | Plantation, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas
Vontae Diggs | LB | 6’4 | 215 | Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North
Steve Hashemi | OL | 6’5 | 260 | Trumbull, Conn./St. Joseph
Ron Johnson | RB | 6’0 | 215 | Naples, Fla./Palmetto Ridge
Sheriden Lawley | DL | 6’4 | 252 | Abbotsford, British Columbia/Lawrenceville Prep (N.J.)
Brice McAllister | RB | 5’11 | 195 | East Longmeadow, Mass./Suffield (Conn.) Academy
Arkeel Newsome| RB | 5’7 | 170 | Ansonia, Conn./Ansonia
Daniel Oak | OL | 6’3 | 265 | Fort Myers, Fla./Fort Myers
Tom Rodrick | LB | 6’3 | 240 | Leicester, Mass./Leicester
Trey Rutherford | OL | 6’4 | 290 | King City, Ontario/Kent School (Conn.)
Anthony Watkins | CB | 6’1 | 190 | Fort Meade, Md./Fort Meade/Lawrenceville Prep (N.J.)
Two other members of the 2014 signing class, Chris Britton (LB | 6’3 | 235)
Jamar Summers (DB | 6’0 | 180), have already enrolled at UConn for the spring 2014 semester.
The following are profiles of each player
James Atkins | DL | 6’5 | 250 | Saugus, Mass./Blair Academy (N.J.)
Played offensive and defensive line at Blair Academy (N.J.)…team went 6-2 during his senior season and won the Mid-Atlantic Prep League title.…named to the Newark Star Ledger All-Prep team on defense…awarded Blair Academy’s Frere Football Award following his senior season.
Alec Bloom | TE | 6’6 | 235 | Ligonier, Pa./Ligonier Valley Senior High
Following senior campaign, named to Pennsylvania Sportswriters Class AA All-State Team and earned a spot on the USA Today All-Pennsylvania team… first-team tight end on The Tribune-Democrat’s All-Area Team…selected to represent Pennsylvania in the Big 33 Classic on June 14 in Hershey, Pa. …finished his senior year with 45 receptions for 830 yards and 12 touchdowns…also rushed for 79 yards and a score…playing outside linebacker, recorded 57 tackles and a sack.
Chris Britton | LB | 6’2 | 235| Harrisburg, Pa./Harrisburg
Linebacker at Harrisburg High School…had more than 125 tackles in his senior season of 2012…Harrisburg went 11-3 in his senior season and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Pennsylvania Class AAAA playoffs…played in the Big 33 All-Star Game on June 15 in Hershey, Pa….was also a standout basketball player in high school.
Luke Carrezola | LB | 6’3 | 230 | Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy
Played tight end, defensive end and linebacker at Neshaminy High School…following senior season, named to Pennsylvania Football Writers Class AAAA All-State Team…helped Neshaminy High to a 13-2 record, culminating with a PIAA District 1 Class AAAA title and a berth in the state semifinals… selected to represent Pennsylvania in the Big 33 Classic on June 14 in Hershey, Pa. …had nine receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown in his junior and senior seasons…on defense, posted 56 tackles, 20.0 TFL and eight sacks as a senior…over his three-year varsity career at defensive end, notched 144 tackles, 40.0 TFL and 15.5 sacks.
Ryan Crozier | OL | 6’4 | 297 | Plantation, Fla./Saint Thomas Aquinas
Played tackle and guard in Florida at national powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas…helped the squad to a 10-3 record in 2013, including the top spot in the 7A District 15 standings…offense averaged 35.8 points per game…as a junior and senior, named Class 7A All-State second team.
Vontae Diggs | LB | 6’4 | 215 | Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North
Played defensive end, linebacker and quarterback at Downers Grove North…2013 Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area Team…a Pioneer Local West Suburan All-Conference Silver Division selection…notched 30 tackles during his senior season…also played basketball and high jumped for the track team.
Steve Hashemi | OL | 6’5 | 260 | Trumbull, Conn./St. Joseph
Played offensive tackle at St. Joseph…named CHSCA All-State First Team following his senior season… Hearst Connecticut Newspapers Super 33 selection…All-FCIAC selection…All-Walter Camp Football Foundation team member…New Haven Register All-State…helped St. Joseph to a 13-2 record in 2013, winning the Class M state title…blocked for a rushing attack that averaged 8.8 yards a carry…part of an offense that averaged 475 yards per game…also played basketball at St. Joseph, helping the school to two state titles.
Ron Johnson | RB | 6’0 | 215 | Naples, Fla./Palmetto Ridge
Played running back and outside linebacker at Palmetto Ridge…named to the Naples Daily News All-Area team in 2013…rushed for 1,522 yards on 255 carriers with 16 touchdowns as a senior in 2013…also notched 18 tackles at linebacker…in three varsity seasons, rushed for 3,343 yards and 32 touchdowns, averaging 6.0 yards per carry…named honorable mention All-State by the Associated Press…also played basketball at Palmetto Ridge.
Sheriden Lawley | DT | 6’4 | 252 | Abbotsford, British Columbia/Lawrenceville Prep (N.J.)
Spent one year at Lawrenceville Prep in Lawrenceville, N.J. after his high school career in Abbotsford, British Columbia at W.J. Mouat Secondary…was a two-year starter at defensive end and guard at W.J. Mouat…first player from Mouat to receive a Division I scholarship…named to the Newark Star Ledger All-Prep Team after his season with Lawrenceville.
Brice McAllister | RB | 5’11 | 195 | East Longmeadow, Mass./Suffield (Conn.) Academy
Played a year at East Longmeadow High School before moving to Suffield (Conn.) Academy for three years…played defensive back and wide receiver in high school as well…following his junior season at Suffield in 2012, was named New England Prep School Class B Player of the Year…earned the same honor as a senior in 2013…rushed for 1,723 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2012 to lead Suffield to the Norm Walker Bowl title…added 1,188 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground in 2013…team won the Arthur Valicenti Bowl during his senior year…Suffield had perfect seasons during his junior and senior campaigns.
Arkeel Newsome| RB | 5’7 | 170 | Ansonia, Conn./Ansonia
Parade Magazine All-American at running back in 2013, UConn’s first player to receive that honor…led Ansonia to the 2013 Class S Championship, its third straight…Ansonia went 43-0 in his final three seasons, reaching the No. 1 ranking in the state…three-time Walter Camp Football Foundation Player of the Year…in his senior season, carried 333 times, setting state records with 3,867 yards and 68 touchdowns (64 rushing)…holds Connecticut career records with 10,672 yards, 187 touchdowns and 1,162 points…led the country in rushing yards as a sophomore and senior…just the ninth player in United States high school football history to rush for more than 10,000 yards in a career…named a ‘Small School All-American’ by MaxPreps.com…New Haven Register 2013 All-State and Player of the Year… CHSCA All-State First Team…named U.S. Army All-American Bowl High School Player of the Week, for the week ending Oct. 19. after a 396-yard and six touchdown performance.
Daniel Oak | OL | 6’3 | 265 | Fort Myers, Fla./Fort Meyers
Played offensive guard at Fort Myers High School… two-time Class 7A All-State second team…helped Fort Myers to a 7-3 record and a co-conference title as a senior, serving as a team captain…was named Team MVP at the end of the season…named a 2014 ‘Offensive Lineman To Watch’ by the Tampa-area recruiting site Big County Preps.
Tom Rodrick | LB | 6’3 | 240 | Leicester, Mass./Leicester
Played fullback, linebacker and defensive end at Leicester High…2013 ESPN Boston MIAA All-State…GoLocal Worcester All-Star……as a senior in 2013, recorded 79 tackles, 11 sacks and two interceptions….also carried 77 times for 779 yards and nine touchdowns, adding four more touchdowns through the air…served as a team captain…helped Leicester win the MIAA Division 5 Super Bowl title in 2011 and earned another title trip in 2012…in 2012, recorded 92 tackles and led Central Mass. with 14 sacks, also rushing for 437 yards and eight touchdowns.
Trey Rutherford | OL | 6’4 | 290 | Markham, Ontario/Kent School (Conn.)
Attended high school at Villanova College in Canada before moving to Kent School in Kent, Conn. …ranked as the top Canadian lineman prospect in the 2014 signing class by CanadaFootballChat.com…also threw shot put, javelin and discus in high school.
Jamar Summers | CB | 5’11 | 178 | East Orange, N.J./East Orange
Played high school football at Orange High School…was named honorable mention All-State by MSG Varsity and first team All-Essex County by the Newark Star-Ledger…spent the 2013 season at Milford Academy (New Berlin, N.Y.) and led the team in interceptions with five and had 20 tackles on the season…was also a standout track and field performer in high school.
Anthony Watkins | CB | 6’1 | 190 | Fort Meade, Md./Fort Meade/Lawrenceville Prep (N.J.)
Played one year of varsity football in high school at Fort Meade High in Fort Meade, Md., before moving to Lawrenceville Prep in Lawrenceville, N.J. for the 2013 season… named to the Newark Star Ledger All-Prep Team…made 49 catches for 872 yards and eight touchdowns in 2013 as a wide receiver…a 2012 Maryland Small School All-State Honorable Mention… hauled in 47 catches for 812 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2012 at Fort Meade…played three years of varsity basketball at Fort Meade.
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