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DEM · Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 8:45 pm Post subject:

I don't think this has been posted yet. According to our friends at Maroon Musket, we've picked up a pair of commitments from two more fifth yr seniors, this time from Notre Dame. Both are at much-needed positions for this yr, wide receiver and defensive line:

http://maroonmusket.com/2012/05/two-notre-dame-athletes-heading-to-umass/

I'm guessing they'll get plenty of playing time this yr.

69MG · Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 11:05 pm Post subject:

After watching the spring game, Walker will be a welcome addition. The lack of returning wide receivers was pretty obvious.

SJGMoney · Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 12:56 pm Post subject:

And after watching the spring game the added body at DT is even more welcome. During the scrimmage the 2nd team LBs and DBs changed up with the first teamers but the DL basically stayed on the field. We have no depth there at all. We could use some more bodies, any big boys sitting 3rd or 4th on 'Bama's depth chart? Come on down, I mean up!!!
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TheInsider · Hall of Fame Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 2070

Good pick-up. After watching the spring game were going to need all the help we can get depth wise. We have some good players. Just need some more

SJGMoney · Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 1:28 pm Post subject:

This "fill-in" strategy is a great one. Let's face it, our Junior and Senior class is not 1A caliber, it wasn't meant to be. For the next couple of years I think Coach is going to supplement certain positions with these 5th year grad school players who give us the big-boy experience (and size, speed etc) that we are lacking.

Great for us and great for these kids. One year of eligibility left, stuck behind better players at high-level programs, why not go where you can play? This year we are supplementing our DL, WR and RB positions. Next year maybe we need help at OL, WR and LB, whatever. I like how these guys are doing everything possible.
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photoman · Senior Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 933 Location: Attleboro

^^
Yes. No problem with the fill-in strategy as long as it doesn't interfere with the recruitment of quality players who can contribute for 3 or 4 years. This year anything that can be done to add some depth will be welcome.

69MG · Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 5:11 pm Post subject:

I mentioned these transfers to a friend who is pretty connected to college football and he thought that this is a great strategy for us. Besides getting these players now, it may open the eyes of kids who realize after 1 year that they are not going to get significant playing time at a power conference school. We will be more of a known entity and have a shot in the next year or two of landing some quality players. This isn't a permanent solution, but it will help us get through the first couple of years of competing for 1A recruits.

cox'n · Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 7:49 pm Post subject:

Getting two ND guys seems to indicate that Molnar was liked and respected by the players in South Bend.

SJGMoney · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 12:42 pm Post subject:

Old Cage · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 1:19 pm Post subject:

A trend for us to challenge over the next ten years:

"On the amount of Bay Staters heading to top-tier Midwestern programs in the past two years (Everett junior offensive tackle John Montelus is also committed to Notre Dame): "It's really great, but I also think it's sad that all of us are from this area and none of us are going to BC. For Massachusetts players, it's kind of something you wouldn’t believe you'd be able to do, going to some of these schools that you see on TV -- Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, all the really big schools no one expects to play for. Even when I walk around campuses, people are like 'Where are you from?' I tell them I'm from Massachusetts and they're like, 'I didn’t know they play football there."

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/high-school/post/_/id/16762/hurst-jr-michigan-decision-not-that-difficult
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Berkman · Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 6:37 pm Post subject:

Got a couple of grad student today:

http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/060512aaa.html

Also found this on the Gazette:

http://www.gazettenet.com/2012/05/31/umass-football-team-set-to-add-transfers

SignMan · Hall of Fame Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Posts: 3229

RE: ND transfers, friend of mine who really follows ND football emailed me...
Both of those “fifth year seniors” are good kids who can certainly help Coach Molnar is his efforts to transition UMass to Division I football.
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Ron Burgundy · Junior Joined: 05 Feb 2012 Posts: 503 Location: San Diego

Williams is a huge pickup. I'm actually kind of excited about our DL for next year. I know we are a bit thin, but with Byrne, Williams, Clemons, and Thompson, we have decent size in the middle. I don't think we'll get pushed around too much in the MAC. I'm hoping the JC transfer Nunez can make an impact coming off the edge.

SJGMoney · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 1:50 pm Post subject:

I also think our D-line can be good, just praying we have no injuries there because of the lack of depth. Adding Williams is huge, too bad he couldn't bring a couple more guys with him. According to Coach Molnar (when I talked to him at UMass club event) the egde guy/pass rushing specialist is going to be Ryan Delaire. Red shirt sophmore who Coach says he needs to bulk up before he can be full time DE but will contribute right away in getting after QB.
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UMass '87