AMHERST, Mass. — The Massachusetts football program enters its final week of spring training and finally heads to the turf at McGuirk Alumni Stadium for its final two days before the 2022 spring game on Saturday, April 30.
MOVING PARTS
This week Jacksonville native Josiah Johnson returned to the tight ends room after spending time taking snaps at the quarterback.
“I had a lot of fun, you know, throwing, running the ball,” Johnson said. “I wasn’t sure if I was helping our team that much there. It was kind of back and forth when I spoke to coach Casula, and we just thought about the best way forward for me, especially for my future, just trying to play at the next level would be if I had to declare as a tight end and I had to train as a tight end.”
Johnson has now had to relearn the Minuteman offense from a different position but is progressing well and will be seen in the white shirt this Saturday.
THE TRANSITION
From Saint Thomas More and Loomis Chaffey to UMass, tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator Jeff Moore has been on both sides of the coin when it comes to recruiting. Spending the early years of his career seeing players level up, and now trying to build a formidable UMass roster.
“We are really happy with where we are now. We still have work to do. But we are fortunate to have a great group of coaches who all have strong relationships on the East Coast and across the country,” said Moore. mentioned.
THE LIFE LINE
The head coach Don Brown addressed the importance of recruiting and recruiting in the North East as spring training draws to a close and the focus shifts to summer practices and fall camp.
With even more additions coming to Amherst in the coming months, the importance of recruiting to the area and building relationships is important.
“You open your doors, you treat guys with respect, good things usually happen in recruiting because it’s mutual,” Brown said. “Recruiting is your lifeline, and you better mind your own business. It’s one of the things I strongly believe in.”
Brown has been recruiting in New England for more than 40 years and has built those relationships with coaches and families, noting how vital it is to the strength of a program.
“She’s kind of my baby,” Brown said. “When you’ve been an assistant for as many years as I have, that’s really the cornerstone of the program.”
The Minutemen will begin their final week of training ahead of the Spring 2022 game on Saturday, April 30. Kick-off is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at Mcguirk Alumni Stadium.
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