Two-Time Defending NEC Champion Blue Devils Announce Football Recruiting Class

The Central Connecticut State University football team and Head Coach Jeff McInerney announced its 2011 recruiting class on Wednesday. The Blue Devils finished last season 8-3 and won their fourth Northeast Conference title in seven seasons. The Blue Devils graduate a decorated senior class from the 2010 championship season, but a strong recruiting class will help the Blue Devils contend for another NEC title in 2011.

"We are very excited about this year's recruiting class," McInerney said on Wednesday afternoon. "Last season we did something not many teams have done, we repeated and won a share of our second straight NEC title. This class is going to help us remain in contention for the NEC title every season. We continue to build our program through the state of Connecticut, and the caliber of student-athlete that we are bringing to New Britain for next season is superb. I am extremely pleased with this year's class. Now we look forward to spring practice and working towards winning a third-straight NEC title."

CCSU SIGNEES - Feb. 2, 2011

Gerry Basadonna - 5-11, 175, Defensive Back
Xavier High School/Haddam, CT
Coach McInerney on Gerry: "Coming from one of the state's top programs, Gerry is a hard hitting safety from Xavier. He will certainly add a physical dimension to our secondary. We are excited to add him to our program." (Xavier HS Class LL State Champions)

Kyle Bryan - 6-5, 240, Offensive Line/Defensive Line
Hall High School/West Hartford, CT
Coach McInerney on Kyle: "One of the most athletic lineman in the state of Connecticut, he may end up on either side of the ball at CCSU. Helped Hall High School reach the playoffs and was also a standout at our camp in the summer. Kyle has the potential to play right away." (All-Conference, All Hartford Courant)

Josh Celerin - 6-0, 180, Quarterback/Defensive Back
Brandon High School/Brandon, FL
Coach McInerney: "Josh is an athletic player who played both safety and quarterback in high school. He received attention from a lot of bigger schools and we're excited he picked Central. Josh spent time at our summer camp and proved to be a very impressive young man." (All-County All Star Game)

Brennden Cullen - 6-3, 205, Quarterback/Defensive Back
Bacon Academy/Colchester, CT
Coach McInerney on Brennden: "Brennden as an outstanding dual threat quarterback in high school. He is a tremendous athlete and could be a difference maker for us. He will likely start out on defense for us."
(Connecticut All State QB)

Kevin Harrigan - 6-5, 285, Offensive Line
Notre Dame (Fairfield)/Milford, CT
Coach McInerney on Kevin: "Kevin is a very intelligent player who excelled at many positions in high school. He lined up mostly at tight end and defensive end, but also took snaps as quarterback and even punted. He will start out as an offensive lineman at CCSU. Kevin also came to our camp and performed well as a tight end this past summer."

Jalen Hill - 6-3, 222, Defensive End
Hyde School/Bloomfield, CT
Coach McInerney on Jalen: "Jalen is an athletic student-athlete from Bloomfield who possesses enormous potential as a defensive end. Jalen was mainly a wide receiver in high school and played running back and linebacker at Hyde School this past season. He can be a difference maker on defense for us."

Tyrell Holmes - 6-2, 165, Safety/Wide Receiver
Bristol Eastern High School/Bristol, CT
Coach McInerney on Tyrell: "Tyrell came to our football camp with his high school team and displayed excellent athleticism. He has grown a couple inches this past year and has improved as a football player. Tyrell fought through some injuries this past season and is athletic enough to play either side of the ball. He will likely start out as a safety." (Two-time All-State Player)

Jordan Kittrell - 6-5, 195, Wide Receiver
Friendship Collegiate Academy/Washington D.C.
Coach McInerney on Jordan: "Jordan is a big, athletic wide receiver with excellent ball skills who can create miss-matches with his size and athleticism. He was recruited by some bigger schools and we are excited that he decided to become a Blue Devil. With the loss of some playmakers on offense, we look for Jordan to become a playmaker for us when he arrives in New Britain." (Rivals 2 Star ranking)

Darius Lee - 5-9, 170, Running Back/Cornerback
Brandon High School/Sefner, FL
Coach McInerney on Darius: "Darius has tremendous speed and athleticism and played extensively on both sides of the ball on a team that went 10-2 in Florida's 5A class. Like a lot of our signees, Darius attended our summer camp and was very impressive. We look forward to Darius becoming a Blue Devils and helping us continue the winning tradition we have established at CCSU." (Notes: 2x offensive player of the year)

William Maxen - 6-0, 280, Defensive Line
Pomperaug High School/Southbury, CT
Coach McInerney on William: "Willie is another strong kid who was impressive at our summer camp and had a very productive career as a defensive end and offensive lineman at Pomperaug. We see him contributing on the defensive side of the ball for us during his time in New Britain."

DeAndre Price - 5-10, 175, Cornerback
Friendship Collegiate Academy/Washington D.C.
Coach McInerney on DeAndre: "DeAndre is an exciting cornerback who is also very physical. He will add athleticism to our secondary. DeAndre was another player who was recruited by some bigger schools but has decided to become a Blue Devil. We are excited about the ability that he is bringing to our program." (Rivals 2 Star Ranking)

James (Shawn) Robinson - 6-3, 190, Wide Receiver
Trinity Catholic High School/Stamford, CT
Coach McInerney on James: "Coming into the fall Shawn was one of the top prospects in the state of Connecticut. He just recently turned 17 so he has a lot of potential to develop and we look forward to seeing that growth. He is quick and athletic and we look forward to him showing his skills at the wide receiver position in New Britain." (Rivals 2 Star Ranking)

Blaise Rosati - 6-2, 295, Center
Avon Old Farms/Boonton Township, NJ
Coach McInerney on Blaise: "Blaise helped lead the Avon Old Farms offensive line this past year and will start out as a center for CCSU. He is originally from New Jersey and his size and athletic ability should help him be successful on the offensive line for us." (1st Team All-New England)

David Rose - 6-1/200, Linebacker
Notre Dame (West Haven)/West Haven, CT
Coach McInerney on David: "David is one of the most athletic linebackers in the state of Connecticut and comes from a great program at Notre Dame-West Haven and we expect him to have a bright future at CCSU." (2009 State Champs)

SPRING ENROLLEE
Josh Alaeze - Linebacker - 6-0/245
Milford Academy/Baltimore, MD
Coach McInerney on Josh: "Josh has an excellent nose for the football and is already attending CCSU. We expect him to add depth and competition to the roster this spring and we are very excited that he will be able to participate in spring ball with the Blue Devils."