Football Adds to Recruiting Class
The Central Connecticut football program has announced the addition of 16 student-athletes for the Fall of 2014.
The Central Connecticut football program has announced the addition of 16 student-athletes for the Fall of 2014. The additions bring the total for head coach Pete Rossomando's first class at CCSU to 27 student-athletes, including 22 that have signed a National Letter of Intent.
Here is a look at the student-athletes that have signed a National Letter of Intent:
Nathan Chrzanwoski – 6'4"/315 – OL – Mashpee, MA/Mashpee/Bridgton Academy
Played high school football for head coach Matt Triveri at Mashpee…Did a prep year at Bridgton Academy where he played for head coach Chad Walker…Was selected as a 2013 South Shore League All-Star.
Chrzanwoski on CCSU: "CCSU is the next phase in my life and I believe they will help me reach life goals."
Rossomando on Chrzanwoski: "He's a big physical offensive lineman who was well coached and really matured at Bridgeton Academy. We are excited to have him join the program."
David Cinti – 6'4"/297 – OL – Vestal, NY/West Haven
Played his high school football at West Haven for head coach Ed McCarthy…Max Preps top 100 to watch in USA…Under Armour All-America…First Team All-State OL Connecticut…USA Today Best of the Best Connecticut…First Team New Haven Register All-Area…First Team All-Levi Jackson…First Team ALL SCC Conference.
Cinti on CCSU: "I knew the coaching staff well and knew they were building a first class organization and will challenge for a National Title. It is the place I wanted to play!"
Rossomando on Cinti: "Got to watch David for two years at West Haven and really like his ability to play multiple positions on the offensive line. He has great size and athletic ability."
Jose Garcia – 5'10"/167 – WR – New London, CT/New London
Played high school football at New London for head coach Duane Maranda…Was an All-State selection in football and track…Also an All-Area selection and All-ECC selection in 2012 & 2013.
Garcia on CCSU: "I chose CCSU because it offers a great academic opportunity and has an athletic program with great potential."
Rossomando on Garcia: "Jose is really fast and athletic as a receiver. He has great raw skills and we see him doing good things in our program."
Kortney Leftridge – 6'3"/325 – OL – Hamden, CT/Hamden/Monroe College
Played high school football for Hamden and head coach Tony Martone…Also played at Monroe College for head coach Terry Karg…Was a 2013 Second Team NEFC All-Conference selection…Earned the Coaches Award in 2012…Was a First Team All-Area selection in 2011.
Leftridge on CCSU: "I chose CCSU because it's a welcoming environment and has a great support system. It's close to home and I can finish my collegiate football career were my family and friends can watch."
Rossomando on Leftridge: "He is a Hamden high grad who played a couple seasons in junior college. His size, strength and ability to move plus his experience at the collegiate level will really help us."
Frankie Palmer – 6'0" – K/P – Danbury, CT/Trinity-Pawling
Played high school football Trinity Pawling for head coach Nick LaFontaine…Was named All-Erickson League and All-New England.
Palmer on CCSU: "CCSU is a great program."
Rossomando on Palmer: "Frankie has a great leg and is an athlete. I think he can help kicking and punting."
ShaCor Privott – 6'2"/250 – LB – Middletown, CT/Wilbraham & Monson Academy
Played high school football at Wilbraham & Monson Academy for head coach Jeff Vartabedian…Was a three-time All-New England selection and a three-time All-Colonial First Team selection.
Privott on CCSU: "Blue collar program and I'm a blue collar guy."
Rossomando on Privott: "He is a Middletown guy we really like. He is a big physical kid that can challenge for time right away at inside linebacker."
Jesse Ridgway – 6'3"/220 – DE – West Haven, CT/West Haven
Played high school football at West Haven for head coach Ed McCarthy…Was selected to the Levi Jackson Team…Also and All-SCC, All-Area and All-State Class LL selection…Served as a team captain as a senior.
Ridgway on CCSU: "When I walked on the campus I knew that CCSU was where I wanted to spend my next four years. The coaching stuff is great and I'm just looking forward to being a Blue Devil."
Rossomando on Ridgway: "Jesse is a kid with multiple talents. He is what I would call a 'big athlete,' we like the versatility he can provide us."
Luis Rodrigues – 6'4"/290 – OL – Brookfield, CT/Brookfield
Played high school football for Brookfield and head coach Rich Angarano…Was an All-Conference and All-State selection while playing at Brookfield.
Rodrigues on CCSU: "I chose CCSU because I wanted a school that challenged me both academically and athletically."
Rossomando on Rodrigues: "Luis is an offensive lineman with great size and athletic ability. We are excited to have him join the program."
Justin Rose – 6'2"/210 – LB – Southington, CT/Southington/Avon Old Farms
Played high school football at Southington high school for head coach Mike Drury…Transferred to Avon Old Farms where he played for head coach Kevin Driscoll…Was an All-Conference, All-New England and All-Erikson selection…Was also named league Defensive Player of the Year.
Rose on CCSU: "Academically and athletically Central fit just right. The coaching staff here is like no other, I'm ready to help win championships."
Rossomando on Rose: "Justin is still new to football with only two years of experience, but he is an athletic inside linebacker. That can really run and make plays."
Carlton Steer – 6'3"/255 – LB – East Hartford, CT/East Hartford/Cushing Academy
Played high school football at East Hartford and Cushing Academy…Was an All-CCC selection and a team captain as a senior…Was also the defensive player of the year and Co-M.V.P. for East Hartford...Also received the Outstanding Athlete Award.
Steer on CCSU: "The goal Is not to just make the team, but to make the team better in every aspect…CCSU has the talent and ability to claim the Northeast Conference, I will enjoy being a part of that."
Rossomando on Steer: "Carlton is another kid who can play multiple spots. He has the size for the defensive line and the athletic ability for linebacker, will probably be a linebacker right now."
Jihad Whitaker – 6'0"/181 – DB – Bridgeport, CT/Bassick
Played high school football at Bassick for head coach Derrick Lewis… Was a three-time All-FCIAC selection on offense and defense…Was named player most likely to succeed…Served as a team captain and was his team's most valuable player.
Whitaker on CCSU: "They realized my potential and gave me a chance to play at the next level."
Rossomando on Whitaker: "Jihad is an athletic defensive back that can play corner or safety. He has great speed and an ability to make plays."
Here is a look at the Blue Devils incoming walk-ons:
Sean Aiudi – 6'2"/225 – LB – Bristol, CT/Bristol Eastern
Played high school football for head coach Michael Archangelo at Bristol Eastern…Served as a team captain…Was and All-Conference selection…Also an All-Courant selection.
Aiudi on CCSU: "I chose CCSU because it feels like home to me and I've always wanted to be a Blue Devil."
Rossomando on Aiudi: "Plays for a CCSU alum at Bristol Eastern and is a kid that can play multiple spots. He'll be an inside linebacker for us and we are excited to have him in the program."
Kevin Loschiavo – 6'0"/190 – DB – Oxford, CT/Oxford
Played high school football at Oxford for head coach Joe Stochmal…Was selected to All-SWC as a junior…Earned SWC Honorable Mention as a senior despite missing time…Also earned his team's Coaches Award and Defensive Player of the Year…Served as a team captain in football and baseball.
Loschiavo on CCSU: "As soon as I stepped on the CCSU campus I liked the winners atmosphere. I have a good feeling this program will do great things in the near future. I know CCSU is a good choice for me because the next four years will make me a better student and athlete."
Rossomando on Loschiavo: "Kevin can play multiple positions. He is explosive and a versatile payer that will see action at safety."
Nick Landau – 6'3"/218 – DE – Newtown, CT/Newtown
Played high school football at Newtown for head coach Steve George…Helped his team to SWC Championships in 2012 and 2013…Served as a team captain as a senior.
Landau on CCSU: "I chose CCSU for the football and beautiful campus. I love the size of the school and the location it is in."
Rossomando on Landau: "Nick was highly recruited and we really like his potential on the defensive line. Looking forward to having him in the program."
Charles Montalbano – 6'5"/325 – OL – Phillipston, MA/Narragansett Regional/Bridgton Academy
Played football at Narragansett Regional for head coach John Beary, as well as at Bridgton Academy for head coach Chad Walker…Was named a Central Mass All-Star, Division 5 All-Star and was a Shriners All-Star Game starter…Earned the Central Mass Athletic Director Association Award…Was also a standout in the shot put.
Montalbano on CCSU: "I knew CCSU was the right fit for me because it was the best start for the rest of my life."
Rossomando on Montalbano: "Charles is a big offensive lineman who brings some maturity. We hope he will challenge for a spot this fall."
Andrew Hansen – 6'2"/205 – WR – New Milford, CT/New Milford
Played high school football at New Milford and head coach John Murphy…Served as a team captain as a senior…Was also a standout baseball and basketball player at New Milford.
Hansen on CCSU: "I chose CCSU because it's a great school for me and I can't wait to be the start of turning things around for the football program with this team and the new coaches."
Rossomando on Hansen: "Andrew can really play a number of positions, but we will probably use him at receiver. He is a hard-nosed football player."