CCSU FOOTBALL SIGNING DAY HEADQUARTERS
Blue Devils announce 2016 signees
Head football coach Pete Rossomando and his staff announced their 2016 recruiting class on Wednesday, February 2. The list of signees is below.
Rossomando will enter his third season with the Blue Devils in 2016. This is his third recruiting class as the head coach at CCSU.
WATCH THE COACHING STAFF TALK ABOUT THIS YEAR'S CLASS
CARLTON AIKEN JR. – 6-2/180 – QB – Springfield, PA/Paulsboro
Two-time First Team All-State…Two-time First Team All-South Jersey…Two-time First Team All-Conference…Two-time NJ.com Player Of The Week…Two-time All-South Jersey All Star…Three-time TD Club Award Winner…Second in school history in career passing…Single season passing yardage (1,960) and touchdown (19) record-holder…Joe Flacco QB of the Year Nominee…2015 Team MVP…2014 Team Offense MVP
Why CCSU: I chose CCSU because it's the perfect fit for me and my family! I'll get the opportunity to compete early in my career and that was huge on my list! CCSU was the first school to offer me a scholarship and that's important! Coach Rossomando is changing the program around and I wanted to be a part of that. I get to be a part of a great team and get coached by one of the best coaching staffs in the country! I'll also be coming in with a GREAT recruiting class! Coach Copeland did a great job recruiting me! I love everything about CCSU!
Coach Ross on Aiken: "Carlton is a dual threat quarterback that we like in our offense. He has tremendous arm strength and a great ability to process information. We are excited to have the entire Aiken Family aboard."
FREDERICK ALLEN III – 6-1/230 – LB – Marshfield, MA/Marshfield
Two-time Atlantic Coast League All-Star…All Scholastic Patriot Ledger…Boston Herald All State Linebacker…2015 Div. 2 State Champion…Ranked #1 ILB in Massachusetts by ESPN Boston
Why CCSU: All of the coaches were consistent and honest while recruiting me. They showed interest in me last year and gave their love towards me from the beginning. That stood out the most. As soon as I made my official visit to CCSU, I did not want to leave. The players' attitude and dedication towards the program gave me a positive vibe about the school. I told myself then and there that I want to be a part of this program.
Coach Ross on Allen: "Freddy is a guy that will bring some physicality to our defense. He is a playmaker that we need."
JUSTIN APPLEBY – 6-5/285 – OL – Trumbull, CT/Trumbull
Captain…Second Team All-FCIAC
Why CCSU: I chose Central Connecticut because it's a beautiful school with the tools to make me successful in life. I also know the coaching staff and I have the same mindset and that is to win
TAJIK BAGLEY – 5-11/184 – DB – Ansonia, CT/Ansonia
Two-time All-State…Four-time All-League selection…NVL Player of the Year
Why CCSU: CCSU gives me a great opportunity in a tough conference to show my talents. CCSU also runs a system on both offense and defense that I can see myself a part of. I can also say that CCSU has a great group of coaches that strongly focuses on the importance of academics.
Coach Ross on Bagley: "Tajik impressed the coaching staff from the first time we met him. He carries himself with great poise and competitiveness. We are excited to welcome Tajik to the family."
JASON BAILEY – 6-1/215 – QB/ATH – New Windsor, NY/Cornwall Central
MSG Varsity Section IX Player of the Year…NYSSWA Section IX Player of the Year…Second Team All-State…Section IX Class A Back of the Year
Why CCSU: CCSU gives a great blend of athletics and academics which gives me the opportunity to continue my career in an excellent football program and excellent engineering program.
XAVIER BASS – 6-0/184 – WR/DB – Bridgeport, CT/Harding
Walter Camp First Team…All-Conference…All-FCIAC… Class L State Champion (wrestling)…FCIAC State Champion Runner-Up (wrestling)…All-State (wrestling)…CT Post Super 33 Defense
Why CCSU: It's not about where you go, it's what you do when you get there.
Coach Ross on Bass: "Xavier gives us a tremendous athlete that has excelled on both sides of the ball. He is also a tremendous wrestler which shows his competitive nature. We would truely like to welcome Xavier to Hard Hittin' New Britain."
J'VON BROWN – 6-3/340 – OL – Norwich, CT/Norwich Free Academy
AECC All-Conference selection…Three-time All-Area selection…Two-time All-State…O-D All American…NUC All-American
Why CCSU: Why wouldn't you choose to go to the best school in the nation?
Coach Ross on Brown: "J'von is a great signing for our football team. He is a tough, physical lineman who can play both sides of the ball. We look forward to having him clear the way for running backs on Arute Field."
BRANDON DESAUTELS – 6-3/170 – P – Columbia, CT/E.O. Smith
Two time All-State kicker…Also All-Conference in baseball and basketball
Why CCSU: I connected really well with the coaches and love the direction that the football program and school is going in.
CHEICKNA DOUCOURE – 6-5/365 – OL – Brattleboro, VT/New Hampton Prep
NEPSAC Bowl Champion
Why CCSU: I knew I wanted to go to CCSU ever since my first interaction with the coaching staff. After my official visit I just felt like I belonged there and they also felt that way. It's nice to be able spend the next four years playing for a program that is as excited about me as I am them.
Coach Ross on Doucoure: "Cheickna is a terrific interior offensive lineman. He has a great work ethic and stands for everything we are looking for in a Blue Devil."
ARTHUR GILMORE – 6-4/215 – TE – North Plainfield, NJ/North Plainfield
First Team All-Area at tight end…First Team All-Conference
Why CCSU: CCSU made me feel at home. They are a great school for the major I plan on studying.
Coach Ross on Gilmore: "Arthur has tremendous playmaking ability at the tight end position and he can also block the line of scrimmage. He will gel with our current group very well. We are happy to welcome Arthur and his family to our family."
CHRISTIAN HEYWARD – 6-3/205 – WR – Baltimore, MD/Mount St. Joseph
Two-time First Team All-MIAA…All-State Honorable Mention…BTC All-Star participant… Second most career receptions in school history.
Why CCSU: I love the environment at CCSU. Being surrounded by great people, a beautiful campus, and strong academics is all anyone can ask for.
Coach Ross on Heyward: "Christian is a wide receiver with great size. He is extremely competitive and will be the big wide receiver we need in the red zone. We are thrilled to have Christian join the Blue Devil Family."
MICHON HUNT - 6-2/214 - LB - Hartford, CT/Capital
Coach Ross on Hunt: "Michon is an incredible athlete at the linebacker position. He can play inside or outside and we are excited to welcome him to the family."
CRAIG JONES – 5-10/165 – CB – Philadelphia, PA/West Catholic Prep
Second-Team All-Catholic at defensive back as a junior...Led Catholic League in Interceptions...First Team All-Catholic at defensive back as a senior...First Team All Catholic wide receiver...Daily News All-City Top Honor Play of the Year...2015 PA Football All-State Team.
Why CCSU: I chose CCSU because I believe the staff will give me the best support as well as the opportunity to develop my weaknesses into strengths. I also believe CCSU will help me achieve both my on and off the field goals.
Coach Ross on Jones: "Craig comes from a traditional powerhouse in Philadelphia at West Catholic HS. The Hollomon brothers were both from there and we see Craig as having that same type of playmaking ability. We are glad Craig chose to make those plays at CCSU."
DANNY KALOSHI – 6-4/305 – OL – Hartford, CT/Hartford Public
First Team All-Central Connecticut Conference selection…First Team All-State…First Team All-Hartford Courant
Why CCSU: It's the right place for me.
Coach Ross on Kaloshi: "Danny is a very mature young man who will be a great asset to our football team and our offensive line. We are excited that Danny decided to come down the road to be a Blue Devil."
TREVON LINCOLN – 6-4/305 – OL – Spring Hill, FL/Central High School
Offensive player of the year…Two-time offensive lineman of the year
Why CCSU: Because I felt like it was the best decision for me and my family and I felt like I would be surrounded by great people and be able to get a degree and go to the next level.
ANTHONY MARUCCI – 6-0/270 – OL – Parkland, FL/St. Thomas Aquinas
All-County Offense…Football Captain…Two-time state champion…All-State Honorable Mention.
Why CCSU: CCSU is a program moving in the right direction and on the pathway to success. I feel CCSU is a good fit for me and I feel that I can make an early impact as a freshman.
Coach Ross on Marucci: "Anthony comes from one of the premier high school programs in the nation in St. Thomas Aquinas, FL. He is a physical lineman who helped St. Thomas Aquinas win two state titles in a row. We are happy Anthony decided to continue his academic and playing career at CCSU."
CONNOR MIGNONE – 6-3/303 – OL – Redding, CT/Joel Barlow
2015 CHSCA All-State…2015 Walter Camp Foundation All-Connecticut Football Team…All-Conference…Two Time Team MVP…Team Captain
Why CCSU: I chose CCSU because I felt it was a great opportunity educationally and athletically, as well as I believe the coaches and players are building a great program, which I want to become a part of.
Coach Ross on Mignone: "Connor is an offensive lineman that has been on our radar for quite a while. We love Connor's passion for the game and his ability to play both guard and tackle. Welcome to the family Connor."
EMANUEL SCOTT – 6-0/175 – WR – Brooksville, FL/Central High School
Two-time outstanding wide receiver award…Outstanding defensive back award.
Why CCSU: CCSU felt like home and it was a great experience visiting there.
Coach Ross on Scott: "Emanuel is a playmaker who has tremendous speed and ability to score from anywhere on the field. We are happy to have this latest addition from the Sunshine state."