CCSU Announces Incoming Football Class on Signing Day
Head Coach Pete Rossomando will enter his fourth season at CCSU in 2017
Football Signing Day is today, and once again this year CCSUBlueDevils.com is your home for all of the most up-to-date signing information as it happens. Follow us all day long as we welcome and announce the newest crop of Blue Devils who will join the CCSU Athletics family.
We'll update you with bio information, video, photos and coach quotes from head coach Pete Rossomando as the letters arrive on the CCSU Campus, and keep you up-to-date all day long.
#GoBlueDevils #ItsTime
NIAM COWARD - DE - 6-2/235 - East Haven, CT/East Haven
Played for coach Melvin Wells...Named All-SCC Division 2 on defense in both 2015 and 2016...Named All-State at linebacker in 2016.
Why Niam chose CCSU: I chose CCSU because it felt like the right place for me. The school has my intended major and the coaches there believe in my ability to be successful in the classroom and on the field.
Coach Rossomando on Niam: Niam is an athlete that can play many positions for us although he will play rush end to start. We are happy he decided to choose CCSU for the next chapter.
WATCH NIAM'S HIGHLIGHT VIDEO HERE
BYRON DICKENS - DL - 6-2/295 - West Haven, CT/West Haven
Played for coach Rich Boshea...New Haven Register First Team...Two-time Coaches All-State selection...Walter Camp First Team selection...First Team Connecticut All-USA Today.
Why Byron chose CCSU: I chose CCSU so I could be a Blue Devil for life.
Coach Rossomando on Byron: Byron is one of the top players in the state of Connecticut and we are so excited to have him here on Stanley Street. He is big and physical and a perfect match for the interior of our defense.
WATCH BYRON'S HIGHLIGHT VIDEO HERE
TULLY ERVIN - DE - 6-4/245 - Gaithersburg, MD/Avalon School
Played for coach Tyree Spinner...Posted 55 tackles and three sacks in his senior season.
Why Tully chose CCSU: I chose CCSU because it has a great football program as well as great academics.
Coach Rossomando on Tully: We are pleased to have Tully join the family, he brings a high motor and a level of intensity that is needed to win at the FCS level.
WATCH TULLY'S HIGHLIGHT VIDEO HERE
EDISON GALAN - QB - 6-2/180 - Manchester, CT/Manchester
Played for coach Roy Roberts at Manchester...Two-time All-Conference at quarterback...Third-Team All-State at quarterback.
Why Edison chose CCSU: I felt CCSU was the right fit for me academically and athletically. When I visited campus I felt at home and am excited to be close to family.
Coach Rossomando on Edison: Edison is an excellent pure passer with the ability to use his athletic ability to make plays. Edison played for CCSU Alumnus Roy Roberts at Manchester so he had an excellent recommendation from a true "Kaiser Kid". We can't wait to get working with Edison full time.
WATCH EDISON'S HIGHLIGHT VIDEO HERE
FODAY JALLOH - OLB - 6-2/205 - West Lawn, PA/Wilson
Played for coach Doug Dahms...All Berks and Lancaster-Lebanon Section 1 Linebacker of the Year...All Berks and Lancaster-Lebanon Section 1 First Team...Team Defensive MVP...Eastern PA First Team linebacker.
Why Foday chose CCSU: I felt the love from the coaching staff and CCSU was one the colleges that truly believed in me and my ability.
Coach Rossomando on Foday: Foday is exactly what we look for in an outside linebacker. He can cover the pass and is physical in the run game. He also showed us that he can rush the passer. We can't wait for Foday to be wearing the Blue and White.
WATCH FODAY'S HIGHLIGHT VIDEO HERE
TYSHAUN JAMES - QB - 6-4/210 - Middletown, CT/Middletown
Played for coach Salvatore Morello at Middletown...Top-20 All-State QB...Two-time All-Conference pick...New Haven Register 1st Team...Walter Camp 2nd Team.
Why Tyshaun chose CCSU: The reason I chose CCSU is because of the teamwork and dedication of the players and the coaches. The coaches showed constant interest in me and always asked about my family. Whenever I'm on campus it feels like home to me and somewhere I want to be for four years and build something great.
Coach Rossomando on Tyshaun: Tyshaun is a terrific dual threat QB that we targeted some time ago. He is dangerous running the ball as well as throwing the ball. We are so happy that he decided to stay home and help take CCSU to the next level.
WATCH TYSHAUN'S HIGHLIGHT VIDEO HERE
RICHARD JERNIGAN - LB - 6-0/240 - Hartford, CT/Hartford Public (Monroe CC)
Played for coach Harry Bellucci and at Monroe CC for coach Terry Karg...Named team Most Valuable Player...All-Conference.
Why Richard chose CCSU: There's no place like home.
Coach Rossomando on Richard: We are so excited that Rich decided to come home to finish his college career at CCSU. He is on campus already bonding with his new brothers.
WATCH RICHARD'S HIGHLIGHT VIDEO HERE
KEONTE LUCAS - RB - 5-10/195 - East Hartford, CT/Milton Hershey
Played for coach Jeff Boger at Milton Hershey...First-Team All-Conference...Big 33 Nominee...First-Team All-State...All Eastern PA/Western PA Super 25...PA Football News First Team...Mid-Penn Capital Conference Offensive MVP...Mid-Penn Conference First Team
Why Keonte chose CCSU: I chose CCSU because the first visit I had was unrivaled to any other visit I took during the recruiting process...The coaching staff was no doubt the coolest I met and CCSU is a good fit academically for the major I want to pursue. It helps that it's only 25 minutes from home.
Coach Rossomando on Keonte: Keonte is a home grown recruit from East Hartford. We are excited that Keonte decided to come home to run the ball for CCSU.
WATCH KEONTE'S HIGHLIGHT VIDEO HERE
MIKE McHUGH - OL - 6-4/260 - Matawan, NJ/Matawan Regional
Played for coach John Kaye...Named Third-Team All-State in New Jersey...Named All-Division.
Why Mike chose CCSU: I chose CCSU because my family and I thought that it was a great fit for me and made me feel at home. Also the coaches and players on the team made me feel wanted and welcomed me with open arms.
Coach Rossomando on Mike: We are getting a young man who is smart, physical and athletic and can play all positions on the offensive line. We knew that Mike was a fit from the minute we met him.
WATCH MIKE'S HIGHLIGHT VIDEO HERE
DAEQUAN NICHOLSON - LB - 6-1/245 - New Haven, CT/Wilbur Cross
Played for coach John Acquavita...Team Captain...Team Defensive MVP in 2016...Thanksgiving Day Defensive MVP...13 Marking periods of High Honors or Distinguished honors.
Why Daequan chose CCSU: CCSU was the place where the coaches cared about my future as a player, and as a person.
Coach Rossomando on Daequan: Daequan is a hidden gem in the state of Connecticut. He is athletic enough to play linebacker and has the growth potential and physicality to play defensive line. We are happy he decided to come up to CCSU.
WATCH DAEQUAN's HIGHLIGHT VIDEO HERE
IFEANYI OKORJI - DL - 6-3/260 - Hatfield, PA/Lansdale Catholic
Played for coach Tom Kirk...Two-time First Team All-Catholic selection...Team Defensive Most Vaoluable Player.
Why Ifeanyi chose CCSU: I chose to attend and play football at CCSU because of the bond I felt with the players and coaching staff during my visit.
Coach Rossomando on Ifeanyi: Ifeanyi is someone that we targeted early in the recruiting process and we knew it was a fit right from the start. He is a great addition to our defense.
WATCH IFEANYI'S HIGHLIGHT VIDEO HERE
BRANDON SCOTT - OL - 6-4/280 - Boston, MA/Deerfield Academy
Played for coach Brian Barbato at Deerfield Academy...Team MVP as a sophomore...Two-time Team MVP in track and field...All-Central New England First Team as a senior...Team most improved as a sophomore.
Why Brandon chose CCSU: I chose CCSU because I felt the love from the coaches and the team. I was able to see myself becoming a part of the Blue Devils family and making great memories that will last a lifetime.
Coach Rossomando on Brandon: When Brandon stepped foot on our campus I knew right away that he was a Blue Devil. He is athletic and physical, both traits that you want in an offensive lineman.
WATCH BRANDON'S HIGHLIGHT VIDEO HERE
NEIL TOMPKINS - OL - 6-5/270 - Hyde Park, NY/F.D. Roosevelt
Played for coach Brian Bolino...Named All-League...Also named All-Section...Sixth Team All-State.
Why Neil chose CCSU: I chose CCSU because it felt like home.
Coach Rossomando on Neil: Neil is an big, athletic offensive lineman that plays extremely hard every play. He will be an excellent leader as he is captain of both the football and basketball teams.
WATCH NEIL'S HIGHLIGHT VIDEO HERE
DEQUAN WILLIAMS - OLB - 6-1/205 - Bradenton, FL/Southeast
Played for coach Rasheed West...Named Defensive Most Valuable Player...Two-Time All Area selection...Named Player of the Week nine times in his last two seasons.
Why Dequan chose CCSU: I chose CCSU to show everyone that I can play, in any state, and in any environment.
Coach Rossomando on Dequan: Dequan comes to CCSU from Bradenton, FL, a hot bed of High School football. He runs, hits and has an excellent football IQ. We are excited he chose to continue his career here on Stanley Street.
WATCH DEQUAN'S HIGHLIGHT VIDEO HERE
CRAIG WOOD - OL - 6-3/300 - Bel Air, MD/Calvert Hall
Played for coach Donald Davis...Named BTC All-Star.
Why Craig chose CCSU: I chose CCSU because it will help push me to reach my full potential in the classroom, and the field. CCSU was the highest level of football offered to me to play, and to be the best, you must play with the best. I want to further my education at CCSU because of it's convenient location to Hartford, and its academic excellence in my intended major.
Coach Rossomando on Craig: Craig is big, physical and smart, all common themes amongst our offensive line recruits. He will fit in well with our offensive line group.
WATCH CRAIG'S HIGHLIGHT VIDEO HERE
JOE ZOPPI - K - 5-11/180 - Shelton, CT/Shelton
Played for coach Jeff Roy...All-SCC selection...First Team All-State...All-USA Today Connecticut First Team...Walter Camp Second Team...New Haven Register All-Area...Connecticut Post Super 33 Team...Special Team Player of the Year...Tied state record with 20 field goals...Led the state in kicking points with 85.
Why Joe chose CCSU: I chose CCSU because I really liked the campus and enjoyed my official visit. The coaches believed in my talents and I believe this is the best fit for me. I plan to work hard for the starting job. I can't wait to start my football and academic career at CCSU.
Coach Rossomando on Joe: We are so excited to have Joe join our football family. He comes from a long line of Shelton kickers (Ed Groth) and is ready to carry on the tradition here at CCSU. He also played for CCSU Alumnus Jeff Roy.
WATCH JOE'S HIGHLIGHT VIDEO HERE
THEO ZIDOR - TE - 6-6/220 - Everett, MA/Everett
Played for coach John Dibiaso...Greater Boston League All-Star...Three-time Greater Boston League Champion...2016 State Championship.
Why Theo chose CCSU: I chose Central Connecticut because from the first time I stepped foot on the campus it felt like home. I felt welcomed by all the coaches I met. I enjoyed every aspect of it, from the food to the beautiful campus. The students and players told me nothing but good things about Central Connecticut and the football program. Coach Ericksen blew me away with his presentation on how to get the players prepared for the off season and during the season.
Coach Rossomando on Theo: Theo has tremendous size and range for a tight end. He can play attached or out on the outside like a wide receiver. Theo comes from the Super Bowl Champions in Massachusetts, Everett High School, along with his new CCSU teammate JJ Collimon.
