NEC Champion CCSU Football Announces Signees
Blue Devils added eight to the roster in December Signing Period
Head Football Coach Pete Rossomando, fresh off the program's fifth Northeast Conference Championship in 2017, has announced the signing of eight student-athletes during the December early signing period on Wednesday. Rossomando and the Blue Devils finished last season 8-4 and made their first-ever trip to the FCS playoffs. The Blue Devils rode an eight-game winning streak into the playoffs and posted a perfect 6-0 record in NEC play this past season. Central was 5-1 at home in 2017.
"We're excited to add some playmakers to this year's class" Rossomando said on Wednesday. "We're getting some depth, some speed and more importantly some quality student-athletes and young men in this class. We're not done yet, this is just the start for us but these eight guys are a great group and we can't wait to get them working with the team in New Britain. Good things are happening, and we're excited to continue to grow and get better."
ROMELO WILLIAMS - QB - 6-1/185 - Miramar, FL/Miramar
Played for coach AJ Scott...First Team All-Broward...Led Broward in passing yardage as a senior...Highest QBR in Broward in his final season.
Why Romelo chose CCSU: I chose CCSU because it was the right fit for me, both on the playing field and in the classroom.
Coach Rossomando on Romelo: Romelo is the dual threat QB that all teams look for in a recruit. He is a terrific passer, can make all the throws and when things break down he is very dynamic.
DERRICK MILLER, Jr. - DT - 6-1/275 - Suitland, MD/Oxon Hill
Played for coach Craig Jefferies...All-Met honorable Mention...Two-time First Team All-County...PG Elite 22
Coach Rossomando on Derrick: Derrick is an explosive defensive lineman who can rush off the edge and play inside. He is a great young man and will fit in our program well.
KYLE ZAJACK - QB - 6-1/190 - Middletown, CT/Capital Prep
Played for coach Jason Manson...Two-time All-Conference selection...Two-time All-Hartford Courant selection
Why Kyle chose CCSU: I've been attending CCSU's team camp for the past four years and have built a great bond with the program. It's like a family and I can't wait to be a part of it.
Coach Rossomando on Kyle: Kyle can make every throw on the field and throws, possibly, the best deep ball I have seen. He is a great field general and competitor. He was also coached by a great quarterback himself over at Capital Prep. We are excited to welcome Kyle to the family.
JIOVANNY PIERRE - WR - 5-10/165 - Somerville, MA/Somerville
Played for coach Makonnen Fenton...Three-time Greater Boston League Football All-Star (2014, '15, '16)...NEC All-Star in 2017...Had 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions...Team captain in both football and basketball in 2017.
Why Jiovanny chose CCSU: I chose CCSU because it's not too far from home and it was the best fit for me as a student-athlete.
Coach Rossomando on Jiovanny: Jio is an explosive wide receiver who has great body control and the ability to escape tight coverage. We are so pleased to have Jio on board.
ELIJAH HARRISON - DB - 6-1/190 - Linden, NJ/Linden/Lackawanna College
Played for coach Albert Chiola (Linden) and Mark Duda (Lackawanna)...Two-time First Team All-Division selection in high school...First Team All-Conference.
Why Elijah chose CCSU: It was the best fit for me academically, as well as athletically. I also wanted a chance to play alongside my high school teammate Tymir Hinton once again.
Coach Rossomando on Elijah: Elijah will fill a big need for us in the secondary as we graduate Najae Brown and Jarrod Cann. Elijah comes from a great high school and a great junior college, he will be battle ready.
KENYATTA HUSTON - ATH - 5-7/165 - Lockport, NY/Canisius
Played for coach Rich Robbins...Team won the State Championship.
Why Kenyatta chose CCSU: I chose CCSU because it's a comfortable distance away from home. I came on a visit and I loved it there, felt like home. It's not too big, not too small. It's just the right size and I also feel like they are going to get me where I need to be in life.
Coach Rossomando on Kenyatta: Don't blink, you might miss this guy. He brings great speed and competitiveness to our offense. He is a threat to score any time he touches the ball.
MARKELL DOBBS - RB - 5-11/175 - Ansonia, CT/Ansonia
Played for coach Thomas Brockett...Rushed for 2,314 yards and 38 touchdowns as a senior...Averaged 12.6 yards per rush and 192.8 yards per game...Rushed for 2,406 yards and 32 touchdowns as a sophomore...Averaged 12.0 yards per rush and 200.5 yards per game...Finished career with 4,903 rushing yards, and 72 touchdowns...Captain in 2017...Team won State title in 2016, Runner-up in 2017...CHSCA All-State First Team...Walter Camp 2016 and 2017 All-Connecticut Team...All-Conference selection.
Coach Rossomando on Markell: He is the premier player in the state of Connecticut from an excellent program. He can run the ball, catch the ball, return the ball and play outstanding defense. He is a great competitor that makes us a better program the day he steps on campus.
SHAYNE MANSON - LB - 6-3/210 - Windsor, CT/Windsor
Played for coach Rob Fleeting...All-Conference selection...All-State selection.
Why Shayne chose CCSU: CCSU showed me an authentic love and gave genuine support at the beginning of the recruiting process. They always kept my best interest in mind and realized my potential. Lastly, there's no place like home and CCSU feels like home.
Coach Rossomando on Shayne: Shayne has the exact skill set we look for in an outside linebacker. He is tall, athletic, can rush the passer and can cover as well. He also comes from a championship pedigree at Windsor High School. He will be a very productive player for his career here in New Britain.
