Football Announces Signing Day Recruits
Head Coach Pete Rossomando announces his second incoming class
Head football coach Pete Rossomando and his staff announced their 2015 recruiting class on Wednesday, February 4. The list of signees is below, and Rossomando expects some additional signings in the coming day.
WATCH COACH ROSSOMANDO AND THE COACHING STAFF DISCUSS THE RECRUITING CLASS
Rossomando will enter his second season with the Blue Devils in 2015. This is his second recruiting class as the head coach at CCSU.
The class begins with the 2015 Spring enrollees. Rossomando and the Blue Devils welcomed eight new members to the team this spring. All are currently enrolled at CCSU. Additionally 14 student-athletes signed to begin play in the Fall of 2015.
2015 SIGNEES
CHIKA CHUKWU - 6-3/190 - Fr. - Wide Receiver
Glastonbury, CT - Glastonbury High School
CCC All-Conference Team...CCC All-Academic Team...All-Courant Defense Honorable Mention
Why CCSU: I chose CCSU because I felt the coaches and players here would help me to reach my full potential as a football player while helping me to be successful as a student also.
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JAMES DUMAS - 6-4/265 - Fr. - Defensive Line
Washington, D.C. - Friendship Collegiate Academy
Anchored a defensive line for perennial D.C. powerhouse Friendship Collegiate Academy. Possesses great size, strength and speed.
Why CCSU: It felt like home away from home.
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DUSAN ETIENNE - 6-8/320 - Fr. - Offensive Line
Hollywood, FL - Hollywood Hills High School
Hollywood Hills Offensive MVP 2012...Hollywood Hills Best Offensive lineman 2013 and 2014...Best Offensive Lineman in Ocala Lineman Challenge...Sun Sentinel All-Broward First Team...Miami Dolphins Super 24 first team
Why CCSU: I chose CCSU because I liked the way the coaches are looking to shape the program and I believe in the steps and methods that they are using to achieve their goal of making this program a great one.
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RAESHAUN FINNEY - 6-2/210 - So. - Linebacker
Ansonia, CT - Ansonia High School/Dean College
Back to Back Connecticut State Championships...Connecticut All-Star Game Captain...2013 Football Captain...2013 AHS Jack Hunt Defensive MVP...Most Improved player...All NVL Offense/Defense...All Brass Defense...All Valley Offense/Defense
Why CCSU: I chose CCSU because I know this program will provide me with great opportunities on and off the field and will challenge me to give my absolute best in all aspects of life and most of all allow me to fulfill my future goals.
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TYMIR HINTON - 6-0/180 - Fr. - Safety
Linden, NJ - Linden High School
Second Team All Division as a junior...As a Senior made First Team All Division and All-Area team...Also made Third Team All Group.
Why CCSU: CCSU had everything I was looking for, a good location, good school and I feel like the football program is on the rise.
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GRANT IBEH - 6-1/185 - Fr. - Cornerback
Gaithersburg, MD - Avalon High School
2014 Maryland Crabbowl All Star Selection...First Team All Conference...Second Team All Gazzette...Second Team All Private School State...Team Defensive MVP
Why CCSU: Great Enviroment, Great Coaches, Great Football Program, Great University and Great place for me to be.
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ALEX JAMELE - 6-0/175 - Fr. - Wide Receiver
Southington, CT - Southington High School
Most receiving touchdowns in a single season in Connecticut state history...29 career touchdowns...50 touchdowns overall...First Team All-State...2013 and 2014 Class LL State Champion...2013 & 2014 Connecticut High School Football Coaches Association All State selection
Why CCSU: CCSU seemed to be the best fit for my family and I.
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DREW JEAN-GUILLAUME - 5-10/200 - Fr. - Running Back
Charlton, MA - Shepherd Hill Regional High School
2014 Super Team All-Star...2014 All-State
Why CCSU: I chose CCSU because right when I stepped on campus it felt like home. All the coaches and players were very kind and treated others with respect. It's also close to my family.
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JAMEL JIMERSON - 6-2/210 - Fr. - Linebacker
Manassas, VA - Stonewall Jackson High School
First Team All-Conference...Second Team All-Region Football Team...2013 Defensive MVP...Leadership Award...2013 Coaches Award
Why CCSU: When I went to the school on my official visit, I truly felt like I had found somewhere where I'd be wanted and I could call home.
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JUSTIN KENNEDY - 6-3/235 - Fr. - Defensive Line
Sicklerville, NJ - St. Joseph High School
First Team All South Jersey...First Team All Press...First Team all League
Why CCSU: CCSU will give me the best opportunity to grow into a man, receive a degree, and succeed on the football field at the Division 1 level.
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RASHAD MANNING - 6-0/245 - Fr. - Defensive Line
Largo, MD - Riverdale Baptist
First team All Conference...Second Team All State...First Team All Met...Maryland Crab Bowl selection...Big 33 All Star game selection
Why CCSU: Because of the bond I had with the team on the visit and the coaches saw in me what hundreds of other schools did not.
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MATT MAXWELL - 6-1/190 - Fr. - Safety
Southington, CT - Southington High School
First Team All-State Defense...Two time State Champions
Why CCSU: It is the perfect fit for me.
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SHANE MCQUILLAN - 6-5/310 - Jr. - Offensive Line
Glastonbury, CT - Glastonbury High School/Dean College
Started 10 games at Tackle for Dean College playing some of the best competition in northeast junior college football...An athletic big man who possesses great feet and hands in both the run and pass game.
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BRANDON PURITT - 6-2/250 - Fr. - Defensive Line
Rochester, NY/Greece Athena High School
Section V Class A Defensive Player of the Year...First Team All State Class A...All Greater-Rochester.
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COURTNEY RUSH - 6-2/175 - Fr. - Wide Receiver
Windsor, CT - Windsor High School
Football: All Conference...All State...State Champion...Track: Two-time All Conference, Two-time All State, Six-Time State Champion
Why CCSU: CCSU is a place where I can grow and prosper, not only as a player but as a person too!
SPRING ENROLLEES
JARROD CANN - 5-10/200 - So. - Safety
Dover, DE - Fork Union Military Academy/Nassau Community College
24 tackles...1 fumble recovery...Afro-American Sports Hall of Fame Award...Bronze in the 55m for the 'Meet of Champions'...Second Team All Conference
Why CCSU: I chose CCSU because I believe attending this university was in God's plan for me to grow mentally, physically, and spiritually so that I can do great work through him.
Coach Ross on Jarrod: Jarrod is a versatile safety who brings a physical element to the game. We are excited he decided to join the family.
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JAKE DOLEGALA - 6-6/212 - Fr. - Quarterback
Hamburg, NY - St. Francis High School/Milford Academy
2014 Milford Academy: 143-286, 2,276 yards, 15.9 ypc, 20 TD/7 INT, Three-time offensive Player of the Game
Why CCSU: The reason I chose Central Connecticut was because I thought it was the best fit for me because of the coaches and their dedication to be a contender.
Coach Ross on Jake: Jake is a big strong armed quarterback who can make every throw on the field. He comes from an excellent high school and prep programs. Were happy to have him for spring ball.
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JOEL MADDOCK - 6-5/290 - Jr. - Defensive End
Brisbane, Australia - Wynnum State High School/Arizona Western College
Two-time All-Australia All State...41 tackles...1.5 sacks at Arizona Western College...12 games played
Why CCSU: The coaching staff and the prospect of being a player and a part of a team that changes this program and wins the championship.
Coach Ross on Joel: Joel played at a high level of junior college football at Arizona Western. He is a great natural athlete we hope will challenge for playing time.
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DAVID MADRID - 6-2/200 - Fr. - Quarterback
Pico Rivera, CA - John Muir High School
Why CCSU: CCSU is a great school with a great football program.
Coach Ross on David: David is a quarterback who had great success in high school and chose to enroll at CCSU to compete at the quarterback position this spring.
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MIKE MOENSTED PETERSEN - 6-1/225 - Jr. - Running Back
Nykoebing Falster, Denmark - Nykoebing F. Katedralskole/Santa Barbara City College
Second Team All-Conference running back...2013 2nd-team All-American Pacific Conference...384 yards rushing, 217 yards receiving, 4 TD, 121 yards kick return
Why CCSU: It's a great school and they have a great Exercise Science program here. Also, they provided me with a chance to play football for two more years, and to help them turn the program around. I just couldn't turn that down.
Coach Ross on Mike: Mike is a big physical back who has soft hands. He will look to challenge for playing time in spring practice.
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MICHAEL REED - 5-10/180 - Fr. - Wide Receiver
Newark, NJ - Shabazz High School
2013 Senior Year: 29 Receptions...516 yards...5 TD...12 rushes...117 yards...1 TD...1 interception for TD...Named team MVP...First team All City...Second Team All Essex...Second team All Conference...Named to North-South All Star game...Also ran track for Shabazz High School...First Team...All Group in the 200 meter dash
Why CCSU: Because I wanted to be a part of rebuilding the program and I felt like I fit with the team.
Coach Ross on Michael: Mike was a player we coveted out of high school but because of an injury he didn't enroll until this spring. We expect he will have an immediate impact.
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JAKE SCHENA - 6-4/280 - Fr. - Offensive Line
Glastonbury, CT - Glastonbury High School/Milford Academy
2014 Connecticut Super 100 All-Star...Key piece to the 2014 Milford Academy offensive line that went 8-3...Blocked for an offense that rushed for 1,531 yards and threw for 2,491 yards.
Why CCSU: The coaches have a winning mentality and I wanted to be a part of that.
Coach Ross on Jake: Jake is a standout lineman from Glastonbury and prepped at Milford Academy. He will bring size, athletic ability and smarts to our offensive unit.
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CHRIS TINKHAM - 6-3/275 - Fr. - Defensive Line
Lynn, MA - Lynn High School/East Coast Prep
2014 East Coast Prep: 16 tackles, 5 TFL, 9.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery...Two-year captain at Lynn English...Three-time Conference all star...Boston Globe All Star...Two-time Item All Star...Item Defensive Player of the Year...Agganis All Star...Shriner All Star and team captain...Two-time team MVP and defensive MVP.
Why CCSU: The coaching staff made me feel very comfortable and at home. They have a great vision for where the program will be heading in the future and I felt like I could be a part of that.
Coach Ross on Chris: Chris is a physical presence who plays the game with great enthusiasm. His work ethic has already proven to be excellent.