UMass broad receiver George Johnson III understands the passing sport from three views.
Johnson was a highschool quarterback at Martin County High School in Stuart, Fla., earlier than being recruited to play cornerback at Michigan by Don Brown, who served as Jim Harbaugh’s defensive coordinator in Ann Arbor from 2016-20.
Brown was introduced in to rebuild the Minuteman soccer program from the scrap heap of FBS, a activity that requires a couple of fast fixes to assist facilitate his long-term targets.
Johnson answered Brown’s siren name for a recent begin in Amherst and the 6-0, 186-pound junior is reinventing himself as a large receiver. Johnson appeared in 4 video games at cornerback and on particular groups for the Wolverines final season.
“It’s how he (Brown) is as a person, he has like this fire in him,” stated Johnson throughout a taped interview. “Who wouldn’t need to play for a coach like that who has a fireplace in him and he brings that fireplace out of you each day?
“Obviously it was for Don Brown and it was just the right switch to play offense and getting my chance at receiver and all the things that serve me here.”
Defensive lineman Marcus Bradley is one other wannabe Minutemen starter who got here by means of the switch portal to play for Brown. The 6-3, 275-pound redshirt freshman performed in two video games at Vanderbilt and got here to UMass for a primary 12 months do-over.
“Coming to UMass was an extremely quick decision and when I got a call from coach Brown it was an easy decision,” stated Bradley. “Every day there is something new with the D-line and we work hard.”
Purple reign
The Patriot League’s crimson, white and blue panorama is shading in the direction of purple.
The Crusaders of Holy Cross open the 2022 season as heavy favorites to seize their fourth consecutive league championship and a doable deep run within the FCS playoffs.
Holy Cross coach Bob Chesney begins his fifth season with a strong nucleus of returning starters on each side of the ball. The Crusaders went 10-3 general and 6-0 within the convention whereas securing the primary FCS playoff victory in program historical past.
Holy Cross acquired 71 factors and 11 of 14 first-place votes within the PL preseason ballot, with 14 gamers receiving preseason all-league honors. Chesney paints the continuing purple surge within the Patriot League as a collaborative effort from each side of this system
“I think it is momentum, there is no question about that,” stated Chesney. “But I simply assume it’s the buy-in from everyone right here with these guys.
“This isn’t my team, this isn’t anybody’s offense or anybody’s defense. This is all of ours and we talk about making the major decisions we are going to make. No one person makes those decisions, we do it together so these guys are as invested as the coaches are invested and I am invested.”
Crusaders’ junior twin risk quarterback Matthew Sluka threw for 1,512 yards and 11 touchdowns whereas dashing for 868 and 14 scores. Senior working again Peter Oliver from close by Auburn rushed for 797 yards for a league greatest 5.2 yards per carry and 4 touchdowns.
Crimson fury
Harvard continues to be fuming in regards to the controversial 18-16 five-overtime loss at Princeton that price it a share of the Ivy League title in 2021.
Harvard supporters really feel the Princeton sport was stolen from them by inept officiating on a two-point conversion play in extra time. The league later acknowledged there was an “officiating error,” however may do nothing to alter the end result.
Harvard is again with a vengeance and the prognosticators of the Ancient Eight have Harvard tied with Dartmouth within the preseason ballot with 108 factors.
Harvard was slated No.1 as a result of it received eight first-place votes to 4 for Dartmouth. Princeton and Dartmouth have been co-champs in 2021 with 6-1 league information.
“I can guarantee you that there will be no inflated egos here because of a prognostication,” assured Harvard head coach Tim Murphy.
Harvard went 8-2 general and 5-2 within the convention utilizing three completely different quarterbacks. Charlie Dean began the primary 5 video games and accomplished 52-of-95 passes for 604 yards and 5 touchdowns earlier than getting damage at, of all locations, Princeton.
Jake Smith took over and accomplished 59 of 100 passes for 579 yards and 4 touchdowns. Luke Emge closed out the season and accomplished 51 of 95 passes for 675 yards and 5 touchdowns. Dean and Emge are again and have been set to do battle when Harvard started coaching camp on Aug. 18.
“We are going to be good at quarterback and I will put that on the record based on the premise that we only got beaten once last year using three different quarterbacks,” stated Murphy. “We are going to be in good shape and it will be a battle.”
Harvard hosts Merrimack within the season opener Sept. 16.
Green wave
Coach Buddy Teevens has the Big Green poised for one more run on the Ivy league crown it shared with Princeton final season. Dartmouth’s offense is led by dual-threat quarterback Nick Howard, whereas linebacker Marques White backbones the protection. Both have been All-Ivy League choices.
The Rhode Island Rams are ranked No. 22 within the FCS preseason ballot. URI is led by quarterback Kasim Hill. New Hampshire sophomore defensive finish Josiah Silver was tabbed a preseason first group All-America by Stats Perform 2022 FCS. Maine is beneath first-year head coach Jordan Stevens whereas Jim L. Mora begins his first full season teaching the UConn Huskies.
Source: www.bostonherald.com