Feb. 4, 2009

AMHERST, Mass. - New UMass football coach Kevin Morris has announced the addition of 19 players for the 2009 season, his first as head coach of the Minutemen. Morris brings in one of the top classes in the nation in FCS which fills many needs for the Minutemen. The class features 11 players on defense, seven on offense and a punter. The class is also diverse in terms of where it coms from as UMass has recruited players from nine different states from coast-to-coast. The Minutemen open spring football practice on April 3.

2009 UMass Football Newcomers

Player	Pos.	Yr.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown/High School/Previous School

Christian Birt	DB	Fr.	6-2	190	Laconia, N.H./ Laconia H.S.
Rob Blanchflower	TE	Fr.	6-3	246	Leominster, Mass./ St. John's H.S. Shrewsbury
Tim Brandt	LB	Fr.	6-0	200	Natick, Mass./ Natick H.S.
Tom Brandt  	LB	Fr.	6-0	200	Natick, Mass./ Natick H.S.
Kevin Byrne	DL	Fr.	6-4 	265	Mashpee, Mass./ Mashpee H.S.
Ryan Carter	DB	Fr.	5-11	180	Bedford, Mass./ Bedford H.S.
Kyle Havens	QB	Jr.	6-3	217	Concord, Calif./Ygnacio Valley H.S./Diablo Valley College
Mike Lee	DB	Fr.	6-0	172	McDonough, Ga./ Eagle's Landing H.S.
Devin Lindsey	LB	Fr.	6-0	217	University City, Mo./ Maplewood Richmond Heights H.S.
Thad McCummings	RB	Fr.	5-10	202	Natick, Mass./Natick H.S./Canterbury School (Conn.)
Perry McIntyre	LB	Fr.	6-0	214	Royal Palm Beach, Fla./Royal Palm Beach H.S.
Bill Nesselt	DL	Fr.	6-2	245	Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas H.S.
Brandon Potvin	DL	Fr.	6-1	240	Worcester, Mass./Holy Name H.S.
Jamar Smith	TB	Fr.	5-11	197	Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton H.S.
Jeff Strait	P	Fr.	6-0 	187	Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central H.S.
Adham Talaat	OL	Fr.	6-5	292	Springfield, Va./West Springfield H.S.
Royce Terrell	LB	Fr.	6-1	210	Weymouth, Mass./ Weymouth H.S.
Sean Unterkoefler	RB	Fr.	6-1	210	Reading, Pa./ Exeter Township H.S.
Vincent Westcarr	OL	Fr.	6-4	302	Miramar, Fla./ Miramar H.S.

Christian Birt
Defensive Back • Freshman
6-2 • 190
Laconia, N.H./ Laconia H.S.

Before UMass: Played running back and safety at Laconia High School ... Received Elks Scholar Athlete, O'Connor Most Outstanding Back, team MVP, and McDonald's Most Valuable Player honors after his final season ... Notched 2,642 rushing yards, 52 touchdowns, and 312 total points on offense, while adding 120 tackles and 13 interceptions during his career ...Finished his senior year with 1,171 rushing yards, 24 touchdowns: 19 rushing, five receiving ... Was a member of the 11-0 Division IV Championship team as a junior ... Notched 1,308 rushing yards on 150 carries, resulting in 18 touchdowns while also catching seven passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns his junior year ... Had six interceptions on defense, taking two back for touchdowns and also tallied 282 yards on 10 kick returns, scoring three times. Personal: Christian A. Birt ... Born Nov. 23, 1990 ... Son of Amy Birt.

Rob Blanchflower
Tight End • Freshman
6-3 • 246
Leominster, Mass./ St. John's H.S. Shrewsbury

Before UMass: Was a senior captain, playing defensive end and tight end at St. John's High School in Shrewsbury, Mass., for coach John Andreoli ... Was named to the All-State Super-26 Football team while also earning Central Mass DI North Defensive co-MVP, Telegram & Gazette Super Team All-Star honors as a senior ... Finished his senior season with 32 tackles and eight sacks on defense while adding two touchdowns on 110 receiving yards on offense ...Was an honor roll student at St. John's. Personal: Robert J. Blanchflower ... Born June 8, 1990 ... Son of Robert and Elizabeth Blanchflower.

Tim Brandt
Linebacker • Freshman
6-0 • 200
Natick, Mass./ Natick H.S.

Before UMass: A three year letterwinner and senior captain at Natick High School for coach Tim Lamb ... Earned First Team All-League, Metrowest Daily News All-Scholastic, and Boston Herald second team All-Scholastic honors as a senior ... Was named team co-MVP, along with brother Tom, after their senior seasons ... Finished his career with 263 tackles, 16 sacks, seven forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries, four interceptions, and four touchdowns ... Was also a member and senior captain of the varsity wrestling and lacrosse teams ... Named team MVP in lacrosse after leading the state in saves as a junior. Personal: Timothy James Brandt ... Born Oct. 10, 1990 in Natick, Mass. ... The son of James and Linda Brandt ... Has three brothers: Tom, Rob, and Rich, who all play college football.

Tom Brandt
Linebacker • Freshman
6-0 • 200
Natick, Mass./ Natick H.S.

Before UMass: A three year letterwinner and senior captain at Natick High School for coach Tim Lamb ... Led the state in sacks as a junior and senior ... Earned first team All-League, Boston Herald All-Scholastic, and Metrowest Daily News All-Scholastic honors as a senior ... Named team co-MVP along with brother Tim, after their senior seasons ... During his career he notched 239 tackles, 34 sacks, 16 forced fumbles, recovered seven fumbles, scored nine touchdowns, picked-off five passes and returned two for touchdowns, and blocked three punts ... Was a member and senior captain of the indoor and outdoor track teams ... Named a first team All-Star in both indoor and outdoor track ... Holds the state record in the long jump for indoor track. Personal: Thomas James Brandt ... Born Oct. 10, 1990 to James and Linda Brandt in Natick, Mass. ... Has a twin brother Tim, who will also play football at UMass, and two older brothers, Rob and Rich, who are also college football players.

Kevin Byrne
Defensive Line • Freshman
6-4 • 265
Mashpee, Mass./ Mashpee H.S.

Before UMass: Played at Mashpee High School under head coach Matt Triveri ... Named to the All-South Shore League defensive line as a sophomore, junior and senior ... Helped his team to a 10-1 record while clearing the way for top running backs Larry Green and Marcus Ouellette, who combined for 1,908 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns, during his senior season ... Protected quarterback Matt Ball, allowing him to throw for 1,027 yards ... Was also a member of the hockey and lacrosse teams at Mashpee ... Was a three-time South Shore League All-Star defenseman for hockey. Personal: Kevin P. Byrne ... Born Dec. 22, 1990 ... Son of Debra Byrne.

Ryan Carter
Defensive Back • Freshman
5-11 • 180
Bedford, Mass./ Bedford H.S.

Before UMass: Helped Bedford High School and coach Jack Belcher to their first ever playoff appearance ... Was named a first team Dual-County All-Star, a first team Lowell Sun All-Star and team MVP after his senior season ... Tallied over 1,100 all purpose yards, scoring 18 total touchdowns and running for seven two-point conversions, throwing for two more as a senior. Personal: Ryan J. Carter ... Born Aug. 7, 1991 ... Son of Lisa and Woodrow Carter.

Kyle Havens
Quarterback • Junior
6-3 • 217
Concord, Calif./Ygnacio Valley H.S./Diablo Valley College

Before UMass: Star quarterback at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Calif ... Honored an NorCal All-Conference Second Team ... Named Gridwire Academic All-American ... Averaged more than 300 yards per game (301.7) ... Tossed 27 touchdowns and just 13 interceptions ... Diablo Valley had a passing attack that ranked No. 2 in the state of California ... The Vikings averaged over 425 yards and 36 points per game in 2008 ... Rated by Scout.com as the 18th-best junior college quarterback in the nation. Before College: Graduated in 2007 from Ygnacio Valley High School in Concord, Calif., near San Francisco. Personal: Kyle R. Havens ... Born Aug. 19, 1988

Mike Lee
Defensive Back • Freshman
6-0 • 172
McDonough, Ga./ Eagle's Landing H.S.

Before UMass: Played cornerback and wide receiver as a four year letterwinner and senior captain at Eagle's Landing High School ... Earned All-Region honors while also being named team Offensive Player of the Year after his senior season ... Tallied 502 yards on 34 receptions and scored six touchdowns on offense while adding 57 tackles, 12 pass break-ups and six interceptions on defense as a senior ... Was also a member of the soccer team, earning All-Region and Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior ... Participated in the Eagle's Landing High School Christmas Kids & Partners Club Programs. Personal: Michael Christopher Lee ... Born June 26, 1991 ... Son of Michael Lee Sr. and Janine Robinson Combre ... Has one brother, Jaci Combre.

Devin Lindsey
Linebacker • Freshman
6-0 • 217
University City, Mo./ Maplewood H.S.

Before UMass: Starred at Maplewood Richmond Heights in Maplewood, Mo., for coach David Harris ... First-team All-State Missouri ... All-Metro First Team St. Louis by the Post-Dispatch ... Honored First-Team All-Conference Missouri Area Football Coaches ... Named to the J-98 Dream Team ... Racked up more than 100 tackles, 20 sacks, 25 tackles for loss along with four fumble recoveries and two touchdowns returns on defense ... Named his team Defensive MVP. Personal: Devin J. Lindsay ... Born April 16, 1991 ... Son of Michael Lindsey.

Thad McCummings
Running Back • Freshman
5-10 • 202
Natick, Mass./Natick H.S./Canterbury School (Conn.)

Before UMass: Was a standout tailback and defensive back at Natick High School before attending the Canterbury School in New Milford, Conn. ... Tallied 1,352 rushing yards, scoring 14 touchdowns in just eight games during his 2008 season at Canterbury ... Was the fourth leading rusher in the nation among all prep schools, also ranking third in the nation in scoring. Personal: Thaddeous C. McCummings ... Born Oct. 21, 1989 ... Guided by Mayra Jimenez.

Perry McIntyre
Linebacker • Freshman
6-0 • 214
Royal Palm Beach, Fla./Royal Palm Beach H.S.

Before UMass: Named to the first team All-Area team after his senior season at Royal Palm Beach High School for coach Darren Studstill ... Selected to play in the Outback Steakhouse Treasure Coast High School All-Star game ... Finished his final season with 78 tackles, 15 sacks, and five defensive touchdowns ... Part of defense that allowed just 173.6 total yards per game. Personal: Perry A. McIntyre ... Born Aug. 29, 1991 ... Son of Sandra McIntyre.

Bill Nesselt
Defensive Line • Freshman
6-2 • 245
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas H.S.

Before UMass: Played at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. for coach George Smith ... Selected to play in the Dade-Broward All-Star game after his senior season ... Earned Broward All-County Second Team Defense honors as a senior. Personal: William T. Nesselt III ... Born March 6, 1991 ... Son of Sandra and William T. Nesselt Jr.

Brandon Potvin
Defensive Line • Freshman
6-1 • 240
Worcester, Mass./Holy Name H.S.

Before UMass: Helped Holy Name High School in Worcester, Mass. to three Super Bowls and four league championships ... Was named to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette Super Team and Defensive MVP as well as the Central Mass Division I Defensive MVP after his final season ... Finished his career with 298 total tackles: 136 solo and 162 assisted ... Tallied 58 solo tackles and 48 assisted for a total of 106 tackles as a senior ... Caught nine passes for 217 yards and scored three touchdowns as a tight end. Personal: Brandon M. Potvin ... Born March 26, 1991 ... Son of Angel Potvin.

Jamar Smith
Running Back • Freshman
5-11 • 197
Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton H.S.

Before UMass: Standout tailback at Binghamton High School for coach Mike Ramil in central New York ... Named Football Player of the Year and Athlete of the Year by the Press & Sun Bulletin after his senior season ... Earned first team All-League and All-Metro honors as a junior and senior ... Helped his team to an 11-0 record until the Class AA semifinals after rushing for a Section 4 single-season record 2,729 yards, averaging 10 per carry, and scoring 36 touchdowns as a senior at Binghamton High School ... Ran for at least 160 yards in all 12 games his senior year ... Notched 1,006 yards on 232 carries at Johnson City High School as a junior. Personal: Jamar W. Smith ... Born March 9, 1991.

Jeff Strait
Punter • Freshman
6-0 • 187
Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central H.S.

Before UMass: Multi-sport athlete earning seven letters in three sports: soccer, football and volleyball while at Manheim Central High School ... All-League punter in football for the 2007 and 2008 seasons ... Rated 10th in the nation by Kohl's Kicking Camp at their 2008 Invitational Scholarship Camp ... Rated 5th at Special Team Solutions (Lee McDonald) College Exposure Camp ... Selected as a Special Team Solutions Elite Punter in 2009 ... Averaged 38 yards per punt in 39 attempts in 2008 ... All-League 1st team goalie in 2007 and 2008 in soccer ... All League in volleyball in 2007 and 2008. All-District in 2008 ... Distinguished Honors Student at Manheim Central High School. 4.0 Average. Personal: Jeffrey T. Strait ... Born Sept. 18, 1990 ... Son of Kathy and Ryan Strait.

Adham Talaat
Offensive Line • Freshman

6-5 • 292
Springfield, Va./West Springfield H.S.

Before UMass: Was a very athletic offensive tackle under Head Coach Bill Renner at West Springfield High School ... Cleared the way for a high powered offense allowing them to set numerous school records. Personal: Adham Y. Talaat ... Born June 6, 1990 ... Son of Youssef Talaat and Nesrin El-Bannan.

Royce Terrell
Linebacker • Freshman
6-1 • 210
Weymouth, Mass./ Weymouth H.S.

Before UMass: Earned Boston Globe All-Scholastic and Patriot Ledger All-Scholastic honors, also being named a Bay State Conference All-Star as a senior ... Finished his career with just over 3,500 yards and scored more than 200 points ... Tallied 1,410 rushing yards, scoring 14 touchdowns on offense, adding 80 tackles and five interceptions on defense as a senior ... Ran for 1,400 yards and scored 19 touchdowns on offense while adding 73 tackles, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery on the defensive end during his junior season ... Was also a member of the school's basketball and track teams'... Was a member of SADD and coached youth basketball. Personal: Royce L. Terrell ... Born Oct. 23, 1990 ... Son of Michelle Terrell.

Sean Unterkoefler
Running Back • Freshman
6-1 • 210
Reading, Pa./ Exeter Township H.S.

Before UMass: Was a four year letterwinner and junior and senior captain at Exeter Township ... Was named to the Reading Eagle News- Berks County Dream Team, a Berks Inter-County League first team running back and second team punt/kick returner as well as the overall MVP at the Commonwealth Orthopedics Team Challenge as a senior ... Played at the "King Kamehameha" Pig Skin Classic in Honalulu, Hawaii for Team Pennsylvania as a senior ... Finished his career with 2,245 rushing yards and 1,653 receiving yards, having scored 42 touchdowns ... Was also a member of the track team ... Ranks second in Pennsylvania and 20th in the nation in the 55m sprint with a time of 6.14 seconds. Personal: Sean M. Unterkoefler ... Born Oct. 22, 1990 ... Son of Kurk and Lisa Unterkoefler.

Vincent Westcarr
Offensive Line • Freshman
6-4 • 302
Miramar, Fla./ Miramar H.S.

Before UMass: Two-year starter at Miramar High School in Florida for coach Damon Cogdell ... Named honorable mention All-Broward County as a senior. Personal: Vincent S. Westcarr ... Born Jan. 10, 1990 ... Son of Andrea Clarke.