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| Xaverian running back Noah Sorrento (#4) and defensive end Joe Gaziano (#97) will both be continuing their football careers at the next level. Photo courtesy of Brendan C. Hall and ESPN Boston High Schools. |
It's National Signing Day, and that means that all across the country high school players are making their college sports plans final. Here in Massachusetts, there are plenty of high school football players sets to take their games to the next level. Here is our list of those players, by school, along with some quick notes about their potential at the college level.
As always, feel free to Tweet me @HerewegoJoe if I have left somebody out, or feel free to email me at jparello86@gmail.com if you're not a Tweeter.
Algonquin
Trevor Fuce, OL/DL: Maine
Quick Take- Fuce is a hard-working, physical lineman that could use a little more time to develop, but should end up being a productive player. His lateral quickness makes him an intriguing prospect, and after adding some extra bulk, he could excel as a pulling guard.
Amherst
Taj-Amir Torres, ATH: Boston College
Quick Take- Torres is explosive in and out of his breaks, and could add value quickly on special teams, perhaps as a kick returner. He'll need to add strength, but there's no doubt that the Amherst product is special with the ball in his hands.
Brockton
Aaron Moneteiro, OL: Boston College
Quick Take- Monteiro possesses the size, strength and footwork to be a productive lineman at the next level. Conditioning and finding a permanent position are the next step for the Brockton bruiser.
Central Catholic
Mike Balsamo, S/RB: New Hampshire
Quick Take- Balsamo was a huge part of CC's run to a Division 1 state championship in 2013, and again helped the Raiders field one of the state's best defenses in 2014. A solid tackler that takes good angles to the ball, Balsamo could make an impact early at UNH.
Danvers
Nick Andreas, QB: Stetson
Quick Take- Andreas shows good arm strength and enough athleticism to present a dual-threat at the FCS level. While most spread quarterbacks live off bubble screens and quick crossers, Andreas is at his best pushing the ball down the field, making him a unique addition to this small Florida school's class.
Everett
Lukas Denis, ATH: Boston College
Quick Take- Denis possesses great athleticism, long limbs and a knack for the football that should make him a contributor on the defensive side of the ball for BC. Whether that be at CB or S is uncertain, but Denis has the look of another great Everett DB.
Guerschqon Jean-Louis, OL/DL: Central Connecticut State
Quick Take- Jean-Louis is a physical monster and should overpower people at the FCS level. Putting it all together is the only question mark for the 6'6'' 350 pounder.
Fitchburg
Hunter Salilla (2014 Grad), OL: Merrimack
Quick Take- Salilla was one of the most physical players in the state as a senior at Fitchburg in 2013, and continued to develop at East Coast Prep last season. Merrimack is getting a great drive blocking guard with the potential to develop into a complete player.
Governor's Academy
Matthew Peart, OL: UConn
Quick Take- Blessed with exceptional athleticism for a kid his size (6'8'', 265 lbs.), Peart has all the tools to be a productive left tackle for the Huskies. Adding strength will be priority number one, but isn't it always for offensive linemen?
Holliston
Nick Athy, ATH: Bentley
Quick Take- Athy has a world of athleticism, and helped lead Holliston to a D4 state title as a play making quarterback this past year. Wherever he fits in for Bentley, he has the football savvy to be a contributor after a year or two in a college weight training program.
Lawrence Academy
Chris Garrison, TE: Boston College
Quick Take- Garrison is one of those guys that scouts say "is just a football player." He's not overly big, though he certainly isn't small, and he isn't the best athlete, but he's a solid receiver and great blocker. The kind of guy that can tie a class together for BC.
Austin Luckey, LB: Deleware
Quick Take- Luckey was a sideline-to-sideline play maker for Lawrence this past season, and shows good instincts in coverage as well. Speed and instincts should serve him well fighting for a spot with the FCS power Blue Hens.
Lowell
Shyheim Cullen, OLB: Syracuse
Quick Take- Cullen's game is all about "suddenness," as football coaches like to say. He's an explosive athlete that seems to change direction and make cuts with no wasted motion. Physically, he already looks ready for D1 ball, and his speed will make him valuable on third downs early in his career.
Brian Dolan (2014 Grad), QB: Rhode Island
Quick Take- Dolan ran Lowell's up-tempo offense to perfection in 2013, and was equally dangerous as a runner and a passer. With another year of polishing as a post-grad at Worcester Academy this past season, he should be college-ready come fall.
Lynn English
Chris Tinkham (2014 Grad), DE/DT: Central Connecticut State
Quick Take- With a quick first step and relentless motor, Tinkham gives CCSU a versatile defensive lineman that can make plays both inside and out on the edge. Adding bulk will be his top priority, and a permanent move inside to play the three-technique will likely make Tinkham an imposing interior pass rusher.
Mansfield
Brendan Hill, TE: University of New Hampshire
Quick Take- Hill's high school career ended prematurely thanks to a knee injury, but his size, athleticism and hands should make him a lethal threat in UNH's passing game. It remains to be seen if Hill will ever get all of his explosiveness back, but his height and body control should make him a solid possession target regardless.
Marblehead
Derek Dumais, OL: UMass
Quick Take- Dumais may be the most physically imposing lineman in a class full of big fellas, and at 320 lbs, he's already ready to see the field. Improving footwork and awareness will be key, but Dumais has all the tools.
Spencer Craig, ATH: Navy
Quick Take- Craig played QB for Marblehead this past season, and more than held his own, but his future at the Naval Academy will likely be on defense, where his open-field tackling and coverage abilities project him as a hybrid between a strong safety and outside linebacker.
Milton Academy
Justin Yoon, K: Notre Dame
Quick Take- With one of the strongest legs in the country and a soccer background, Yoon is considered by many to be the top kicking prospect in the country. With kicker Kyle Brindza gone to graduation, the Irish could turn to Yoon right away to handle field goal duties.
Mt. Greylock
Jake Benzinger, OL: Wake Forest
Quick Take: At 6'8'' and over 260 lbs, Benzinger certainly looks the part of a major conference offensive tackle. He'll need to add bulk to his already powerful frame, but his quick feet and long arms should help him transition smoothly to the next level.
Nashoba
Travis Macko, OL/DL: Bentley
Quick Take- The Chieftains are always one of the toughest teams in the state, and Macko exemplified that toughness as a physical run blocker from his left tackle spot. He has the versatility to play both sides of the ball, but it appears he'll remain on offense, at least early in his career.
Natick
Brian Dunlap, WR: Harvard
Quick Take- One of the state's most productive receivers ever, Dunlap bounced back from injury to again set the state on fire in 2014. With great quickness and hands, he has the look of a future Ivy league standout.
Shepherd Hill
Chris Lindstrom, OL: Boston College
Quick Take- Perhaps the most nimble lineman the state has seen in some time, Lindstrom could became one of the ACC's top guards after a year or two in BC's lifting program.
Drew Jean-Guillaume, ATH: Central Connecticut State
Quick Take- With sprinter speed and good physicality, the Rams' former quarterback projects well as a running back or corner at the next level.
St. John's Prep (Danvers)
Jake Burt, TE: Boston College
Quick Take- Burt did it all for the Eagles, but the BC Eagles most like his potential as a receiver. Some added strength will certainly help Burt become a complete player at the next level, but he will bring immediate value as a red zone threat.
Owen Rockett, WR: Colgate
Quick Take- Rockett is an undersized receiver that uses start-and-stop quickness to create separation in SJP's short passing game, and also shows great awareness on crossing routes. He should fit in nicely for Colgate in the slot, as he also shows great elusiveness after the catch.
James DiBenedetto, WR: Bryant
Quick Take- Another underrated part of SJP's passing game, DiBenedetto thrived as an outside possession receiver who could work the sidelines, and pack a punch as a blocker in the running game. Bryant is getting a solid all-around receiver that will arrive on campus well polished.
St. John's (Shrewsbury)
Davon Jones, S/WR: Boston College
Quick Take- Jones has a rare vertical leap, and the closing speed that should make up for any perceived lack of size. He should instantly add toughness to the Eagles secondary.
St. Mark's
Aaron McLean, WR: UConn
Quick Take- McLean is a tall, lanky play maker who feasted on single coverage in the red zone throughout his time in Southborough. Many scouts think he could grow into a tight end, but right now the basketball crossover seems to fit as a physical and overpowering wide receiver.
Thayer Academy
Jordan Allen, WR: Fordham
Quick Take- With a good combination of length and athleticism, Allen has the potential to be a downfield threat for Fordham when he arrives on campus. He'll need to fill out and add bulk to hold up as a blocker, but the frame and skills are there.
Xaverian
Joe Gaziano, DE: Northwestern
Quick Take- Gaziano has the strength, motor and savvy to become a productive defensive end in the physical Big Ten. While his strength would appear to be setting the edge against the run, he's a more than capable pass rusher.
Joe Parsons, OL: UMass
Quick Take- Parsons was one of the toughest linemen in the state, and could compete for playing time at UMass after a year of getting bigger and stronger. He'll arrive on campus well-rounded after years of excelling in Xaverian's constantly evolving offense.
Kenny Kern, LB: UMass (invited walk on)
Quick Take- The Minutemen seem to be getting a steal in All-State linebacker Kenny Kern, who has repeatedly been referred to as a "savage" by teammates and opponents. While he's a bit undersized, Kern has the smarts, strength and tenacity to find a role with UMass.
Noah Sorrento, RB: Williams
Quick Take- Sorrento starred as both Xaverian's leading rusher and one of its best linebackers, and Williams will likely utilize his ability to run through arm tackles and set up his blockers for big gains. If not for questions about his size, Sorrento would likely be a high D2 or D1 recruit.
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