College

First CIAC Showcase event draws big attendance

May 5, 2025
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By Craig Boland NEFJ Correspondent DANBURY – On a rainy day at Western Connecticut State, 130 sophomores, juniors and seniors that play in the majority public CIAC conference, ran through athletic testing, position drills, and 1-on-1s in front of roughly 20 college programs (FCS, D2, D3) for a showcase. Following the massive success of the NEPSAC/ISL Prep showcases and the Catholic League showcases in Nee Jersey & New York, the……

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Harvard welcomes 31 players to the program as part of the Class of 2029

May 2, 2025
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Harvard announces their 2029 recruiting class on Thursday. The class features 14 players on offense, 13 on defense, and four on special teams. The offensive talent coming in includes one quarterback, two running backs, seven pass catchers, and four offensive linemen. On defense, the coaching staff added five defensive linemen, three linebackers, and five defensive backs alongside one kicker, one punter, and two long snappers as specialists. It is a……

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Recapping the UNH spring game

May 1, 2025
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By Ryan Barry NEFJ Staff DURHAM – The UNH Wildcats wrapped up spring practices with their annual Blue and White Spring game on Thursday night at Wildcat Stadium. On the heels of a 2024 season that saw them reach the FCS playoffs for the 16th time in 20 years, this spring has seen a whole host of changes from the locker room to the coaching staff. With a slew of key…

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Fortin, Corcoran picked in the CFL Draft.

May 1, 2025
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Former UConn  offensive lineman Chris Fortin was drafted eighth overall by the Calgary Stampeders in Monday’s CFL Draft. Fortin, a 6’4 303 guard, center was a two year starter at UConn at both positions and gives the Stampeders offensive line versatility and experience. Fortin is a St. Rene, Quebec native and attended Cegep Beauce-Appalaches. Fortin Was named best offensive lineman in the league after the 2019 season. Two-time RSEQ Division……

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Former Cheshire QB Dante Reno talks portal decision & goals moving forward

April 28, 2025
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One of the top quarterbacks to ever come out of Massachusetts and Connecticut is available. Late last week, former Cheshire QB, Sturbridge native and son of Yale head coach Tony Reno, Dante Reno officially entered the transfer portal after spending the early stages of his college career at South Carolina. Coming out of high school, Reno was the apple of many major programs’ eye. Reno had offers from South Carolina,…

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5 observations from our spring visit with CCSU

April 28, 2025
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NEW BRITAIN — On Friday, April 25, the Central Connecticut State University Blue Devils held their 2025 Spring Football Game. The Blue Devils played an offense-defense game for about an hour before players and coaches were presented their 2024 NEc Championship rings. Many key players didn’t play and some new faces did. Here are five observations from Friday’s game and CCSU’s month of spring practice: Merrimack transfer Donovan Wadley shines……

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5 observations from the 2025 Maine spring game

April 27, 2025
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Image courtesy of Maine Athletics The University of Maine Black Bears football team wrapped up their spring practice sessions with the 19th annual Jeff Cole Memorial Spring Game on Saturday at Alfond Stadium in Orono. Despite rainy conditions, the Black Bears showcased their progress and gave fans a glimpse of what to expect for the upcoming 2025 season. With continuity on the coaching staff and at the quarterback position, there’s……

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5 observations from our visit with the Brown Bears

April 20, 2025
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It was a gorgeous 75 degree morning when we visited with the Brown Bears on Saturday. The Bears are coming off of a difficult 3-7 season in 2024. A season that led to changes.  The Bears have a new defensive coordinator in former Anna Maria coach Dan Mulrooney. Mulrooney was recently the head coach at Lock Haven. He is bringing with him an aggressive, physical defense built on playing fast…….

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Recapping the UMass spring game

April 19, 2025
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By Ryan Barry NEFJ Staff AMHERST – A warm afternoon at McGuirk Alumni Stadium was the setting for the unofficial start of a new era as the 2025 UMass football spring game took place in Amherst between Team Maroon and Team White. Using a mostly traditional format of four quarters and a running clock, Team Maroon outlasted Team White 18-17 in what was a very entertaining event. While every program…

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Recapping the URI spring game

April 19, 2025
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By Charlie Adams NEFJ Correspondent KINGSTON – Following last year’s historic campaign that saw Rhode Island reach the postseason for the first time in 39 years with a CAA title, many fans got their first taste of the 2025 season in URI’s Blue-White spring game on Saturday. The final matchup to close out the month-and-a-half long practice session gave the offense four quarters of running clock to try to make…

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