FOXBOROUGH – Whether he’s sprinting down the field to beat Mike Vrabel to the next period or out randomly catching a couple punts for fun, Robert Spillane has already become a glue guy for the Patriots. Not only has he made plays throughout his first training camp in Foxborough, but he’s also the signal caller in the middle running the show and brings an energy that the unit can’t help…
5 observations from our camp visit with CCSU
By Rob Gullo NEFJ Correspondent NEW BRITAIN — With football season right around the corner, the Central Connecticut State University Blue Devils football team will look to defend its 2024 Northeast Conference title. In head coach Adam Lechtenberg’s second season as the Blue Devils’ head coach, he helped flip the program around from worst to first, as the Blue Devils finished the 2023 season with a 3-8 record (1-6 NEC)…
Connecticut Preseason All-State teams (1st & 2nd)
By Rob Gullo & Andy Close NEFJ Correspondents The talent has arguably never been better in Connecticut high school football. We present our preseason First and Second All-State teams: First Team Offense QB- Anthony Robinson, Windsor RB- Hayden Allard, Killingly RB- Dante Casdia, Glastonbury WR- Andrew Esposito, New Canaan WR- Joey Montalvo, East Catholic TE- Michael Golden, Greenwich OL- Red Romanowski, Ansonia OL- Joel Budd, Enfield OL- AJ Tatro, Sheehan…
20 players in Massachusetts ready for a breakout season
By Tyler Amaral NEFJ Staff One of the best things about high school football is seeing what players break out from year-to-year. What players across the state could emerge this fall and become household names? Here’s a list of 20 names that could be stars this fall: Thomas Anderson, QB, Wachusett: The junior signal-caller threw for over 2,600 yards and accounted for 30 touchdowns last fall. Expect Anderson to take…
Rose named starting quarterback for UMass
Courtesy of UMASS UMass Head Football Coach Joe Harasymiak has named redshirt junior Brandon Rose as the Minutemen’s starting quarterback for the upcoming season. Rose, a transfer from the University of Utah, beat out Yale transfer Grant Jordan and AJ Hairston for the job. The decision was made following a competitive training camp, with Harasymiak meeting individually with each quarterback on Sunday before making the official announcement to the team….
Wolf says Patriots ‘absolutely’ willing to make big deals
FOXBOROUGH, MA – The New England Patriots are “absolutely” interested in making a significant trade to improve their roster, according to executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Wolf stated that the team is in contact with all 31 other NFL teams and is willing to part with high-value draft capital, including a first- or second-round pick, for the right player. “We’re talking to…
Top 20 returning players in Connecticut high school football
By Rob Gullo/Andy Close NEFJ Correspondents Last year provided an entertaining football season in the state of Connecticut for high school football and this year isn’t expected to be any different. Across the state, Connecticut boasts some of the best football talent in the New England region. This season, many of the top players return to their respective high schools for another season. Here is our Top 20 Connecticut high…
Quick recap of Monday’s Patriots practice
FOXBOROUGH – The preseason finally wraps up this week and on Monday, the Patriots held a lighter practice with a short turn around. New England will be in Metlife Stadium on Thursday night for the final exhibition game against the Giants, which gives Mike Vrabel and his staff just a couple days to get some corrections made from the Vikings week. It’s also the final true week of evaluations for…
10 teams that could have surprising seasons in Connecticut
By Rob Gullo & Andy Close NEFJ correspondents Not every team that plays into December begins the season on everyone’s radar. Connecticut has its fair share of teams that aren’t necessarily generating a lot of buzz in the preseason, but have the potential to open some eyes as the season gets rolling. Here’s a look at 10 teams that have the potential to shake things up in 2025: 1. Holy…
Connecticut Preseason Top 25
By Rob Gullo & Andy Close NEFJ Correspondents The high school football for the state of Connecticut is almost here with practice getting started on Monday. Here is our preseason Top 25 poll for the Nutmeg State: 1. New Canaan The New Canaan Rams started last season and finished last season as the No. 1 ranked team in Connecticut (according to GameTime CT polls.) They defeated No. 2 Darien…