Though official signings are forbidden by Div. III, given that no recruit can be offered an athletics scholarship, commitments still flooded in last week on the national "Letter of Intent Day."
Both ESPNBoston.com and the Boston Herald released detailed lists of Boston−area football recruits who had committed to attend and play for specific schools next fall. Perhaps surprisingly, but nonetheless indicative of the direction the program is heading, Tufts had the most recruits listed by the Herald out of any New England school.
Per NCAA and NESCAC compliance rules, coaches are not permitted to comment on prospective students before they have officially been accepted to their respective schools. Accordingly, head coach Jay Civetti declined to speak about the Jumbos' class of 2016.
Tufts, which finished 0−8 in Civetti's rookie campaign, will graduate, among others, linebacker Zack Skarzynski, the NESCAC's leading tackler; starting quarterback Johnny Lindquist and tri−captains Nick Falk, Luke Lamothe and J.T. Rinciari.
Among the recruits listed by the aforementioned national websites, Tufts will reportedly bring in Lincoln Sudbury quarterback Matt Cahill, an All−Dual County (Large) selection who passed for 11 touchdowns to rank fourth among MIAA East Div. 1A signal−callers. The Herald also reported that Cahill's teammate, defensive back Ricky Antonellis, would become a Jumbo next season.
Other reported local recruits include Needham quarterback Drew Burnett, Whitman−Hanson linebacker Corey Burns, Catholic Memorial linebacker Garrett Ewanouski, Medfield running back Sam Tawa, Buckingham Brown and Nichols defensive back Junior Arroyo, and BC High offensive lineman Justin Roberts, who helped lead the Eagles to the Div. 1 Super Bowl.
