To say that the Tufts University football team is eager for the 2022 season to begin would be a Jumbo-sized understatement.
Head coach
Jay Civetti's team knows it was better than their 4-5 record last season indicated. Before finishing the year with four consecutive victories, the Jumbos had started the year with close losses to eventual conference champion Williams (32-29 in OT) and against Wesleyan and Amherst as well. Though they finished with momentum, the sour taste of a losing record remained.
Nearly all of the talent from last year's offense is back this fall. They were leaders of a group that was the league's best in terms of yardage while also averaging 26.4 points per game. The defense has experienced returnees as well, who will join with a new group of emerging leaders as Tufts looks to be a little more stingy this fall.
With talent and motivation, the Jumbos will hope to challenge for a conference title this year.
Here's a closer look at the team by position.
QUARTERBACK – Sophomore
Michael Berluti started the 2021 season as the third-string signal caller. However, injuries forced him into action and he was outstanding.  By the end of the year he had ranked second in NESCAC for efficiency (131.3) while also rushing for 326 yards. Junior
Matt Crowley also started games last year and threw three touchdown passes at Trinity. Jumbo quarterbacks threw just two interceptions last year, a trend they will look to continue into the new season.
RUNNING BACK – Senior
Tyler Johnson should be poised for a huge senior season after leading the Jumbos with 568 yards and 11 touchdowns (10 rush) last season. He also caught 33 passes and should be one of the most dynamic offensive players in the league. Sophomore
Aundre Smith flashed his skill as an All-Conference kick returner last season and will get a chance to exhibit his exciting speed in a big ball carrying role on offense.
WIDE RECEIVER – Tufts' 282 passing yards per game last year were second in NESCAC and all three of their leading receivers are back. Senior
Phil Lutz had the best season in Jumbo history with 74 catches for 1,047 yards in 2021. Seniors
Jackson Butler and
Billy Dunn were also incredibly productive a year ago, with Butler's 35 catches (404 yards) ranking eight in NESCAC, and Dunn's eight touchdowns on 24 receptions for 405 yards was second-most in the league.
TIGHT END – The Jumbos welcome
Chase Mangini back, who can be a key guy in the pass game. He had a touchdown reception against Wesleyan late in the second half of a close game. The 6'4", 240-pound
Kent Oliver has moved here from offensive line and should be able to help when the Jumbos run the ball.
OFFENSIVE LINE – With all of the high-end talent that the Jumbos have returning offensively this fall, ironically it may the offensive line which is the biggest cause for excitement. Four starters from last year are back, including All-NESCAC center
Blair Horning. Tackle
Nick Swift and guard Ciaran  Hourihan on the left side are veterans using the extra year of eligibility that COVID provided, while
Izzy Lobin at tackle and
Travis Cepalia at guard on the right side are in their senior seasons. This veteran group which paved the way for Tufts' league-leading offense last year (427 yards per game) should be even better this fall.
DEFENSIVE LINE – Senior returning starter
Michael Butler leads this group, while junior Ed Iuteri is a ready to shine at the other tackle position. Junior
Tyler Roach also has All-Conference potential, which he showed during a sophomore season featuring 2.5 tackles for losses, two fumble recoveries and an interception as a linebacker. He's moved to defensive end this year and could wreak havoc. Junior
Javier Rios is slated to start at the other end, while senior
Dom Haley has experience at both line positions.
LINEBACKER –
Shane Reiner is another junior who looks ready to blossom into something special for the Jumbos. He had five TFL's a year ago while finishing with 39 tackles overall.
Matty Drouillard, another Jumbo back for a fifth year, made All-Conference last season when he finished with 12 TFL's including four sacks. Junior
EJ Comerford and sophomore
Louis Timmins will look to make their mark with expanded roles this year.
DEFENSIVE BACK – Fifth-year safeties Jonathan Oneal and
Cam O'Brien lead this group which also included a familiar face taking on a new role.
OJ Armstrong, who has caught 81 passes in three season as a receiver for the Jumbos, will transfer his athleticism to defending the pass as a cornerback this fall. Junior Vic Garza will likely start at the other cornerback spot, while seniors
Jayshon Means and
Will McCreery should also see roles here.
SPECIAL TEAMS – The kicking game seems to be in good hands with depth across the board. Returning senior Pat Walsh along with talented newcomer
Vaughn Seelicke are competing for the place kicking role. Berluti also punts, as does Walsh, both with over 37-yard averages last season. Smith, the league's first-team return specialist who averaged 13.4 yards bringing back punts, should be one of the most exciting return men in the region.
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