MEDFORD, MA (September 11, 2024) – The Tufts University football squad finally gets their 2024 campaign underway on Saturday for Homecoming 2024 as the Jumbos host Bowdoin College inside Ellis Oval at 6 p.m.
It's been a long wait from last season, where the Jumbos finished with a solid six victories on the campaign but fell short in their season closer to Middlebury College. That wait has seen the squad motivated to make the most of their opportunities this season. "I've really seen a sense of urgency in their efforts on the field and off the field, clearly the guys did a great job in the off-season in preparing themselves," said head coach
Jay Civetti, now in his 14
th year at Tufts.
While the Jumbos graduated a decent amount from a season ago, the Jumbos do have players ready to contribute on both sides of the ball in 2024. The spring season last year for Tufts was big for some inexperienced players that are finally getting their chance to shine going into the fall.
"There are a lot of guys that have had roles on our team in both special teams or as back-ups, and I think the non-traditional season has made a significant impact for us. That has translated over to camp, and I feel like just the general knowledge and understanding of how we do things has helped a lot."
For Civetti, the maturation and progression of younger prospects into impact players continues to be one of the things he relishes most about his job at Tufts. "While the physical growth is great to see, it's really great to see guys move into roles and have them make decisions about what type of people and team they want to be while continuing to support the things we're always going to be."
As for the make-up of this year's squad, the Jumbos bring back 11 of 22 starters from last year's group, including players on both sides of the ball. One of those starters back for his senior season is record-breaking quarterback
Michael Berluti. Already the career passing yardage and touchdown leader at Tufts, Civetti remarked more on his intangibles that make him a leader of the offensive unit.
"He's the ultimate competitor, he knows the offense, his arm and legs are both weapons…but his competitive nature is as high as I've ever seen. I've been around a few that made it in the NFL, and he's close to those guys in how he handles his daily business and his mindset. He's grown a lot as a leader, and that's provided a great runway for us this season."
That mentality of competition and accountability has bloomed into a culture that this squad is able to see leadership from players of all classes and positions. "I think it's a byproduct of your culture. The best teams are player-led. Obviously, we set parameters and directions in which we want to go, but the players decide how far and how fast. It's been exciting that guys now understand that leadership isn't a title. That servant leadership is something I'm seeing a lot of now."
The camp has been a long one for the Jumbos, as they started practice late in August, but Civetti, his team and his staff understand that the level of intensity and sense of urgency once again is about to ramp up.
"Sunday morning we had a team meeting, and for all of us, the start line was really defined. While camp was good, now it has to be better," said Civetti. "We have to go prepare for someone else, and at the end of the day it's about responding to things you have no control over to the best of your ability. I'm so grateful to have the days we have to prepare and get better going into Saturday."
The quest for Tufts' first New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) title starts Saturday, and below is a positional breakdown of the squad.
OFFENSE
The Jumbos come off a season that saw them finish second in the NESCAC in total offense with 420.4 yards per game, while their 31.1 points per game was also second in the conference. The rushing attack was best in the league a year ago after gaining 187.9 yards per contest, which the 1691 yards pacing the league.
At quarterback, Berluti is back to lead the offense as he was second in the NESCAC in total offense with 281.8 yards per game. He was the leading rushing quarterback in the league with 516 yards, while also passing for 2020 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior. His ability to win games with his arm, legs and mind are keys to this offense this season. Senior back-up
Luke Leongas also appeared in six games last season for the Jumbos, and is an experienced, smart leader under center.
At the running back position,
Chartellis Reece led the conference in rushing yards last year with 808. Back this year as a senior is
Aundre Smith, who rushed for 211 yards and three touchdowns as a junior. Smith is dynamic with the ball in his hands, and he is also a very strong pass catcher out of the backfield.
The coaching staff is excited about the return of sophomore
Christian Shapiro, who has impressed during the fall camp.
Khallid Calhoun also posted 25 carries for 102 yards last season to help provide great depth in the backfield.
The wide receiver group has had some of the most dynamic players in the conference's history the last two seasons, as Tufts' receivers have been named NESCAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 (Phil Lutz) and 2023 (
Jaden Richardson). While Lutz and Richardson both moved on as graduate students to play Division I, the one holdover from those groups is
Cade Moore.
Moore is a sure-handed receiver with a fantastic ability to get open, especially around the goal line. Moore was second on the 2023 squad in catches with 41, pulling in five touchdown grabs while averaging 12.2 yards per catch. He looks once again to be a big part of the offense as a senior.
Classmate
Henry Fleckner joined the team as a junior in 2023 and carved out a nice role with 13 grabs for 192 yards in five games out of the slot. Sophomore
Matt Rios has had a great spring and fall for the Jumbos, and he steps into a starting role opposite Moore and Fleckner. Rios has fantastic measurables at 6-3 and 190 pounds and could round into another dynamic playmaker for the Jumbos.
The depth at receiver very strong, as
CJ Burton returns as well after pulling in 15 balls for 93 yards in 2023. Burton is shifty and works well out of the slot. Sophomore
Gabe Fitzgerald is another big, athletic option out wide, as the 6-5 flanker will look for a big step forward in his second season.
Matt Greco is another name to watch out for this season at receiver, as he played in just three games as a first-year but made one catch and was a standout in the off-season.
The tight end unit looks to be another group that has depth and strength this season.
Jack Elliott caught just four balls in 2023 but could see that number skyrocket due to his great feel around the end zone and sure hands. The Jumbos also brought in
Ned Righellis to compete for catches at tight end, as the SMU transfer is a dynamic route runner and pass catcher.
The offensive line may have lost the most from a season ago in two All-Americans as well as another strong starter in
Gus Bickert. That isn't to say that the group won't be a strong, cohesive, athletic unit.
Jack Lynch is back for his junior season after having a huge campaign as a sophomore, and he looks to slide right back into his left guard position and be one of the best at that position in the league. There might not be a group of linemen anywhere that understand each other anywhere as much as the center and right side of the line of Tufts' offensive line. Triplets Micah, Michael and
Matthew Maiava will all line up in the starting lineup together this season. Sophomore
Brad Abbott has also had a great camp, and his size and quickness at left tackle will be exciting to see this season.
There is depth on the line, and while inexperienced, the coaches are excited about how
Speros Grapsas,
Ian Miller,
Matt DiLullo,
John Carey and
Carter Campbell have looked so far this camp. Those five are listed on the initial two-deep and should be contributors.
DEFENSE
Tufts defensive unit has been overshadowed at times by the fantastic offensive weapons and numbers over the past few seasons, but the Jumbos had one of the best groups in the NESCAC a year ago as it allowed only 17.4 points per game and just 19 total touchdowns. In fact, the Jumbos surrendered just 250.8 yards of offense per game in 2023, the best number in all of the league. That included a fantastic 145.2 yards per game allowed passing, one of the best numbers in all of Division III. Tufts allowed just 96 total completions in nine games, the only NESCAC team under 140.
The Tufts defensive line looks to be strong, quick and experienced in 2024 as the top six have all logged valuable snaps prior to this season. Graduate student
Javier Rios returns after a very solid season in 2023 where he led the team in tackles for loss with 7.5 while adding 2.5 sacks and five hurries.
Dom DeCrescenzo is a high-motor, physical, strong lineman that can occupy multiple defenders, as he comes back after playing in seven games last year. Senior
Vince Gilchrist is back after working himself into the lineup after transferring in last year from Division I Bryant University. Gilchrist has been visible often in preseason and could be in for a strong season.
Behind those three, Tufts has solid contributors like
Jalen Hill,
Kyle King and
Sam Rushin ready to make an impact in sub-packages.
At linebacker, Tufts graduated some key contributors in
Shane Reiner,
EJ Comerford and
Drew Guida. Senior
Will Duncanson made 15 stops last season as an outside linebacker and is back to help fortify the group. The Jumbos have liked what they've seen out of junior linebacker
Jeff Xu, who was a special teams stalwart and steps into the starting lineup at backer. Sophomore
Johnny Ferrelli has also had a great fall and is ready to take a big step forward in his second season.
Riley Yaker played five games in 2023, making four stops on special teams and will challenge for scrimmage snaps this season, while
Max Nunnally and
Trevor Hillier also will have huge opportunities on both special teams and at linebacker after combining to play in 10 games a season ago.
The secondary for Tufts, as mentioned above, was one of the best in the nation in 2023. Aerial attacks were left thwarted last season, and many of the pieces from last year's standout group are back.
Senior
Louis Timmins was the team's leader in interceptions last season with four and he's back as both a shutdown corner and effective player in run support off the edge as well. Sophomore
Ty Richardson saw his role grow and grow throughout his first-year campaign, and he now steps into the starting lineup in
Vic Garza's vacated corner spot.
Tufts' defense normally will see five defensive backs on the field at one time, and the experience at safety will be led by captain
Jameer Alves. Alves was second on the squad in solo tackles in 2023 with 26, while also adding three tackles for loss and two pass breakups.
Senior Jaylen Callendar played in seven games for the Jumbos on the back end last year, and looks to have a larger role on defense, while
Henry Ferrelli has been stellar in the fall so far and should settle in as a starter as well.
Ryan Saccu and
Ryan Doyle are strong options at corner coming into the year, while
Nate Sousa,
AJ Lysko and
Steven Rauso also will have an impact in the secondary as well.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Jumbos had a strong unit in 2023, and Tufts returns its starting place kicker from a year ago.
Vaughn Seelicke was 9-of-12 on field goal attempts as a sophomore, hitting a season-long 35-yarder against Amherst. He will be battled by
Caden Lawlor, who has a strong leg and could help on kick-offs as well after the graduation of
Patrick Walsh.
Walsh was the starting punter for Tufts over the past four seasons, and
Andrew Leigh will take over at the punting role this season. Senior Jamar Mack, Jr. and first-year
Gavin Post will handle the long snapping duties on the campaign.
Smith is back after handling the bulk of return attempts in 2023, averaging eight yards per punt return. Moore will also return kicks for the Jumbos this fall.
--JUMBOS--
