Draft Scout Warning: Undefined variable $TeamName in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\notesteam.php on line 20 Player News, College Football: Warning: Undefined variable $TeamName in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\notesteam.php on line 20

WEEK 4 NEC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Christopher Jean, Central Connecticut,...Defensive Back, Redshirt Sophomore, 5-10, 180 lbs., Rochester, NY/Rochester,...Last Week's Stats: 7 solo tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 pass breakup, 1 blocked field goal...Jean was a menace on the gridiron once again in Central Connecticut's last-second defeat to Merrimack on Saturday. Posting seven tackles, the redshirt sophomore defensive back came away with two impressive interceptions in the second and third quarters to push his season total to three, a mark that leads the NEC. In addition, Jean recorded a pass breakup in the third quarter that forced a turnover on downs on a Merrimack 4th-and-8 at the Blue Devils' 36-yard line. His biggest play of the game came in the final quarter. With his team facing a 13-7 deficit, Jean blocked a 28-yard field goal and recovered the ball with 3:25 left. The ensuing offensive possession led to the Blue Devils' go-ahead touchdown. The Rochester, NY native also leads the NEC in pass breakups (4), while his 6.0 tackles per game are good for 15th overall. He is the first player to repeat as NEC/Atlantic Tomorrow's Office Defensive Player of the Week this year. - NEC Football

(DS#38 FS) rSo/2028

FS Chris Jean, Central Connecticut
News Source: NEC Football
Share/Comment: Here

09/23/25 - Elijah Howard, rSr/2026, Central Connecticut, 5-10, 178 (DS#53 RB) + More +

WEEK 4 NEC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Elijah Howard, Central Connecticut,...Running Back, Senior, 5-10, 185 lbs., Knoxville, TN/The Baylor School (Virginia Tech),...Last Week's Stats: 92 rushing yards, 16 rushes, 2 rushing touchdowns, 15 receiving yards, 1 reception...Howard fueled Central Connecticut's impressive fourth-quarter comeback at Merrimack with a pair of rushing scores on Saturday. With his team facing a 13-0 deficit heading into the final stanza, the NEC's reigning Offensive Player of the Year put the Blue Devils on the board with a 21-yard touchdown scamper at the 9:23 mark before he gave his team the lead on a score with 1:32 left to play. The Warriors would deliver the final blow, though, as they claimed the win with a 19-yard field goal in the final seconds of the game. On the evening, Howard finished with 107 all-purpose yards, including 92 rushing yards on 16 carries. Among league leaders, the Knoxville, TN native is fourth in rushing yards per game (59.7) and second in rushing touchdowns (3). This is his first NEC/Atlantic Tomorrow's Office Offensive Player of the Week award, and the first for a Blue Devil this season. - NEC Football

(DS#53 RB) rSr/2026

RB Elijah Howard, Central Connecticut
News Source: NEC Football
Share/Comment: Here

09/23/25 - Chris Jean, rSo/2028, Central Connecticut, 5-10, 180 (DS#38 FS) + More +

WEEK 3 NEC CO-DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Christopher Jean, Central Connecticut,...Defensive Back, Sophomore, 5-9, 170 lbs., Rochester, NY/Rochester,...Last Week's Stats: 5 tackles (3 solo), 2 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception,...Jean, the reigning NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year, has picked up right where he left off in 2025. The sophomore defensive back helped backstop a defense that limited Saint Francis to just one score and negative yardage in the second half in both teams' NEC opener on Saturday. Stuffing the stat sheet with five tackles (3 solo), two pass breakups, one forced fumble, a fumble recovery and one pick, Jean led the Blue Devils to their fifth-straight win over an NEC opponent with the 31-7 decision.

He was on the ball early in the game, as his recovery on a muffed punt landed the Blue Devils on the Red Flash seven-yard line for their first offensive possession of the game. Central Connecticut went on to reach the scoreboard on that drive thanks to a one-yard touchdown catch by Elijah Howard. In addition, Jean's first interception of the year - and fifth of his career - came on a 3rd-and-18 on Saint Francis' own 15-yard line in the third quarter that resulted in a Donny Marcus touchdown on the ensuing drive. This is Jean's third NEC Defensive Player of the Week honor and his fifth weekly award from the conference. - NEC Football

(DS#38 FS) rSo/2028

FS Chris Jean, Central Connecticut
News Source: NEC Football
Share/Comment: Here

09/16/25 - Jack Hennessey, rFr/2029, Central Connecticut, 5-10, 185 (DS#999 K) + More +

WEEK 1 NEC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK: Jack Hennessey, Central Connecticut,...Kicker, Redshirt Freshman, 5-10, 185, Endwell, NY/Maine-Endwell...Week 1 Stats: 2-2 FG (20, 29 yards), 1-1 PAT...Hennessey turned in a perfect 3-for-3 effort in each of his kicking attempts in Central Connecticut's season opener at FBS and in-state foe UConn on Saturday afternoon. The redshirt freshman registered his first career point early, as he helped give the Blue Devils a 7-0 edge just 2:06 after opening kickoff when he converted on the ensuing PAT that followed a touchdown from Elijah Howard. The Endwell, NY native went on to drill field goals from 20 and 29-yards out to finish with a team-leading seven points in his collegiate debut. - NEC Football

(DS#999 K) rFr/2029

K Jack Hennessey, Central Connecticut
News Source: NEC Football
Share/Comment: Here

09/13/25 - Brady Olson, rSr/2026, Central Connecticut, 6-3, 210 (DS#54 QB) + More +

Brady Olson threw for 193 yards and two touchdowns, Donny Marcus added two rushing scores, and defending Northeast Conference champion Central Connecticut beat Saint Francis 31-7 on Saturday to begin league play for both teams. CCSU (2-1) improved to 25-7 in its series with Saint Francis (0-3). It marked the final matchup between the two teams as conference rivals as the Red Flash will begin the transition to Division III following the season.

The CCSU defense forced five turnovers, with two interceptions and three fumble recoveries. DB Christopher Jean had five tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. The Blue Devils also held Saint Francis to 210 total yards and 11 first downs. Elijah Howard made two touchdown catches for CCSU, which has won seven consecutive home games. Donovan Wadley added 72 yards receiving on two grabs. Nick Whitfield Jr. was 13 of 26 for 159 yards with two interceptions for Saint Francis. Lukas Gilland had a 71-yard reception - marking the first time a freshman had a catch of 70-plus yards for Saint Francis since 2016. - AP College Football

(DS#54 QB) rSr/2026

QB Brady Olson, Central Connecticut
News Source: AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

09/06/25 - Brady Olson, rSr/2026, Central Connecticut, 6-3, 210 (DS#54 QB) + More +

Brady Olson threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns as Central Connecticut defeated Division II American International 34-7 on Saturday. The Blue Devils (1-1) scored twice in two minutes of game time to bring a 17-7 lead into the half. Trailing 7-3 midway through the second quarter, Davon Smith Jr. scored on a 5-yard run to give the Blue Devils the lead. Olson then connected with Donny Marcus for a 54-yard touchdown on the first play after the Blue Devils forced a three-and-out. The pass was the longest play of the game.

The Blue Devils managed 375 yards of total offense, were 2-for-9 on third downs, and converted on their only fourth-down attempt. Malachi Wright had nine total tackles, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble to pace the defense, and Derek Berlitz and Carter Banks each collected one sack. Tra'Vion Singleton recovered a muffed punt in the end zone for the Yellow Jackets' only score. AIC is 0-2 against Central Connecticut all-time, losing 44-0 in their last matchup in 2023. - AP College Football

(DS#54 QB) rSr/2026

QB Brady Olson, Central Connecticut
News Source: AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

11/26/23 - Donovan Wadley, Sr/2026, Central Connecticut, 5-08, 180 (DS#999 WR) + More +

2023 NEC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: WR Donovan Wadley, Merrimack, So,...A lethal blend of speed, grit and explosiveness coupled with a keen sense of field awareness made Wadley one of the most versatile and valuable performers in the league this season. He became the first wide receiver to garner the Offensive Player of the Year honor since Saint Francis U's Kamron Lewis in 2016, but simply calling Wadley a wideout does not paint the full picture. Wadley did it all for an explosive Merrimack offense. He shredded defenses to the tune of 26 catches for 471 yards and five touchdowns. The 5-foot-9 Garden State product ranks in the NEC top-10 in receiving yards (8th), touchdowns (t-3rd), yards per catch (18.1, 6th) and yards per game (42.8, 8th).

Drawing parallels to NFL All-Pro Alvin Kamara, Wadley showcased his versatility by rushing for 216 yards and three scores, while also making a significant impact as a return specialist. He currently leads the nation in two special teams categories, and is third in another. He ranks first with three kick returns for touchdowns and an astronomical 37.9 yards per return, while his 645 kickoff return yards, which are the most by a conference player in nearly half a decade, are good for third in the FCS. Three of the longest kickoff returns on the FCS charts this season have Wadley's name inked next to them, as he is the only specialist in the entire nation to have three returns of 90-or-more yards. - Northeast Conference Football

(DS#999 WR) Sr/2026

WR Donovan Wadley, Central Connecticut
News Source: Northeast Conference Football
Share/Comment: Here

11/21/22 - Nasir Smith, Sr/2023, Central Connecticut, 5-10, 212 (DS#101 RB) + More +

NOV 21 NEC CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Nasir Smith, Central Connecticut, Running Back, Sr., 5-11, 220 lbs., Auburn, NY/Alfred, Week 12 Stats: 29 rushes, 218 rushing yards, 7.5 rushing yards per carry, 4 rushing TDs,...Smith ran for a career-high 218 yards to secure the NEC's rushing title in Central Connecticut's 39-13 win over Stonehill on Saturday. The Auburn, NY native carried the ball 29 times with four touchdowns. One play after converting on a fourth down, Smith opened the second half with a 15-yard run, which proved to be the go-ahead score. His third touchdown of the game from 10 yards out capped a 90-yard drive that put CCSU in front, 32-14, while his final score, a 30-yard run, put him over the 200-yard mark on the afternoon. Leading the conference in rushing yards per game (110.8), Smith finished tied for first in the conference with 14 touchdowns, while his 13 rushing scores were the most in the league. This is his first NEC Player of the Week honor of the season. - NEC Football

(DS#101 RB) Sr/2023

RB Nasir Smith, Central Connecticut
News Source: NEC Football
Share/Comment: Here

11/21/22 - Nasir Smith, Sr/2023, Central Connecticut, 5-10, 212 (DS#101 RB) + More +

NOV 21 NEC FOOTBALL PRIME PERFORMER: Nasir Smith, CCSU (RB, Sr.),...Smith rushed for a career-high 218 yards to secure the NEC's rushing title in Central Connecticut's 39-13 win at Stonehill on Saturday. The senior, who was tabbed the NEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week, reached the end zone four times to finish tied for first in the league in touchdowns (14). - NEC Football

(DS#101 RB) Sr/2023

RB Nasir Smith, Central Connecticut
News Source: NEC Football
Share/Comment: Here

11/21/22 - Chizi Umunakwe, rSr/2023, Central Connecticut, 6-0, 233 (DS#73 OLB) + More +

NOV 21 NEC FOOTBALL PRIME PERFORMER: Chizurum Umunakwe, CCSU (LB, Sr.),...Umunakwe had 12 tackles, including five solo, and 1.5 tackles for loss in Central Connecticut's season-ending victory at Stonehill. The senior finished the campaign as the NEC's leader in tackles with 94 total and 9.4 per game. - NEC Football

(DS#73 OLB) rSr/2023

OLB Chizi Umunakwe, Central Connecticut
News Source: NEC Football
Share/Comment: Here

11/16/22 - Nasir Smith, Sr/2023, Central Connecticut, 5-10, 212 (DS#101 RB) + More +

NOV 14 NEC PRIME PERFORMER: Nasir Smith, CCSU (RB, Sr.),...Smith became the 16th player in CCSU history to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season on Saturday against Merrimack. The senior running back ran for 100 yards for the fifth time this season - and the third time in as many games - after recording 148 yards with one touchdown on 30 carries. - NEC Football

(DS#101 RB) Sr/2023

RB Nasir Smith, Central Connecticut
News Source: NEC Football
Share/Comment: Here

11/11/22 - Nasir Smith, Sr/2023, Central Connecticut, 5-10, 212 (DS#101 RB) + More +

NOV 7 NEC FOOTBALL PRIME PERFORMER: Nasir Smith, CCSU (RB, Sr.),...Smith rushed for 100-plus yards for the third time in the past four games, and the fourth time this season, in Central Connecticut's defeat to LIU on Saturday. The senior running back compiled 127 yards on the ground and one rushing touchdown on 27 carries. - NEC Football

(DS#101 RB) Sr/2023

RB Nasir Smith, Central Connecticut
News Source: NEC Football
Share/Comment: Here

11/11/22 - Nasir Smith, Sr/2023, Central Connecticut, 5-10, 212 (DS#101 RB) + More +

OCT 31 NEC FOOTBALL PRIME PERFORMER: Nasir Smith, CCSU (RB, Sr.),...Smith enjoyed a career day in Central Connecticut's win over Wagner on Saturday. The senior running back registered carer highs in rushes (31), rushing yards (174) and rushing touchdowns (3) to help lead the Blue Devils to their first win of the season. - NEC Football

(DS#101 RB) Sr/2023

RB Nasir Smith, Central Connecticut
News Source: NEC Football
Share/Comment: Here

10/29/22 - Nasir Smith, Sr/2023, Central Connecticut, 5-10, 212 (DS#101 RB) + More +

Nasir Smith ran for a career-high 174 yards and three touchdowns as Central Connecticut won for the first time this season, taking down Wagner 34-7 in a Northeast Conference game Saturday afternoon. The Blue Devils (1-7, 1-3) came into the game having lost seven straight games and all three conference contests, but scored the game's first 28 points, three on runs by Smith, and controlled the ball for almost 41 of the game's 60 minutes. Wagner (1-7, 1-3) got its touchdown on a Nick Kargman-to-Naiem Simmons pass from 16 yards out with :21 left in the first half. The Seahawks snapped a string of six straight losses to start the season a week ago with a 37-26 win over Long Island. Shon Mitchell threw for a touchdown and added a 12-yard touchdown run in the second half for Central Connecticut. Smith had a career-high 31 carries and scored on runs of 5, 18 and 7 yards. - AP College Football

(DS#101 RB) Sr/2023

RB Nasir Smith, Central Connecticut
News Source: AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

10/25/22 - Nasir Smith, Sr/2023, Central Connecticut, 5-10, 212 (DS#101 RB) + More +

OCT 24 NEC PRIME PERFORMER: Nasir Smith, CCSU (RB, Sr.),...Smith racked up a game-high 132 total yards and scored Central Connecticut's lone touchdown - a 19-yard run that capped a seven-play, 72-yard drive - in a defeat to Duquesne. The senior running back had 91 yards on the ground on 20 carries and added 41 yards through the air on three catches. - NEC Football

(DS#101 RB) Sr/2023

RB Nasir Smith, Central Connecticut
News Source: NEC Football
Share/Comment: Here

Previous 15 Notes

|Back to Page One|

Next 15 Notes

Warning: Undefined array key "TeamID" in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\2020rightcolteam.php on line 56

Warning: Undefined array key "DSTeamID" in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\2020rightcolteam.php on line 57

Central Connecticut Football Videos

Buy Draft Scout Weekly

** Draft Scout Data **
(Everything Online PLUS)

Support Draft Scout

The Database Engine for NFLDraftScout.com, Draft Scout is being repurposed...Support the Future Development of ScoutNation.com...

Draft Scout Archives

** 2010-2022 Draft Scout Archives **
(Yearly Player Data Exports, Prospect Lists & More)

Draft Scout Future

100% Dedicated and Never Done

80% Innovated

45% Hidden

35% Built

2025 CFB/2025-2029 NFL Draft Scout

2024 CFB/2024-2028 NFL Draft Scout

2023 CFB/2024-2027 NFL Draft Scout

NFL Draft Scout History

2022 Draft Scout

Draft Scout by Conference

2023 Draft Scout Offense

2023 Draft Scout Defense

2022 Draft Scout Offense

2022 Draft Scout Defense

Central Connecticut Football Videos

Buy Draft Scout Weekly

Support Draft Scout

Draft Scout Archives

Draft Scout Future

Synergization

Did You Know?

Hidden Designs

Future Development