New Hampshire Football Report

These UNH players have surprised

FOOTNOTES

When University of New Hampshire coach Rick Santos was asked about surprises in preason camp during Monday’s Colonial Athletic Association conference call, he mentioned three players:

  1. Wide receiver DJ Linkins
  2. Tight end Colby Ramshaw
  3. Defensive back Noah Stansbury

Linkins is a 6-foot-4, 196-pound true freshman from District Heights, Md. He attended St. John’s College High School.

“On the offensive side of the ball one of our freshmen who’s done a great job is DJ Linkins.,” Santos said. “It’s hard not to put him on the field right now. He’ll (have) a little bit of a role in the game plan. We’re going to rotate him in a little bit and see what he has. He’s a longer body. He can really run. We have to make contested catches and we feel like that’s what he excels at. He has big-play capability, but obviously there’s a learning curve because the game at this level is a lot faster.”

Ramshaw, a 6-foot-5, 196-pound true freshman, helped Londonderry High School win the Division I championship last season. Remshaw was fast-tracked because Zach Banks has a broken hand and is currently in a cast. Banks, a senior, moved from defensive end to tight end after last season.

“He’s still gonna play, but Colby has been spelling him for the last week and a half,, and really doing a great job,” Santos said. “He really surprised us. He wasn’t somebody going into camp we anticipated playing this early. We thought he was going to redshirt. He needs a little bit of development in the weight room and get a little bit stronger, but he’s a natural route runner. He’s got great length and can catch the ball. He’s a willing blocker. He’s not afraid in there. He’s got some conviction and he’s building confidence each practice.”

Stansbury, sophomore, has moved from safety to one of the starting cornerback positions.

“I think he’s somebody who was a little reluctant at first to move, but has done a really nice job,” Santos said. “I think him and Randall Harris should bookend their guys out wide and should be a good complement to each other.”

UNH will open its season Thursday night at home against Monmouth (7).

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