At a glance
Alfred State sophomore Colter Johnson (Warren, PA) has signed his letter intent to continue his academic and athletic career at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst. Johnson who served as the punter and place kicker this past season is the third Pioneer to sign with a NCAA DI institution.
Alfred State sophomore Colter Johnson (Warren, PA) has signed his letter intent to continue his academic and athletic career at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst. Johnson who served as the punter and place kicker this past season is the third Pioneer to sign with a NCAA DI institution.
Johnson (6-5, 195) was one of the top special team’s players in the NJCAA over the past two seasons.
In 2011, he punted 38 times and averaged 38.9 yards per punt. His long was 66 yards and he put six punts inside the 20 and six punts traveled 50 yards. He also kicked off 55 times and averaged 55.6 yards and recorded five touchbacks. As the place kicker he was 6 for 12 in field goal attempts including hitting four field goals in the Pioneers Region III Championship game victory.
In 2010, Johnson punted 51 times and averaged 38.6 per attempt. He had a long 77 yards and ten of his punts landed inside the 20.
Johnson was named All-Region following the 2011 season and was named honorable mention NJCAA All-American and 1st team All-Northeast Football Conference in 2010.
Johnson is excited for his new opportunity and is expected to compete for playing time as both a punter and a kicker. “UMASS Amherst is a growing football team with a new coaching staff and positions to fill. I feel that I fit in well and will be part of their growth.”
Head football coach Mick Caba is proud and expects big things from Johnson. “Colter had a great career at Alfred State and we are excited to see what he can accomplish. As good of a football player as Colter is, he is an even better person.”
Johnson will be joining a UMASS team that will be making the move into FBS and into the MAC-East conference. The Minutemen’s 2012 schedule will feature conference games with University of Buffalo, Akron, Kent State, Miami (OH), and Ohio University. UMASS will also play non-conference road games at the University of Connecticut and the University of Michigan.
UMASS was 5-6 in 2011 and will be led by new head coach Charley Molnar who most recently was the offensive coordinator at Notre Dame.
“I have learned many important lessons at Alfred State. I feel that my experiences at Alfred State will help me fit right in on the UMASS campus.”