The University of Maine’s football team has recently added seven players to its roster including five transfers.
And linebacker Christian Thomas, the Black Bears’ third-leading tackler last fall, has withdrawn his name from the NCAA transfer portal and is returning to UMaine, according to head coach Jordan Stevens.
Three of the seven newcomers are offensive linemen in 6-foot-4, 335-pound Ian Erickson from Villanova; 6-5, 289-pound Kenny Walz from East Carolina and incoming freshman Dan O’Leary from Sparta, New Jersey. O’Leary stands 6-4 and weighs 292 pounds.
The other transfers are 6-foot, 280-pound defensive lineman Bryce Purnell from the University of Virginia; 5-11, 203-pound safety Corey Wilson from Hampton and 5-11, 206-pound linebacker Sam Oppenheimer from Army-West Point.
The other incoming freshman is 6-1, 193-pound defensive back Armani Sullivan from Gulfport, Florida.
Stevens is still looking to add at the cornerback and running back positions later this month.
The UMaine coach expects the five transfers to compete for starting spots right away and that the freshmen also have a shot to be in the mix.
Purnell, who appeared in one game for Virginia in the fall, will have a good chance to earn playing time in the defensive line because three starters have graduated and the fourth starter transferred.
“He’s really smart. He graduated from Virginia in three years. He only played a handful of snaps and he has a strong work ethic,” Stevens said about Purnell. “This is an opportunity for him to get on the field and play some meaningful snaps.”
Wilson played in 31 games for Hampton and was involved in 97 tackles.
Hampton is a Coastal Athletic Association rival of UMaine.
“We wanted to bring in some older guys in the secondary. He is familiar with the conference and I expect him to contribute on defense and on the special teams as well,” Stevens said about Wilson.
Stevens is excited about what he saw from his offensive line in spring ball and feels the three newcomers will be valuable additions.
“Erickson’s size and athleticism are what we want in the offensive line,” Stevens said.
He appeared in 25 games for Villanova.
Walz gained a valuable year of experience at East Carolina, and O’Leary comes from a very good high school program.
“We are going to have one of our biggest offensive lines we’ve had in a while,” Stevens said.
Oppenheimer benefitted from his time in the Army West Point system, and Sullivan gives UMaine some size and length in the secondary.
Stevens said all seven players are very good students who come from “great families.”
UMaine went 5-7 last season after a pair of 2-9 seasons.