A.J. Doyle de-committed from North Carolina State because he wanted to play quarterback, and the Catholic Memorial High (West Roxbury, Mass.) signal is getting his chance.
Former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Charley Molnar landed his quarterback for the 2012 class at Massachusetts as Doyle recently gave a non-binding oral commitment to play for the Minutemen.
“I knew in my heart I have the ability to be a Division I quarterback and it was a matter of finding a school for me,” Doyle said. “It is the best opportunity for me to go and get education but to also play in my home state and for a program moving up.”
UMass is making the transition from FCS to FBS next season. Doyle, who originally committed to N.C. State to play linebacker, rescinded that commitment during the season because he wanted to play quarterback.
In Molnar, he is hooking up with a familiar person.
“When I went up (to Notre Dame), I think it was two years ago with Albert Louis-Jean, I met him then,” Doyle said. “Went back the following summer and I worked real close with him, basically the whole camp. Everything about him …he’s a great coach. Every time I talk to him he’s focused on winning and he has a passion.”
Doyle was scheduled to visit Purdue before he made his decision. He was also hearing from Arkansas, but elected to remain in-state because of familiarity.
“I don’t see any reason on Feb. 1 I’m not signing there,” Doyle said. “There is 100 percent chance of me signing. I going to play quarterback for a coach I’m excited to play for. Being from Massachusetts and going to University of Massachusetts and being able to say I was part of first class to go Division I at the school, it’s a great opp. I could not pass it up.”
UMass will open its FBS life at Connecticut, and then play Indiana at (Gillette Stadium) and then play at Michigan.
Doyle completed 87 of 151 passes for 1,260 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior.