Jul. 18—Deep down, Andover’s Jackson Conners-McCarthy knew something was missing on the football field.
After a college season spent on the defensive side of the ball, the former Brooks School star needed a change.
He wanted to play offense again, and he found the program that would offer him that chance.
Conners-McCarthy is preparing to kick off his first season as a member of Division 1 FCS (1-AA) Marist College (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) football — after transferring from Bryant University.
“I’m extremely excited for the preseason,” said Conners-McCarthy. “It’s a whole new side of the ball to learn, and I’m looking forward to the challenge. I reported for voluntary workouts for a few weeks, but I don’t return until Aug. 6. I’m really thrilled.”
The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder joins Marist as a redshirt freshman, following a year at Bryant, where he played linebacker.
Conners-McCarthy will make the move to tight end/H-back for the Red Foxes, a position switch that played a major role in his choosing the new school.
“It was frustrating (at Bryant) as it went on,” he said. “I loved my teammates and coaches, but deep down I knew I missed offense. I’m transitioning from playing inside linebacker at Bryant to H-back/tight end at Marist, and (after last year) I’ve gotten to understand defense a lot better.
“I love the versatility of the position in our offense. I get to line up everywhere, and that’s what I did throughout high school. It’s fun to attack the game in different ways.”
Conners-McCarthy was a two-way standout at Brooks (class of 2023). As a senior, the receiver/tight end/linebacker caught 22 passes for 386 yards and four touchdowns in the school’s run-first offense, made 22 tackles, two sacks and intercepted two passes. He led the school to an 8-1 record and the Dave Coratti Bowl title. As a junior, he caught 33 passes for 604 yards and made 35 tackles, with four sacks.
“Jackson was our best player,” said Brooks coach Pat Foley during Conners-McCarthy’s high school career. “He’s a dynamic playmaker on offense and became our top defensive player.”
Conners-McCarthy originally committed to Division 1 FBS (1-A) University of Buffalo, before choosing instead to attend Bryant. He also had offers from Merrimack College, the University of New Hampshire, UMass Amherst and Akron, according to recruiting website “on3.com.”
Then, after a year at Bryant, he made the decision to enter the transfer portal, ultimately choosing Marist. He becomes one of just two players from Massachusetts on the Red Foxes roster, which features athletes from California to Florida.
“Marist has a great staff and my mother and I loved the school,” he said. “And they’re giving me the opportunity to play offense again, and that’s really exciting.”
He is now anxious to kick off the preseason, and make his mark with the new school.
“I just want to compete and help the team in any way I can,” he said. “I feel like this situation is going to be a great one for me as a player and person. I’ll try and fit in by competing every day and trying to get better. If I’m good enough, I’ll play and hope to contribute.”
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Andover Townsman, Mass.
