2016 UMass Minutemen football recruiting: Massachusetts OL James Reilly commits to UMass

The Massachusetts Minutemen had a successful recruiting day yesterday as they secured two commitments, including one from their first Massachusetts native this cycle in OL James Reilly from Norwell. Reilly, who has spent this season prepping at Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, VA, was kind enough to speak with Hustle Belt about his decision to join his "dream school."

"UMass really represents my home state. It has a nice family feel and they've always been my dream school," Reilly said. "When they offered it was a no-brainer. They're playing top quality D1 football and at the same time you receive a top education."

Reilly, who was an offensive guard in his high school and prep career, says the Minutemen are looking for him to play the same position, or perhaps shift to center.

When we asked Reilly if he had any specific goals for his first season in Amherst, he told us he was mainly looking to get acclimated to the program as a whole.

"Coming in I'm just going to take it day by day. Learning the pro-style schemes will be of utmost importance," Reilly said. "Physically I know I'm going to get bigger & stronger in the weight room. [Offensive Line] Coach [Shane] Waldron emphasized how I have the body to carry weight and stay mobile in doing so. [Strength and Conditioning] Coach [Mike] Golden is going to get me to maximize my growth potential."

Reilly is going to be able to join the Minutemen this winter as an early enrollee, and he told us that once he gets on campus he'll be looking to a course of study in the business area.

Reilly moves well for an interior lineman and like he says, he has a good frame for adding muscle without losing that ability to move. It's always nice for the Commonwealth's flagship to bring in recruits from Massachusetts, and Reilly may be the first this year but it is unlikely he will be the last.

Check out Reilly's highlights here, courtesy of Hudl: