UMass Secures Commitment From 2026 DB Ted Mondesir
New Jersey star announces allegiance with the Minutemen
Despite an incredibly disappointing 2025 UMass football season, the Minutemen secured a much-needed commitment from 2026 defensive back, Ted Mondesir.
During the season, commitments came to a drastic halt in Amherst, but the UMass coaching staff got right back to work following the end of the campaign by securing Mondesir’s pledge.
The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder currently attends Nottingham High School in Trenton, N.J., where he was honored with First Team All-Conference. In his senior season, he finished with 55 total tackles with 49 of them being solo. He also totaled eight tackles for losses, three forced fumbles and an interception.
The New Jersey native wasn’t getting much interest from colleges until UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak and defensive coordinator Jared Keyte came around.
“The last few weeks have been complicated,” Mondesir said. “I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs. I’ve been trying to figure out a great place for myself. I haven’t been getting many looks, but UMass was the place that I wanted to be at after my official visit.
“I loved the staff, loved Coach Keyte, loved the area and Coach Harasymiak is building a program I want to be a part of.”
Harasymiak expressed at his most recent press conferences that he was looking specifically for players who are obsessed with football. Mondesir emphasized that he brought obsession towards the game, and knew how it could change his life.
“I’m obsessed with football,” he said. “I’ve been a football fan since I was young. I didn’t start playing tackle football until I was in eighth grade, but I was always playing outside with my friends.”
Mondesir took his official visit to UMass from Nov. 21 through Nov. 23. Between his visit and his commitment to the Minutemen, UMass’ record fell to 0-12 to finish its season. The win total wasn’t something which lured him away, though.
“I was really in the same situation growing up,” he said. “My football team this year didn’t have the best record. I’ve seen teams lose a lot of games one year, and then turn it around. I know that they’d be able to turn it around in the next couple of years. Coach Keyte preached to me that this is their first year, but things will change with them in that office.”
The official visit was where he met defensive backs coach Donald Celiscar. Celiscar and Mondesir’s family bonded over their Haitian heritage, ultimately giving the family a feeling of comfort that their star player would be in safe hands.
“My (family) was a big part of my decision,” Mondesir said. “They came with me on my official visit and they loved the campus and the people. Coach (Celiscar) made them feel at home, because we have the same culture as Haitians. He talked to them and my family loved him. They just loved everything about UMass.”
Celiscar showed them the campus and everything UMass had to offer both on and off the football field.
“I actually liked how huge the campus was,” Mondesir said. “I’ve never been in a situation or an area where it was pretty huge, it was a nice college town. It really had great food and a relaxing place to eat. I really liked the hockey stadium. I went to a hockey game and I really loved them.”
One of the most important things to Mondesir was that the coaching staff lay out a vision and a plan on where he would end up, which Keyte did.
“When I played in high school, I was more of a hybrid safety. I played in the box, I could go back and guard somebody. I can also play deep zone while helping on the run, as well as many other things. (Coach Keyte) showed me exactly where I’d be positioned and where I’d fit in for his scheme.”
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