Sha'Ki Holines, a linebacker from Commerce High in Springfield, Mass., committed to UConn shortly after decommitting from UMass according to his high school coach Tyrone Mathis.

Holines is a 6-foot-3, 215-pound linebacker who had 132 tackles, six sacks, four fumble recoveries and two interceptions as a junior. He also had three games with at least 16 tackles and as a receiver caught 23 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns and both of his rushing attempts went for short TD runs.

I just got off the phone with Commerce head coach Tyrone Mathis who said that knowing Holines he was sure it is a difficult decision not to honor his commitment to UMass but that UConn was his No. 1 school. When he decided to commit to UMass, there was no scholarship offer from UConn. That changed shortly after his commitment to UMass.

"I know for a fact that UConn was his No. 1 school," Mathis said. "Since his sophomore year when he went to a camp he felt that 'this is the school I want to do there.' He didn't get an offer from UConn after the one-day camp he went do so he looked at the offers he had and committed to UMass.

"He's a big strong physical athletic kid, really strong in weight room. He is exceptionally fast for his size, good hips, blocking ability, unbelievable hands."

Mathis said that Holines is projected as a rush linebacker or hybrid DE/OLB at the next level.

Commerce will play its final game of the regular season in Hartford on Nov. 17 against Bulkeley. The game will be at Dillon Stadium.