By Adam Levine
Sports Editor
Chase Buono
Chase Buono, 23, was a starting safety for the FSU football team.
Buono, a criminology major, is a member of the Rams’ Class of 2024.
He said his mom went to school for criminal justice and earned her master’s degree while taking care of him and his brothers. “She always would talk about criminology, so it just stuck in my head.”
Buono said he plans to enlist in the U.S. Army after graduation. “Honestly, I saw Rambo as a kid and loved it.”
Buono, originally from Lynn, said he began playing football when he was 8 years old.
He said starting in sixth grade, his older brother, Carlo, would wake him up every morning and they would go to the gym from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.
“It was miserable at first,” Buono said. “But then you start to realize it's life lessons.”
He said he still works out every day at the same time.
Buono said he always played defense growing up. “I like the shadows - doing the dirty work.”
In addition to Carlo, who is eight years older, Buono has a twin brother, Chance, who played football with him growing up.
“I like it. It's like having a best friend - you need to have one,” he said.
Buono said his favorite memory playing football was during his time playing Pop Warner football when he was on the same team as Chance.
“My mom said, ‘Do the brother tackle,’” he said. “We both came off the edge and we tackled the quarterback at the same time.”
Buono said, “We looked at each other and hit our heads with our helmets.
“We both turned around and flexed towards our mom. It was hilarious,” he added.
Buono said he came to FSU after his plan to go to the University of St. Francis, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, fell through.
He said coming to Framingham was “like destiny.”
Buono said he has been inspired as an athlete by former teammate Cully Curran ’23 and his older brother.
“Everything is family-oriented,” he said.
Brian Callery
Brian Callery, 23, Class of ’23, was a starting offensive lineman for the FSU football team.
Callery finished his undergraduate degree in business management and is now in graduate school for organizational leadership, which he plans to finish in 2025.
He said he plans to join the field of construction management, specifically becoming a superintendent of job sites.
Callery said he has always been interested in construction growing up.
He said he was an intern for the last two summer’s at BLOCK Builders, where the vice president of the company is Rams football’s Associate Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Cory Bailey.
“I just think it's really cool - walking somewhere and getting a plan and just executing, and then all of a sudden there's a building, or something, there,” Callery added.
Callery said he originally only played baseball and basketball growing up, until his first Pop Warner football practice at 6 years old.
“My parents were like, ‘Hey, you want to try it out?’” he said. “And I fell in love from the first practice.”
Callery, originally from Lowell, was a captain of the football team, a captain of the winter track and field team - where he threw the shot put - and a pitcher on the varsity baseball team at Lowell High.
He placed second in shot put at both the MIAA D1 State Championship and MIAA All-State Championship meet his senior year.
Callery said he was a two-way lineman in high school, playing on both the offensive and defensive lines.
“I like playing offensive line a lot more,” he said. “There's nothing better than blocking someone and then you look up and your running back is running down the sideline for a touchdown - there's no better feeling.”
Although Callery was recruited by D-I schools for shot put and D-II schools for football, he said he chose FSU because of the “family environment.”
He described the football team as a “brotherhood.
“If I ever needed anything from the coaches, their doors are open, their phones are on. They're here to take you forward in life, not bring you back,” Callery added.
He said his favorite memory on the field is playing defensive lineman in high school and running an interception back for a touchdown - a ‘pick six.’
Callery said his favorite memory on the field at FSU is from his freshman year - being on the field blocking for the tight end as he scored the touchdown to secure their MASCAC title.
Growing up in Massachusetts, Callery said his favorite athlete is now-retired Red Sox legend David Ortiz.
“He is a leader by his actions and by his words,” he said. “And who doesn’t like the guy that hits 500-foot home runs?”
Devaun Ford
Devaun Ford, 23, was the starting running back for the FSU football team.
Ford, a marketing major, is a member of the Rams’ Class of 2024.
He said his plan after college is to continue playing or begin coaching football, and work for his dad at his non-profit organization, which aims to help young athletes in need of school supplies and sports equipment.
Ford said he began playing football at 7 years old. “I feel like I was born into it.”
He said his dad, Willie Ford, played corner for Syracuse University and played in the National Football League.
Ford said his father has been a big inspiration in his football career. “I just wanted to be better than him. It was kind of a competition within myself.”
He said he didn’t want to follow his dad’s footsteps and become a corner.
Ford said, “I could play corner, but it’s too much fun scoring touchdowns.”
Originally from Mashpee, Ford played both football and basketball and ran track and field at Mashpee High.
His team was State Champions his first three seasons in football, but lost his senior year in the state semifinal game.
Ford said he received offers to play D-I football in college, but did not have strong enough grades.
He said the coaches at Framingham State “took me in like family.
“It's been great ever since - it was one of the best decisions I've ever made,” Ford added.
He said his favorite part of the University’s football program is the “brotherhood.”
Ford said, “We all come from different backgrounds, but when we’re in the locker room, on the field, or off the field, they’re my brothers.”
He said his favorite memory on the football field is from his freshman year at FSU, with teammate, and one of his best friends, EJ Nichols.
Ford said they met as freshmen during the preseason and began training together.
During the game against Bridgewater State to win the MASCAC Championship, Nichols scored the game-tying touchdown and Ford scored the game-winning touchdown.
“That was just really special,” Ford said.