UB Football Announces Initial 2023 Signing Class - UPDATED
12/21/2022 6:27:00 PM | Football
- Following more signings, below is the updated signing class (as of May 24, 2023)
BUFFALO, NY - University at Buffalo football head coach Maurice Linguist announced the initial signees for the 2023 recruiting class on the first day of the National Signing Period on Wednesday. The updated 32-member signing class consists of 20 offensive players and 12 defensive players.
The class is comprised of five tight ends, five wide receivers, four offensive linemen, four quarterbacks, three running backs, three defensive ends, three linebackers, two safeties, a cornerback, a defensive tackle, a defensive back and an athlete. The newest class comes to UB from 13 different states and Canada, including New York (6), Georgia (4), California (3), Florida (3), Mississippi (3), Michigan (2), Canada (2), Ohio (2), Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Kansas and Virginia.
"We love the guys that we have signed," Linguist said. "Across the board, we have a lot of length and speed. But, most importantly, we have guys that want to come here and win championships with us."
The updated members of the 2023 signing class:
*Will enroll in January 2023
Mid-Year Enrollees
Joe Andreessen
Linebacker
Graduate
6-1, 232
Depew, NY/Lancaster HS/Bryant
Local product who is transferring back home after spending five seasons at Bryant… earned All-America honors after setting a school record with 116 tackles in 2022… finished his career at Bryan third in career tackles with 256… ranked eight in FCS in 2022, averaging 10.5 tackles per game… was a two-year starter at Lancaster High School where he was a two-time All-State linebacker… had 118 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks his senior season.
Nick Beans
Offensive Line
Senior
6-4, 310
Akron, OH/Manchester HS/Notre Dame College
Transfer from Notre Dame College where he was a three-year starter at center… a three-time All-MEC First Team selection… named All-Super Region 1 in 2022… part of a program that went 35-9 in his time there.
Trevor Brock
Offensive Line
Sophomore
6-6, 305
St. Louis, MO/Affton HS/Iowa Western
Offensive lineman transfer from Iowa Western where he was a first-team All-American… helped lead the Reivers to the 2022 National Championship… a graduate of Affton High School in St. Louis where he was an All-District selection.
Dion Crawford
Linebacker
Freshman
6-1, 225
Suwanee, GA/Collins Hill HS
A two-time first-team All-State linebacker from Collins Hill High School in Georgia… had 123 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 11 sacks his senior season.
Mason Cumbie
Quarterback
Freshman
6-2, 190
Hopewell, VA/Hopewell
Dual-threat quarterback from Hopewell High School in Virginia… threw for 1,312 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior… selected to play in the Big River Rivalry All-Star Game.
Ryan Daly
Tight End
Sophomore
6-6, 235
Mountain View, CA/St. Francis/City College of San Francisco
Tight end who transferred from City College of San Francisco after playing one season… in seven games at CCSF, he had 13 catches for 135 yards and four touchdowns… the Mountain View, CA native is a graduate of St. Francis High School.
Jamari Ford
Running Back
Freshman
6-1, 182
Miami, FL/Northwestern HS
Running back from Northwestern High School in Miami… rushed for 818 yards while averaging 7.1 yards per carry over his career… scored 10 rushing touchdowns and 18 total touchdowns… though his senior season was shortened due to an injury, still averaged 16.4 yards per carry over six games.
Gunnar Gray
Quarterback
Junior
6-4, 190
San Diego, CA/University City HS/San Diego Mesa College
Transfer from San Diego Mesa College where he spent two seasons as the starting quarterback... threw for 4,048 yards and 40 touchdowns over 18 games... named MVP of the Southern California Bowl after leading the Olympians to a 21-20 win over El Camino... a two-time first-team All-Conference selection... a graduate of University City High School in San Diego where he threw for 8,401 yards and 85 touchdowns over his career... had his best season as a junior when he threw for 3,758 yards and 39 TDs.
D'Andre Greeley
Defensive Back
Sophomore
6-0, 180
Monroe, LA/Ballard HS/Colorado State
Transfer from Colorado State where he spent one season… began his career at City College of San Francisco… tallied 10 interceptions including two pick-sixes and a three-interception game vs. Diablo Valley… named a CCCAA first-team All-American… helped lead CCSF to their eighth state football title with his 10th interception of the season and a junior college national championship with a 13-0 record and the top ranking.
Darrell Harding Jr.
Wide Receiver
Graduate
6-4, 222
Winter Garden, FL/West Orange HS/Duke
Graduate transfer from Duke where he spent four seasons… appeared in 42 games and made five starts for the Blue Devils... totaled 35 catches for 452 yards (12.9 ypc) over his career... a graduate of West Orange High School in Florida where he was a two-time All-Metro and All-Central Florida selection... named the Orlando Touchdown Club Player of the Year following his senior season... had 52 receptions for 1,067 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior.
Demetrius Harris
Safety
Graduate
6-2, 191
Muskegon, MI/Muskegon HS/Cornell
Graduate transfer from Cornell where he played 30 games over three seasons... totaled 97 tackles, two interceptions, eight passes defended, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in his time with the Big Red... was a team captain his senior season... had 43 tackles, an interception, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery en route to earning All-Ivy League Honorable Mention honors in 2022... a native of Michigan, helped lead Muskegon High School to a state championship as a senior while playing safety, outside linebacker and wide receiver... played in the M.A.C. all-star game after making 28 tackles with six pass breakups and an interception during his senior season.
Dylan Kedzior
Running Back
Junior
6-0, 212
Claremore, OK/Claremore/Hutchinson CC
Transfer from Hutchinson Community College where he was a JUCO All-American as a running back… rushed for 1,090 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2022… had his best game against Butler when he rushed for 230 yards and three touchdowns… was named the KJCCC Offensive Player of the Year… a graduate of Claremore High School in Oklahoma when he was selected to play in the Oklahoma Football Coaches Association All-State Game… played primarily wide receiver for the Zebras and had 57 receptions for 937 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior.
Devonyal Lofton
Defensive End
Junior
6-2, 240
Forest, MS/Forest HS/East Mississippi CC
Defensive end who transferred from East Mississippi Community College… over two seasons with the Lions, had 74 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and four forced fumbles… a graduate of Forest High School where he was a 3A All-State Second Team selection.
Charles McCatherens
Cornerback
Freshman
5-11, 160
Kennesaw, GA/North Cobb HS
Cornerback from North Cobb High School in Georgia… was a first-team All-Region selection… had 70 tackles, five tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, an interception and eight pass breakups his senior season.
CJ Ogbonna
Quarterback
Graduate
6-2, 212
Marietta, GA/Wheeler HS/Southeast Missouri State
Dual-threat quarterback who is a graduate transfer from Southeast Missouri State... had his best season in 2021 when he started all 11 games and threw for 1,521 yards and 12 touchdowns and ran for 357 yards and another three scores... named to the Ohio Valley Conference All-Newcomer Team... began his career at Hutchinson Community College where he spent two seasons and helped the Blue Dragons to the NJCAA National Championship in 2020... a graduate of Wheeler High School in Georgia where he threw for 2,280 yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior.
Jake Orlando
Tight End
Redshirt Senior
6-6, 245
Buffalo, NY/Williamsville HS/Umass
Tight end who returns to Western New York after spending four seasons at UMass... appeared in 21 games over the last two seasons and had six receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown... a graduate of Williamsville North High School where he was a three-sport standout.
Nickolas Roy
Defensive End
Freshman
6-3, 213
Montreal, Quebec/Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
From Canada but played linebacker and tight end at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in Georgia… an All-Conference selection… as a senior had 48 tackles, two sacks and eight tackles for loss… as a tight end, had seven catches for 75 yards and a touchdown.
Qua Sanders
Wide Receiver
Junior
6-2, 200
Columbia, MS/West Lowndes/Jones College
Transfer from Jones College where he was an All-MACCC Honorable Mention selection… totaled 63 catches for 702 yards and five touchdowns in his time with the Bobcats… a graduate of West Lowndes High School in Mississippi… had 600 receiving yards and 499 rushing yards over 10 games his senior season.
Andrew Schnackenberg
Tight End
Junior
6-5, 230
Arkansas City, KS/Arkansas City/Coffeyville College
Tight end transfer from Coffeyville Community College… totaled 13 receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns… averaged 11.1 yards per catch… graduate of Arkansas City High School in Kansas where he was an All-League selection.
Mitch Viviano
Tight End
Freshman
6-6, 255
Oxford, MI/Oxford HS/Fork Union Military Academy
Tight end who prepped at Fork Union Military Academy… a versatile player, he was a standout defensive end at Fork Union where he had 11 sacks, five tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries, a safety and a defensive touchdown in helping the Blue Devils to a 7-2 record… a graduate of Oxford High School in Michigan where he was an All-League selection.
Micah Woods
Wide Receiver
Junior
6-0, 175
Pinson, AL/Pinson Valley HS/Hutchinson CC
Transfer from Hutchinson Community College where he spent two seasons as a wide receiver and helped lead the Blue Dragons to a spot in the 2022 JUCO National Championship game… in two seasons at Hutchinson, had 47 receptions for 694 yards and eight touchdowns… a graduate of Pinson Valley High School in Alabama where he helped the Indians win the 2020 state championship.
Fall Enrollees
Messiah Burch
Athlete
Freshman
5-10, 165
Staten Island, NY/Monsignor Farrell HS
All-league running back from Monsignor Farrell High School in Staten Island…as a junior, despite missing the first four games with an injury, still rushed for 986 yards and 15 touchdowns… named CHSFL All-League.
Zion Carter
Tight End
Graduate
6-6, 265
Odessa, FL/Berkeley Prep/Dartmouth
Graduate transfer from Dartmouth where he spent four years as a tight end... helped lead the Big Green to a share of the Ivy League crown in 2021... appeared in all 10 games in 2022 and excelled as a blocking tight end... a native of Florida, graduated from Berkeley Prep where he was a standout on the hardwood before turning to football as a senior... was a team captain.
Jamarr Davis
Offensive Line
Junior
6-4, 315
West Point, MS/West Point HS/NW Mississippi CC
Offensive lineman who transferred from Northwest Mississippi Community College… was an All-Region selection in 2022 and helped the Rangers finish third in the final JUCO rankings… a graduate of West Point High School in West Point, MS… represented Mississippi in the Mississippi/Alabama Football All-Star Classic following his senior campaign...also chosen 5A All-State first team offensive lineman by the Mississippi Association of Coaches after his senior season.
Giovanni De Leon
Linebacker
Junior
6-3, 255
Los Alamitos, CA/Los Alamitos HS/Louisville
Linebacker who transferred from Cerritos College where he played two seasons… had 101 tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss and three sacks over his career at Cerritos... added an interception and a fumble recovery… a graduate of Alamitos High School... named the Sunset League Linebacker of the Year his senior season... named All-League First Team and named his team's most valuable player after amassing 74 tackles, 11 sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble as a senior... was a second-team All-League selection as a junior after totaling 80 tackles and nine sacks.
Jevell Fugerson
Wide Receiver
Freshman
6-1, 182
Leesburg, GA/Lee County HS
Wide receiver from Lee County High School in Georgia where he was a three-year starter… had 172 receptions for 2,566 yards and 24 touchdowns over his career.
Jayden Lewis
Safety
Freshman
6-0, 190
Buffalo, NY/Bennett HS
Local product who did a little bit of everything for Bennett High School in helping the Tigers win the 2022 State Championship… named the 2022 Buffalo News Co-Player of the Year… as a senior, rushed for 857 yards and 10 touchdowns and had 605 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns… on defense, had 64 tackles and seven interceptions.
Chance Morrow
Wide Receiver
Redshirt-Freshman
6-4, 200
Charlotte, NC/West Charlotte HS/Louisville
Wide Receiver who transferred from Louisville where he redshirted as a freshman in 2022... a graduate of West Charlotte High School... named to the Carolina Bowl Senior Showcase Watchlist… had five catches for 111 yards and three touchdowns as West Charlotte beat West Mecklenburg 62-13… recorded four touchdown receptions in a loss to Chambers… named to the Channel 9 Big 22 Team… recorded 33 receptions for 755 yards and 12 touchdowns while posting a catch average of 22.9 in his junior season … named to the second-team All-Charlotte Offense by the Charlotte Observer.
Junior Poyser
Defensive Tackle
Freshman
6-2, 315
Brampton, ON/Williston Northhampton School
From Canada but played defensive tackle at Williston Northampton School in Massachusetts… an All-NEPSAC selection.
Lamar Sperling
Running Back
Freshman
5-10, 180
Akron, OH/Archbishop Hoban HS
Running back from Archbishop Hoban High School where he was named 2022 Ohio Mr. Football… broke the single-season OHSAA record by rushing for 3,984 yards and 59 touchdowns his senior season… he rushed for 1,781 yards and 26 touchdowns on 192 carries in six playoff games alone… named Northeast Inland District Offensive Player of the Year… named Cleveland.com Offensive Player of the Year.
Jyaire Stevens
Defensive End
Graduate
6-4, 237
Wappingers Falls, NY/Ketcham HS/Lafayette
Graduate Transfer defensive end from Lafayette where he played four seasons... As a senior, had 40 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, nine quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery... a graduate of Ketcham High School where he earned All-USA Today First-Team defensive honors in New York State in 2018…named All-Section 1 as a senior while guiding the Indians to a 6-3 mark…played running back, wide receiver, linebacker, free safety and spent time at returner during his prep career.
Amonte Strothers
Defensive Back
Redshirt-5th Year
6-1, 195
Homestead, PA/Steel Valley HS/Delaware
Defensive back who transferred from Delaware where he spent five seasons... saw action in four seasons and totaled 72 tackles, four interceptions and 16 passes defended... coming off a season in which he had 31 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and four passes defended... a graduate of Steel Valley High School where he was a two-time all-conference selection... selected to the Pittsburgh Tribune WPIAL All-Star team as a senior... earned second-team All-State honors by the Pennsylvania Football News in 2016... team went 15-0 and won the Pennsylvania state AA title in 2016 and posted an 11-1 record and advanced to the state quarterfinals in 2017.
Henry Tabansi
Offensive Line
Freshman
6-5, 285
Staten Island, NY/Moore Catholic HS
Offensive lineman from Moore Catholic High School on Staten Island where he was a three-year starter… an All-State selection.
Richie Watts
Quarterback
Sophomore
6-3, 210
Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS/College of San Mateo
JUCO transfer quarterback who spent last season at the College of San Mateo... In his lone season with the Bulldogs, he threw for 2,148 yards, 21 touchdowns to only two interceptions while completing 63 percent of his passes... he helped lead San Mateo to a 12-1 record and a CCCAA Football state title... had his best performance against San Joaquin Delta, completing 16-of-18 passes for 269 yards and six touchdowns... a graduate of Rocklin High School in California where he was an All-Metro selection for the Thunder... threw for 1,893 yards and 10 touchdowns over his final two seasons, including a shortened four-game senior campaign due to COVID-19.
BUFFALO, NY - University at Buffalo football head coach Maurice Linguist announced the initial signees for the 2023 recruiting class on the first day of the National Signing Period on Wednesday. The updated 32-member signing class consists of 20 offensive players and 12 defensive players.
The class is comprised of five tight ends, five wide receivers, four offensive linemen, four quarterbacks, three running backs, three defensive ends, three linebackers, two safeties, a cornerback, a defensive tackle, a defensive back and an athlete. The newest class comes to UB from 13 different states and Canada, including New York (6), Georgia (4), California (3), Florida (3), Mississippi (3), Michigan (2), Canada (2), Ohio (2), Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Kansas and Virginia.
"We love the guys that we have signed," Linguist said. "Across the board, we have a lot of length and speed. But, most importantly, we have guys that want to come here and win championships with us."
The updated members of the 2023 signing class:
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown/Previous School |
| Joe Andreessen* | LB | 6-1 | 232 | Depew, NY/Lancaster HS/Bryant |
| Nick Beans* | OL | 6-4 | 315 | Akron, OH/Manchester HS/Notre Dame College |
| Trevor Brock* | OL | 6-6 | 305 | St. Louis, MO/Affton HS/Iowa Western CC |
| Messiah Burch | ATH | 5-10 | 165 | Staten Island, NY/Monsignor Farrell HS |
| Zion Carter | TE | 6-6 | 265 | Odessa, FL/Berkeley Prep/Dartmouth |
| Dion Crawford* | LB | 6-1 | 225 | Suwanee, GA/Collins Hill HS |
| Mason Crumbie* | QB | 6-2 | 190 | Hopewell, VA/Hopewell HS |
| Ryan Daly* | TE | 6-6 | 235 | Mountain View, CA/St. Francis HS/City College of SF |
| Jamarr Davis | OL | 6-4 | 315 | West Point, MS/West Point HS/NW Mississippi CC |
| Giovanni De Leon | LB | 6-3 | 255 | Los Alamitos, CA/Los Alamitos HS/Cerritos College |
| Jamari Ford* | RB | 5-6 | 164 | Miami, FL/Northwestern HS |
| Jevell Fugerson | WR | 6-1 | 182 | Leesburg, GA/Lee County |
| Gunnar Gray* | QB | 6-4 | 190 | San Diego, CA/University City HS/San Diego Mesa College |
| D'Andre Greeley* | DB | 6-0 | 180 | Monroe, LA/Ballard HS/Colorado State |
| Darrell Harding Jr. | WR | 6-4 | 222 | Winter Garden, FL/West Orangs HS/Duke |
| Demetrius Harris* | S | 6-2 | 191 | Muskegon, MI/Muskegon HS/Cornell |
| Dylan Kedzior* | RB | 6-0 | 212 | Claremore, OK/Claremore HS/Hutchinson CC |
| Jayden Lewis | S | 6-0 | 190 | Buffalo, NY/Bennett HS |
| Devonyal Lofton* | DE | 6-2 | 240 | Forest, MS/Forest HS/East Mississippi CC |
| Charles McCatherens* | CB | 5-11 | 160 | Kennesaw, GA/North Cobb HS |
| Chance Morrow | WR | 6-6 | 200 | Charlotte, NC/West Charlotte HS/Louisville |
| CJ Ogbonna* | QB | 6-2 | 212 | Marietta, GA/Wheeler HS/Southeast Missouri State |
| Jake Orlando* | TE | 6-6 | 245 | Buffalo, NY/Williamsville North HS/UMass |
| Junior Poyser | DT | 6-2 | 315 | Brampton, Ontario/Williston Northampton School |
| Nickolas Roy* | DE | 6-3 | 213 | Montreal, Quebec/Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School |
| Qua Sanders* | WR | 6-2 | 200 | Columbia, MS/West Lowndes HS/Jones College |
| Andrew Schnackenberg* | TE | 6-5 | 230 | Arkansas City, KS/Arkansas City/Coffeyville CC |
| Lamar Sperling | RB | 5-10 | 180 | Akron, OH/Archbishop Hoban HS |
| Jyaire Stevens | DE | 6-4 | 237 | Wappingers Falls, NY/Ketchum HS/Lafayette |
| Amonte Strothers | DB | 6-1 | 195 | Homestead, PA/Steel Valley HS/Delaware |
| Henry Tabansi | OL | 6-5 | 285 | Staten Island, NY/Moore Catholic HS |
| Richie Watts | QB | 6-3 | 210 | Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS/College of San Mateo |
| Micah Woods* | WR | 6-0 | 175 | Pinson, AL/Pinson Valley HS/Hutchinson CC |
| Mitch Viviano* | TE | 6-6 | 255 | Oxford, MI/Oxford HS/Fork Union Military Academy |
Mid-Year Enrollees
Joe Andreessen
Linebacker
Graduate
6-1, 232
Depew, NY/Lancaster HS/Bryant
Local product who is transferring back home after spending five seasons at Bryant… earned All-America honors after setting a school record with 116 tackles in 2022… finished his career at Bryan third in career tackles with 256… ranked eight in FCS in 2022, averaging 10.5 tackles per game… was a two-year starter at Lancaster High School where he was a two-time All-State linebacker… had 118 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks his senior season.
Nick Beans
Offensive Line
Senior
6-4, 310
Akron, OH/Manchester HS/Notre Dame College
Transfer from Notre Dame College where he was a three-year starter at center… a three-time All-MEC First Team selection… named All-Super Region 1 in 2022… part of a program that went 35-9 in his time there.
Trevor Brock
Offensive Line
Sophomore
6-6, 305
St. Louis, MO/Affton HS/Iowa Western
Offensive lineman transfer from Iowa Western where he was a first-team All-American… helped lead the Reivers to the 2022 National Championship… a graduate of Affton High School in St. Louis where he was an All-District selection.
Dion Crawford
Linebacker
Freshman
6-1, 225
Suwanee, GA/Collins Hill HS
A two-time first-team All-State linebacker from Collins Hill High School in Georgia… had 123 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 11 sacks his senior season.
Mason Cumbie
Quarterback
Freshman
6-2, 190
Hopewell, VA/Hopewell
Dual-threat quarterback from Hopewell High School in Virginia… threw for 1,312 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior… selected to play in the Big River Rivalry All-Star Game.
Ryan Daly
Tight End
Sophomore
6-6, 235
Mountain View, CA/St. Francis/City College of San Francisco
Tight end who transferred from City College of San Francisco after playing one season… in seven games at CCSF, he had 13 catches for 135 yards and four touchdowns… the Mountain View, CA native is a graduate of St. Francis High School.
Jamari Ford
Running Back
Freshman
6-1, 182
Miami, FL/Northwestern HS
Running back from Northwestern High School in Miami… rushed for 818 yards while averaging 7.1 yards per carry over his career… scored 10 rushing touchdowns and 18 total touchdowns… though his senior season was shortened due to an injury, still averaged 16.4 yards per carry over six games.
Gunnar Gray
Quarterback
Junior
6-4, 190
San Diego, CA/University City HS/San Diego Mesa College
Transfer from San Diego Mesa College where he spent two seasons as the starting quarterback... threw for 4,048 yards and 40 touchdowns over 18 games... named MVP of the Southern California Bowl after leading the Olympians to a 21-20 win over El Camino... a two-time first-team All-Conference selection... a graduate of University City High School in San Diego where he threw for 8,401 yards and 85 touchdowns over his career... had his best season as a junior when he threw for 3,758 yards and 39 TDs.
D'Andre Greeley
Defensive Back
Sophomore
6-0, 180
Monroe, LA/Ballard HS/Colorado State
Transfer from Colorado State where he spent one season… began his career at City College of San Francisco… tallied 10 interceptions including two pick-sixes and a three-interception game vs. Diablo Valley… named a CCCAA first-team All-American… helped lead CCSF to their eighth state football title with his 10th interception of the season and a junior college national championship with a 13-0 record and the top ranking.
Darrell Harding Jr.
Wide Receiver
Graduate
6-4, 222
Winter Garden, FL/West Orange HS/Duke
Graduate transfer from Duke where he spent four seasons… appeared in 42 games and made five starts for the Blue Devils... totaled 35 catches for 452 yards (12.9 ypc) over his career... a graduate of West Orange High School in Florida where he was a two-time All-Metro and All-Central Florida selection... named the Orlando Touchdown Club Player of the Year following his senior season... had 52 receptions for 1,067 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior.
Demetrius Harris
Safety
Graduate
6-2, 191
Muskegon, MI/Muskegon HS/Cornell
Graduate transfer from Cornell where he played 30 games over three seasons... totaled 97 tackles, two interceptions, eight passes defended, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in his time with the Big Red... was a team captain his senior season... had 43 tackles, an interception, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery en route to earning All-Ivy League Honorable Mention honors in 2022... a native of Michigan, helped lead Muskegon High School to a state championship as a senior while playing safety, outside linebacker and wide receiver... played in the M.A.C. all-star game after making 28 tackles with six pass breakups and an interception during his senior season.
Dylan Kedzior
Running Back
Junior
6-0, 212
Claremore, OK/Claremore/Hutchinson CC
Transfer from Hutchinson Community College where he was a JUCO All-American as a running back… rushed for 1,090 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2022… had his best game against Butler when he rushed for 230 yards and three touchdowns… was named the KJCCC Offensive Player of the Year… a graduate of Claremore High School in Oklahoma when he was selected to play in the Oklahoma Football Coaches Association All-State Game… played primarily wide receiver for the Zebras and had 57 receptions for 937 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior.
Devonyal Lofton
Defensive End
Junior
6-2, 240
Forest, MS/Forest HS/East Mississippi CC
Defensive end who transferred from East Mississippi Community College… over two seasons with the Lions, had 74 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and four forced fumbles… a graduate of Forest High School where he was a 3A All-State Second Team selection.
Charles McCatherens
Cornerback
Freshman
5-11, 160
Kennesaw, GA/North Cobb HS
Cornerback from North Cobb High School in Georgia… was a first-team All-Region selection… had 70 tackles, five tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, an interception and eight pass breakups his senior season.
CJ Ogbonna
Quarterback
Graduate
6-2, 212
Marietta, GA/Wheeler HS/Southeast Missouri State
Dual-threat quarterback who is a graduate transfer from Southeast Missouri State... had his best season in 2021 when he started all 11 games and threw for 1,521 yards and 12 touchdowns and ran for 357 yards and another three scores... named to the Ohio Valley Conference All-Newcomer Team... began his career at Hutchinson Community College where he spent two seasons and helped the Blue Dragons to the NJCAA National Championship in 2020... a graduate of Wheeler High School in Georgia where he threw for 2,280 yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior.
Jake Orlando
Tight End
Redshirt Senior
6-6, 245
Buffalo, NY/Williamsville HS/Umass
Tight end who returns to Western New York after spending four seasons at UMass... appeared in 21 games over the last two seasons and had six receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown... a graduate of Williamsville North High School where he was a three-sport standout.
Nickolas Roy
Defensive End
Freshman
6-3, 213
Montreal, Quebec/Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
From Canada but played linebacker and tight end at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in Georgia… an All-Conference selection… as a senior had 48 tackles, two sacks and eight tackles for loss… as a tight end, had seven catches for 75 yards and a touchdown.
Qua Sanders
Wide Receiver
Junior
6-2, 200
Columbia, MS/West Lowndes/Jones College
Transfer from Jones College where he was an All-MACCC Honorable Mention selection… totaled 63 catches for 702 yards and five touchdowns in his time with the Bobcats… a graduate of West Lowndes High School in Mississippi… had 600 receiving yards and 499 rushing yards over 10 games his senior season.
Andrew Schnackenberg
Tight End
Junior
6-5, 230
Arkansas City, KS/Arkansas City/Coffeyville College
Tight end transfer from Coffeyville Community College… totaled 13 receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns… averaged 11.1 yards per catch… graduate of Arkansas City High School in Kansas where he was an All-League selection.
Mitch Viviano
Tight End
Freshman
6-6, 255
Oxford, MI/Oxford HS/Fork Union Military Academy
Tight end who prepped at Fork Union Military Academy… a versatile player, he was a standout defensive end at Fork Union where he had 11 sacks, five tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries, a safety and a defensive touchdown in helping the Blue Devils to a 7-2 record… a graduate of Oxford High School in Michigan where he was an All-League selection.
Micah Woods
Wide Receiver
Junior
6-0, 175
Pinson, AL/Pinson Valley HS/Hutchinson CC
Transfer from Hutchinson Community College where he spent two seasons as a wide receiver and helped lead the Blue Dragons to a spot in the 2022 JUCO National Championship game… in two seasons at Hutchinson, had 47 receptions for 694 yards and eight touchdowns… a graduate of Pinson Valley High School in Alabama where he helped the Indians win the 2020 state championship.
Fall Enrollees
Messiah Burch
Athlete
Freshman
5-10, 165
Staten Island, NY/Monsignor Farrell HS
All-league running back from Monsignor Farrell High School in Staten Island…as a junior, despite missing the first four games with an injury, still rushed for 986 yards and 15 touchdowns… named CHSFL All-League.
Zion Carter
Tight End
Graduate
6-6, 265
Odessa, FL/Berkeley Prep/Dartmouth
Graduate transfer from Dartmouth where he spent four years as a tight end... helped lead the Big Green to a share of the Ivy League crown in 2021... appeared in all 10 games in 2022 and excelled as a blocking tight end... a native of Florida, graduated from Berkeley Prep where he was a standout on the hardwood before turning to football as a senior... was a team captain.
Jamarr Davis
Offensive Line
Junior
6-4, 315
West Point, MS/West Point HS/NW Mississippi CC
Offensive lineman who transferred from Northwest Mississippi Community College… was an All-Region selection in 2022 and helped the Rangers finish third in the final JUCO rankings… a graduate of West Point High School in West Point, MS… represented Mississippi in the Mississippi/Alabama Football All-Star Classic following his senior campaign...also chosen 5A All-State first team offensive lineman by the Mississippi Association of Coaches after his senior season.
Giovanni De Leon
Linebacker
Junior
6-3, 255
Los Alamitos, CA/Los Alamitos HS/Louisville
Linebacker who transferred from Cerritos College where he played two seasons… had 101 tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss and three sacks over his career at Cerritos... added an interception and a fumble recovery… a graduate of Alamitos High School... named the Sunset League Linebacker of the Year his senior season... named All-League First Team and named his team's most valuable player after amassing 74 tackles, 11 sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble as a senior... was a second-team All-League selection as a junior after totaling 80 tackles and nine sacks.
Jevell Fugerson
Wide Receiver
Freshman
6-1, 182
Leesburg, GA/Lee County HS
Wide receiver from Lee County High School in Georgia where he was a three-year starter… had 172 receptions for 2,566 yards and 24 touchdowns over his career.
Jayden Lewis
Safety
Freshman
6-0, 190
Buffalo, NY/Bennett HS
Local product who did a little bit of everything for Bennett High School in helping the Tigers win the 2022 State Championship… named the 2022 Buffalo News Co-Player of the Year… as a senior, rushed for 857 yards and 10 touchdowns and had 605 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns… on defense, had 64 tackles and seven interceptions.
Chance Morrow
Wide Receiver
Redshirt-Freshman
6-4, 200
Charlotte, NC/West Charlotte HS/Louisville
Wide Receiver who transferred from Louisville where he redshirted as a freshman in 2022... a graduate of West Charlotte High School... named to the Carolina Bowl Senior Showcase Watchlist… had five catches for 111 yards and three touchdowns as West Charlotte beat West Mecklenburg 62-13… recorded four touchdown receptions in a loss to Chambers… named to the Channel 9 Big 22 Team… recorded 33 receptions for 755 yards and 12 touchdowns while posting a catch average of 22.9 in his junior season … named to the second-team All-Charlotte Offense by the Charlotte Observer.
Junior Poyser
Defensive Tackle
Freshman
6-2, 315
Brampton, ON/Williston Northhampton School
From Canada but played defensive tackle at Williston Northampton School in Massachusetts… an All-NEPSAC selection.
Lamar Sperling
Running Back
Freshman
5-10, 180
Akron, OH/Archbishop Hoban HS
Running back from Archbishop Hoban High School where he was named 2022 Ohio Mr. Football… broke the single-season OHSAA record by rushing for 3,984 yards and 59 touchdowns his senior season… he rushed for 1,781 yards and 26 touchdowns on 192 carries in six playoff games alone… named Northeast Inland District Offensive Player of the Year… named Cleveland.com Offensive Player of the Year.
Jyaire Stevens
Defensive End
Graduate
6-4, 237
Wappingers Falls, NY/Ketcham HS/Lafayette
Graduate Transfer defensive end from Lafayette where he played four seasons... As a senior, had 40 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, nine quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery... a graduate of Ketcham High School where he earned All-USA Today First-Team defensive honors in New York State in 2018…named All-Section 1 as a senior while guiding the Indians to a 6-3 mark…played running back, wide receiver, linebacker, free safety and spent time at returner during his prep career.
Amonte Strothers
Defensive Back
Redshirt-5th Year
6-1, 195
Homestead, PA/Steel Valley HS/Delaware
Defensive back who transferred from Delaware where he spent five seasons... saw action in four seasons and totaled 72 tackles, four interceptions and 16 passes defended... coming off a season in which he had 31 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and four passes defended... a graduate of Steel Valley High School where he was a two-time all-conference selection... selected to the Pittsburgh Tribune WPIAL All-Star team as a senior... earned second-team All-State honors by the Pennsylvania Football News in 2016... team went 15-0 and won the Pennsylvania state AA title in 2016 and posted an 11-1 record and advanced to the state quarterfinals in 2017.
Henry Tabansi
Offensive Line
Freshman
6-5, 285
Staten Island, NY/Moore Catholic HS
Offensive lineman from Moore Catholic High School on Staten Island where he was a three-year starter… an All-State selection.
Richie Watts
Quarterback
Sophomore
6-3, 210
Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS/College of San Mateo
JUCO transfer quarterback who spent last season at the College of San Mateo... In his lone season with the Bulldogs, he threw for 2,148 yards, 21 touchdowns to only two interceptions while completing 63 percent of his passes... he helped lead San Mateo to a 12-1 record and a CCCAA Football state title... had his best performance against San Joaquin Delta, completing 16-of-18 passes for 269 yards and six touchdowns... a graduate of Rocklin High School in California where he was an All-Metro selection for the Thunder... threw for 1,893 yards and 10 touchdowns over his final two seasons, including a shortened four-game senior campaign due to COVID-19.
Coach Pete Lembo talks who could be under center and learning from last years matchup with UConn
Tuesday, September 23
Nickel Corner Jalen McNair on what happened in the loss to Troy and his new nickname
Tuesday, September 23
Kicker Jack Howes on dealing with weather conditions and if 90s are the cool numbers for kickers now
Tuesday, September 23
Coach Lembo Week 5 Press Conference (vs. UConn)
Tuesday, September 23
