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UB Football Announces Initial 2025 Signing Class
12/4/2024 11:12:00 AM | Football
BUFFALO, NY - University at Buffalo football head coach Pete Lembo announced the initial signees for the 2025 recruiting class on the first day of the National Signing Period on Wednesday. The initial 18-member signing class consists of 10 offensive players and eight defensive players.
The 18-member class is comprised of three offensive linemen, three wide receivers, two tight ends, two linebackers, two defensive linemen, two cornerbacks, two safeties, a quarterback and a running back. The newest class comes to UB from nine different states and Canada, including Pennsylvania (6), Virginia (4), New York, Ohio, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Florida, Maryland and Canada.
"What an exciting day for the future of UB football," Lembo said. "We are excited to add these quality young men to the program and we appreciate their belief in us as a new coaching staff. We are confident that this group, along with some anticipated additions from the transfer portal will enable us to compete at a high level in the MAC and beyond."
Four of the initial 18-member class will enroll at UB in January.
More signees are expected in the future.
The initial members of the 2025 signing class:
* Will enroll in January
Mid-Year Enrollees
Dwayne Early, Jr.
Wide Receiver
Freshman
6-4, 195
Springfield, MA/Springfield Central HS
Wide receiver from Springfield Central High School in Massachusetts… had 47 receptions for 767 yards and eight touchdowns over his career… also a standout on the Golden Eagles basketball team.
Nino Hill
Running Back
Freshman
6-0, 185
Canton, OH/McKinley HS
All-District running back from McKinley High School in Canton, OH… rushed 1,032 yards and 13 touchdowns his senior season… named All-District Honorable Mention.
Jackson Small
Cornerback
Freshman
6-0, 185
Upper Marlboro, MD/Rock Creek Christian Academy
Cornerback from Rock Creek Christian Academy in Maryland… helped lead the Eagles to an undefeated season in 2024.
Jason Wright
Quarterback
Freshman
6-2, 198
Chesterfield, VA/Lloyd C. Bird HS
Dual-threat quarterback from Lloyd C. Bird High School in Virginia… Over his career, threw for 3,818 yards and 34 touchdowns and rushed for 1,278 yards and 27 touchdowns… named All-Region and All-County... selected to play in the Big River Rivalry All-Star Game.
Fall Enrollees
Thomas Barr
Offensive Line
Freshman
6-3, 290
Havertown, PA/Haverford School
Offensive lineman from the Haverford School in Pennsylvania… had a strong senior season as he was named first-team Inter-AC All-League.
Christopher Climes
Defensive Line
Freshman
6-2, 270
Elizabeth, PA/Elizabeth Forward HS
Defensive lineman from Elizabeth High School in Pennsylvania… named first-team All-Conference… totaled 150 tackles, 60.5 tackles for loss and 31.5 sacks over his junior and senior seasons.
Jackson Davenport
Offensive Line
Freshman
6-6, 260
Darien, CT/Darien HS
Offensive lineman from Darien High School in Connecticut… named the Best Lineman at the Southington Lineman Challenge.
Phillip Folmar
Wide Receiver
Freshman
6-0, 165
Morristown, NJ/Delbarton HS
Wide receiver from New Jersey where he played at Delbarton High School… had 55 receptions for 936 yards and eight touchdowns his senior season… totaled 1,802 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns over his career… scored five touchdowns, including a 92-yard kickoff return and caught a Hail Mary to help upset previously unbeaten DePaul.
Michael Gelatko
Tight End
Freshman
6-4, 240
Andreas, PA/Marian Catholic HS
All-State tight end from Marian Catholic High School in Pennsylvania… had 22 catches for 257 yards and three touchdowns his senior season… had over 1,000 yards receiving over his career… named All-State following his junior season… selected to play in the Schuylkill County Coaches Association All-Star Game… also a standout defensive end and was named Republican Herald First Team as a punter.
George Hill
Linebacker
Freshman
6-2, 215
Turtle Creek, PA/Woodland Hills HS
Linebacker from Woodland Hills High School in Pennsylvania… first-team All-Conference selection… had 127 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, an interception and three forced fumbles his senior season… led the Wolverines to a conference championship.
Bradley Ilunga-Bisselele
Linebacker
Freshman
6-2, 215
Montreal, Quebec/Baylor School
Linebacker from Montreal who played at the Baylor School in Tennessee… had a standout performance with multiple sacks, tackles for loss and pass breakups against Rabun Gap-Nacoochee on a nationally-televised game on ESPN.
Alvin Jones III
Wide Receiver
Freshman
6-0, 170
Chesapeake, VA/Oscar Smith HS
Wide receiver from Oscar Smith High School in Virginia… first-team All-Region selection… helped lead the Tigers to a regional championship.
Aiden Pedreros
Tight End
Freshman
6-6, 240
Staten Island, NY/Monsignor Farrell HS
Tight end from Monsignor Farrell High School on Staten Island… excellent run-blocking tight end… had 13 receptions for 181 yards and two touchdowns his senior year.
Donovan Rodriguez
Cornerback
Freshman
5-10, 170
Lancaster, PA/Manheim Township HS
Cornerback from Manheim Township High School in Pennsylvania… had 67 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and nine pass breakups over his junior and senior seasons.
Jonathan Rousseau
Safety
Freshman
6-1, 180
Coconut Creek, FL/Cardinal Gibbons HS
Safety from Cardinal Gibbons High School in Florida… totaled 89 tackles and three tackles for loss over his career… brother of Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau.
Xair Stevenson
Safety
Freshman
6-1, 190
Pittsburgh, PA/University Prep HS
Safety from University Prep High School in Pittsburgh… a first-team All-City selection… had 133 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions his junior year.
Rex Stinchcomb
Defensive Line
Freshman
6-3, 280
Herdon, VA/Gonzaga College HS
Defensive lineman from Gonzaga College High School in Washington, DC… a first-team All-WCAC selection.
Caleb Watts
Offensive Line
Freshman
6-5, 300
Prince George, VA/Prince George HS
Offensive lineman from Prince George High School in Virginia… first-team All-Region selection… 15 pancake blocks his senior season… also played defensive line and had 15 tackles for loss and three sacks… also a standout on the basketball team.
The 18-member class is comprised of three offensive linemen, three wide receivers, two tight ends, two linebackers, two defensive linemen, two cornerbacks, two safeties, a quarterback and a running back. The newest class comes to UB from nine different states and Canada, including Pennsylvania (6), Virginia (4), New York, Ohio, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Florida, Maryland and Canada.
"What an exciting day for the future of UB football," Lembo said. "We are excited to add these quality young men to the program and we appreciate their belief in us as a new coaching staff. We are confident that this group, along with some anticipated additions from the transfer portal will enable us to compete at a high level in the MAC and beyond."
Four of the initial 18-member class will enroll at UB in January.
More signees are expected in the future.
The initial members of the 2025 signing class:
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown/Previous School |
| Thomas Barr | OL | 6-3 | 290 | Havertown, PA/The Haverford School |
| Christopher Climes | DL | 6-2 | 270 | Elizabeth, PA/Elizabeth Forward HS |
| Jackson Davenport | OL | 6-6 | 260 | Darien, CT/Darien HS |
| Dwayne Early, Jr.* | WR | 6-4 | 195 | Springfield, MA/Springfield Central HS |
| Phillip Folmar | WR | 6-0 | 165 | Morristown, NJ/Delbarton HS |
| Michael Gelatko | TE | 6-4 | 240 | Andreas, PA/Marian Catholic HS |
| George Hill | LB | 6-2 | 225 | Turtle Creek, PA/Woodland Hills HS |
| Nino Hill* | RB | 6-0 | 185 | Canton, OH/McKinley HS |
| Bradley Ilunga-Bisselele | LB | 6-2 | 215 | Montreal, Quebec/Baylor School |
| Alvin Jones III | WR | 6-0 | 170 | Chesapeake, VA/Oscar Smith HS |
| Aiden Pedreros | TE | 6-6 | 240 | Staten Island, NY/Monsignor Farrell HS |
| Donovan Rodriguez | CB | 5-10 | 170 | Lancaster, PA/Manheim Township HS |
| Jonathan Rousseau | S | 6-1 | 180 | Coconut Creek, FL/Cardinal Gibbons HS |
| Jackson Small* | CB | 6-0 | 185 | Upper Marlboro, MD/Rock Creek Christian Academy |
| Xair Stevenson | S | 6-1 | 190 | Pittsburgh, PA/University Prep |
| Rex Stinchcomb | DL | 6-3 | 280 | Herndon, VA/Gonzaga College HS |
| Caleb Watts | OL | 6-5 | 300 | Prince George, VA/Prince George HS |
| Jason Wright* | QB | 6-2 | 198 | Chesterfield, VA/Lloyd C. Bird HS |
Mid-Year Enrollees
Dwayne Early, Jr.
Wide Receiver
Freshman
6-4, 195
Springfield, MA/Springfield Central HS
Wide receiver from Springfield Central High School in Massachusetts… had 47 receptions for 767 yards and eight touchdowns over his career… also a standout on the Golden Eagles basketball team.
??? pic.twitter.com/gInZKGSp1z
— UB Football (@UBFootball) December 4, 2024
Nino Hill
Running Back
Freshman
6-0, 185
Canton, OH/McKinley HS
All-District running back from McKinley High School in Canton, OH… rushed 1,032 yards and 13 touchdowns his senior season… named All-District Honorable Mention.
— UB Football (@UBFootball) December 4, 2024
Jackson Small
Cornerback
Freshman
6-0, 185
Upper Marlboro, MD/Rock Creek Christian Academy
Cornerback from Rock Creek Christian Academy in Maryland… helped lead the Eagles to an undefeated season in 2024.
??? pic.twitter.com/JyKQ2OJ4QJ
— UB Football (@UBFootball) December 4, 2024
Jason Wright
Quarterback
Freshman
6-2, 198
Chesterfield, VA/Lloyd C. Bird HS
Dual-threat quarterback from Lloyd C. Bird High School in Virginia… Over his career, threw for 3,818 yards and 34 touchdowns and rushed for 1,278 yards and 27 touchdowns… named All-Region and All-County... selected to play in the Big River Rivalry All-Star Game.
??? pic.twitter.com/deCzqoX8ZA
— UB Football (@UBFootball) December 4, 2024
Fall Enrollees
Thomas Barr
Offensive Line
Freshman
6-3, 290
Havertown, PA/Haverford School
Offensive lineman from the Haverford School in Pennsylvania… had a strong senior season as he was named first-team Inter-AC All-League.
??? pic.twitter.com/gKbR4iLcrT
— UB Football (@UBFootball) December 4, 2024
Christopher Climes
Defensive Line
Freshman
6-2, 270
Elizabeth, PA/Elizabeth Forward HS
Defensive lineman from Elizabeth High School in Pennsylvania… named first-team All-Conference… totaled 150 tackles, 60.5 tackles for loss and 31.5 sacks over his junior and senior seasons.
??? pic.twitter.com/3btCkQzDSW
— UB Football (@UBFootball) December 4, 2024
Jackson Davenport
Offensive Line
Freshman
6-6, 260
Darien, CT/Darien HS
Offensive lineman from Darien High School in Connecticut… named the Best Lineman at the Southington Lineman Challenge.
— UB Football (@UBFootball) December 4, 2024
Phillip Folmar
Wide Receiver
Freshman
6-0, 165
Morristown, NJ/Delbarton HS
Wide receiver from New Jersey where he played at Delbarton High School… had 55 receptions for 936 yards and eight touchdowns his senior season… totaled 1,802 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns over his career… scored five touchdowns, including a 92-yard kickoff return and caught a Hail Mary to help upset previously unbeaten DePaul.
??? pic.twitter.com/3Q7LIDK19t
— UB Football (@UBFootball) December 4, 2024
Michael Gelatko
Tight End
Freshman
6-4, 240
Andreas, PA/Marian Catholic HS
All-State tight end from Marian Catholic High School in Pennsylvania… had 22 catches for 257 yards and three touchdowns his senior season… had over 1,000 yards receiving over his career… named All-State following his junior season… selected to play in the Schuylkill County Coaches Association All-Star Game… also a standout defensive end and was named Republican Herald First Team as a punter.
??? pic.twitter.com/8i2esyGZIE
— UB Football (@UBFootball) December 4, 2024
George Hill
Linebacker
Freshman
6-2, 215
Turtle Creek, PA/Woodland Hills HS
Linebacker from Woodland Hills High School in Pennsylvania… first-team All-Conference selection… had 127 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, an interception and three forced fumbles his senior season… led the Wolverines to a conference championship.
??? pic.twitter.com/4SlKs2OCOi
— UB Football (@UBFootball) December 4, 2024
Bradley Ilunga-Bisselele
Linebacker
Freshman
6-2, 215
Montreal, Quebec/Baylor School
Linebacker from Montreal who played at the Baylor School in Tennessee… had a standout performance with multiple sacks, tackles for loss and pass breakups against Rabun Gap-Nacoochee on a nationally-televised game on ESPN.
??? pic.twitter.com/zEQv38aHW6
— UB Football (@UBFootball) December 4, 2024
Alvin Jones III
Wide Receiver
Freshman
6-0, 170
Chesapeake, VA/Oscar Smith HS
Wide receiver from Oscar Smith High School in Virginia… first-team All-Region selection… helped lead the Tigers to a regional championship.
??? pic.twitter.com/Hi3SUPL33F
— UB Football (@UBFootball) December 4, 2024
Aiden Pedreros
Tight End
Freshman
6-6, 240
Staten Island, NY/Monsignor Farrell HS
Tight end from Monsignor Farrell High School on Staten Island… excellent run-blocking tight end… had 13 receptions for 181 yards and two touchdowns his senior year.
??? pic.twitter.com/Du17Du3zow
— UB Football (@UBFootball) December 4, 2024
Donovan Rodriguez
Cornerback
Freshman
5-10, 170
Lancaster, PA/Manheim Township HS
Cornerback from Manheim Township High School in Pennsylvania… had 67 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and nine pass breakups over his junior and senior seasons.
??? pic.twitter.com/GMYjK2JyLr
— UB Football (@UBFootball) December 4, 2024
Jonathan Rousseau
Safety
Freshman
6-1, 180
Coconut Creek, FL/Cardinal Gibbons HS
Safety from Cardinal Gibbons High School in Florida… totaled 89 tackles and three tackles for loss over his career… brother of Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau.
??? pic.twitter.com/DHWhCjSs8I
— UB Football (@UBFootball) December 4, 2024
Xair Stevenson
Safety
Freshman
6-1, 190
Pittsburgh, PA/University Prep HS
Safety from University Prep High School in Pittsburgh… a first-team All-City selection… had 133 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions his junior year.
??? pic.twitter.com/916qT68xxX
— UB Football (@UBFootball) December 4, 2024
Rex Stinchcomb
Defensive Line
Freshman
6-3, 280
Herdon, VA/Gonzaga College HS
Defensive lineman from Gonzaga College High School in Washington, DC… a first-team All-WCAC selection.
— UB Football (@UBFootball) December 4, 2024
Caleb Watts
Offensive Line
Freshman
6-5, 300
Prince George, VA/Prince George HS
Offensive lineman from Prince George High School in Virginia… first-team All-Region selection… 15 pancake blocks his senior season… also played defensive line and had 15 tackles for loss and three sacks… also a standout on the basketball team.
??? pic.twitter.com/29bI5tdmXx
— UB Football (@UBFootball) December 4, 2024
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