Photo by: Paul Hokanson / UB Athletics
Bulls Add Four Transfers
5/27/2025 3:51:00 PM | Football
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo football team has added four transfers heading into the 2025 campaign. Kicker Jack Howes, offensive lineman Jacob Merritt, punter Ethan Stumpf and tight end Marcus Velez have joined the team and will be eligible for the upcoming season.
Jack Howes
Kicker
Redshirt-Senior
6-1, 205
Orlando, FL/Edgewater HS/Maryland
Transfer kicker from Maryland where he spent four seasons, the last two as the starter… made 24-of-35 field goal attempts over his career… made 76-of-78 extra point attempts… had a career-long 49-yard field goal against Auburn in the 2023 Music City Bowl – the longest in Maryland bowl history… a graduate of Edgewater High School in Orlando where he was named second-team All-State and helped lead the Eagles to back-to-back regional championships.
Jacob Merritt
Offensive Line
Redshirt-Junior
6-6, 289
Northville, MI/Northville HS/Michigan State
Offensive lineman who transferred from Michigan State where he spent three seasons… a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree… a graduate of Northville High School in Michigan where he was ranked one of the top 100 overall players in the Class of 2022 in the state of Michigan by 247Sports… earned MHSFCA All-Region Team honors.
Ethan Stumpf
Punter
Redshirt-Freshman
6-2, 196
Park Ridge, IL/Maine South HS/East Carolina
Punter who transferred from East Carolina where he spent one season… Graduate of Maine South High School in Illinois… was ranked the 10th-best prospect nationally by Chris Sailer Kicking... was the punt competition winner at the Hammer Kicker Academy Atlanta Camp… also handled field goal duties at Maine South and kicked a 60-yarder to win the field goal contest at the 2023 Kohl's Midwest Showcase.
Marcus Velez
Tight End
Redshirt-Senior
6-6, 250
East Setauket, NY/Ward Melville HS/Bethune-Cookman
Tight end who transferred from Bethune-Cookman where he spent one season… had 19 catches for 152 yards for the Wildcats in 2024… spent the previous two seasons at Marshall… started his career at Nassau Community College where he had six catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns in 2021… graduated from Ward Melville High School in New York.
The 2025 season kicks off at Minnesota on August 28.
Jack Howes
Kicker
Redshirt-Senior
6-1, 205
Orlando, FL/Edgewater HS/Maryland
Transfer kicker from Maryland where he spent four seasons, the last two as the starter… made 24-of-35 field goal attempts over his career… made 76-of-78 extra point attempts… had a career-long 49-yard field goal against Auburn in the 2023 Music City Bowl – the longest in Maryland bowl history… a graduate of Edgewater High School in Orlando where he was named second-team All-State and helped lead the Eagles to back-to-back regional championships.
Jacob Merritt
Offensive Line
Redshirt-Junior
6-6, 289
Northville, MI/Northville HS/Michigan State
Offensive lineman who transferred from Michigan State where he spent three seasons… a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree… a graduate of Northville High School in Michigan where he was ranked one of the top 100 overall players in the Class of 2022 in the state of Michigan by 247Sports… earned MHSFCA All-Region Team honors.
Ethan Stumpf
Punter
Redshirt-Freshman
6-2, 196
Park Ridge, IL/Maine South HS/East Carolina
Punter who transferred from East Carolina where he spent one season… Graduate of Maine South High School in Illinois… was ranked the 10th-best prospect nationally by Chris Sailer Kicking... was the punt competition winner at the Hammer Kicker Academy Atlanta Camp… also handled field goal duties at Maine South and kicked a 60-yarder to win the field goal contest at the 2023 Kohl's Midwest Showcase.
Marcus Velez
Tight End
Redshirt-Senior
6-6, 250
East Setauket, NY/Ward Melville HS/Bethune-Cookman
Tight end who transferred from Bethune-Cookman where he spent one season… had 19 catches for 152 yards for the Wildcats in 2024… spent the previous two seasons at Marshall… started his career at Nassau Community College where he had six catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns in 2021… graduated from Ward Melville High School in New York.
The 2025 season kicks off at Minnesota on August 28.
UB Football Postgame Press Conference (vs. St. Francis)
Saturday, September 06
Head Coach Pete Lembo on what he learned vs. Minnesota and the challenge this weeks matchup presents
Tuesday, September 02
Linebacker Dion Crawford talks Shaun Dolac's influence and if his skills could translate to offense
Tuesday, September 02
Wide Receiver Victor Snow on staying consistent and his journey to Buffalo
Tuesday, September 02
