2025 Team Previews
2025 Preseason League Notes
League Changes: Two major changes were instituted by NESCAC football leadership. The first was that the league will begin to compete in the NCAA Division III Football Championship next season (2026). The second was that football rosters are now limited to 84 players; several teams had over 90 players on roster in ’24.
Transfers: The NESCAC is not immune to the transfer trend in college athletics; multiple prominent players transferred out of the league following the 2024 season, including DB Ty Richardson (Tufts) who will play at UC-Davis, DL Jordan Atkinson (Trinity) who will play at Georgetown, and K Christos Tzoumakas (Colby) will play at Davidson. Richardson was a 1st team All-NESCAC performer in ‘24 and Atkinson was 2nd team. Three Wesleyan players are taking a 5th year at a new school: WR Chase Wilson (New Hampshire), DB Wesley Abraham (Furman) and OL Will Aaronson (Marist). Trinity gained a transfer from SMU, QB Tyler Aronson and Hamilton added DB Jake Iacobaccio from Monmouth.
New QBs across the NESCAC: The NESCAC will have only 3 of its 10 teams with quarterbacks who started the majority of their games in ’24, including Colby (Miles Drake), Hamilton (Luke Kurzum) and Middlebury (Brian Moran). Amherst started their final four games with returning sophomore Marek Hill.
Returning All-NESCAC players in 2025: In part due to players getting an extra year due to COVID-19, the 2024 season featured 32 returning All-NESCAC players; in 2025 only 17 are back. If just looking at the non-special team’s 1st team All-NESCAC performers, 14 returned in 2024, while only 6 for this upcoming season. The full 2025 list by school is below:
Bates (3) – RB Ryan Lynskey (1st team), WR Sergio Beltran (2nd team) and LB Ryan Rozich (2nd team)
Trinity (3) – RB Tyler DiNapoli (1st team), WR/KR/PR Nolan O’Brien (1st team), and Charlie Cooper (2nd team)
Williams (3) – OL Joseph Ngnombouowo (2nd team), DB Holden Gering (2nd team) and P Leonardo Maiuolo (2nd team)
Amherst (2) – DB/LB Luke Harmon (1st team) and KR Carter Jung (2nd team)
Tufts (2) – OL Jack Lynch (1st team) and LB Johnny Ferrelli (2nd team)
Colby (1) – LB Sebastian Romain (2nd team)
Hamilton (1) – P/KR Liam Leonard (2nd team)
Middlebury (1) – WR Mike Ahonen (2nd team)
Wesleyan (1) – DB Dylan Connors (1st team)
Bowdoin – none
Amherst
AMHERST
Coach: E.J. Mills (entering 28th year)
Nickname: Mammoths
Location: Amherst, MA
2024 Record: 2-7
’24 NESCAC Football Report Ranking: #9
5-year NESCAC Record: 17-28
2024 Recap (2-7)
Amherst opened the season with back to wins over Bates and Hamilton but then lost 7 straight including lopsided affairs against Tufts, Bowdoin, Colby and Trinity. The Mammoths lost both Little Three games by the combined score of 52-14 and finished the ’24 campaign with a -129-point differential which was 2nd worst in the league (5 points better than Hamilton).
Offense
Preseason Assets & Question
Top Offensive Assets: Returning starters in each offensive area
Key Offensive Question: Can Amherst snap out of its offense struggles in ’25?
Amherst finished last in the league in offensive yards, and last in rushing yards by a wide margin. Sophomore QB Marek Hill returns, and he showed promise as a dual threat quarterback in the final four games of the season with his imposing 6’3” 230 lbs. frame. Hill will look to cut down on interceptions (8 in ’24) as he gains further experience. The good news is three of the top four Mammoth rushers are back, including their leading rusher, junior RB Demitrius Smith and senior Cato Legaspi; the bad news is the group averaged just 37 yds per game and 1.7 yds per carry. At receiver, their leading receiver has graduated, but most of all the other wideouts and tight ends who caught a pass in ’24 are back, including seniors Carter Jung, Sam Gerber and Keith Delaney. Junior WR Christian Moore should also be involved in the passing game. The tight end room has experience as well, with junior Matthew Diaz and senior Tom Nash back in Amherst. The Mammoths started nine different players on the offensive line in ’24, with seniors Alec Treadway and Zach Walker and junior Miles Roberts starting all nine games. Junior Ryan McGurn and sophomore Jonathan McLaughlin saw meaningful snaps in ’24.
Defense
Preseason Assets & Question
Top Offensive Assets: LB/DB Luke Harmon and an experienced secondary
Key Offensive Question: Can the new defensive line improve the pass rush?
Amherst finished middle of the back in yards allowed (5th) and in the Top 3 in the league in pass defense; the Mammoth defense was on the field more than any defensive unit in the NESCAC and gave up the most points in the league (tied with Bates). On the defensive line, the Mammoths lost all three starters, but return senior Kemit Fisher, junior Jackson Duncan and sophomore Wyatt Morgan, all of whom have seen game action. Amherst will look to increase its sack total in ’25. Junior Ty Kazanowsky should start again at DE/LB and he is joined two linebackers: returning starter senior Damian Carrano and junior Nathaniel Jackson. Kazanowsky and Jackson finished 2nd and 4th respectively, on the team in total tackles in ’24. Sophomores Matt Callahan and Noah Onkst could see snaps at linebacker. 1st Team All- NESCAC DB/LB Luke Harmon returns for his senior campaign; as a junior Luke Harmon led Amherst in total tackles, TFLs, interceptions and sacks. Most of the starting secondary is back around Harmon, including a slew of seniors: corners Miles Harmon and Niles Riding and safeties Matt Monteleone and Kevin Agnew. Junior safety Tylik Sims also has experience in the defensive backfield.
Special Teams
Amherst will need to replace its punter and will also look to improve its field goal kicking, an area where they went just 4 for 8 in ’24. Sophomore Hudson Fulcher-Melendy returns to handle the kicking chores. Carter Jung was an All-NESCAC kick returner last season and Sam Gerber handled punt returns in ’24.
Outlook
Amherst won NESCAC championships in ’13, ’14 and ’15 and won 8 games in ’18, but they have averaged under 3.5 wins over the past five seasons. The Mammoth offense has been a sore spot, finishing either last or next to last in yardage gained in the past 4 seasons. The coaching staff is trying to find the answer at QB: in its past two seasons, Amherst has started 5 different quarterbacks over the course of 13 games in an effort to jump start a stagnant offense. Hill may be the answer, but he will also need improved production from the skill positions and the offensive line. The defense has been solid, led by a true difference maker in LB/DB Luke Harmon. Expect the pass defense to be strong, and the Mammoths could be one of the better defenses in the NESCAC if it gets disruptive play from its defensive line and some help from the offense.
Bates
BATES
Coach: Matt Coyne (entering 4th year)
Nickname: Bobcats
Location: Lewiston, ME
Football – Bates College (gobatesbobcats.com)
2024 Record: 2-7
’24 NESCAC Football Report Ranking: #8
5-year NESCAC Record: 10-35
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2024 Recap
Bates finished 2-7 but the team improved from last year’s winless season. Bates upset NESCAC champion Wesleyan and a strong Middlebury team and played Colby (2-point loss) and Williams (3-point loss) competitively. The Bobcats lost to Amherst, both Maine foes as well as then winless Hamilton.
Offense
Preseason Assets & Question
Top Offensive Assets: RB Ryan Lynskey and WR Sergio Beltran
Preseason Offensive Question: Can the Bobcat passing game be more efficient?
Bates finished with the league’s most rushing yards in ’24, but the least passing yards in large part due to heavy focus on the rushing attack. Gone is three-year starter QB Colton Bosselait, but senior Jack Perry and sophomore Sean Greene are in the mix to start for the Bobcats. Whomever starts for Bates, they will have the luxury of the most productive running back in the league, junior Ryan Lynskey, who led the league with 1,091 rush yds and broke the single game NESCAC rushing record (344 yds) while sporting a 5.7 yd per carry average. Senior WR Sergio Beltran was the Bobcats’ 2nd leading rusher and 2nd leading receiver despite missing 2 games and generated close to 500 yards of offense split almost evenly between rushing and receiving. Junior WR Ryan Gleason led Bates in receiving yards and two sophomores, Quinn Carver and Jeff Vidou should see action. The Bobcats will need to replace multi-year starter Steven Guerrette at tight end, and junior Jake Walters may see snaps at that spot. The offensive line, which was impressive in blocking for the run game returns four starters: juniors Kevin McDonald and Jeff Antolick and sophomores Ryder Smith and Matthew Pierotti.
Defense
Preseason Assets & Question
Top Defensive Assets: LB Ryan Rozich
Preseason Defensive Question: Can the slew of returning defenders improve their overall defense?
The Bates defense finished next to last in the NESCAC in rushing and receiving yards yielded in ’24. On the defensive line two senior starters are back, Shane Broughton and Jackson Collins, while junior Josh Ezerioha played meaningful snaps. At linebacker, 2nd team All-NESCAC LB Ryan Rozich returns to Lewiston; Rozich was the top total tackler in the league. Rozich should be joined in the linebacker corps by senior LB/DB Colin Pierce and sophomore LB Carmel Crunk. Two starters are back in the Bobcat secondary in junior S Michael Spencer and sophomore CB Marquez Narvaez-Estrada. Sophomore CB Samuel Christopher and junior DB Jack Morrison have seen extensive experience in the deep patrol.
Special Teams
Both specialists return to Bates: junior K Marcos Ruiz and senior P Parker Huynh-Benningfield. Ruiz made both Bobcats’ FG attempts in ’24. DB Narvaez-Estrada returned kickoffs in ’24, while WR/TE Walters fielded punts.
Outlook
After going winless in ’23, Bates won two games in ’24 including knocking off champion Wesleyan and 6-3 Middlebury. The offense was highly productive in the run game behind Lynskey, and that production should continue behind four returners on the offensive line. To take the next step offensively, the Bates passing game needs to be efficient; the yards do not necessarily need to increase, but the completion percentage (just 52%) and the TD:INT ratio (10:12) will need to improve. On defense, the Bobcats return 9 of their top 12 tacklers, including multiple starters at each level of the defense. Bates has played several underclassmen in the past two seasons, so a key question for the ’25 campaign is whether that experience translates into improved overall defense, which was near the bottom of the league in yards allowed, as well as increases in interceptions (just 1 in ’24) and sacks.
Bowdoin
BOWDOIN
Coach: B.J. Hammer (entering 7th year)
Nickname: Polar Bears
Location: Brunswick, ME
2024 Record: 3-6
’24 NESCAC Football Report Ranking: #7
5-year NESCAC Record: 11-34
2024 Recap
Bowdoin lost to the top six NESCAC teams but played Tufts (lost by 2) and Wesleyan (lost by 3) competitively. The Polar Bears beat Bates, Hamilton and Amherst, but lost their home finale to Colby, thereby losing the CBB.
Offense
Preseason Assets & Question
Top Offensive Assets: Four returning senior starters on the O-Line
Preseason Offensive Question: Can the new QB elevate the offense?
The Polar Bears ranked 8th in the NESCAC in offensive yards (8th in both rush and pass) in ‘24, and lose QB Robbie Long, who led Bowdoin in rushing and passing yards. Candidates to replace Long include sophomore QB Peter Macauley who threw for 272 yds and 5 TDs against Bates and junior Michael Wolfendale, who saw action in 6 games, was the team’s 2nd leading rusher and threw for close to 300 yds on the season. Junior RB Sean Ramos received the majority of the running back carries in ’24 and fellow junior Ty Connolly may also get touches. The Polar Bears lost two of their top receiving threats, but seniors Slade Postemski and James Doody return to Brunswick. At tight end, Bowdoin returns junior starter Nolan Wilbricht. The offensive line loses 2nd team All-NESCAC OL Tal Brill, but returns four senior starters in Julian Brawn, Ethan Ecsedy, Tyler Larson and John Penczar. Junior OL James Lucey has experience up front.
Defense
Preseason Assets & Question
Top Defensive Assets: Experience in the secondary
Preseason Defensive Question: Can Bowdoin replenish its front seven?
Bowdoin ranked 9th in the NESCAC in yards yielded but led the NESCAC in sacks with 35. The Polar Bears lose each starter in the front seven, including 1st team All-NESCAC LB/DL Koy Price, who was a viable DPOY candidate, and two other 2nd team all-league players. On the defensive line, sophomore Angus Leary had 5 sacks in ’24 and should be joined upfront by fellow sophomore Abe Herzog and senior Anthony Holly. Sophomore LB Zach Taylor made multiple starts in ’24, but the Polar Bears will need to find other starters in the linebacker corps. Sophomore Owen Lydon could see action at linebacker. The secondary returns all of its starters, including sophomore safety Ferris Collins, who was 3rd on the team in total tackles and snagged a team leading 3 INTs. Senior CB Nick Viscusi, junior CB AJ Muse and sophomore safety Sam Schwartz are back for Bowdoin.
Special Teams
Junior Caden Perry returns at kicker, but Bowdoin needs to find a punter. Bowdoin kickers attempted just 5 FGs and did not convert one over 22 yards. Schwartz and Ramos have kick return experience.
Outlook
Bowdoin won 3, 4 and 3 games in the past three seasons after only winning 2 games in total over the 5 preceding years. The Polar Bears’ offense lost several key players in addition to Long: no returning Polar Bear running back or wide receiver had more than 2 TDs in ’24. The starter at QB will need to cut down on interceptions; both Macauley and Wolfendale each had 3 picks in their limited action. One offensive key will be whether the new QB can elevate the returning skill players behind a veteran offensive line. On defense, the Polar Bears got strong play from some freshmen in ‘24, including Collins, Taylor, Ready and Schwartz, but will need the new faces in the front seven to be similarly productive to improve their defense. Bowdoin lost several offensive stars from the ’23 team and now several defensive stars from the ’24 squad, so in ’25 they will now need to replenish the ranks to continue their improved level of play.
Colby
COLBY
Coach: Jack Cosgrove (entering 8th year)
Nickname: Mules
Location: Waterville, ME
Football – Colby College (colbyathletics.com)
2024 Record: 4-5
’24 NESCAC Football Report Ranking: #6
5-year NESCAC Record: 17-28
2024 Recap
Colby opened the season with three tight losses to quality opponents (Trinity, Williams, and Middlebury), won a 2-point CBB game against Bates, lost to Wesleyan (in OT), blasted Amherst and split tight games against Hamilton (3-point win) and Tufts (7-point loss). The Mules closed the season with an emphatic win over Bowdoin to take the CBB crown. Despite a losing record, the Mules had a +24 point differential on the season.
Offense
Preseason Assets & Question
Top Offensive Assets: QB Miles Drake and WR Jack Nye
Key Offensive Question: Can the Mules replace the loss of several skill players?
Colby finished middle of the pack in offensive production in the league in ’24 but benefit from one of a handful of NESCAC schools returning a proven QB in senior Miles Drake. Last season Drake threw for 1,750 yds, completed 58.7% of his passes, ran for 192 yds and had a 14:6 TD to interception ratio. The Mules will be looking for a new running back, as they lose their top two backs including 2nd team All-NESCAC RB Keon Smart, who finished 2nd in the league in rushing and 3rd in the league in all-purpose yards. Senior Chris Domoracki, junior Ryan Singhal and sophomore Corey Aubuchon are in the mix at running back. In the passing game, Colby will have NESCAC Rookie of the Year WR Jack Nye back in Waterville; Nye led Colby in receiving yards last year. The Mules will need to replace its other starting receivers, as well as its tight end, as 2nd team All-NESCAC TE Atticus Duncan has graduated. At wideout, seniors Cormac Wright and Olasubomi Soyoye as well as junior WR Cody Song should see action. Junior TE John Ogletree has experience at tight end. On the offensive line, two starters are back in junior Christian Gregory and sophomore Bryce Malary, and they will likely be joined up front by sophomore Liam Welch, who saw snaps in ’24.
Defense
Preseason Assets & Question
Top Defensive Assets: Slew of productive returning linebackers and defensive backs
Key Defensive Question: Can Colby replace several defensive line starters?
Colby finished 2nd in the league in defense and 1st in rush defense last season. Upfront, the Mules lose several defensive line starters, but return senior DE Jack Mullen, who had 8 sacks in ‘24. Senior Joshua Iyonsi and sophomore Cooper Bunnell have seen game action on the defensive line. Despite the loss of LB Julian Young who was NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year in ’23 and a multiple 1st Team All-NESCAC honoree, several starters return including senior linebackers Sebastian Romain and Dennis Dougherty and junior Lincoln Merrill. Romain had 50 total tackles and 9 sacks last season as a 2nd team All-NESCAC player. In the secondary, three starters are back including senior safety Trevor Smith and junior cornerbacks Brody Rice and Drew Ramos.
Special Teams
Christos Tzoumakas, who handled both the kicking and punting chores, respectively, transferred to Davidson, so Colby will look for new kicking specialists. Brody Song returned punts last season and the Mules will need to find a kickoff returner.
Summary
Colby has been unable to break through with a winning record since 2005 but has finished with 4 wins in 3 of the last 4 years and improved their point differential in ’24 to +24 from -105 in ’23. The offense has two proven players in QB Drake and WR Nye but will need to find a new running back and strong offensive compliments in the passing game; after Nye, their next six highest pass catchers from ’24 will need to be replaced. On defense, they return key players in each level and welcome 7 of their top 9 tacklers back to Waterville from a year ago. If the Mules get solid play from newcomers on their defensive line, the defense should be very strong and, coupled with Drake leading the offense, give Colby an opportunity for a winning record in ’25.
Hamilton
HAMILTON
Coach: Dave Murray (entering 12th year)
Nickname: Continentals
Location: Clinton, NY
2024 Record: 1-8
’24 NESCAC Football Report Ranking: #10
5-year NESCAC Record: 12-33
2024 Recap
Hamilton lost its first 8 games, getting beaten soundly by Williams, Trinity and Middlebury, but playing Bowdoin, Wesleyan, Tufts and Colby competitively. Down 14-0 in their final game against Bates, the Continentals rallied to win and avoid a winless campaign. Hamilton had a league worst -134 point differential.
Offense
Preseason Assets & Question
Top Offensive Assets: WR Chester Boynton
Key Offensive Question: Can Hamilton get solid play from its O-Line?
Hamilton finished 9th in the league in offensive yardage and scored the least points in the NESCAC last season. Junior QB Luke Kurzum, who was NESCAC Rookie of the Year in ‘23, returns and looks to improve his passing efficiency and touchdown to interception ratio. In the run game, Kurzum led the Continentals in rushing yards, and starting running back junior Nate Wildman returns to Clinton. Sophomore RB Alastair Orr may also get carries. At receiver, junior WR Chester Boynton, who finished 2nd in the league in receptions, is back. Hamilton needs to replace two starting wideouts and expect senior Colin Kelter and junior WR Jack Hoag to play at receiver. Junior Jack Francesa is back at tight end. The Continentals return just one starter from its ‘24 offensive line in senior James Luce. Junior Lee Gosselin and sophomores James Heide and Carter Rae saw action last year for Hamilton along the offensive line.
Defense
Preseason Assets & Question
Top Defensive Assets: DB Kyle Bratcher
Key Defensive Question: Can Hamilton’s new starters improve their defensive woes?
The Hamilton defense struggled yet again in ’24: they finished last in yardage yielded after finishing last, 9th and last in ’23, ’22 and ’21, respectively. The defensive line returns just one starter in senior Grant Blackburn; expect senior Frank Ruiz and sophomore DE Gunnar Watson to see action. At linebacker, Hamilton loses its top tackler Ian Fratarcangeli, but starter junior John Young is back. Junior linebackers Mat Bucher and Gavin Haley have game experience. Like its other defensive groups, the Continental secondary returns just one starter in senior CB Kyle Bratcher. Bratcher finished 2nd on the team in total tackles, and 1st in INTs and PBUs. Junior CB Nico Obregon got snaps in the secondary last season and expect to see Monmouth transfer Jake Iacobaccio and sophomore Ryan Luccarelli in the secondary.
Special Teams
Junior PK Carmen Velardo is back, as is senior Liam Leonard, who earned 2nd team All-NESCAC honors as a punt and kickoff returner. Velardo went 5 for 6 on field goals. Hamilton will need to replace an outstanding punter, Tighe Hoey, who was a Division III 2nd team All-America.
Outlook
Hamilton has won just 8 games over the past 4 seasons and had the league’s worst point differential in ’24 and ’22. On offense they have the benefit of an experienced QB in Kurzum, and two productive skill players in Boynton and Wildman. The new starters on the offensive line will need to improve the rushing effort, which had just 4 rushing TDs in ’24 and none from running backs. On defense Bratcher is a playmaker who needs help; over the past two seasons Bratcher has 8 interceptions while all other Hamilton defensive backs combined for 2 over that span. To improve in ’25, the 8 new starters on defense need to provide play that is better than their predecessors.
Middlebury
MIDDLEBURY
Coach: Doug Mandigo (entering 3rd year)
Nickname: Panthers
Location: Middlebury, VT
2024 Record: 6-3
’24 NESCAC Football Report Ranking: #4
5-year NESCAC Record: 33-12
2024 Recap
Middlebury opened the season by getting crushed by Wesleyan, but rallied to win their next five games, which included tight wins over Colby, Amherst and Williams (in OT) and a last-minute win over Trinity. Unfortunately for the Panthers, they had two more losses down the stretch, an upset loss to Bates and a final game loss to Tufts, sandwiched around a dominating win over Hamilton.
Offense
Preseason Assets & Question
Top Offensive Assets: QB Brian Moran and WR Michael Ahonen
Key Offensive Question: Can the Panthers replace four on its offensive line?
Middlebury’s offense finished 3rd in the league and will have the benefit of starting senior QB Brian Moran, who is the league’s returning leader in passing yds and TD passes. The Panthers’ leading rusher, sophomore RB Connor McClellan emerged down the stretch including rushing for 119 yds in the season finale against Tufts. Junior RBs Cody Weitzman and Caleb Smith also had meaningful carries in ’24. Middlebury loses two starters at wide receiver including Patrick Jamin, a 1st team All-NESCAC performer. The good news is productive senior WR Michael Ahonen is back and sophomore WR Jeremy Kiefer showed promise in his freshman campaign. Ahonen earned 2nd team all-league honors in ’24. Junior Will Lazzaro is back at tight end. Four of the five starting Panther offensive linemen need to be replaced, including one of the league’s top players, Thomas Perry. Senior William Zambito is the lone returner, so the Panthers will need to find four new faces to man the front.
Defense
Preseason Assets & Question
Top Defensive Assets: LB Matt Shaw
Key Defensive Question: Can the Panthers replace their defensive line stars?
The Panther defense ranked 4th in rush defense in ’24 and will need to replace three 1st team All-NESCAC defenders, including two on its defensive line. Senior Phineas Hunt and junior Casey Adjei have seen snaps upfront. At the linebacker spots, Middlebury brings back senior LB Owen Thornton and junior Matt Shaw. Shaw finished 6th in the NESCAC in total tackles with 60 and added 4 sacks, 6 QB hurries, 2 PBUs and 1 forced fumble. Junior LB Michael Votta has game experience. At defensive back, the Panthers welcome back senior DB Shane Johnson and junior Charlie Ozolin, with Ozolin picking off a team high 4 balls in ‘24. Two more Charlies, juniors Charlie Grant and Charlie English saw action in the deep patrol in last season.
Special Teams
Middlebury returns sophomore punter Ty Brinkman and DB Charlie Grant handles punt return duties. The Panthers will be looking for a new kicker and kickoff returner in ‘25.
Outlook
Middlebury has averaged 7 wins a year over the past three seasons but will need to replace five 1st team All-NESCAC starters from a year ago. The Panthers will need to replace two of the more decorated linemen in the league over the past several seasons in OL Thomas Perry and DL Tomas Kenary. On offense, they have a quality experienced starter at QB with Moran, returning production at running back and two good receiving options; the question will be how well they can replace four starters from a decorated offensive line. On defense, the line is also the question as the Panthers will need to replace Kenary and another 1st team All-NESCAC player, David Filias, up front. To the extent the Middlebury can get solid play on their lines, they should continue their winning ways.
Trinity
TRINITY
Coach: Jeff Devanney (entering 20th year)
Nickname: Bantams
Location: Hartford, CT
Football – Trinity College (bantamsports.com)
2024 Record: 7-2
’24 NESCAC Football Report Ranking: #2
5-year NESCAC Record: 37-8
2024 Recap
Trinity enjoyed double digit wins in each of their seven wins and outscored their opponents by more than 17 points in six of the victories including lopsided wins over Williams and Tufts. Their road loss to Middlebury featured a last second Panther TD, while their home loss in the final to Wesleyan included some late 4th down conversions for the Cardinals. Trinity finished with a league high +140-point differential, with the next highest team at +81 points.
Offense
Preseason Assets & Question
Top Offensive Assets: WR Nolan O’Brien and RB Tyler DiNapoli
Key Offensive Question: Can the new QB continue the dominant play of the past seasons?
Trinity finished 1st in the NESCAC in offense and 1st in passing, with departing 2nd team All- NESCAC QB Zander Zebrowski leading the league in passing yards, completion percentage and TD passes. In the mix at quarterback is junior Jaxon Carroll, sophomore Cam Holland and sophomore transfer QB Tyler Aronson, who played last year at ACC power SMU. Whomever starts in Hartford will have large shoes to fill: in the last two seasons, Bantam starting QBs combined to throw for 56 TDs versus 5 INTs. Trinity’s quarterback will have the benefit of two multiple year All-NESCAC honorees in senior RB Tyler DiNapoli and 1st team All-NESCAC senior WR Nolan O’Brien. O’Brien led the NESCAC in all-purpose yards, receptions, receiving yards and receiving TDs. Trinity will need to replace two other 1st team All-NESCAC receiving threats: WR Sean Clapp and TE Max Roche. Junior Patrick McCaffery should see time at wide receiver and junior Ben Carley has played at tight end. On the offensive line, the Bantams lose two 1st team All-NESCAC lineman, but three starters are back: senior Chris DeLeon-Kollmer and juniors John Curran and Cole Cortez. Senior Brandon Baker has experience and should see action on the offensive line.
Defense
Preseason Assets & Question
Top Defensive Assets: Productive starters at LB and DB
Key Defensive Question: Can any team in the league match Trinity’s defense?
The Bantam defense limited opponents to just 16 points per game in ‘24 and led the NESCAC with 16 interceptions. Trinity loses three starters on their defensive line, including 2nd team All-NESCAC junior DE Jordan Atkinson, but three players who had meaningful snaps in senior DE Luke Pickard and juniors DL Luke Ventura and DE Wesley Selmani are back. At linebacker, three productive linebackers return to Hartford, seniors Amari Phillips and John Fiore III as well as junior Ethan Krauss. Phillips and Krauss were the Bantams’ top two tacklers in ‘24. Seniors Joe Toyias and Jose Ruiz will likely see action in the front seven. In the secondary, two starters return in 2nd team All-NESCAC senior corner Charlie Cooper and fellow senior safety Jason Irizarry; the duo combined for 8 interceptions. Expect to see senior Alec Medwar and junior Bryce Ferrell in the deep patrol this season.
Special Teams
Trinity will need to replace their placekicker, 1st team All-NESCAC PK Matt Jumes, who was a perfect 7-7 on FGs and 37-37 on PATs in ‘24. Senior punter Jack Sokol returns, and WR Nolan O’Brien also is back to return kickoffs and punts where he received 1st team All- NESCAC honors.
Outlook
The Bantams have been dominant with the best 5-year record in the NESCAC and 73 wins over the past 10 seasons, which is 10 more than the next highest team. One would expect more of the same in Hartford this year, with the offensive keys being another seamless transition to a new quarterback and some receiving threats to compliment O’Brien. The defense looks to be the best in the league with 7 of their top 11 tacklers from ’24 returning and very few questions other than replacing 1st team All-NESCAC CB Ma-Lyke Davis and Atkinson. One area the Bantams will look to improve to win an outright championship is in closing games strong: in their two losses in ’24, they failed to score in the 2nd half of both games.
Tufts
TUFTS
Coach: Jay Civetti (entering 15th year)
Nickname: Jumbos
Location: Medford, MA
Football – Tufts University (gotuftsjumbos.com)
2024 Record: 7-2
’24 NESCAC Football Report Ranking: #3
5-year NESCAC Record: 27-18
2024 Recap
Tufts lost a tight early season game at Wesleyan and got beat soundly by Trinity but won the rest of their games including dominating Amherst and Bates and winning closer games over Bowdoin, Hamilton, Colby, Williams and Middlebury.
Offense
Preseason Assets & Question
Top Offensive Assets: RB Christian Shapiro and OL Jack Lynch
Preseason Offensive Question: Who replaces Berluti at QB?
The Jumbos will play the ’25 season without Michael Berluti, who was a four-year starter and decorated player in the league, including being 1st Team All-NESCAC in ’24. Candidates to take the reins in Medford include junior QB Justin Keller and sophomore QB Hudson Weidman. Tufts returns its leading rusher in junior Christian Shapiro, who finished 3rd in the NESCAC in rushing, as well as senior Khalid Calhoun. At wideout, the Jumbos lose their top receiver from ’24 but return four of their top five pass catchers from a year ago, including starters from last year in graduate student Henry Fleckner and junior Matt Rios. Senior WR CJ Burton has game experience. Starting graduate student Jack Elliott is back at tight end for Tufts. On the offensive line, two starters return: 1st team All-NESCAC OL Jack Lynch is back for his senior year, and junior OL Brad Abbott also returns. Two juniors, Charlie Kremin and Ian Miller, should see action on the offensive line.
Defense
Preseason Assets & Question
Top Defensive Assets: LB Johnny Ferrelli
Preseason Defensive Question: How do the five new faces in the secondary hold up?
The Jumbos finished 2nd in the NESCAC in passing defense but lost all five starters in their secondary including 1st team and 2nd team All-NESCAC players in Ty Richardson and Louis Timmins. Richardson, who transferred to UC Davis, led the NESCAC in interceptions (6) in ’24. Up front, one starter, senior DL Vince Gilchrist returns for Tufts, and junior Will Astorino should get playing time. Two starting linebackers are back in Medford, 2nd team All-NESCAC junior Johnny Ferrelli and senior Jeff Xu. Two other linebackers, senior Trevor Hillier and junior Riley Yaker, saw game action in ‘24. Seniors DB Steve Rauso and Nate Sousa as well as junior AJ Lysko have experience in the secondary. Expect sophomore Amari Watson to see time at cornerback for the Jumbos.
Special Teams
Senior Vaughn Seelicke returns at kicker and junior Andrew Leigh at punter for Tufts. Seelicke led the league in points, making a league high 14 FGs (next highest was 9) and going 12-15 inside of 40 yards. The Jumbos will need to find new kickoff and punt returners for the ’25 season.
Outlook
Tufts followed up back-to-back 6 wins seasons with a 7-win campaign in ’24 but return just 9 of their 22 starters from a year ago. The Jumbos lose QB Michael Berluti, who amassed over 10,000 combined passing and rushing yds during his career in Medford, so there are big shoes to fill at quarterback. Similarly, WR Cade Moore is gone, and he had 52 catches in ‘24, which was 30 more than next highest Jumbo. The run game appears to be in good shape between RB Shapiro and two accomplished returners on the offensive line. On defense, Tufts loses its entire secondary, including multiyear starters who led Tufts to the 1st and 2nd best pass defense in ’23 and ’24, respectively, as well as 6 of their top 8 tacklers. To keep up their winning ways, the key question for the Jumbos ’25 campaign appears to be how the 13 new starters perform.
Wesleyan
WESLEYAN
Coach: Dan DiCenzo (entering 11th year)
Nickname: Cardinals
Location: Middletown, CT
Football – Wesleyan University
2024 Record: 8-1
’24 NESCAC Football Report Ranking: #1
5-year NESCAC Record: 34-11
2024 Recap
The Cardinals opened the season with two big wins at Middlebury and home against Tufts, but then promptly lost at home to Bates. From there, Wesleyan won series of close games over Hamilton, Colby (in OT) and Bowdoin before beating Amherst soundly. Wesleyan closed the season with a last-minute win over Williams and rallied past Trinity to win the NECSAC Championship.
Offense
Preseason Assets & Question
Top Offensive Assets: Productive group of running backs
Preseason Offensive Question: Can 8 new offensive starters gel?
Two of the keys to Wesleyan’s NESCAC championship season were the big play production from the league’s Offensive Player of the Year WR Chase Wilson and the clutch play of QB Niko Candido. Both players are gone, so the Cardinals will need to find a new QB, and the candidates include juniors Chase Vaughan and Matt Fitzsimons. At running back, all four running backs who got carries in ’24 return, including leading rusher senior James McHugh, fellow senior Tyler Flynn, junior Angelo LaRose and sophomore Matt Diaz. Diaz appears to be an emerging asset: he rushed 19 times for 137 yds in the ‘24 finale against a stingy Trinity defense. The Cardinals lose 3 of their top 4 wide receivers including Wilson but return junior Blake Newcomb. Two receivers, senior Colby Gettis and sophomore Sam Wien, saw playing time in ’24. Wesleyan has good experience at tight end with seniors Will Littell and Will Gartner back. All five offensive line starters from ’24 have left Middletown, so that unit will need to be revamped. Senior Nick Orphanos and juniors Gerard Garafolo and John Bohnsack have seen game snaps.
Defense
Preseason Assets & Question
Top Defensive Assets: DB Dylan Connors
Preseason Defensive Question: How will the new linebacking corps and secondary fare?
A big key to Wesleyan’s NESCAC championship season was that the Cardinals boasted the league’s top ranked defense in yards and points allowed. Of that ’24 unit, eight starters are gone, including a staggering six 1st team All-NESCAC defenders and league’s Defensive Player of the Year LB Ben Carbeau. On the defensive line, Wesleyan brings back seniors Declan Welch and Dean Sokaris. Senior Corin Canada-Hunt and juniors Jake Karmin and Owen McDevitt have playing experience upfront as well; Canada-Hunt and Karmin combined for 6.5 sacks in ‘24. All three starting linebackers have graduated, so that unit will need to be completely rebuilt. Candidates at linebacker include senior AJ Morris and junior Austin Baker. 1st team All-NESCAC senior safety Dylan Connors is back, who was a true playmaker in the Wesleyan secondary scoring 2 defensive touchdowns ’24, but the other three secondary positions will need to be replaced. Junior S Aiden Nelson has experience in the deep patrol and expect to see sophomore Vincent Lytle get snaps at corner.
Special Teams
Junior Gage Hammond returns, and he handled both the kicking and punting chores for Wesleyan in ’24. Hammond went 9-10 on FG attempts last season. Sam Wien returned kicks in ’24, but the Cardinals will need to find a punt returner.
Outlook
Wesleyan had 3 consecutive 6 wins seasons before breaking through with their 8-1 championship campaign in ‘24. To continue their winning ways, the Cardinal offense will likely feature Diaz at running back but will need solid play from a new starter at quarterback and the entire offensive line. Similarly, the defense will need the new starters, especially at linebacker and in the secondary to play well: the Cardinals lost their top 4 tacklers and 8 of their top 10 tacklers. The Cardinals played outstanding football in ’24 but also benefitted from some uncommon fumble luck – they fumbled 18 times but only lost 7; that will be tough to replicate. Wesleyan returns quality players in Diaz, Connors and the returning defensive linemen, and history would suggest the Cardinals will keep up their winning ways under Coach DiCenzo, who has not had a losing record in his 11 seasons in Middletown.
Williams
WILLIAMS
Coach: Mark Raymond (entering 10th season)
Nickname: Ephs
Location: Williamstown, MA
2024 Record: 5-4
’23 NESCAC Football Report Ranking: #5
5-year NESCAC Record: 27-18
2024 Recap
Williams lost tight games to Middlebury (in OT), Tufts (by 3) and Wesleyan (by 1 in the last minute) and got beaten convincingly by Trinity. The Ephs took care of business in their other five wins over Hamilton, Colby, Bowdoin, Bates and archrival Amherst.
Offense
Preseason Assets & Question
Top Offensive Assets: Experience returning at RB, WR and OL
Key Offensive Question: Can the Ephs’ new QB improve their passing game?
Williams was a run heavy team in ’24, finishing 2nd in rush but 9th in passing yards. Junior QB Owen McHugh started the majority of the Ephs’ games but is out for the ’25 season with an injury, so Williams will need to find a replacement. QB options include junior Drew Renzella and sophomores Henry Machnik and Mikey McGrath. Williams loses a very talented running back in Mario Fischetti, but senior Jon Oris returns; Oris finished 6th in NESCAC in rushing yards (despite splitting carries with Fischetti) and averaged 4.0 yds per carry. Senior Sam Jaffe is back at a fullback/slot back position. Although no Williams receiver finished in the league’s Top 17 in ‘24 in terms of yards, two junior wideouts return to Williamstown including the Ephs’ leading receiver in yards Brady Stahelski, as well as their leader in receptions, Jack Kennedy. Expect CB Holden Gering to see some snaps at wideout. Junior TE Owen Johansen had 3 receiving TDs but was also featured as a wildcat QB and RB at the end of the season, where he rushed for another 3 scores. On the offensive line, Williams loses two starters, including 1st team All-NESCAC OL Tim Forth, but returns three seniors: 2nd team All-NESCAC Joseph Ngnombouowo as well as Michael Sheskey and Cam Maguire. Juniors Ethan Shames and Will Robke have seen action on the line.
Defense
Preseason Assets & Question
Top Offensive Assets: LB Luke Mangini and DB Holden Gering
Key Offensive Question: Does the experience gained by several young Eph defenders in ’24 translate to a top defense?
Williams finished 7th overall in yards allowed in ‘24, and 8th in rushing yards yielded. On the defensive line, Williams loses two of its three starters, but senior Anthony Scala returns. In addition, two sophomores who earned spot starts and were productive in ’24 are back: Will Gale and Ben Yedid. At linebacker, Williams loses two starters, including 1st team All-NESCAC LB Ethan Scott, but return two sophomores in Luke Mangini and Zakkai Moore; Mangini and Moore finished 1st and tied for 2nd for the Ephs in total tackles in ‘24. Senior LB Calvin Pedatella is also back. Williams returns its entire secondary: seniors S Justice McGrail and S/LB Jack Wallace, junior CB Holden Gering and sophomores S Andrew Kreakie and CB Wyatt Cotton. Gering led the team in interceptions, PBUs and was tied for 2nd on the team in total tackles on his way to earning a spot on the All-NESCAC 2nd team.
Special Teams
Williams loses 1st team All-NESCAC kicker Ivan Shuran who was perfect in field goals and PATs in ’24, but punter junior Leonardo Maiuolo, who received 2nd team All-NESCAC honors, is back. Senior George Papadopoulos has both kick and punt return experience.
Outlook
After winning just three games in ’22 and ’23, the Ephs improved their win total to 5 games in ‘24 and were very close to winning 3 other games. Williams appears to have a strong core of juniors and sophomores emerging as key players on both sides of the ball. On offense, one would expect another strong rushing attack but will need their new QB to lead a more impactful passing game to elevate their play. On defense, the ’24 campaign featured 20 different starters, so several returners have game experience. The Eph pass defense should be solid, but the play of their defensive line may determine the effectiveness of the overall unit.
Tighe and Ian get a mention in Hamilton scouting report but nothing for #21???