PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania football team will add 33 new members to the #UPrising this fall as the Quakers set out on the 143rd season of Penn Football and the 125th year of competition at historic Franklin Field.
 
"It is always exciting when you get to add to your group, and that energy is palpable today as we get to welcome 33 new members of the Penn Football Family," said George A. Munger Head Coach of Football Ray Priore. "Our coaching staff has scoured the country to find elite student-athletes and we're confident we've put together a group ready to carry on the tradition of excellence associated with Penn Football. What I'm most excited about is the leadership qualities of this group. 28 of the 33 players joining us this season have served as a team captain during their careers and have experience leading. We are looking for young men who want to lead, and this group has that desire."
 
The newcomers hail from 16 states – led by California, Pennsylvania and Virginia with four new student-athletes each. Georgia, Illinois and New Jersey are sending three players to University City.
 
18 of the newcomers play on the defensive side of the ball, with seven players joining as defensive linemen and seven at linebacker. The offensive side of the ball will add 14 new players, led by five on the offensive line. One punter will join the special teams unit.
 
Chase Bahr  |  OL
6-4  |  290 pounds
Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest
Highlights
 
Lake Forest: Two-year letter winner … Served as team captain … 2018 first-team All-NSC … 2018 Lake County News-Sun All-Area selection … 2018 North Shore first-team All-Area … 2018 Academic All-State … Also lettered in track and field … Honor Roll student.
 
Personal: Son of Jennifer and Gustavus Bahr … Father swam at SMU … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Joshua Chapman  |  DL
6-3  |  245 pounds
Silver Spring, Md./Landon School
Highlights
 
Landon School: Four-year letter winner … Served as team captain … Member of 2018 conference championship football team … Two-time first-team All-Conference (2017, 2018) … 2018 honorable mention All-Met … 2016 second-team All-Conference … Two-time team most valuable lineman (2017, 2018) … Also lettered in wrestling, rugby, and track and field … 2017 All-Met in rugby … Honor Roll student … National Society of High School Scholars member.
 
Personal: Son of Antoinette Jones and Charles Chapman … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Tysen Comizio  |  RB
5-10  |  185 pounds
Greenwich, Conn./Greenwich
Highlights
 
Greenwich: Three-year letter winner … Served as team captain … Member of undefeated 2018 state championship team … Two-time first-team All-State (2017, 2018) … 2018 first-team All-Walter Camp selection … 2017 second-team All-Walter Camp … Honor Roll student.
 
Personal: Son of Rebecca and Rich Comizio … Father was a three-time letter winner and four-time Ivy League champion at Penn, graduating in 1987 after earning Ivy League Player of the Year honors in 1986 … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
JC Dobis  |  OL
6-2  |  280 pounds
Medford, N.J./Shawnee
Highlights
 
Shawnee: Three-year letter winner … Served as team captain … Two-time N.J. Group IV state championship team member (2017, 2018) … 2018 third-team All-State … 2018 first-team All-State Group IV …2018 first-team All-South Jersey … 2018 first-team All-Burlington County … 2018 first-team All-WJFL … 2018 Academic All-County … Lettered three times in basketball … Two-time Group IV state championship team member in basketball (2017, 2018) … Honor Roll student.
 
Personal: Son of Regina and Joseph Dobis … Father played football at Penn State … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Jordan Ford  |  LB
6-1  |  205 pounds
Phoenixville, Pa./Phoenixville
Highlights

Phoenixville: Lettered in football … Serving as team captain … 2018 second-team All-Conference … 2019 first-team All-Scholar-Athlete … National Honor Society member … Future Business Leaders of America member … HOPE Caucus member.
 
Personal: Son of N'Jameh and Jonathan Ford … Father played football at Penn and graduated in 1990 … Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Ben Gerber  |  QB
6-2  |  200 pounds
Wayne, Pa./The Haverford School
Highlights
 
Haverford School: Four-year letter winner … Served as team captain … Member of 2015 Inter-Ac championship team … Also lettered in indoor track and wrestling … Recipient of Haverford School Coaches Award … 2019 National Football Foundation Philadelphia Chapter Scholar-Athlete Award recipient … Haverford School Student-Athlete Award … Cum Laude Society member … Spanish National Honor Society member … National Merit Commended Scholar.
 
Personal: Son of Jessica and Mike Gerber … Father played football at Penn, graduating in 1995 … Grandfather, Dick, played football at Penn and graduated in 1956 … Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Owen Goldsberry  |  WR
6-1  |  200 pounds
Arlington Heights, Ill./John Hersey (University of Michigan)
Highlights
 
Michigan: Spent 2018 season on scout team for the Wolverines as a defensive back/special teamer … Earned one Scout Team Player of the Week honor.
 
John Hersey: Four-year letter winner … Member of 2017 MSL East championship team … 2017 MSL Player of the Year … 2017 All-State selection … 2017 All-Area selection … 2017 All-Conference selection … Lettered in baseball and basketball … Senior Honor Roll student … National Honor Society member.
 
Personal: Son of Penelope and John Goldsberry … Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Jake Gonzalez  |  OLB
6-1  |  200 pounds
Wilmette, Ill./Loyola Academy
Highlights
 
Loyola Academy: Three-year letter winner … Served as team captain … 2018 Illinois 8A state championship team member … 2018 IHSA first-team All-State … 2018 CCL Blue Conference Defensive Player of the Year … Loyola Academy's all-time leader in tackles (355) … Loyola's all-time leader in games started with 42 consecutive starts … 2018 Sun-Times first-team All-State … 2018 News-Gazette first-team All-State … 2018 Rivals.com first-team All-State … Two-time first-team All-CCL Blue (2017, 2018) … Three-time All-Area (2016-18) … 2016 All-Area Rookie of the Year … Two-time first-team Academic All-State (2017, 2018) … Lettered three times in ice hockey … Played on 2018 IHSA state championship hockey team … Kairos retreat leader … Misericordia volunteer … Loyola Scholar.
 
Personal: Son of Jennifer and Chris Gonzalez … Father played football at Denison … Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Nance Hill  |  WR
6-3  |  205 pounds
Atlanta, Ga./The Westminster School
Highlights
 
Westminster: Four-year letter winner … Played on 2015 state championship football team … Member of 2016 regional champion football team … Had 42 catches for 693 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games in 2018 before suffering season-ending injury … 2017 honorable mention All-State … Two-time first-team All-Region (2016, 2017) … 2015 honorable mention All-Region … National Honor Society member.
 
Personal: Son of Erin and Al Hill … Older brother, Al, played tennis at Cornell … High school teammate of Malcolm Strickland, Isaiah Malcome, and Cortez Alston … Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Mike Hoffler  |  TE
6-4  |  235 pounds
Brooklyn, N.Y./St. Peter's
Highlights
 
St. Peter's: Three-year letter winner … twice served as team captain … 2018 All-League selection … All-Staten Island selection … League All-Star … First Honor Roll student.
 
Personal: Son of Vanessa and Michael Hoffler … Sister, Kristen, plays lacrosse at Wheeling Jesuit … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Luke Hoggard  |  OLB
5-11  |  225 pounds
Huntington Beach, Calif./Edison
Highlights
 
Edison: Three-year letter winner … Served as team captain … 2018 All-State selection … 2018 All-Orange County … 2018 Daily Pilot Dream Team Defensive Player of the Year … Three-team first-team All-Sunset League (2016-18) … 2018 Sunset League Defensive Player of the Year … 2017 Sunset League Linebacker of the Year … 2017 Daily Pilot Dream Team selection … 2017 All-Division 2 … 2019 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award … Three-time Sunset League All-Academic Selection (2016-18) … Four-time Edison Scholar-Athlete Award recipient … Youth Group mentor … Best Buddies volunteer … Future Business Leaders of America Club founder at Edison.
 
Personal: Son of Lorie and William Hoggard … Father was on the surfing team at Cal State–Fullerton … Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Ben Hoitink  |  OL
6-4  |  305 pounds
Hartford, Wis./Slinger
Highlights
 
Slinger: Three-year letter winner … Served as team captain … 2018 first-team All-State … 2018 conference Lineman of the Year … Member of 2018 Regional championship team … Also lettered four times in track and field … Served as track team captain … Two-time conference shotput champion … 2018 regional champion in shot … Student Council member … National Honor Society member … Set USA Powerlifting U18 national bench press record in 2018 (419 lbs.).
 
Personal: Son of Kristen and Chad Hoitink … Father played football at Yale … Older sister, Madeline, plays soccer at Cornell … Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Malone Howley  |  WR
6-4  |  190 pounds
Portsmouth, R.I./Signal Mountain (Tenn.)
Highlights
 
Signal Mountain: Lettered in football and basketball … Captained both teams … 2018 Academic All-Region selection … 2019 first-team All-District basketball selection … Senior Class president … Youth In Government member … Beta Club member … Youth leadership Council member.
 
Personal: Son of Lauren and Chris Howley … Father played basketball at Georgetown from 1985-89 … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Jack Iuliano  |  DL
6-3  |  245 pounds
Port Chester, N.Y./Rye
Highlights
 
Rye: Three-year letter winner … Served as team captain … 2018 All-League selection … 2018 Section 1 Most Valuable Lineman … 2018 first-team All-County … 2018 second-team All-State … Named to West Chester's Golden Dozen … Lettered twice in lacrosse … National Honor Society member.
 
Personal: Son of Veronica and Michael Iuliano … Mother played soccer at Binghamton … Father played football at Penn, graduating in 1990 … Grandfather, Blaise Iuliano, played football and wrestled at Ithaca and is in the Ithaca Hall of Fame … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Mitzseen Joseph  |  OLB
6-2  |  210 pounds
Port Saint Lucie, Fla./Suncoast Community H.S.
Highlights
 
Suncoast: Two-year letter winner … Twice served as team captain … Also lettered in track and basketball.
 
Personal: Son of Marphise and Frader Joseph … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Jaden Key  |  DB
6-2  |  195 pounds
Neptune, N.J./Red Bank Catholic
Highlights
 
Red Bank Catholic: Three-year letter winner … Served as team captain … 2018 New Jersey non-public school state championship team member … 2018 first-team All-Non-Public … 2018 Freedom Division Defensive Player of the Year … 2018 first-team All-Shore … Also lettered three times in track and field while serving as team captain.
 
Personal: Son of Lakeshia Grey and John Key … Father played football at Delaware … Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Ben Krimm  |  P
6-2  |  215 pounds
Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington
Highlights
 
Upper Arlington: Three-year letter winner … Served as team captain … Two-time first-team All-State (2017, 2018) … Two-time first-team All-Conference at punter and linebacker (2017, 2018) … Two-time first-team All-District (2017, 2018) … Also lettered in baseball … 2017 honorable mention All-State in baseball … National Honor Society member … Honor Roll student
 
Personal: Son of Debbie and Paul Krimm … Father played football at Toledo … Uncle, John, played football at Notre Dame and for the New Orleans Saints … Cousin, Noah Krimm, played football at Princeton from 2009-10 … Cousin, Gus, played football at Cornell from 2005-08 … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Jake Ligos  |  DL
6-3  |  250 pounds
Long Valley, N.J./West Morris Central
Highlights
 
West Morris Central: Three-year letterwinner … Served as team captain … 2019 N.J. Football Coaches Association Super 100 Team selection … 2019 Phil Simms North-South Football Classic selection … Two-time All-Morris County selection … Two-time All-Group IV selection … Lettered three times in lacrosse while serving as team captain … Two-time first-team All-Conference in lacrosse … 2018 honorable mention All-State in lacrosse … 2018 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award recipient.
 
Personal: Son of Tara and Kurt Ligos … Father played football at Duke … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Ryan Mannelly  |  DL/LS
6-3  |  240 pounds
Atlanta, Ga./Marist
Highlights
 
Marist: Four-year letter winner … Served as team captain … 2018 All-State selection … Two-time All-County (2017, 2018) … 2018 first-team All-Region … 2017 honorable mention All-Region … Also lettered twice in baseball … German Club member … Outdoors Club member … Honor Roll student.
 
Personal: Son of Jennifer and Bernard Mannelly … Father played football at Notre Dame and was a member of the 1988 national championship team … Uncle, Patrick, played football at Duke and was a long snapper for the Chicago Bears from 1997-2014 … Grandfather, Donnie Allen, played football at Georgia … Older brother, Joseph, plays baseball at Georgia Tech … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Jonathan Melvin  |  LB
6-1  |  240 pounds
Hampton, Va./Kecoughtan
Highlights
 
Kecoughtan: Three-year letter winner … Served as team captain … Two-time first-team All-District (2017-2018) … Two-time first-team All-Region (2017, 2018) … Two-time first-team All-Conference (2017-18) … Also lettered in wrestling and track … Member of 2016 state championship wrestling team … National Math Honor Society member … National Honor Society member.
 
Personal: Son of Alecia and Sidney Melvin … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Micah Morris  |  DL
6-2  |  275 pounds
Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel Area/Berkshire School
Highlights
 
Fox Chapel Area/Berkshire School: Three-time letter winner … Two-time first-team All-Conference (2017-18) … Also lettered three times in basketball … Honor Roll student.
 
Personal: Son of Michele and Michael Morris … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Jonathan Mulatu  |  RB
6-0  |  215 pounds
Springfield, Va./Robert E. Lee
Highlights
 
Robert E. Lee: Lettered in football, basketball, track and field, and soccer … Captained football team … 2018 first-team All-Conference at running back and punter … 2018 first-team All-Region running back and punter … Honor Roll student … Student-Athlete Award recipient.
 
Personal: Son of Senait Feleke and Gebrayesus Mulatu … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Lawal Oyedemi  |  TE
6-4  |  255 pounds
Sugar Land, Texas/Clements
Highlights
 
Clements: Lettered in football, basketball and track and field … Two-time second-team All-District tight end (2017, 2018) … 2017 second-team All-District at linebacker … 2018 honorable mention All-District at offensive tackle.
 
Personal: Son of Tawa and Wakil Oyedemi … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences … Born in Nigeria.
 
Jack Purcell  |  OL
6-5  |  255 pounds
Glen Mills, Pa./Episcopal Academy
Highlights
 
Episcopal Academy: Four-year letter winner … Served as team captain … Two-time All-Inter-Ac selection (2017, 2018) … Two-time All-Area selection (2017, 2018) … 2018 All-Southeastern PA selection … 2018 honorable mention All-State … 2018 Mini Maxwell Award recipient … 2019 National Football Foundation Philadelphia Chapter Scholar-Athlete Award recipient … Also lettered in basketball and lacrosse … member of 2016-17 Inter-Ac championship basketball team … Episcopal Academy Athletic Association president … National Honor Society member.
 
Personal: Son of Audrey Rostick and Steven Purcell … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Chris Rankins  |  DB
6-0  |  210 pounds
Sylmar, Calif./Chaminade Prep
Highlights
 
Chaminade: Four-time letter winner … Three-year captain … Two-time Mission League champion … Two-time first-team All-Mission League … First-team All-Area … Area Defensive Back of the Year … African American Culture Club member.
 
Personal: Son of Kiwanna and Chris Rankins … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Grant Ristoff  |  DL
6-3  |  230 pounds
Ladera Ranch, Calif./JSerra Catholic
Highlights
 
JSerra: Three-year letter winner … Served as team captain … 2018 first-team All-Trinity League … 2018 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award recipient … Four-time Scholar-Athlete Award recipient … National Honor Society member.
 
Personal: Son of Laura and Tim Ristoff … Father played football at Miami (OH) … High school teammate of Sam Philippi, Nick Robinson, Jake Haggard, Conor O'Brien and Riley O'Brien … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Will Seiler  |  DL
6-4  |  250 pounds
Atlanta, Ga./The Lovett School
Highlights
 
Lovett School: Four-year letter winner … Served as team captain … 2018 first-team All-Region … Also lettered in baseball while serving as team captain … Played on 2018 state champion baseball team … 2018 Student-Athlete Award recipient at The Lovett School.
 
Personal: Son of June and John Seiler … Father played basketball at Vanderbilt … Older brother, John Gray, played football at Columbia from 2006-09 … Older sister, Virginia, played soccer at Ole Miss (2011-13) … Enrolled in Wharton.
 
Kendren Smith  |  DB
6-1  |  190 pounds
Charlotte, N.C./Mallard Creek
Highlights
 
Mallard Creek: Four-year letter winner … Served as team captain … 2017 All-Conference selection … 2017 All-Area selection … Also lettered three times in track … Member of 2016 and 2016 conference track and field championship teams.
 
Personal: Son of Xiomara and Kenneth Smith … Older sister, Kaila, ran track at Western Kentucky ... Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Miles Thompson  |  DB
5-11  |  170 pounds
Fairfax, Va./Flint Hill School
Highlights
 
Flint Hill: Two-year letter winner … Twice served as team captain … Two-time state championship team member (2017-18) … Two-time first-team All-State selection (2017-18) … Also lettered in lacrosse and basketball.
 
Personal: Son of Cindy and Barry Thompson … Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Declan Vargas  |  OL
6-5  |  295 pounds
McLean, Va./DeMatha
Highlights
 
DeMatha: Lettered once at DeMatha after lettering once at Langley H.S. ... Also lettered in ice hockey at Langley … Volunteered with Best Buddies ... Coached with the Washington Ice Dogs ... Editor of school paper ... Dean's List student … Principal's List student … Honor Roll student.
 
Personal: Son of Kathleen and Mo Vargas … Uncle, Marco, played football at Florida … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Jesse Walsh  |  LB
6-2  |  235 pounds
Branford, Conn./Avon Old Farms
Highlights
 
Avon Old Farms: Three-year letter winner … Twice served as team captain … 2018 first-team All-Founders League … 2018 honorable mention All-New England … Played on 2018 New England Championships runner-up team … Also lettered three times in track and field while serving as team captain … Vice Warden of student body … AP U.S. History Award recipient at Avon Old Farms … Investment Club co-head.
 
Personal: Son of Sharon and Richard Walsh … Father played football at Central Connecticut … Older brother, Matt, played football at UConn … High school teammate of Evan Carp … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Johnny Williams  |  RB
6-0  |  200 pounds
Calabasas, Calif./Calabasas
Highlights
 
Calabasas: Four-year letter winner … Three-time team captain … 2018 All-State … Three-time All-Marmonte League … Played on 2016 CIF state championship team … Three-time Marmonte League champion (2016-18) … Also lettered twice in lacrosse and track … Captained lacrosse and track teams … Ran on 2017 Marmonte league track championship team … Named Calabasas' Outstanding Student-Athlete.
 
Personal: Son of Cheryl and John Williams … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Ethan Zemla  |  LB
6-3  |  225 pounds
Highlands Ranch, Colo./Valor Christian
Highlights
 
Valor Christian: Four-year letter winner … Served as team captain … Three-time Colorado 5A state championship team member … 2018 team went 14-0 and was ranked No. 34 in the nation under head coach Ed McCaffrey … 2018 USA Today Colorado Defensive Player of the Year … Rivals.com Colorado Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year … 2018 first-team All-State … 2018 conference Defensive Player of the Year … Three-time All-Conference selection … 2018 National Football Foundation Colorado Chapter Scholar-Athlete Award recipient … Also lettered in baseball … Member of 2017 Colorado state championship baseball team … Two-time Academic All-State … National Honor Society member.
 
Personal: Son of Su and Joe Zemla … Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.