PHILADELPHIA – William R. Wagner Head Coach Jerry McConnell announced the University of Pennsylvania sprint football team's incoming recruiting class for the 2024 season on Wednesday morning.
 
Nine student-athletes make up Penn's Class of 2028, spanning five different states and several position groups.
 
"We are very excited about this incoming group of freshmen and believe we have some players that will have an immediate impact on our program," said McConnell. "We can't wait to see them on Franklin Field this fall."
 
The Quakers open their season up Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. against Mansfield at Franklin Field.
 
Penn Sprint Football Class of 2028

Colin Ambrosius
QB | Mantua, N.J. | Pitman
 
High School: Team captain and four-year varsity letter-winner … Also played basketball and baseball and helped lead basketball team to Group 1 Sectional Championship in 2023-24.
 
Personal: Son of Donna and Glen Ambrosius … Father, Glen, played three years of baseball at Penn, graduating in the class of 2000 … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn?: I chose Penn because I've always dreamed of being a Quaker. I'm incredibly excited to be a part of the Sprint Football team and to obtain a highly-respected education.
 
 
Ryan Callahan
OL/DL | Ocean City, N.J. | Ocean City
 
High School: Team captain and four-year varsity letter winner … Honorable mention All-Division selection … Also a four-year member and captain of the wrestling team.
 
Personal: Son of Denise and Chad Callahan … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn because it offers outstanding athletic and academic opportunities, along with a diverse culture that will help me become the best version of myself."
 
 
Colin Cross
LB | Alexandria, Va. | St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School
 
High School: Two-year team captain … Led team in tackles twice during high school career … Two-time All-State honorable mention pick … Two-time first-team All-League selection … Also played ice hockey and lacrosse.
 
Personal: Son of Pamela Nolan and David Cross … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn because of the unique opportunity to combine academic rigor and athletics. Philly is also an amazing city."
 
 
Aarav Doshi
RB/DB | Troy, Mich. | Cranbrook Kingswood
 
High School: Played football two years, named team captain for senior season … Member of the CHSL All-Academic Team … John Shada Scholar-Athlete Leader Award nominee … Was also a member of the baseball team for two seasons.
 
Personal: Son of Ami and Pranav Doshi … Brother, Ruhaan, was a member of the men's rowing team at Michigan … Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn for the community it fosters—its support for interdisciplinary curiosity, whether in academics or athletics, is unparalleled."
 
 
 
Ben Lu
RB/LB | Cary, N.C. | Green Hope
 
High School: Three-time team captain and letter-winner … Named team's MVP and defensive MVP … Led team in tackles three of his four years … Totaled 210 tackles (95 solos) with eight forced fumbles, and five TFLs over 27 career games … Rushed for four touchdowns with 610 yards at running back.
 
Personal: Son of Cuiming Zheng and Jianwei Lu … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn?: "Penn has a great finance and economics program as well as entrepreneurship and networking opportunities."
 
 
 
Michael Malone
QB | Pittsburgh, Pa. | Mount Lebanon
 
High School: Two-year letter-winner in football … Won the 2021 6A WPIAL and 6A PIAA State Football Championship at Mount Lebanon … Also captained the track and field team.
 
Personal: Son of Alexis Zappala and the late Patrick Malone … Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Why Penn?: "The culture at Penn pushes me to be the best version of myself, constantly challenging my abilities and working hard to give myself the best chance to succeed in life."
 
 
 
Andrew Piscatelli
TE | Holmdel, N.J. | Holmdel
 
High School: Team captain who played three years of football … First-team All-Division selection in 2023 … Also played one season of basketball.
 
Personal: Son of Jeana and Drew Piscatelli … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn?: "Penn is a great school that will challenge me to better myself both in athletics and in academics."
 
 
 
Jason Sheairs
WR | Shamong, N.J. | Seneca
 
High School: Three-year letter-winner in football … Won WJFL National Division championship in 2022 … In 2023, a first-team All-Conference pick at wide receiver … Named a second-team honoree in 2022 … Totaled 996 yards receiving during career with six touchdowns … Holds school's longest receiving TD record at 86 yards … Was also a standout in track & field, earning All-Conference laurels in the high jump and hurdles … Named winter Track team's MVP in both 2022-23 and 2023-24.
 
Personal: Son of Karen and Joseph Sheairs … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn because of the strong interconnectedness of the students, alumni, and staff as well as the challenging and worthwhile academics."
 
 
 
Blake Taranto
DL/OL | Saddle River, N.J. | Northern Highlands Regional
 
High School: Team captain … Won a Super-Liberty Red Sectional and Regional Championship in 2022-23 … In 2021-22, helped lead team to Super-Liberty Red League, Sectional, and Regional titles … Second-team All-County selection at defensive tackle in 2023-24 … First-team All-League selection … In 2022-23, earned second-team All-League honors at left guard.
 
Personal: Son of Dana and Tom Taranto … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn because of the community it has. Throughout the recruiting process I felt incredibly welcomed and when I visited the campus I felt like I was home. I enjoy the atmosphere that surrounds the school and the type of people that it attracts. I am looking forward to working with the coaching staff and others at Penn."
 
For the latest on Penn sprint football, follow @PennSprintFB on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, and on the web at PennAthletics.com