PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania football team announced its incoming freshman class of 2029 on Wednesday afternoon.
 
The following 25 names include 24 freshmen and one sophomore transfer, representing two countries, two provinces, and 16 states.
 
"I couldn't be more excited to welcome this year's freshman class to University City," the George A. Munger Head Coach Ray Priore said. "They're a talented group with tremendous potential, and we can't wait to see the impact they'll have on our program—both on the field and in the classroom."
 
With eyes set on a 19th Ivy League championship and berth into the NCAA FCS Playoffs, Penn opens its 2025 season on Sept. 20 at Stonehill, kicking off at 1 p.m.
 
#79 Adeyeye Adebawore
DL | Kansas City, Mo. | North Kansas City
 
High School: Two-year team captain … Earned second-team All-District honors … Two-time second-team All-Conference honoree … Was a three-time Academic All-State selection … Earned Football Union Award.
 
Personal: Brother, Adepoju, currently plays football at Oklahoma … Brother, Adetomiwa, played at Northwestern and is a defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose the University of Pennsylvania because it was a place that I could see myself developing socially and in football, along with an amazing degree that would guide my future."
 
 
#76 Tyler Blevins
OL | Yelm, Wash. | Avon Old Farms (Conn.)
 
High School: Played four years at Yelm High School before a post-graduate year at Avon Old Farms … Helped lead Yelm to 37-2 record over four seasons, including a 14-0 record in 2023 en route to the 3A state championship … Helped team to three straight league titles from 2022 to 2024, finishing as the state runner-up in the final campaign … Also participated in track & field, lwinning the 2023 3A state title and two league championships … Placed third in the state for the hammer throw … During football career, allowed zero sacks.
 
Personal: Played football with current Penn teammate Duncan McPherson … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn because I see myself here— not just fitting in, but expanding who I am."
 
 
#20 Dakota Brower
WR | Gainesville, Fla. | Oak Hall School
 
High School: Team captain … First-team All-State selection in both 2023 and 2024 … Also played basketball and track … On the track & field team, won three district championships and finished as a runner-up twice … First-team All-State honoree in 2023, 2024, and 2025 … In football, holds school record for most points in a single game … In track, is the school record holder in the 400m, triple jump, and long jump.
 
Personal: Father, Randy, played football at Florida … Mother, Sandra, played tennis at Jacksonville … Sister, Havana Solaun, played soccer at Florida and is a member of the Jamaican National Team … Sister, Sierra Solaun, ran cross country at UCF … Sister, Zhoe Solaun, played tennis at Florida Gulf Coast … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn because I loved the culture and feel of the place. The first time I stepped on campus, I felt at home."
 
 
#28 EJ Carter, Jr.
RB | Chattanooga, Tenn. | Notre Dame HS
 
High School: Team captain … All-State selection … First-team All-Region … All-District honoree … Best of Preps … Dynamite Dozen … During senior season, ran for 1,603 yards and 16 touchdowns … Holds school's single game rushing record with 360 rushing yards during 2023 season.
 
Personal: Born Edward Lamar Carter, Jr. … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn?: "I feel Penn will be the best situation for me to become a better person both athletically and academically, maximizing my talents and my brain. My family and I felt right at home when we arrived on campus."
 
 
#94 Luke Castelli
LS | Park City, Utah | Park City
 
High School: Two-year letter winner on football team … President of the Investment Club.
 
Personal: Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn because of its strong academic reputation, dynamic campus culture, and the unique opportunity to pursue both athletics and a world-class education. The resources, community, and support at Penn aligned perfectly with my goals in business, personal growth, and competitive sports."
 
 
#17 Ethan Cohall
DB | Westfield, N.J. | Bergen Catholic
 
High School: Helped lead Bergen Catholic to four consecutive New Jersey state championships and a perennial Top 20 national ranking … Earned All-Conference, All-County, All-League, and All-State honors in football, totaling 159 career tackles, 70 solo stops, four interceptions, four forced fumbles, and 34 pass breakups … In track & field, won two county championships and was a national qualifier for the 4x200 relay team three straight seasons … Nominated for Bergen Catholic's Athlete of the Year for Fall 2024.
 
Personal: Stepbrother, Malachi Mercer, plays football at Columbia … Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn because it seemed like the best fit for me. Not only was I familiar with the area because of Track and Field Nationals and Penn Relays, but Philadelphia feels like a second home. I will be attending the Wharton School of Business, which is one of the best business schools in the world. The players and coaches on my official visit were genuine and welcoming which made the decision an easy one."
 
 
#22 Brock Cornell
DB | McDonald, Pa. | West Allegheny
 
High School: Two-time team captain … Led team to section championship in 2024-25 … Earned Post Gazette FAB 22 honors in 2025 … First-team All-State safety in 2025 … Three-time first-team All-Section safety … Three-time first-team All-Section Offensive Athlete/Running Back honors … Holds single-game tackle record (22) and career tackles record (397) … Also captained baseball team, holding the single-season record for stolen bases with 27.
 
Personal: Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn?: "All around the people within the program and school along with the rich tradition and prestige of Penn."
 
 
#34 Jahir Dawud
DB | North Brunswick, N.J. | North Brunswick Twp.
 
High School: Team captain … In both junior and senior seasons, earned All-Division, All-County, and All-Conference honors, also earning conference MVP and Defensive Player of the Year laurels … NJ Super 100 All-State team … Totaled 134 tackles with two interceptions and two forced fumbles … Also captained track and field team, leading team to two County relay championships, two team titles, and a Group 4 State Relay Championship … Sectional state championship.
 
Personal: Brother, Zahmir, plays football at Villanova … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn?: "It was the right feeling from God. I love Philly and the campus plus the energy and culture the team makes it the right fit for me."
 
 
#92 Cole Erickson
LB | Lincoln, Neb. | Lincoln Southwest
 
High School: Two-year team captain … First-team All-City and Academic All-Conference and State during senior year despite playing just three games … First-team All-City and first-team All-Conference selection in 2023, also earned honorable mention All-State honors … In 2022, earned Academic All-Conference and All-State awards … Totaled 22 career tackles for loss and 87 career stops … Also played basketball, baseball, and ran track & field.
 
Personal: Father, Paul, played football at Texas Tech … Mother, Ann Schulz, played volleyball at Texas Tech … Stepmother, Nicole Johnson, played golf at Baylor.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn for not only the outstanding academics but a history of success under Coach Priore. The attention to all elements that goes into being a successful player from nutrition, recovery, and having everything and everyone able to help you reach your potential made Penn the correct decision for me."


 #39 Ezra Fearon
DB | Orange, Conn. | Choate Rosemary Hall
 
High School: Helped lead team to NEPSAC Class A championship in both 2023 and 2024 … Part of team that claimed MIFL League Championship in 2021 … First-team All-League, First-team All-Founders League, and Honorable mention All-NEPSAC Class A selection in 2024 … First-team All-MIFL in 2023 … First-team All-MIFL in 2022.
 
Personal: Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn because of the family feel of the team and the coaching staff. Whenever I came to visit, the team was always very welcoming, and I gelled with the players quite easily. Penn was also one of the first schools to recruit and believe in me. Throughout the recruiting process, Coach Benson continuously reached out to me to express his desire for me to be a part of the program. Additionally, attending a prestigious university has been a dream of mine since I entered high school. Choosing Penn has blessed me with the opportunity to not only fulfill this dream but also attend the number one business school in the country."
 
 
#68 Alex Fletcher
OL | Ottawa, Ontario | Saint James School (Md.)
 
High School: Helped lead team to a conference championship … Three-time first-team All-Conference selection … Three-time first-team All-County honoree … Two-time first-team All-State DIII Private Schools … Earned the Barry Beers Offensive Lineman of the Year Award during final two seasons … Also competed in wrestling and lacrosse.
 
Personal: Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Why Penn?: "I loved the people at Penn. I loved the football coaches and players as well as other people I met on my visits around campus. The people make a very welcoming and hardworking community."
 
 
#56 Michael Gidaro
OL | Woodbridge, Ontario | Phillips Exeter Academy (N.H.)
 
High School: Won Northeast Prep Championship … Drew Gamere Bowl Champions … Earned Northeast Prep Conference All-League honors in 2025 … 2025 first-team All-NEPSEC NEFC.
 
Personal: Brother, Nicholas, plays football at the University of Waterloo … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn?: "For me, Penn had a great balance of exceptional academics and high-quality athletics. The coaches and players welcomed me and showed lots of love to not only me but also my family. The choice was obvious, and I am glad I will be spending the next four years at Penn."
 
 
#15 Jack Grusser
QB | Wyckoff, N.J. | Ramapo / Michigan
 
2023 (Michigan): Did not see game action … Won the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship with the Wolverines … Named Scout Team Offensive Player of the Week for preparing defense for Nebraska.
 
High School: Team captain and two-year letterwinner … Led football team to Divisional and League championships … Also attended Bergen Catholic for two seasons (2019-20) … Finished second in Ramapo history with 4,761 career passing yards and holds a record 78 total touchdowns (60 passing) … Part of a team that went 8-3 in 2022 and 10-2 in 2021, reaching the NJSIAA Tournament final in both years … All-County, All-League, All-Division, and All-State selection in 2021 and 2022 … Led state in total yards during 2021 season  … Also participated in lacrosse and track, specializing in sprints … Sectional champion in the 100 and 200 meters.
 
Personal: Brother, Patrick, played quarterback at Syracuse.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn to continue my academic and athletic career as I felt it would give me the best opportunity to exceed both on and off the field. The combination of expected academic and athletic excellence will push me
to be the best version of myself."
 
 
#40 Michael Hegarty
TE | Needham, Mass. | Catholic Memorial
 
High School: Team captain … Helped lead school to three state championships and four Catholic Conference titles … Catholic Conference All-Star … Boston Herald All-Scholastic Team … MHSFCA All-State selection … Also played basketball, helping lead team to two Catholic Conference championships.
 
Personal: Father, Patrick, played baseball at Harvard … Sister, Catherine, ran track at Regis … Brother, John, plays baseball at Cornell … Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn because of the coaching staff, the football community, and the opportunity to study at Wharton."


#23 Luke Johnson
WR | Los Angeles, Calif. | Brewster Academy (N.H.)

High School: Began high school career at St. Monica Catholic in Los Angeles before transferring to Brewster from 2023-25 … Earned second-team All-NEPSAC honors in 2024 … Also played basketball for both schools.
 
Personal: Father, Malcolm, played football at Notre Dame and had three NFL seasons on the Steelers, Jets, and Bengals … Sister, Kaya, played volleyball at Penn … Grandfather, Henry, was on the basketball team at Penn, captaining the Quakers in 1977 … Uncle, Paul, played basketball at La Salle … Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn because of my family's history at the school and how it will set me up for life after sports."


 #32 Tommy Lafayette
RB | Suwanee, Ga. | North Gwinnett
 
High School: Helped lead team to 2024 Region championship … Won Region 7 6A GHSA title … First-team All-Region selection … First-team All-County honoree … Earned Preseason All-State honors in 2024 … During senior season, ran for 1,015 yards (6.5 ypc), with four receptions for 120 yards and 12 total touchdowns.
 
Personal: Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Why Penn?: "Penn was the best balance of football and academics. The connections and history at the school were too good to turn down."
 
 
#86 Isaac Lee
WR | Byron Center, Mich. | Byron Center
 
High School: Team captain … Helped lead team to district championship, regional championship and the state runner-up during senior season … In junior year, won conference and district championships … Earned All-Conference, All-Region, and All-State honors in three separate campaigns … Also captained basketball team, earning All-Conference honors all four seasons.
 
Personal: Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn for four reasons. The first being the high academics of the school and what it can do for my future and family's future. The second is the experience being located in a major city. I was also impressed with the facilities at Penn, tools that will help make me better on and off the field. Finally, the coaching staff made me feel welcome and can take my game to the next level."
 
 
#31 Mack Long
LB | La Grange Park, Ill. | Lyons Township
 
High School: Helped lead team to West Suburban Silver Conference Championship, completing an undefeated season in 2024 … First-team All-State selection in 2024 … Earned conference's Defensive Most Valuable Player Award … All-Conference honoree … Also participated on the school's basketball team.
 
Personal: Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Why Penn?: "Penn is the place where it felt most like home and was a community I wanted to play for."
 
 
#80 Luca Lopez
DL | Randolph, N.J. | Delbarton School
 
High School: Helped lead team to back-to-back United White Super Football conference championships … NJFCA Super 100 All-State selection in 2025 … First-team All-County in 2024 … First-team All-Conference in 2024 … Second-team All-Conference in 2023 … Earned the Commitment Award in 2023 … Totaled 61 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and three sacks.
 
Personal: Played football with Penn teammate Connor Martin … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn for the perfect balance of academics and athletics, in addition to the great environment."
 
 
#53 Jake Marzich
OL | Delaware, Ohio | Olentangy Berlin
 
High School: Team captain … Aided team to three straight OCC conference championships from 2022 to 2024 … First-team All-Conference … First-team All-County … First-team All-District … Second-team All-State … Three-star offensive lineman per 247sports … Earned NFF Larry Romanoff and Schneider Family Award of Excellence.
 
Personal: Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn due to its unrivaled combination of athletics and
academics, the culture of the football team and coaching staff, and the Wharton School of Business, which will give me the greatest opportunity to further my academic career to the highest level."
 
 
#42 Luke McIlhon
LB | Palatine, Ill. | William Fremd
 
High School: Two-year team captain … All-Conference and All-Area selection in both 2024 and 2025 … Finished career as WM Fremd's all-time leading tackler (300 total tackles) … Also participated in baseball and track.
 
Personal: Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn because of the great things it can bring to me in the future, the beautiful campus and city of Philadelphia."
 
 
#97 Duncan McPherson
DL | Calgary, Alberta | Avon Old Farms (Conn.)
 
High School: Team captain … Led team to 2023 Driscoll Bowl … Two-time first-team All-League selection … All-New England honorable mention honoree … Earned Standard Award for leadership and character … Also played hockey, earning MVP honors in 2022 … Also participated on lacrosse team.
 
Personal: Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose the University of Pennsylvania because of its outstanding academics and strong tradition of excellence. Its football history and top-tier athletic facilities show a deep commitment to both education and sports. The blend of academics and competitive athletics, along with the welcoming and supportive community, makes Penn the ideal environment for my personal and athletic growth."
 
 
#88 Isaac Price
WR | Phoenix, Ariz. | Desert Vista
 
High School: Earned Most Valuable Player honors … Tempe All-City selection … First-team All-Region … All-State honorable mention … First-team All-Academic selection … In 2024, led 6A in receiving yards during the regular season … Caught 62 passes for 1,061 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 106 yards per game … Also participated on the track and field team.
 
Personal: Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn because of the brotherhood and supportive environment within the football program, the world-class education that an Ivy League school provides, and the incredible opportunities that come with being part of such a prestigious institution."
 
 
#45 Daniel Russo
LB | Vineland, N.J. | Delsea Regional
 
High School: Team captain, four-year letterwinner … Helped lead team to NJ Group 3 State Championship in 2023 … In 2024, won the Mini-Max Award … Earned All-State, All-Conference and All-South Jersey honors … Finished football career with 4,278 rushing yards, 56 rushing touchdowns and 1,884 passing yards with 16 TDs … On defense, totaled 256 tackles with five interceptions.
 
Personal: Mother, Misty, played soccer at Rutgers and was an All-American … Father, Daniel, earned All-America honors while playing football at TCNJ … Sister, Brianna, played soccer at Monmouth … Sister, Kailey, played soccer at TCNJ … Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose Penn because of the culture I felt when I visited along with the elite academic opportunity it gives me."
 
 
#16 Shane Throgmartin
QB | Buford, Ga. | Mill Creek
 
High School: Helped lead team to 2023 Division Championship … 2022 7A State Champions … GACA All-State … 7A All-Region selection … Georgia Elite Classic participant … Greater Atlanta Bash Offensive Player of the Game … ESPN Jr. 300 … Rated a four-star QB by ESPN … Also participated in track & field.
 
Personal: Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Why Penn?: "I chose to play football at the University of Pennsylvania because it offers the perfect combination of elite academics and competitive athletics. Penn's strong football tradition, commitment to excellence, and supportive team culture immediately drew me in. I wanted to be part of a program that pushes me to grow both on and off the field, and Penn's Ivy League environment provides just that. The coaching staff's vision aligned with my personal goals, and the opportunity to
compete at a high level while earning a world class education was something that I could not pass up."
 
 
#96 Mason Walters
P/K | Littleton, Colo. | Valor Christian
 
High School: Helped lead team to the 2024 5A Colorado state semifinals … 2021 and 2022 5A Colorado state runner-up … Part of South Metro League championship teams from 2021 to 2023 … 2024 5A Colorado first-team All-State selection … 2024 5A South Metro first-team All-Conference … 2024 Valor Christian Special Teams MVP … 2023 Denver Post All-Colorado Football Team … 2023 Playmaker's Corner Colorado 5A All-PMC kicker … 2022 Colorado Prep Report … Named a top punter in Colorado for 2025 … Holds single-game program records for the longest (55 yds) and second-longest (51 yds) field goals … Kicked a field goal in 14 consecutive games, a Valor Christian record … A career 21-for-24 on field goal tries, 82-for-87 on extra points … Also played volleyball and soccer.
 
Personal: Brother, Mitchell, plays soccer at Bentley University … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences … Played football with current Penn teammate Alex Jordan.
 
Why Penn?: "Penn allows me to pursue academics and athletics at a high level. I want to be in an environment that will prepare me for the future, and Penn offers exactly that: a place to grow intellectually, athletically, professionally, and personally."