PHILADELPHIA – Welcome to University City! The George A. Munger Head Football Coach Rick Santos announced the University of Pennsylvania football Class of 2030 on Wednesday morning.
 
The following 26 freshmen represent two countries, a province, and 13 states.
 
"Our staff did an outstanding job identifying, evaluating, and building genuine relationships with this year's class," said Santos. "We set out to bring in young men who fit the culture, standards, and vision of Penn Football, and I believe we've done that with this group. They are talented, tough, high-character young men who love football and are committed to the work required to compete for championships. We believe this class will elevate our program and help restore the level of excellence and championship tradition that has long defined Penn Football."
 
Jaydon Avery
DB | Atlanta, Ga. | Pace Academy
 
High School: Earned varsity letters in football, basketball, and track and field at Pace Academy … Two-time Academic All-American … Captain of his football team as a senior, landing Second Team All-Region honors … Helped lead basketball team to 4a Georgia Basketball state championships and two runners-up placements.
Personal: Enrolled in the School of Nursing … Played basketball with Gavin Jeffries at Pace Academy.
Why Penn? Penn is the best place for me to be challenged on the field, both physically and mentally, and in the classroom, which will allow me to grow as an individual.
 
DJ Brown
DB | Lake Hopatcong, N.J. | The Lawrenceville School
 
High School: Played four years at Saint Peter's Prep, while taking a post-graduate year at the Lawrenceville School … 2024 Steve DiGregorio Young Man of the Year Award … 2024 United White Honorable Mention All-Division … 2025 First Team All-New Jersey Prep Football … Also played basketball and ran track at Saint Peter's.
Personal: Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences … Father played football at New Haven … Sister played basketball at East Stroudsburg … Other sister plays basketball at Manhattan.
Why Penn? Penn always felt like the right choice to me. I believe it gives the perfect opportunity not only to thrive in the classroom but also on the field. From the second I stepped on campus, I knew it was the place where I knew I would enjoy living out my next four years.
 
Jase Catullo
OL | Chatham, N.J. | Chatham
 
High School: Played varsity football at Chatham High School … Was captain his senior year … 2024 All-Group 4, All-County, and First Team All-Conference … 2025 First Team All-Conference … 2025 NJFCA Super 100 All-State Team … Also played lacrosse.
Personal: Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences … Father played football at Auburn … Grandfather played football at Colorado State.
Why Penn? I decided Penn was the right fit for me because it has everything I am looking for. It offers a competitive and historic football program that will help me develop into the player I want to be, along with strong academics that will challenge me and open up many career opportunities. Most importantly, it has a special family-like bond between the players and staff.
 
Simon Cofrancesco
WR | Milton, Ga. | Fellowship Christian
 
High School: Played varsity football at Fellowship Christian … Helped lead team to 2025 Football 1a Private Region championship … Named captain his junior and senior seasons.
Personal: Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences … Mother and Father played basketball at LSU … Sister plays basketball at Georgia State.
Why Penn? I chose Penn because I want to be pushed academically and athletically. Along with the coaching staff, I immediately knew I wanted to learn from these types of hardworking people. The standard is raised very high, and that is what I want to be held to. Once I got on campus, I knew instantly I was ready to call this place home.
 
Jacob Earnest
LB | Wadsworth, Ohio | Wadsworth
 
High School: Three-time varsity letter win at Wadsworth High School … Helped lead team to three Suburban League championships … 2023 First Team All-League, First Team All-District, and Honorable Mention All-Ohio … 2024 Suburban League Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-District, and Second Team All-Ohio … 2025 Suburban League Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-District, and Second Team All-Ohio …Also a two-time state wrestling qualifier, earning Ohio state runner-up in 2026.
Personal: Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences … Brothers wrestled at Ohio, Campbell, and Kent State.
Why Penn? I chose Penn because of the Culture of the Football Program and the opportunity to play competitive college football while also getting an amazing education. The energy not only around the football team but the whole campus was an amazing thing. All the love and support from the community helped me choose Penn.
 
Luke Flowers
DB | Simsbury, Conn. | Loomis Chaffee
 
High School: Played varsity football at Loomis Chaffee … Helped lead team to 2022 New England Football championship … Captain his senior season … Earned All-Founders League honors his junior and senior years … 2024 All-NEPSAC … Also played baseball, earning All-Founders League honors in 2025.
Personal: Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
Why Penn? I chose the University of Pennsylvania because of the opportunities in Business that the Wharton School of Business can open for me. I also found the coaching staff easy to connect with and very welcoming.
 
Tyler George
WR | Beaumont, Calif. | Corona Centennial
 
High School: Played varsity football at Corona Centennial … Helped lead team to four Big West Upper League championships … Captained his football and track teams … 2025 First Team Offense.
Personal: Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences … Father played football at Bowie State … Brother plays football at Western Colorado.
Why Penn? The balance between academics and high-level football creates a hardworking and motivated family ready to compete and win championships.
 
Andrew Gillman
TE | Northfield, N.J. | Mainland Regional
 
High School: Lettered in varsity football all four years at Mainland Regional High School … Helped lead team to three sectional football championships and a state championship in 2023 … Also lettered in basketball.
Personal: Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business … Played football with Penn teammate Nate Kashey in high school.
Why Penn? I chose the University of Pennsylvania because it offers the perfect balance of elite academics, competitive football, and a strong sense of community where I can grow both in the classroom and on the field.
 
Cam Hughes
DB | Palos Verdes, Calif. | Palos Verdes
 
High School: Played football at Servite and Palos Verdes High School … Lettered three years in football and all four in track … Helped lead Palos Verdes to CIF Division 5 and Division 2AA California state championships … Named Comeback Player of the Year.
Personal: Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Why Penn? I chose Penn because of the coaching staff and the opportunity to receive a great education.
 
Gavin Jeffries
DL | Alexandria, Va. | Deerfield Academy
 
High School: Played varsity football at Pace Academy and Deerfield Academy … Captain his junior and senior seasons … 2024 Honorable Mention GHSA All-Region … 2025 First Team GHSA All-Region … 2026 All-NEPSAC … Also lettered in basketball, helping lead team to 2023 GHSA 4A state championship … 2024 Georgia Scout Smart All-American.
Personal: Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences … Played high school with Jaydon Avery and Luke Flowers.
Why Penn? The coaches truly made me feel at home and that Penn would help me grow as a person, student, and athlete. The team was also very welcoming and made me feel like I was part of a true brotherhood. To be honest, I think that Penn is the best school in the country.
 
Nate Kashey
P/K | Northfield, N.J. | Mainland Regional
 
High School: Four-year varsity letterwinner at Mainland Regional High School … Helped lead team to 2022, 23, 24, and 25 Cape Atlantic League championships, 2022, 24, and 25 South Jersey championships, and a 2023 New Jersey state championship … A four-time First Team All-Conference, First Team All-County, First Team All-Courier Post, and Special team Player of the Year … Two-time First Team All-Group III (NJ) and First Team All-Atlantic County Press … Broke the New Jersey state record of made PATs with 213.
Personal: Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences … Played football with Penn teammate Andrew Gillman in high school.
Why Penn? I chose the University of Pennsylvania because of the elite academics, a strong tradition of excellence in football, and proximity to Philadelphia. Penn values long-term success over short-term performance, which allows students here to grow and succeed.
 
DJ Lee
RB | Blakely, Ga. | Early County
 
High School: Played varsity football and track and field all four years at Early County High School … Helped lead team to four-straight Region championships … Region 1A-D2 Offensive Player of the Year … WALB South GA MVP … Recruit GA First Team All-State running back … AJC First Team All-State two-way athlete … GACA First Team All-State RB … GACA First Team All-State RB … GACA All-Star Selection.
Personal: Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Why Penn? I chose Penn because it gives me the opportunity to play high-level football while also getting a top-tier education. That is something that has been a dream of mine since my childhood days. After visiting with the players and coaches, it felt like the right fit for me as a player and student, and I know that it will set me up for success both on and off the field.
 
Jack Nelin
DL | Mooresville, N.C. | Mooresville
 
High School: Played three years of varsity football at Mooresville High School … Helped lead team to 2026 North Piedmont Conference championship … 2024 Trenches Player of the Year
Personal: Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business
Why Penn? Penn has such an esteemed reputation, and being in a great city, it seemed like the perfect fit to continue my athletic and academic career.
 
Josh Owens
DB | Ellenwood, Ga. | Arabia Mountain Stonecrest
 
High School: Played football at Arabia Mountain Stonecrest … Captain his junior and senior seasons … Helped lead team to 2023 5A Region championship … Earned 2024 and 25 All-Region and All-County honors.
Personal: Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences … Related to NFL player Bryce Oliver.
Why Penn? I chose the University of Pennsylvania because it just felt like the right place for me. Even though I'm in the College of Arts and Sciences, I like the fact that I'm not boxed into one path. I can figure things out, build a strong foundation, and still move toward finance.
 
Foard Polley
OL | Houston, Texas | Stratford
 
High School: Three-year varsity starter at Stratford High School … Captain his senior season … First Team All-District his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons … 2025 Texas High School Coaches' Association Honorable Mention … 2025 Touchdown Club of Houston pre-season team.
Personal: Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business … Brother plays football at Baylor.
Why Penn? I chose Penn because the moment I stepped on campus, it felt like home. There's no place where I'd rather earn a world-class education while playing football.
 
Chris Pugh
LB | Virginia Beach, Va. | Tallwood
 
High School: Played varsity football at Tallwood High School.
Why Penn? I thought Penn would be a good place to start getting my name out to showcase my abilities and qualities as a student-athlete.
 
Aaron Radke
LB | Belmont, Mass. | St. John's Preparatory
 
High School: Played varsity football all four years at St. John's Preparatory … Helped lead team to 2022 MIAA state championship … Also ran track and field, holding the Massachusetts 4x100 meter relay state record.
Personal: Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Why Penn? I want to win championships at a great school in a great city.
 
Jack Sacchetti
DL | Ball Ground, Ga. | West Forsyth 
 
High School: Played varsity football all four years at West Forsyth High School … Captain his senior season … Helped lead school to regional football, wrestling, and baseball championships … Three-time 6A All-Region honoree … 2025 Defensive Player of the Year.
Personal: Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business … Brother Luke plays football at Penn … Played high school football with teammate Mason Page.
Why Penn? I chose Penn because of Wharton's academic prestige, the football program's championship potential, and the chance to play alongside my brother.
 
Jorel Sahay
DB | Kelowna, British Columbia | Football North Canada
 
High School: Played varsity football for Football North Canada … Helped lead team to three-straight East Coast Power Prep championships … ECPP All- Star … 2025 Defensive Player of the Year.
Personal: Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences … Played high school football with Penn teammate Ronan Johannson.
Why Penn? To join a family of high-level players and scholars ready to build on the future.
 
Patrick Smith
LB | Mt. Lebanon, Pa. | Mt. Lebanon
 
High School: Four-year letterwinner at Mt. Lebanon High School … Captain his junior and senior seasons … Two-time WPIAL 6A All-Conference honoree … 2026 WPIAL 6A Player of the Year … Three-year letterwinner in track and field and basketball.
Personal: Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business … Father played football at Navy and Villanova … Sisters ran track and field at Columbia and Villanova … Brother played baseball at Harvard … Cousin Leah Smith won a gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in the 4x200 medley relay.
Why Penn? It is a center of excellence that trains students for greatness in athletics and academics.
 
Vincent Smith
QB | San Diego, Calif. | Saint Augustine
 
High School: Two-year letterwinner at Saint Augustine High School … Captain his junior and senior seasons … Helped team to the 2024 Division 3 CIF San Diego Section championship and California state semifinals.
Personal: Father played football at San Diego State.
Why Penn? I chose Penn because it's one of the few places where I can compete at a high level on the field while being pushed to the highest academic standards. As a quarterback, I'm drawn to environments that demand discipline, preparation, and leadership, and Penn represents that in every way. Penn gives me the chance to grow as both a player and a person, and that's exactly what I was looking for.
 
Crawford Taylor
DL | Southlake, Texas | Southlake Carroll
 
High School: Played varsity football at Southlake Carroll High School … Helped lead team to district, bi-district, area, regional, and regional semifinal championships in 2024 and 2025 … Team made the 2024 state semifinal championships … District 4-6A Defensive Lineman of the Year … District 4-6A First Team All-District … Fort Worth Star Telegram First Team All-Area … Padilla Poll Second Team All-State … TSWA All-State Honorable Mention … Second Team All-Academic All-State.
Personal: Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business … Grandfather played football at Texas A&M.
Why Penn? I chose Penn due to its otherworldly culture. Penn has a unique dynamic of extreme competitiveness both in the classroom and on the field. That's how greatness is forged, and it's something I want to be a part of and contribute to.
 
Miles Teodecki
QB | Austin, Texas | Vandegrift
 
High School: Two-year letterwinner at Vandegrift High School … Helped lead team to 2024 6A Texas State and District 25-6A championships and 2025 6A Regional and District 25-6A championships … 6A Super Elite Team … Podilla Poll 6A Offensive Player of the Year … Texas High School State Championship Offensive MVP … All-Central Texas First Team … District 25-6A Offensive MVP … All-Central Texas First Team … District 25-6A First Team … Winning quarterback at Vandegrift with a 27-4 record.
Personal: Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business … Brother pls soccer at Trinity … Father played football at Penn … Mother swam at Michigan … Grandfather played football at Army … Played high school football with Crawford Taylor.
Why Penn? I chose Penn because of the unique opportunity to reach my full potential both athletically and academically. I believe in Coach Santos and his staff. I know that they are going to accomplish great things, and I want to be a part of it.
 
Owen van der Veen
WR | Grand Rapids, Mich. | East Kentwood
 
High School: Played varsity football, track and field, and golf at East Kentwood High School.
Personal: Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Why Penn? I loved the atmosphere and the coaches; it felt like home.
 
Joe Weiler
OL | Lake Oswego, Ore. | Lakeridge
 
High School: Played varsity football at Lakeridge High School … Captain his senior season … Three-time All-Conference and All-Region honoree … Also played basketball.
Personal: Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences … Brother plays football at Williams College.
Why Penn? The balance between academic excellence and competitive football was exactly what I was looking for, and not many places can genuinely offer both at the same level. Penn's football program has a real tradition and standard of excellence that stood out to me. I wanted to be in an environment that would challenge me and make me better in every aspect of my life. Coach Santos' vision resonated with me personally, and I trust the direction he is taking the program.
 
Maddox Welborn
OL | Rogers, Ark. | Shiloh Christian School
 
High School: Helped lead Shilon Christian to a 6a Arkansas State Championship … Tallied 304 career pancakes, while allowing only three sacks on 1,187 career pass attempts … Captain his senior season … Earned All-State and the Trenches Award.
Personal: Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
Why Penn? I chose Penn not only for its consistently strong football program but also for its elite academics and strong social background.