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Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Football Welcomes Talented 31 Into Class Of '19; Surace Comments On Defense
May 13, 2015 | Football
SPRING FOOTBALL VIDEO RECAPS: Offense l Defense
Bob Surace, the Charles W. Caldwell Jr. '25 Head Coach of Football, has returned Princeton football into the elite class of Ivy League programs by consistently recruiting depth and talent across the board. He introduces his newest group, an exciting 31 that comprises his Class of 2019, and he speaks about his defensive/special teams newcomers in the third video interview on GoPrincetonTigers.TV this month.
You can watch Surace discuss half of his incoming class by hitting the play link above. His comments on the offensive recruits will be posted next week.
If you missed his recap of the current Princeton players from the past spring, you can find those links above as well.
The coaching staff brought in talent at every position, including seven offensive lineman and five players at both the linebacker and defensive backfield positions.
QB: Dunsford
RB: Smith, Volker
WR: Argue, Carlson, Horsted, Parkinson, Siragusa
TE: Adomitis
OL: Attea, Bourque, Corso, Ivanisevic, McPherson, Petticord, Ryan
DL: DeMarco, Gearon, Lane, Strain
LB: Johnson, McFadden, Rudinski, Simcox, Wagner
DB: Ellis, Novello, Schneider, Stern, Stewart
Special Teams: Mejia
Below are the bios of the Princeton Football Class of 2019:
Graham Adomitis
TE • 6-4, 230 • Ross Township, Pa.
Pittsburgh Central Catholic
At Pittsburgh Central Catholic — earned Big 33 all-state tight end honors … selected for 2015 Big 33 Football Classic … named WPIAL all-conference tight end in both 2013 and 2014 … led team to 2013 state final and league title; team was league runner-up in 2014 … team captain … also played quarterback and linebacker … lettered in basketball … member of the National Honor Society.
Personal — born Aug. 15, 1996 … son of Andy and Katherine Adomitis … has an older brother Austin and a younger brother Callen … enjoys fishing, boating and music … plans to study economics or politics at Princeton.
Jordan Argue
WR • 6-2, 180 • Hartland, Wis.
Arrowhead
At Arrowhead — led conference in receiving with 33 catches for 686 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior … helped Arrowhead to 2012 and 2013 state championships; team made 2014 state final … also played running back, quarterback and defensive back … member of the leadership council in both junior and senior years … earned all-state honors in track … earned 4.0 GPA Academic Honor Roll each year.
Personal — born Aug. 16, 1996 … son of Erik and Susan Argue … has a younger sister Chloe and a younger brother Collin … enjoys fishing, boating and working out … plans to study financial engineering or economics at Princeton.
George Attea
OL • 6-3, 270 • East Amherst, N.Y.
Williamsville North
At Williamsville North — earned All-New York honors twice in his career … two-time first-team all-league and All-Western New York honoree … recipient of the Trench Trophy Underclassman Award … led team to 2013 New York state final and sectional title; 2014 team reached sectional semifinal … played in the Kensington Lions North-South Football Game … two-year captain in both football and basketball … helped basketball team to the Erie County Interscholastic Conference title … First-Team All-Western New York Football Scholar-Athlete honoree … Channel4 Scholar-Athlete of the Month … LEAP Club member (Leaders in Environmental Awareness and Protection).
Personal — born June 6, 1997 … son of John and Maria Attea … father played football at Canisius … has two older sisters, Rachel and Nicole; the latter plays volleyball at the University of Arizona … enjoys fishing, basketball and hiking … considering several areas of study at Princeton, including biology, history or environmental studies.
Bradley Bourque
OL • 6-2, 255 • Neptune Beach, Fla.
Duncan U. Fletcher
At Duncan U. Fletcher — earned all-state honors as a left tackle and defensive end … earned first-team all-area and second-team all-region honors as a senior … recorded over 100 pancake blocks senior year … three-time all-district and two-time all-region honoree … led team to state semifinal and selected for all-star game … three-year two-way starter … team captain … also lettered in track & field … four-time Academic All-District honoree … Gateway Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year … First-Team Academic All-State … local news Scholar Athlete of the Week … Mu-Alpha Theta … member of the National Honor Society.
Personal — born March 25, 1996 … son of Jason Reynolds and Leigh Reynolds … has a younger brother Merritt Reynolds … has two family members who played football at the University of Florida … interested in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu … plans to study Operations Research and Financial Engineering.
Stephen Carlson
WR • 6-4, 190 • Jamestown, N.Y.
Jamestown
At Jamestown — two-time first-team all-state and all-league honoree … Post-Journal Player of the Year … Connolly Cup recipient as the Most Outstanding Player in Western New York … also played linebacker and strong safety … ended career with more than 2,400 receiving yards and 136 tackles … led team to 2014 state championship as captain; team also won 2013 sectional title … lettered in basketball and led team to 2014 state championship game, as well as three straight sectional titles … earned All-ECIC Division I first-team honors … recipient of the New York State Senate Youth Leadership Award … class president … 2014 Section IV Scholar Athlete of the Year … AP Scholar Award recipient … member of the All-Western New York Scholar-Athlete football team … member of the National Honor Society.
Personal — born Dec. 12, 1996 … son of John and Susan Carlson … has an older brother Christopher … enjoys the saxophone and basketball … plans to study bioengineering at Princeton.
Jack Corso
OL • 6-3, 255 • Leesburg, Va.
Tuscarora
At Tuscarora — first-team all-state, all-region and all-conference honoree … led team to state final and 14-1 record as a senior; team won both the conference and regional title … played both offensive and defensive line … three-year team captain … also competed in track and field and placed seventh at regionals … member of the National Honor Society and the Science National Honor Society.
Personal — born Aug. 29, 1997 … son of Bill and Adrienne Corso … has an older brother Andrew … interested in marine sciences … enjoys weightlifting, spearfishing and snorkeling … plans to study Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
Joey DeMarco
DL • 6-5, 240 • Del Mar, Calif.
Torrey Pines
At Torrey Pines — earned first-team all-league honors on defense; also earned all-league honors as an offensive lineman … named the Torrey Pines 2014 Defensive Player of the Year … CalHiSports Southern California Defensive Player of the Week and 1090 AM Sports Radio Male Athlete of the Week … lead team in sacks as a senior … helped team to CIF playoffs … KUSI TV PPR Iron Hog Award nominee … all-county honoree in shot put; PR (55') ranked second in county … placed third in 2014 San Diego County CIF Championships … Torrey Pines Field Athlete of the Year … AP Scholar with Honors … three-time San Diego Union Tribune Scholar-Athlete honoree … Torrey Pines Scholar-Athlete.
Personal — born Jan. 11, 1997 … son of Ralph and Laura DeMarco … has three older sisters: Amanda, Catherine and Claire; and a younger sister Anne … enjoys sports and traveling … plans to study economics at Princeton.
Keaton Dunsford
QB • 6-4, 220 • Calistoga, Calif.
Cardinal Newman
At Cardinal Newman — set season passing record in 2014 with 3,013 yards … ranked among the Top 10 quarterback in California in preseason ranking by CalHiSports.com … earned First-Team All-Redwood Empire honors as a senior … named an “Elite 11” participant and semifinalist; considered by Elite 11 coaches one of the Top 25 quarterbacks in the country in the Class of 2015 … earned Cardinal Newman Athletic Award … led team to two CIF quarterfinals and one semifinal … team captain … did a PG year at Phillips Exeter Acedemy after he was one of eight recipients (out of 437 applicants) to receive the “Phelps Scholar-Athlete Award,” which is designated for individuals who are “committed to academic excellence and competitive athletic spirit” … CIF Scholar-Athlete honoree.
Personal — born Aug. 28, 1996 … son of Michael Dunsford and Sara Livermore … has a younger sister Ella … interested in entrepreneurship, the sciences and education.
Benjamin Ellis
DB • 6-1, 190 • Memphis, Tenn.
Briarcrest Christian School
At Briarcrest Christian School — two-time all-region honoree, including a first-team selection during senior year … named to Metro “Best of Preps” list in 2014 … played both safety and quarterback … selected to the Liberty Bowl All-Star Game … two-time team captain … two-time all-region and 2013 all-state selection in baseball … member of the National Honor Society and the National Science Honor Society … student body president.
Personal — born April 4, 1997 … son of Clay and Cheryl Ellis … has two younger brothers, Bradley and Will … enjoys hunting and fishing … plans to study economics at Princeton.
John Gearon
DL • 6-4, 240 • Atlanta, Ga.
The Lovett School
At The Lovett School — earned all-area honors while playing on the defensive line, as well as rush linebacker and tight end … earned the team's Most Improved Defensive Player honor … helped team to 2012 state championship … named team captain in both football and basketball.
Personal — born Jan. 11, 1997 … son of Michael and Lauren Gearon … has two younger sisters, Lindy and Bailey … enjoys reading and history … choosing between studying economics, history, or politics at Princeton.
Jesper Horsted
WR • 6-4, 200 • Shoreview, Minn.
Roseville Area
At Roseville Area — named the 2015 Minnesota High School Athlete of the Year by the St. Paul Pioneer Press; previous winners have included Joe Mauer, Paul Molitor, Dave Winfield, and Tyus Jones … holds Minnesota state record for single-game receptions (19 for 293 yards), which he set in the 2013 state playoffs … earned first-team all-state, all-metro and all-conference honors … ranked sixth nationally in receiving stats for his class in 2013-14 (82 catches for 1484 yards and 19 touchdowns) … led team to 2013 conference title and state quarterfinal … team captain in both football and baseball … ended junior baseball season with .596 batting average (second-best in state) and 34 hits (fourth-best) [NOTE — will also play baseball at Princeton] … earned all-conference honors in basketball, where he ranked in the Top 10 in the state in rebounding twice … National Honor Society member … Academic All-State honoree.
Personal — born Feb. 27, 1997 … son of Kirk Horsted and Kyia Downing … has a younger sister Elsa … enjoys travel, fishing and camping … may study either humanities or social sciences at Princeton.
Stefan Ivanisevic
OL • 6-5, 275 • Hinsdale, Ill.
Hinsdale Central
At Hinsdale Central — earned all-conference and all-area honors on the offensive line … led team to postseason … also lettered in track and wrestling … earned IHSA Scholar-Athlete honor.
Personal — born Feb. 7, 1997 … son of Dan and Donna Ivanisevic … has two brothers, Niko and Marko … plans to study economics at Princeton.
Thomas Johnson
LB • 6-0, 190 • Moorestown, N.J.
St. Joseph's Prep
At St. Joseph's Prep — led team to both 2013 and 2014 PIAA state championships … named to the PCL All-Catholic First Team … played both linebacker and safety … team captain on both state championship teams … two-year captain and all-league honoree in wrestling … received National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame, as well as Philadelphia Area Chapter, Scholar-Athlete honors … member of the National Honor Society.
Personal — born Feb. 11, 1997 … son of Paul and Regina Johnson … father played football at Holy Cross; uncle Matt Johnson played football at Penn State … has an older brother Paul and two younger brothers, James and Liam; Paul plays football at Amherst … enjoys music and fishing … undecided on area of study.
Simeon Lane
DL • 6-1, 290 • Cincinnati, Ohio
St. Xavier
At St. Xavier — earned All-Ohio honors, as well as all-region and all-conference honors, as a defensive tackle and nose guard … led team to league conference championship … selected for the North-South All-Star Game … team captain … also lettered in wrestling … National Football Foundation “That's My Boy” Award recipient … president of the Chinese Language and Culture Club.
Personal — born Sept. 24, 1996 … son of Wayne and Christole Lane … has two older siblings, Curtis and Chazmyn … enjoys yoga, fishing and canoeing … plans to study economics.
Jake McFadden
LB • 6-1, 200 • London, Ken.
North Laurel
At North Laurel — led Kentucky in tackles as a sophomore, junior and senior, with at least 120 each season … three-time all-district and Tri-County first-team honoree … also earned a pair of all-region honors and all-state honorable mention while playing linebacker, defensive end, running back and fullback … finished fifth in the state in rushing as a senior (1512 yards and 14 touchdowns on 148 carries) … helped North Laurel to first playoff win in school history … two-time team captain … also lettered in track & field, where he was named Team MVP … member of the National Honor Society and the Beta Club … Penn Station Athlete of the Year.
Personal — born July 20, 1996 … son of Don and Lisa McFadden … has an older brother Clay and an older sister Courtney … enjoys skeet/trap shooting … plans to study computer science.
Maxwell McPherson
OL • 6-6, 270 • Las Vegas, Nev.
Faith Lutheran
At Faith Lutheran — earned second-team all-state, as well as first-team all-league and all-region honors, during senior season; earned first-team all-region honors as a junior on both sides of the ball … played both offensive tackle and defensive end … led team to 2013 state championship, as well as 2014 league championship … also lettered in track & field … class valedictorian … three-time academic all-state honoree … Spanish Honor Society treasurer … Class and Executive Treasurer … president and founder of the Mu Alpha Theta Chapter at school … member of the National Honor Society … volunteer for the Bureau of Land Management … honoree for Outstanding Academic Achievement in both Mathematics and Science.
Personal — born June 7, 1997 … son of Brad and Jeanette McPherson … father played football at Ohio State … has a younger brother Zachary … enjoys community service, such as developing groups to help the community … plans to study either computer science or biology.
Steven Mejia
PK/P • 5-10, 170 • Doral, Fla.
Ronald Reagan Doral
At Ronald Reagan Doral — earned 4.5-star recruit status for kicking/punting by Kohl's kicking national rankings … state finalist in the Wendy's High School Heisman Competition … earned all-district honors … earned outstanding academic/athletic achievement honor in Doral … became first Division I or Ivy League signee from school … member of the National Honor Society.
Personal — born July 6, 1997 … son of John Jairo Mejia and Gloria Maria Holguin … has an older brother John … enjoys weightlifting and soccer … plans to study economics at Princeton.
Ben Novello
DB • 6-0, 160 • Tampa, Fla.
Berkeley Prep
At Berkeley Prep — earned all-county honors in the defensive backfield … led team in tackles two different years … led team to playoffs every year, including one trip to state semifinal … team captain … also lettered in soccer and track & field … earned district titles in both long jump and 4x100 … president of the National Chinese Honor Society … member of the National Honor Society … member of the Headmaster's List each year.
Personal — born Aug. 20, 1996 … son of Ben and Beth Novello … has a younger brother Nick and a younger sister Gigi … enjoys hunting, boating and fishing … plans to study Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
Alex Parkinson
WR • 6-5, 205 • Mamaroneck, N.Y.
Mamaroneck
At Mamaroneck — selected to the Journal News Super 11 Team … earned All-New York honors … all-county, all-section and all-league honoree … played wide receiver and safety … caught 21 passes for 327 yards and five touchdowns; added 87 tackles, seven passes defensed and two interceptions on defense … led team to first playoff win in school history … played in Section 1 Senior All-Star Game … team reached sectional semifinal … lettered in basketball and track … served as team captain in both football and basketball … earned all-league honors for high jump in track … earned Golden Dozen Honorable Mention.
Personal — born March 20, 1997 … son of John and Laurie Parkinson … has an older brother Will and two younger brothers, Charlie and Matt … Will plays football at Cortland State … considering studying history at Princeton.
Dan Petticord
OL • 6-2, 250 • Lakewood, Ohio
St. Edward
At St. Edward — named one of the Top 100 players in Northeastern Ohio, including one of nine offensive linemen on the list … lettered two years while playing every position on the offensive line, as well as defensive tackle and nose tackle … helped St. Edward win state championship … team captain … National Merit Finalist … twice named French Student of the Year … member of the National Honor Society.
Personal — born Sept. 6, 1997 … son of Daniel and Jennifer Petticord … father played football at Bucknell … has a younger sister Marisa … enjoys reading, playing X-Box and movies … plans to study molecular biology.
Edward Rudinski
LB • 6-3, 220 • Santa Monica, Calif.
Oaks Christian
At Oaks Christian — named one of the Top 10 linebackers by the Los Angeles Times … two-time first-team all-league honoree … led team to Pac-5 playoffs each season … besides linebacker, played multiple offensive positions, including tight end and slot receiver … team captain … lettered in basketball and track.
Personal — born Feb. 23, 1997 … son of Richelle Rudinski … enjoys listening to and producing music, as well as writing … considering studying economics at Princeton.
Christopher Ryan
OL • 6-7, 235 • Lombard, Ill.
Glenbard East
At Glenbard East — earned all-state honors while playing offensive tackle … two-time all-conference honoree; also earned all-area honors … posted a 94% block completion on the offensive line … also lettered in basketball … academic all-conference in basketball … academic all-state and two-time academic all-conference honoree … member of the National Honor Society.
Personal — born Sept. 17, 1996 … son of Daniel and Kathleen Ryan … has two younger sisters, Meghan and Emily, and a younger brother Sean … enjoys music … plans to study Civic Engineering.
Trent Schneider
DB • 5-9, 170 • The Woodlands, Texas
The Woodlands
At The Woodlands — two-time first-team all-district and all-county honoree … recorded 171 tackles, 28 passes defensed and eight interceptions … led team to district and area championship in 2013 … team captain … academic all-state honoree … first-team academic all-district … Touchdown Club of Houston Football Scholar-Athlete finalist … Duke TIP Scholar … member of the National Honor Society.
Personal — born Nov. 5, 1996 … son of Rob and Tresa Schneider … enjoys sports, music and reading … plans to study either philosophy or psychology.
Jackson Simcox
LB • 5-10, 200 • Westfield, NJ
Westfield
At Westfield — named the Courier News 2014 Defensive Player of the Year … chosen to the NJFCA Super 100 all-state team … earned all-area, all-league and All-Group 5 honors … ended career with 328 total tackles … selected to the Phil Simms North-South All-Star Football Classic … led team to state semifinal for first time in five years … became first freshman to start a game at linebacker in program history … captain of both the football and lacrosse teams … earned all-state honors in lacrosse.
Personal — born Jan. 21, 1997 … son of Steve and Lisa Simcox … father played football at Princeton and is a member of the Class of 1983 … enjoys golfing … undecided on area of study at Princeton.
Anthony Siragusa
WR • 6-0, 200 • Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Walsh Jesuit
At Walsh Jesuit — earned all-state and all-district honors … caught 28 passes for 411 yards and two touchdowns over final two seasons … also played linebacker/safety and recorded 76 tackles … selected to play in the Summit County All-Star Game … helped team win two league championships … earned team's Most Valuable Defensive Back and Most Valuable Receiver honors … member of the National Honor Society.
Personal — born Dec. 2, 1996 … son of Mike and Colleen Siragusa … father played football at Ohio University and the New England Patriots … has an older sister Allison, an older brother Michael and a younger sister Katelyn; Michael plays football at Yale … enjoys working out, swimming and watching Netflix … plans to study economics.
Cody Smith
RB • 6-0, 235 • Lincoln University, Pa.
Bishop Shanahan
At Bishop Shanahan — ranked in the Philadelphia Inquirer Top 100 in Southeastern Philadelphia … earned all-state and all-area honors … three-time all-league honoree … member of the Sports Recruiters Top PA Offensive Class of 2015 players … preseason all-state honoree … led 2013 team to most single-season wins in school history; led 2014 team to second round of district playoffs for first time in school history … two-year team captain … received the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Inc. Philadelphia Area Chapter Football Scholar-Athlete Award … will participated in the Chesmont League Valor Bowl, a charity football game that raises money for kids with disabilities.
Personal — born April 17, 1997 … son of Steve and Bonnie Smith … grandfather played football at Bucknell … enjoys playing the guitar, boating and golfing … plans to study engineering.
Eli Stern
DB • 6-1, 180 • Los Angeles, Calif.
Brentwood School
At Brentwood School — two-time first-team all-league honoree … listed among the Los Angeles Times Surprise Performers … Daily News Player to Watch … first-team All-CIF utility player … played multiple positions on both sides of the ball … accounted for 32 touchdowns and more than 3,000 yards of total offense as a senior; led league in both passing and rushing yards … led California in interceptions among freshmen (2011) … four-year starter … lettered in both lacrosse and baseball … earned all-league honors in lacrosse … member of the Cum Laude Society … National Merit Scholar … member of the National Society of High School Scholars … YoungArts Honorable Mention in Cinematic Arts … president of the Admissions Ambassadors … Volunteer of the Year in the Challenger Division.
Personal — born Oct. 14, 1996 … son of Jay and Vicki Stern … father played football at Yale … enjoys filmmaking, ping-pong and bodysurfing … considering multiple areas of study, including economics, philosophy, creative writing and film.
Brett Stewart
DB • 5-11, 175 • Garden City, N.Y.
Garden City
At Garden City — earned all-state honors … two-time All-Nassau County and All-Long Island honoree … broke several major single-season and career passing records … guided team to 2012 Long Island championship … did a PG year at Deerfield Academy and was named team MVP … played in the 2014 United Healthcare Empire Challenge … team captain at both Garden City and Deerfield … academic all-conference honoree … selected to the National Football Foundation “Golden Eleven” team for Nassau County.
Personal — born Oct. 16, 1996 … son of Jeffrey and Pamela Stewart … has an older brother Ryan … grandfather played football for both Tennessee and Maryland, and then in the NFL for the Chicago Bears … enjoys golfing, fishing and video games … plans to study economics.
Jake Strain
DL • 6-2, 240 • Springfield, Pa.
St. Joseph's Prep
At St. Joseph's Prep — earned all-state and all-city honors while playing both defensive end and defensive tackle … two-time first-team All-Catholic League honoree … led team to 2013 and 2014 state championships … team captain … member of the National Honor Society.
Personal — born May 25, 1997 … son of Jim and Nancy Strain … has an older brother Ryan and a younger sister Jamie … brother plays football at Wesley College … enjoys playing guitar and fishing … plans to study bioengineering.
Charles Volker
RB • 5-10, 205 • Fair Haven, N.J.
Rumson-Fair Haven
At Rumson Fair-Haven — earned all-state honors after ranking second in New Jersey with 2,108 rushing yards on 278 carries … earned Shore Conference and Monmouth County Player of the Year honors … two-time all-division and all-shore honoree … 2014 N.J. All-Zone running back … accounted for 3,508 combined yards and 42 touchdowns in final two seasons … averaged 7.6 yards per catch … led team to two state championships … selected to All-Shore all-star team … captain for both the football and track teams … all-state honoree in track and four-year anchor of 4x100 relay … country champion in the 100 and 200 … recipient of the President's Gold and Silver Awards … Sportsmanship Award finalist … National Honor Society and Peer Leader at Rumson-Fair Haven … 2014 Dwight D. Eisenhower Award recipient.
Personal — born May 23, 1997 … son of Chuck and Lynn Volker … has an older sister Emily, a younger sister Megan and a younger brother John … enjoys sports … undecided on area of study.
Mike Wagner
LB • 6-1, 200 • Victor, N.Y.
Victor
At Victor — named All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year … earned second-team all-state honors … Daily Messenger and league Player of the Year … sectional finals MVP … recorded more than 5,500 total yards and 58 touchdowns at quarterback; played free safety on defense … led team to 2014 league and sectional titles … two-year football captain and 2015 baseball captain … led baseball to 2014 state title and three sectional titles … member of the National Honor Society … Scholar-Athlete Award recipient.
Personal — born March 4, 1997 … son of Dan and Kathleen Wagner … has two older brothers Jimmy and Tommy … enjoys music, hiking and fishing … plans to study Operations Research and Financial Engineering.