2025 Princeton Football Preview: Defense and Special Teams

By Craig Sachson
PrincetonTigersFootball.com

The injury bug bit the Princeton defense in 2024. Then it bit it again, and again, and eventually it invited a group of friends over for a biting party. It made for an unpleasant fall for a Tiger team with high aspirations. The silver lining, however, might be apparent one season later.

"You don't want injuries, certainly not like the way we had them last year," said head coach Bob Surace, who will enter his 15th season as head coach this weekend. "When they do occur, it forces guys to get varsity snaps, maybe a bit before they're ready. We look around now and we have position groups loaded with starting experience."

That defense will look to slow down the University of San Diego this Saturday at 12 pm on Powers Field. Here is a preview of the 2025 Princeton defense and special teams.

Defensive Line

"This is a really deep group, similar to our wide receivers," Surace said of his defensive line. "There are a lot of guys who could contribute this fall. The big difference between the defensive linemen and the receivers is that these linemen have played much more due to injuries, so they have that to build on."

The senior trio of Charlie Lingon, Aaron Richard and Bakari Edwards enters the season with plenty of experience. Richard and Edwards both have started in the past, and Richard has the second-most tackles by a returning lineman this season (14). Junior London Robinson was a starter who made eight tackles in the first three games before suffering an injury. Junior Rocco Marcelino started in two different defensive line spots, and his 19 tackles are the most for any returner. Junior Caden Wright started games last season and scored against Penn in the season finale.

Knowing how critical depth at the position is, Surace has been pleased to see the sophomore group of Dane Borene, Chris Oliver, Will Sather, and Dustan Mark pushing for playing time.

"I'm confident there are 9-10 guys who are above the line," Surace said. "We have the depth we need. Do we have a Sam Wright? Do we have a Mike Catapano? If we do, that makes our job easier. If not, we have the players, but we'll need to figure out the rotations."

Linebackers

The most likely duo of starting inside linebackers for Princeton this season weren't playing that position entering last season. Not only did senior Marco Scarano and junior Chase Christopher thrive when injuries forced their move inside, but they impressed the rest of the league enough to earn All-Ivy recognition.

Surace thought Scarano was on his way to an All-Ivy League season at outside linebacker by the middle of the 2024 season. Entering the Week 8 matchup with Dartmouth, the defensive coaches learned of a late injury scratch at inside linebacker, and they gave Scarano the first shot at the position. He made 16 tackles in that game, and added nine more in the season finale win over Penn.

"He's got such an energy," Surace said. "He's such a smart player as well. He learned everything he needed for the position in no time, and he was dominant those last three weeks. We know we can play him inside or outside going into this year."

The coaches always believed in Christopher's talent, but he was still learning the defense early last season and wasn't communicating quite at the level the coaches wanted. Necessity forced Christopher's move inside earlier than expected, but Surace couldn't have been more satisfied with how he handled it.

"Sometimes you get thrown into the fire and you just get it," Surace said after Christopher led the team with 72 tackles. "He figured it out and never looked back."

Senior Sekou Roland was a Day 1 starter last season and looked brilliant in the opening minutes against Lehigh before suffering an injury that first hampered him, and then ended his season. Classmate Will Beesley wasn't any luckier in the injury department, as he only played in four games before going out. Junior Tyler Morris played in eight games last year and could factor in the rotation.

Senior Jalen Jones played in all 10 games as an outside linebacker last season and has made strong progress since then, while sophomores Connor Cronin and Stephen Ordille, as well as junior Jay Mentink are battling for time at that position.

As a freshman, AJ Pigford made a quick name for himself at the rush linebacker position. A two-time Ivy League Rookie of the Week, Pigford led Princeton in tackles for loss (7.5) and sacks (4.5), and he ended the season with 22 tackles while playing in all 10 games. Junior Robert Sanders and sophomores Jake Moore have both had strong offseasons.

Defensive Backs

One area Surace feels particularly comfortable in is the defensive backfield, where he has guys with more than just limited playing experience. He has a bevy of full-time starters he trusts to defend any offense on the schedule.

The back line features two senior returning starters in safeties Nasir Hill and Tahj Owens, who combined for 124 tackles last season. Hill, a two-time All-Ivy League selection, has averaged over six tackles per game over the last two seasons, while Owens had 65 tackles and three pass breakups last year. The junior duo of Kavon Miller and Kyler Ronquillo give Princeton two reliable backups at the position as well.

Junior Glenie Cross III earned major playing time at cornerback as soon as he stepped on the Princeton campus, but he played only two games last season due to injury. Junior Torian Roberts became a starter during the 2024 season, and ended the year with 21 tackles and a team-best three interceptions. Classmate Evan Haynie also earned a handful of starts last season and posted a team-best five pass breakups. Sophomore Casey Etienne, Jr. has the attention of the defensive coaches; while he is still learning the position, his athleticism has game-breaking potential.

Seniors Solomon Williams and Samy Lamothe add to the depth in the backfield, but they have also become critical special teams players for the Tigers.

Special Teams

Speaking of special teams, Surace has been testing out three new potential kickers throughout the offseason. Junior Esteban Nunez Perez, a former soccer player, has shown the type of consistency and work ethic that has earned trust from the coaches. Sophomore Will Cluskey has a very strong leg and is working on his consistency, while freshman Vaughn Lennon has had a very strong camp and is competing for time at both kicker and punter.

Junior Brady Clark returns as Princeton's All-Ivy punter. He averaged 42.6 yards per punt last season, and he sent nine punts over 50 yards, including a season-best of 70.

Senior Logan Rager and sophomore Luke Gnepper will compete for time at long snapper.

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2025 Princeton Football Preview: Defense and Special Teams

Players Mentioned

Will Beesley

Dane Borene

Chase Christopher

Brady Clark

Will Cluskey

Connor Cronin

Glenie Cross III

Bakari Edwards

Casey Etienne, Jr.

Luke Gnepper

Evan Haynie

Nasir Hill

Jalen Jones

Samy Lamothe

Vaughn Lennon

Charlie Lingon

Rocco Marcelino

Dustan Mark

Jay Mentink

Kavon Miller

Jake Moore

Tyler Morris

Esteban Nunez Perez

Chris Oliver

Stephen Ordille

Tahj Owens

AJ Pigford

Logan Rager

Aaron Richard

Torian Roberts

London Robinson

Sekou Roland

Kyler Ronquillo

Robert Sanders

Will Sather

Marco Scarano

Solomon Williams

Caden Wright

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