SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College football program bolstered its roster as head coach Jon Drach announced the addition of 31 talented and accomplished high school student–athletes to the program for the fall season. The dynamic incoming class features standouts in all three phases of the game. The members of the 2024 recruiting class include student–athletes from nine states – New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Texas – along with one international student-athlete from Germany. 
 
"We are thrilled to welcome these 31 young men and their families to the Union College football family," Drach said. "This is an exciting day for all of us here because it is our first recruiting class, and we had to make up a lot of ground really fast. We're adding a bunch of guys who play with a lot of intensity – they're going to treat every play like it's fourth-and-one on the goal line. What excites us most about this incoming group, though, is their character. We're confident that this group will leave their mark on Union College not only on the football field but also in the classroom and in the Schenectady community."
 
Union football will begin the 2024 season on September 6 at Utica University. A full 2024 schedule will be released next week on UnionAthletics.com and on social media.
 
Michael Barnes-Pace | @mpace52
Haverford School (PA)
DT – 6'0, 245
First-team All-Inter-Ac and honorable mention All-Delco as a senior with 50 total tackles, including 5 sacks. 
 
Jack Beacham | @JBeacham24
Notre Dame HS (NJ)
RT – 6'4, 275
Phil Simms South Team All-Star, three-time All-West Jersey Football League performer
 
Brian Blake | @BrianBlake01
Wayne Valley HS (NJ)
WR – 6'0, 200
All-North Jersey Football League performer and first-team All-County
 
Aldrich Boakye | @AldrichDimez28
Cardinal Hayes HS (NY)
MIKE – 5'11, 205
NYCHSAA State Championship team member, Impact Comeback Player of the Year 
 
Harrison Carlson | @harrycarlson73
Belmont HS (MA)
LT – 6'4, 275
Middlesex League Lineman of the Year and All-Conference honoree, Middlesex League title-winning team member
 
Max Cho | @MaxwellCho_
Westfield HS (NJ)
QB – 6'4, 200
Threw for 20 TDs and only 3 INTs with 6 rushing TDs as a senior
 
Peter Del Re | @PeterDelRe1
Westfield HS (NJ)
WR – 6'0, 170
Team's leading receiver for multiple seasons, also qualified for the national championships in the 55-meter dash 
 
Cristhian Difo | @DifoCristhian
Williston Northampton School (MA)
RG – 6'2, 280
Graduate of St. John's Prep (MA) and member of MIAA D1 State Championship team
 
Sean Donnelly | @seandon96
New Providence HS (NJ)
TE – 6'2, 225
All-Group 2 defensive lineman, All-County tight end, All-Division at both positions 
 
John Droggitis | @johndroggitis12
St. John's Preparatory School (MA)
MIKE – 5'11, 220
Member of MIAA D1 State Championship Team
 
Bryan Ermshar | @BryanErmshar68
Clear Creek HS (TX)
LG – 6'4, 265
Also threw shot put, was NASA HUNCH Participant and completed Independent Study Mentorship with NASA
 
Jordan Ewell | @jrdnewell
Hamden HS (CT)
PENNY – 5'11, 175
Had 64 total tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles, 1 INT and 1 sack as a senior
 
Owen Fernandez | @owen_fern01
Bergen Catholic HS (NJ)
LG – 6'1, 280
Member of three straight New Jersey State Championship Teams 
 
Declan Flaherty | @Dflaherty_80
Howell HS (NJ)
TE – 6'4, 235
Rotary Lombardi Award Winner, caught 12 passes for 156 yds and 1 TD, and also had 28 Tackles, 7 TFLs and 4 sacks as a senior
 
Jimmy Holmes | @Jimmy_Holmes27
Austin Preparatory School (MA)
CB – 5'11, 175
National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Football Captain, 2023 Track and Field Coaches award, 2023 Football Coaches award, Student Athlete Leadership Council
 
Florian Lietz | @florian_lietz
Avon Old Farms School (CT)
DE – 6'3, 220
From Germany, also lettered in lacrosse at Avon
 
Dominic Mazzuca | @DominicMazzuca
Canterbury School (CT)
WILL – 6'0, 210
Team MVP, All-NEPSAC, All Evergreen
 
Andrew (AJ) Mihalik | @AjMihalak
St. Paul's School (NH)
DT – 6'0, 235
All-Evergreen, All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention, Team Defensive MVP
 
Logan Miller | @LoganMi09221159
Fonda-Fultonville HS (NY)
DT – 6'1, 235
Member of Section 2 Championship team, First Team All-State DL
 
Josh Nittinger | @Joshua_Nitty
Athens Area HS (PA)
NG – 6'0, 285
First Team All-State OL, Second Team All-State DL, won over 100 high school wrestling matches
 
Connor Nizolek | @connor_nizolek
Williston Northampton School (MA)
SAF – 6'1, 180
Letter winner in both football and lacrosse, had 10 pass breakups and 1 interception
 
Peter Nizolek | @PNizolek
Noble and Greenough School (MA)
QUICK – 6'2, 215
All-ISL honoree, 64 Tackles, 9 Sacks, 12 TFLs, 3 FR, 1 INT (TD), 2 Blocked Punts
 
Zack Padron | @zackpadron2
DePaul Catholic HS (NJ)
H-Back – 6'1, 215
Had 5 receptions for 60 Yards and TD and added 35 rushing yards as a senior
 
Danny Platt | @danny_platt28
Pope John XXIII HS (NJ)
PENNY – 6'0, 180
Super Football Conference Young Man of the Year winner, National Football Foundation Award Winner
 
Jake Rose | @jakerose55230
Moses Brown HS (RI)
ILB / LS – 6'1, 205
Finished career with 158 tackles, 11 TFLs, 6 sacks and 2 forced fumbles
 
Joseph Ross | @joeross66_
Ridgewood HS (NJ)
DE – 6'2, 215
All-Super Football Conference, recorded 5.5 sacks, 10 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles in senior campaign
 
Nico Savini | @Nicosav8
Ballston Spa HS (NY)
SAF – 5'11, 190
Class A Offensive Player of the Year, All-State Honorable Mention QB, First Team Section 2AA 
 
Luke Sheehan | @LukeSheehan1010
Middletown North HS (NJ)
QB – 6'3, 190
Career Stats: 219/345, 3,092 Yards, 26 TDs, NJFCA Top 100 All-State Team, All-Shore selection
 
Jaxon Tsap | @TsapJaxon
Raritan HS (NJ)
C – 6'5, 285
All-Division Player, also served as Class President 
 
Griffin White | @Griffinwhite24
Milton HS (MA)
QUICK – 6'0, 210
Member of D3 State Championship Team, All-State DL
 
Calvin Williams | @CalvinW_77
Christ School (NC)
H-Back – 6'1, 230
All-Conference, also lettered in basketball (State Champion) and track & field