CLARION, Pa. --- The Golden Eagles football program announced the addition of 42 athletes, including seven mid-year transfers and 35 incoming freshmen, for the upcoming 2026 season.
 
"We are excited to welcome this group to Clarion as part of the next wave of Golden Eagles football players," said head coach Raymond Monica. "I have to thank our coaching staff for all of their hard work in identifying and recruiting this talented group, as well as all of the people on campus that welcomed them on their visits and showed them what Clarion has to offer."

"We believe this group has the opportunity to continue to grow our program

Breakdown by State
 

Pennsylvania	31
Ohio	6
Delaware	2
California	1
Florida	1
Maryland	1

Breakdown by Position
 

Defensive Back	11
Wide Receiver	7
Linebacker	6
Offensive Line	6
Quarterback	3
Running Back	3
Defensive Line	2
Kicker/Punter	3
Tight End	1

 
Mid-Year Transfers
 
Keith Baker
Kicker
6-0, 168
Junior
Chesapeake Bay, Md. / Calvert (Shepherd)
 
2025 (Shepherd)                                                                       

• Appeared in seven games as a sophomore
• Went 4 for 5 on field goals with a long of 34 yards
• Was 27 of 28 on extra point attempts

 
2024 (Shepherd)

• Appeared and started in all 11 games
• Connected on 28-of-29 extra points and 5-of-8 field goals for 43 points 
• His 43 points were second on the team
• Hit on 2-of-3 field goals in a win over Seton Hill in the season finale to garner PSAC East Special Teams Athlete of the Week honors.

 
High School

• First Team all-conference in the Southern Maryland Coaches Association
• First Team 2A/1A all-region from the Maryland Football Foundation
• First Team 2A/1A all-state from the Maryland Football Foundation
• Consensus first team all-state selection for the MPSSAA
• Recorded 29 touchbacks on 66 kickoff attempts
• Averaged 34.4 yards per punt with a long of 60 yards
• Competed in the Chick Fil A All-State game, kicking a 46-yard field goal
• Went 12 for 15 on field goal attempts with four makes over 40 yards, and was 47 of 48 on extra points

 
Taj Dyches
Running Back
5-8, 190
Sophomore
Philadelphia, Pa. / St. Joseph's Prep (Robert Morris)

2024 (Robert Morris)

• Appeared in three games for the Colonials

High School

• Helped his team win the 2022 state championship as well as the PCL championship
• Helped his team win the 2023 state championship as well as the PCL championship
• 2022 PCL Football First Team All-Catholic

Personal

• Criminal justice major
• Son of Tiffany and Alex Nicholson
• Has three brothers: Noah Nicholson, Tony and Tristan Dyches
• Has two sisters: Mya Nicholson, and Tiana Dyches

 
Frank Hoogerwerff
Quarterback
6-1, 195
Freshman
Avondale, Pa. / Avon Grove (Saint Francis)
 
2025

• Did not compete

High School

• All conference quarterback honorable mention
• High honor roll senior year

Personal

• Full name is Frank Lee Hoogerwerff
• Criminal justice major
• Son of Kate and Fran Hoogerwerff
• Has four brothers: Jack and James Hoogerwerff, Logan and Mason Maiden

 
Demetrius Rawson
Defensive Back
6-2, 190
Junior
Eureka, Calif. / Saint Bernard's Academy (Santa Rosa J.C.)

High School

• Helped the Crusaders to California state championships in 2019 and 2022
• Played wide receiver, defensive back and defensive end
• Honors student with a 3.5 GPA
• Earned Player of the Game honors five times

 
 
Personal

• Full name is Demetrius Aurice Rawson
• Communications major
• Son of Jack Rawson and Kia Biddle
• Has two brothers, Giotto and Anthony III, and a sister Alice

 
Malcolm Roy
Defensive Back
5-10, 175
Sophomore
Wilmington, Del. / Delaware Military Academy (Misericordia)


2025 (Misericordia)

• Recorded 29 total tackles, 19 of those solo
• Contributed three interceptions, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery

 
High School

• Four-sport athlete that competed in football, wrestling, track & field and lacrosse
• First Team all-state selection at defensive back
• First Team all-conference selection at wide receiver
• First Team all-conference pick at defensive back
• Second Team all-conference pick at kick returner
• As a member of the wrestling team, helped the Seahawks to back-to-back team championships and posted a 35-7 record

 
Personal

• Sport Management major
• Son of Wayne and Kia Roy
• Has two brothers, Wayne III and Joshua

 
Collin Willard
Wide Receiver
6-0, 195
Sophomore
North Olmsted, Ohio / North Olmsted (Eastern Illinois)


2024 (Eastern Illinois)

• Played in 12 games
• Saw time as a regular on special team units

 
High School

• Played for coach Tim Brediger at North Olmsted HS
• Earned second team All-District honors as a senior
• Had a breakout game during senior year with 12 receptions for 264 yards and three touchdowns against Westlake High
• Earned second team Great Lakes Conference
• As a junior hauled in 51 passes for 911 yards and 12 touchdowns

 
Personal

• Majoring in business management, along with a minor in finance
• Son of Julie and Shawn Willard
• Two siblings, Britton Willard and Addison Willard

 
David Williams
Defensive Back
Boynton Beach, Fla. / Boca Raton Community (Allegheny)
 
2025 (Allegheny)

• Appeared in nine games on defense
• Recorded 48 total tackles, including 32 solo stops
• Finished the year with nine pass break-ups, four interceptions and one blocked kick
• Second Team All-PAC

 
2024 (Allegheny)

• Did not see action

 
2023 (Allegheny)

• Appeared in nine games as a defensive back and kick returner
• Made 21 total tackles, 13 solo
• Recorded 11 pass break-ups, two interceptions and a forced fumble
• Voted PAC Newcomer of the Year and was a an All-PAC Honorable Mention

 
High School
Played defensive back, running back, slot receiver and kick returner for the Bobcats
 
Personal

• Communications major
• Son of Tamar Hughes and Antonio Williams
• Has four siblings, a brother CJ and sisters Tytianna, Kiki and Nae Nae

 
Incoming Freshmen
 
Nassim Adams
Defensive Back
5-8, 150
Coplay, Pa. / Parkland
 
High School

• Helped Parkland to a 2024 District XI championship
• Two-sport athlete that played football and basketball
• Appeared at wide receiver and defensive back for the Trojans
• All-Conference honors

Personal

• Full name is Nassim Quahdir Adams
• Computer Science major
• Has five siblings: Kareem, Braheem, Hakim, Keziah, and Jamila Sledge

 
Braden Anderson
Linebacker
6-1, 215
Apollo, Pa. / Kiski Area
 
High School

• Played linebacker and tight end for the Cavaliers
• All-conference selection
• All-district selection
• Two-time team captain
• Ranks fourth all-time in Kiski Area history with 260 career tackles
• High Honor Roll throughout high school, graduating fifth in a class of 280 students

 
Personal

• Finance major
• Son of Bill and Stephanie Anderson
• Has a brother, Nick

 
 
Julius Best
Wide Receiver
6-1, 160
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Chartiers Valley
 
High School

• Two-sport athlete that played basketball and football at Chartiers Valley
• First Team all conference selection at both wide receiver and defensive back as a senior
• Second Team all conference selection at wide receiver as a junior
• Helped the Colts boys' basketball team to a 2025 WPIAL championship
• Member of the honor roll

 
Personal

• Full name is Julius Jamir Best
• Son of Jerry and Evelyn Best
• Has a sister, Jeree

 
Adam Budzilek
Offensive Line
6-2, 285
Mars, Pa. / Mars Area
 
High School

• Helped his team win the Greater Allegheny Conference Championship
• Four-time all-conference
• Two-time All-Butler County
• Two-time team captain
• 2025 team MVP
• 2024 team D-Line MVP
• Four-year varsity starter
• Two-time team power-meet champion
• High honor roll

Personal

• Biology major
• Son of Cassie and James Budzilek

 
Teegan Carroll
Linebacker
6-2, 195
Halifax, Pa. / Halifax
 
High School

• Mid-Penn Capital defensive player of the year
• Mid-Penn Capital first team offense
• First team all-state linebacker
• PIAA wrestling state qualifier

Personal

• Full name is Teegan Michael Carroll
• Criminal Justice major
• Son of the late Michael Carroll and Teresa Carroll
• Has one brother, Benton Carroll
• Has one sister, Lauren Carroll

 
Jaxon Faulkner
Kicker / Punter
5-9, 170
Austintown, Ohio / Austintown Fitch
 
High School

• Two-sport athlete that competed in football and soccer
• As a member of the Falcons' soccer team, helped them to a 2025 All-American Conference championship
• First Team all-conference and all-county selection at punter in 2025
• Voted the team's 2025 Special Teams Player of the Year
• Went 40 of 41 on extra points, with his one miss a block
• Averaged 34.3 yards per punt
• Went 2 for 3 on field goal attempts
• Multiple-time honor roll student

 
Personal

• Sport Management major
• Son of Shaun and Amber Faulkner
• Has a brother Jalen

 
Ben Gottschalk
Offensive Line
6-3, 283
McDonald, Pa. / Canon McMillan
 
High School

• Most improved player (2024)
• Coaches award (2025)
• Varsity Team Captain (2025)
• 4x PA Football news academic all American
• Started 21 consecutive varsity games as left tackle
• National Honor Society

Personal

• Sports Management Major
• Father swam at Gannon University
• Son of Nick and Dawn
• Has one Brother, Noah

 
Mikey Hakim
Defensive Back
5-11, 173
Carlisle, Pa. / Carlisle
 
High School

• Four-sport athlete that competed in football, soccer, basketball and track & field
• Earned numerous honors in track & field, including third team all-conference, and was a district qualifier

 
Personal

• Sports Marketing major
• Son of Emy James and Hakim Messaoudi
• Has two siblings, a brother Maxwell and a sister Mouna

 
Domenik Hogue
Wide Receiver
6-0, 165
Ellwood City, Pa. / Ellwood City
 
High School

• Three-sport athlete that competed in football, track & field and baseball
• In 2025, was a unanimous selection as a First Team wide receiver, first team selection as a return specialist and a second team selection at defensive back
• As a junior, was a first team honoree as a return specialist, and an honorable mention at defensive back and wide receiver
• As a sophomore, was an honorable mention selection at defensive back
• Finished his football career with 2,320 all-purpose yards, 95 receptions, 1,368 receiving yards, 11 receiving touchdowns, 874 kick return yards
• Also logged 118 tackles, 14 pass breakups and three interceptions
• Spent three years as the class president
• Honor Roll student

 
Personal

• Full name is Domenik Jay Hogue
• Marketing major
• Son of Kayla Chappell and Doug Hogue
• Has a brother, Braxton Hogue, and a sister Paislee Chappell

 
Roberson Louis Jeune Jr.
Offensive Line
6-0, 275
Monroeville, Pa. / Gateway
 
High School

• 3x Captain
• 3x All section center / defensive line
• 5a Linemen of the year
• First team all-state
• Finished his senior season with 49.5 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, and 5.5 sacks
• 4x Honors to high honors

Personal

• Majoring in sports medicine
• Son of Denise Payne Roberson, and Louis Jeune Sr
• Two siblings, Liam Louis Jeune, and Layla Louis Jeune

 
Mike Miller Jr.
Wide Receiver
6-1, 185
Reading, Pa. / Muhlenberg
 
High School

• Helped his team win a conference championship in 2025
• Wide receiver of the year
• First team offense
• High school's all-time receptions leader

Personal

• Full name is Michael Paul Miller Jr.
• Son of Patricia Miller Jr.

 
Michael Lawrence
Linebacker
6-0, 180
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Chartiers Valley
 
High School

• Played quarterback, linebacker and wide receiver
• Three-time football team captain
• Also competed as a member of the wrestling team, posting 100 career wins and serving as a team captain

 
Personal

• Full name is Michael Joseph Lawrence
• Son of Mike and Jessica Lawrence
• Has two sisters, Myla and Paige

 
Lebron Leaf
Defensive Back
6-2, 190
Reading, Pa. / Governor Mifflin
 
High School

• Helped the Mustangs to a 2025 Eastern Conference championship
• First team selection at defensive back
• Academic Team defensive back
• Honor Roll student all four years

 
Personal

• Full name is Lebron Franklin Leaf
• Exercise Science major
• Son of Leonard and Krista Leaf
• Has a stepbrother, Elias Deleon, and two sisters, Sophia and Kadijah

 
Aidan McCurdy
Offensive Line
6-4, 275
Tarentum, Pa. / Deer Lakes
 
High School

• First Team all-conference selection at offensive tackle
• Voted team's most valuable offensive lineman

 
Personal

• Business major
• Son of David and Megan McCurdy
• Has a sister Alexis

 
Maclane Miller
Running Back
5-7, 190
Gibsonia, Pa. / Pine-Richland
 
High School

• Two-time first team all-conference running back
• Sixth all time leading rusher (2,565 yards)
• 116 wins throughout wrestling career
• High honor roll for four years of high school

Personal

• Full name is Maclane Thomas Miller
• Finance major
• Son of Darci and John Miller
• Has one sister, Harlo

 
Booker Newberry V
Offensive Line
6-3, 280
 
High School

• All-state selection on the offensive line
• Two-time all-district selection
• Two-time All-Quad County selection
• Two-time All-YSN selection
• All-AAC pick
• Academic All-Ohio honoree
• Member of the National Honors Society
• Student Council member

 
Personal

• Full name is Booker Taliaferro Newberry V
• Education major
• Son of Booker Newberry IV and Sonya Perry
• Has five siblings, two brothers and three sisters

 
Earl Perry
Defensive Back
5-10, 150
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Woodland Hills
 
High School
 

• Helped his team to a conference championship
• All conference selection

Personal
 

• Full name is Earl Lee Perry
• Sports management major
• Son of Alma and Nelson Perry
• Has three brothers: Tremar, Kelvon, Jhymeir

 
Coury Pitts
Defensive Back
6-1, 175
New Kensington, Pa. / Penn Hills
 
High School

• Second Team all-conference selection as a defensive back in his senior year
• Second Team all-conference selection as a defensive back in his freshman year
• Two-year recipient of the team's Heart and Soul award
• Member of the High Honor Roll
• National Honors Society member

 
Personal

• Full name is Coury Erin Pitts
• Sport Management major
• Son of Erin Pitts
• Has eight siblings, four brothers and four sisters
• Cousin is Skyy Moore, receiver at Western Michigan and 2022 NFL Draft second round pick

 
Chris Portis
Wide Receiver
6-2, 185
North Versailles, Ohio / East Allegheny
 
High School

• Helped the Wildcats to a section championship
• Two-time all-conference selection at receiver
• One-time all-conference honoree at defensive back
• Four-year member of the high honor roll

 
Personal

• Full name is Christopher John Portis
• Business major
• Son of Nicole Fulmore and Caleb Portis
• Has four siblings: brothers Caleb and Charles, and sisters Jordan and Madison

 
Logan Rarrick
Defensive Line
6-4, 235
Bellefonte, Pa. / Bellefonte
 
High School

• Helped his team win the 2025 District 6 Class AAAA Football Championship
• Second team all-state defensive end coaches select
• Three-time first team all LHAC defensive end/ linebacker
• Two-time team captain
• Three-time defensive MVP
• Two-time Raider of the Year
• First team LHAC offensive line
• Two-time honorable mention LHAC offensive line
• Most tackles in school history
• Second most tackles for loss in school history
• Third most sacks in school history
• Member of the National Honor Society
• Envirothon champion

Personal

• Environmental sciences major
• Son of Chrissy and Sean Rarrick
• Has one sister, Kate

 
Daymein Rice
Defensive Line
6-0, 270
Elizabeth, Pa. / Elizabeth Forward
 
High School

• Helped Elizabeth Forward to back-to-back conference championships
• Two-time all-conference selection on the defensive line
• One-time all-conference selection on the offensive line
• Voted the team's offensive lineman of the year
• Honor roll student

 
Personal

• Full name is Daymein Alexander Rice
• Business major
• Son of Malerie Pone, Nancy Smith and David Rice

 
Joshua Roy
Running Back
5-6, 183
Wilmington, Del. / Caravel Academy
 
High School

• Helped the Bucs to a 2024 Class 2A state championship
• 2024 Class 2A Offensive Player of the Year
• 2024 First Team 2A Running Back
• 2025 First Team 2A Running Back
• In 2025, recorded 156 rushing attempts for 1,144 yards and 18 touchdowns
• In 2024, recorded 172 rushing attempts for 1,663 yards and 23 touchdowns, averaging nearly 10 yards per carry

 
Personal

• Full name is Joshua Nathaniel Roy
• Son of Kia and Wayne Roy
• Has two brothers, Malcolm and Wayne

 
Ryan Scully
Tight End
6-4, 225
Gibsonia, Pa. / Hampton
 
High School

• 2x first team all-conference
• Finished his senior season with 700 yards and 41 tackles

Personal

• Majoring in business management
• Son of Jim and Jolyn Scully
• One brother, Tyler Scully

 
Quinlin Shearer
Quarterback
6-4, 213
Lewisberry, Pa. / Red Land
 
Connor Shephard
Linebacker
6-0, 230
Navarre, Ohio / Massillon Perry
 
High School

• Played running back and linebacker for the Panthers
• All-Federal League honoree
• All-Stark County honoree
• All-Northeast Inland District honoree
• Earned all-state honors

 
Personal

• Full name is Connor Mason Shephard
• Business major
• Son of Nick and Rachel Shephard
• Has four siblings: Logan, Nick, Emma and Olivia

 
Niko Signor
Defensive Back
5-10, 185
Pittsburgh, Pa.
 
High School

• Multi-sport athlete who also competed on the track and field team
• Finished his high school season with 500+ receiving yards, 80+ tackles, 3 Interceptions
• First team all-conference
• National Honors Society

Personal

• Son of Andre Signor, and Sheryl Rossetti
• Has two siblings, Aubrey Signor, and Rocko Signor

 
Taier Swindle
Defensive Back
6-0, 170
McKeesport, Pa. / McKeesport
 
High School

• First Team all-conference selection at outside linebacker
• Recipient of the team's leadership award
• Team Captain
• Led the Tigers in tackles in 2025
• Earned English Honors

 
Personal

• Full name is Taier Bilal Swindle
• Son of Tiara Snyder
• Has a brother, Kai Swindle, and a sister, Rylan Butler

 
Quinn Tkatch
Offensive Line
6-0, 260
Baden, Pa. / Ambridge
 
High School

• Multi-sport athlete that competed in wrestling and football
• First team all-conference offensive guard
• Second team all-conference offensive guard
• Honorable mention all-conference defensive tackle
• High honor roll
• Extra effort award

Personal

• Full name is Quinn Michael Tkatch
• Secondary education major
• Son of Neil Tkatch

 
Zach Villa
Linebacker
6-0, 205
Jefferson Hills, Pa. / Thomas Jefferson
 
High School

• Helped Thomas Jefferson to a 2024 WPIAL 4A Championship
• Two-time first team all-conference selection at linebacker
• Won 22 thePoint Scholar Athlete of the Week honors
• Member of the French Honor Society and National Business Honor Society

 
Personal

• Business Major that is also studying Exercise Science
• Son of Becky and Nick Villa
• Has two brothers, Christian and Joel

 
Cameron Walter
Quarterback
6-0, 185
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Woodlands Hills
 
High School

• First team all-conference
• Two time second team all-conference
• Four year starter
• All time passing leader in school history
• 5,400+ passing yards and 60 touchdowns
• High honor roll all four years

Personal

• Full name is Cameron David Walter
• Business management major
• Son of Danielle and David Walter
• Has one sister, Kayla

 
Damarjae "DJ" Warren
Wide Receiver
5-8, 155
North Versailles, Pa. / East Allegheny
 
High School

• Two-time first team all-conference selection at wide receiver
• First team all-conference selection at defensive back
• Second team all-conference selection as a kick returner
• Twice voted the team MVP
• Finished with more than 2,400 receiving yards and 39 touchdowns
• Three-year member of the High Honor Roll

 
Personal

• Full name is Damarjae Allen Warren
• Sport Management major
• Son of Jasmine Warren and Dimietre Arrington
• Has a sister Damara Arrington

 
 
James Wood
Linebacker
5-11, 220
Cleveland, Ohio / Shaker Heights
 
High School

• Team captain
• Two-time All-GCC Honorable Mention
• All-District selection
• Two-time Defensive Player of the Year

 
Personal

• Full name is James Eugene Wood
• Sports Medicine major
• Son of Albert Wood
• Has a brother, Albert Wood III, and a sister Blair

 
Ean Woods
Defensive Back
5-10, 150
Monroeville, Pa. / Gateway
 
High School

• Honor roll student
• Multi-sport athlete with basketball and football

Personal

• Full name is Ean Ahmaad Woods
• Sports medicine major with a minor in business and marketing
• Son of Tamara and Eric Woods
• Has two brothers: Devonne Staton, and Eric Woods Jr.
• Has two sisters: India Staron, and India Woods

 
Jah'mar Wright
Wide Receiver
6-2, 178
Natrona Heights, Pa. / Highlands
 
High School

• Two-sport athlete that competed in football and track & field
• Earned all-conference honors at wide receiver

 
Personal

• Son of Alicia Wright
• Has five siblings: brothers Shamar Wright, Lamar Dawson, Khymauri Dawson and Omauri Wright, and a sister Amayah Lampley

 
Caleb Zolkowski
Kicker / Punter
5-11, 165
North Royalton, Ohio / Padua Franciscan
 
High School

• Two-sport athlete that competed on the football and soccer teams
• Helped the Bruins to a regional finals appearance in 2024, and was part of the soccer team's 2025 district championship
• First Team all-conference selection in football
• All-Greater Cleveland First Team in football
• All-Region second team in football
• Career 12 of 18 on field goal attempts, including a 7 of 10 mark as a senior with a long of 41 yards
• Averaged 38.9 yards per punt as a senior 

Personal

• Full name is Caleb Thomas Zolkowski
• Exercise Science major
• Son of Mary and Dan Zolkowski
• Has a brother Ryan