VILLANOVA, Pa.—Head coach
Mark Ferrante announced six additional members to the Wildcats recruiting class for next season during an event held in the Talley Athletic Center on Wednesday evening. The group of six signees who committed on National Signing Day join 11 members of the Villanova incoming class who were signed to National Letters of Intent during the December early signing period.
The six players who complete the Class of 2023 include four offensive players and two on defense. On offense, the group includes wide receivers
Jaaron Hayek (Wayne, N.J.) and
Rayjoun Pringle (Dumfries, Va.); running back
TD Ayo-Durojaiye (Damascus, Md.) and offensive lineman
Wyatt Hummel (Dallas, Texas). The defensive players are linebacker
Josh Slay (Douglasville, Ga.) and tight end
Jack Stanton (Alpharetta, Ga.).
Villanova's full incoming class of 17 signees is the result of a comprehensive national recruiting effort by the Wildcats coaching staff. The group represents eight different states, including four Pennsylvania scholastic players who stayed in-state and another five from nearby areas in New Jersey and Maryland. Villanova's reach also extended to North Carolina, Georgia and Texas to form the Class of 2023.
"We are really excited about the group of 17 student-athletes that have signed with our program and with our university," Ferrante said. "We feel that this is a great recruiting class for Villanova Football."
Below are capsules of each of the 17 players who have committed to Villanova for next year.
VILLANOVA FOOTBALL SIGNEES
| Name |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Hometown |
High School |
| Jaquan Allen |
WR |
6-1 |
188 |
East Hartford, Conn. |
East Hartford |
| TD Ayo-Durojaiye |
RB |
5-11 |
190 |
Damascus, Md. |
Damascus |
| Dee Wil Barlee |
RB |
5-8 |
183 |
Upper Darby, Pa. |
Episcopal |
| Elijah Glover |
DB |
6-1 |
197 |
Pleasantville, N.J. |
Pleasantville |
| Jalen Goodman |
DB |
5-11 |
182 |
Narberth, Pa. |
Lower Merion |
| William Hambrook |
OL |
6-3 |
265 |
Charlotte, N.C. |
Charlotte Catholic |
| Jaaron Hayek |
WR |
6-0 |
185 |
Wayne, N.J. |
Wayne Hills |
| Jalen Howard |
DL |
6-2 |
249 |
Woodbridge, Va. |
Woodbridge |
| Wyatt Hummel |
OL |
6-6 |
278 |
Dallas, Texas |
Jesuit College Prep |
| CJ Pressley |
DL |
6-4 |
255 |
Philadelphia, Pa. |
The Peddie School (N.J.) |
| Rayjoun Pringle |
WR |
5-9 |
171 |
Dumfries, Va. |
Hayfield Secondary School |
| Jaden Rolling |
OL |
6-5 |
353 |
Brooklyn, N.Y. |
Hudson Catholic |
| Josh Slay |
LB |
5-11 |
216 |
Douglasville, Ga. |
Douglas County |
| Elijah Solomon |
LB |
6-0 |
232 |
Reisterstown, Md. |
Franklin |
| Jack Stanton |
TE |
6-2 |
226 |
Alpharetta, Ga. |
Alpharetta |
| Connor Watkins |
QB |
6-2 |
209 |
Williamsport, Pa. |
Loyalsock Twp. |
| Isas Waxter |
DB |
6-1 |
191 |
Orange, N.J. |
Immaculate Conception |
JAQUAN ALLEN
Wide Receiver
6-1 / 188
East Hartford, Conn.
East Hartford HS
- First team all-state as a senior
- Second team all-state as a junior
- Two-time first team all-conference
- Career Stats: 2,091 receiving yards, 21 touchdowns
TD AYO-DUROJAIYE
Running Back
5-11 / 190
Damascus, Md.
Damascus HS
- First team all-county
- 989 rushing yards, 20 touchdowns; 139 receiving yards, one touchdown
- Five punt returns, three interceptions, three defensive touchdowns
DEE WIL BARLEE
Running Back
5-8 / 183
Upper Darby, Pa.
Episcopal
- All-Southeastern Pennsylvania
- Two-time first team All-Delco running back
- Two-time first team All-Inter-Ac running back and defensive back
- Eastern PA All-Academic Team
- Set single-season school records with 23 touchdowns and 2,963 rushing yards
ELIJAH GLOVER
Defensive Back
6-1 / 197
Pleasantville, N.J.
Pleasantville HS
- Second team All-State Group II
- First team All-West Jersey
- Brooks Irvine Club Scholar-Athlete of the Year
JALEN GOODMAN
Defensive Back
5-11 / 182
Narberth, Pa.
Lower Merion HS
- Two-time first team all-league at defensive back
- Second team all-league at tight end
- Team MVP
WILLIAM HAMBROOK
Offensive Line
6-3 / 265
Charlotte, N.C.
Charlotte Catholic HS
- Shrine Bowl
- Three-time state champion
- All-County
- Two-time all-conference
- 2018 Lineman of the Year Finalist
- Ranked No. 15 among offensive linemen by Hero Sports in incoming FCS Freshman Class
JAARON HAYEK
Wide Receiver
6-0 / 185
Wayne, N.J.
Wayne Hills HS
- First team All-New Jersey by USA Today
- Freedom Division Player of the Year
- School record holder in receiving yards; ranks second in receptions and receiving TDs
- 2018 season: 2,102 all-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns; 65 receptions for 1,161 yards, 40 carries for 427 yards; 58 tackles, one interception, 11 pass breakups, 486 return yards
JALEN HOWARD
Offensive Line
6-2 / 249
Woodbridge, Va.
Woodbridge HS
- First team all-region
- First team all-conference
WYATT HUMMEL
Offensive Line
6-6 / 278
Dallas, Texas
Jesuit College Prep
- First team All-District 9-6A
- Team captain; member of the Leadership Football Committee
- Competed in track & field and was the District 9-6A discus champion
CJ PRESSLEY
Defensive Line
6-4 / 255
Philadelphia, Pa.
The Peddie School (N.J.)
- First team All-Mid-Atlantic Prep League during postgrad year
High School Accolades
- Second team All-State 2A
- Second team All-Eastern Pennsylvania
- Two-time All-City defensive lineman
- Two-time first team All-Catholic League defensive lineman
- First team All-Catholic League offensive lineman
RAYJOUN PRINGLE
Wide Receiver
5-9 / 171
Dumfries, Va.
Hayfield Secondary School
- First team all-conference, first team all-region
- Named his team's Offensive Player of the Year
JADEN ROLLING
Offensive Line
6-5 / 353
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Hudson Catholic HS
- All-State Non-Public
- First team all-county
- Two-time first team All-Super Conference
JOSH SLAY
Linebacker
5-11 / 216
Douglasville, Ga.
Douglas County HS
- Three-time all-state, two-time all-county, two-time all-region
- Named the Defensive Player of the Year in 2018
- Two-time member of the all-academic team
ELIJAH SOLOMON
Linebacker
6-0 / 232
Reisterstown, Md.
Franklin HS
- First team all-state
- First team All-Metro
- First team all-county
- Super 22 selection
- Selected for BTC All-Star Game, Crab Bowl and Big 33 All-Star Game
- US Army Impact Player Award
- Two-time FOX 45 Prep Player of the Week
- Stats: 1,356 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns, 94 tackles, six blocked kicks
JACK STANTON
Tight End
6-2 / 226
Alpharetta, Ga.
Alpharetta HS
- Two-time all-region
- All-North Fulton Team
CONNOR WATKINS
Quarterback
6-2 / 209
Williamsport, Pa.
Loyalsock HS
- First team all-state
- First team All-District IV
- First team all-conference
- Golden 33 quarterback
- Mr. PA Football semifinalist
- Four-time Webb Weekly Player of the Week
ISAS WAXTER
Defensive Back
6-1 / 191
Orange, N.J.
Immaculate Conception
- First team all-county
- First team all-conference
- Stats: 14 touchdowns, four interceptions, 10 pass breakups, five kick return touchdowns, four forced fumbles, 51 total tackles
