VILLANOVA, Pa.—Head coach Mark Ferrante formally announced the first group of signees to the Villanova Football Class of 2027 on Wednesday afternoon in advance of the Wildcats annual Signing Day Special. Ferrante revealed the first 11 members of the team's recruiting class for the 2023 season, including six players on offense and five on defense. This year's Signing Day special featuring Ferrante and his assistant coaches is live on YouTube and can be seen by clicking on the link within this release.
 
Ferrante and the Wildcats coaching staff have laid a foundation for consistent success on the recruiting trail by combining a national outlook with the ability to keep top talent close to home for their collegiate careers. That is true of the group of 11 signees announced on Wednesday, with the 11 scholastic players representing five states on the Eastern seaboard. Villanova signed five players from New Jersey, two each from Virginia and New York, and added one player from both Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Each of the 11 signees will enroll at Villanova for the Fall 2023 semester.
 
On the offensive side of the ball, the Wildcats signed tight end Nolan Clayton (PA – Upper Merion High School); offensive lineman Kyle Fay (NJ – Cranford High School); running back Ja'Briel Mace (NJ – Mainland Regional High School); offensive lineman Chris McCullers (VA – Woodgrove High School); wide receiver Kenyon Miles (NY – St. Anthony's High School); and running back Isaiah Ragland (VA – Centreville High School).
 
The defensive signees are defensive back Zahmir Dawud (NJ – North Brunswick Township High School); linebacker Jason Hall (CT – Suffield Academy); defensive lineman Capri Martin (NY – Iona Prep); defensive lineman Nigel McSween (NJ – Delbarton School); and defensive lineman Ivan Murray (NJ – Paulsboro High School).
 
This group of incoming student-athletes will be joining a Villanova program that has tallied winning records in each of the last three full seasons played and made FCS playoff appearances in 2019 and 2021. This past season the Wildcats went 6-5 overall and 4-4 in CAA Football play, including a thrilling win over rival Delaware in the season finale as Villanova captured the Battle of the Blue Trophy for the 14^th time in the last 16 years. Four players were named to the CAA Football All-Conference Teams following the season, making this time 26^th time in the last 27 years that the Wildcats have had at least four all-conference selections.
 
Below, in alphabetical order, are capsules of each of the Wildcats signees for the Class of 2027.

Nolan Clayton (Tight End / Upper Merion High School / PA / 6-5 / 240
Local product Nolan Clayton contributed all over the field during his scholastic career at Upper Merion (Pa.) High School. He was a first team all-conference selection as both a tight end and a punter. His efforts as a tight end also garnered him first team Mercury All-Area recognition and he added second team all-conference honors as a defensive lineman. Clayton was a two-time team captain at Upper Merion.
 
Zahmir Dawud (Defensive Back / North Brunswick Township High School / NJ / 6-0 / 175
As a two-way player for North Brunswick Township (N.J.) High School, Dawud tallied 113 tackles, two forced fumbles and two interceptions on defense. He also played wide receiver on offense and recorded career totals of 60 receptions, 953 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. He ended his scholastic career ranked fourth in school history in both career receptions and career receiving yards. Dawud was a first team all-division, first team all-conference and first team all-county selection.
 
Kyle Fay (Offensive Line / Cranford High School / NJ / 6-6 / 285
Fay was ranked the No. 3 prosect coming out of Union County as an offensive lineman from Cranford (N.J.) High School. He earned first team all-county and first team all-division accolades as an offensive lineman to go along with being an all-conference performer for the basketball team.
 
Jason Hall (Linebacker / Suffield Academy / CT / 6-2 / 215
Hall was a Northeast Prep Conference all-league selection while playing both offense and defense during his scholastic career. As a running back he totaled 1,180 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in five games while earning all-state honors in Massachusetts and garnering first team all-conference accolades. Hall earned Boston Globe All-Scholastic recognition and was a winner of the Channel 12 Hometown Hero Award.
 
Ja'Briel Mace (Running Back / Mainland Regional High School / NJ / 5-9 / 175
As a senior at Mainland Regional High School, Mace was named the South Jersey Player of the Year in 2022. He set a school record with 56 career rushing touchdowns and ranks second in school history with 3,867 career rushing yards. In addition to his Player of the Year honor, Mace was named first team All-South Jersey as a senior. He earned second team all-state accolades and is a four-time all-division running back as well as a three-time All-Atlantic City running back.
 
Capri Martin (Defensive Line / Iona Prep / NY / 6-2 / 255
Martin was named to the Journal Star Super 11 list as a senior at Iona Prep (N.Y.) where he was a second team all-state selection as a defensive lineman. He earned two career all-league honors on the defensive line and was named the NYCHSFL Player of the Week. In addition to his efforts on the gridiron, Martin was also a two-time CHSAA wrestling champion.
 
Chris McCullers (Offensive Line / Woodgrove High School / VA / 6-3 / 280
McCullers is an excellent all-around athlete who lettered in five different sports at Woodgrove (Va.) High School. He was an offensive lineman on the football team in addition to competing on the basketball, baseball, wrestling and swimming teams. McCullers earned All-State Virginia 5A accolades as an offensive lineman to go along with being a first team all-district pick and a two-time first team all-region honoree. He was also a first team all-district selection as a defensive lineman.
 
Nigel McSween (Defensive Line / Delbarton School / NJ / 6-4 / 240
McSween was a two-sport standout at Delbarton School where he competed for the football and track & field teams. He was a first team all-county and first team all-super conference selection as a defensive lineman in football. McSween was also the county champion in both the discus and the shot put in track & field.
 
Kenyon Miles (Wide Receiver / St. Anthony's High School / NY / 6-2 / 175
Playing for a team that won the 2022 state title, Miles amassed 32 receptions for 473 receiving yards and five touchdowns at St. Anthony's (N.Y.) High School. He averaged 14.8 yards per catch and added 27 total tackles. Miles was a two-sport scholastic athlete who was also the CHSAA long jump champion.
 
Ivan Murray (Defensive Line / Paulsboro High School / NJ / 6-3 / 265
Murray played on both offense and defense during his scholastic career at Paulsboro (N.J.) High School. He was a two-time All-South Jersey pick as a defensive lineman to go along with two first team all-conference accolades. Murray also earned first team all-conference honors as an offensive lineman and was named to the All-Academic Team for his success in the classroom.
 
Isaiah Ragland (Running Back / Centreville High School / VA / 5-9 / 190
Ragland set school records with 5,197 career rushing yards and 68 career touchdowns during his scholastic career at Centreville (Va.) High School. His career accolades include being a two-time Region Offensive Player of the Year and Northern Virginia Player of the Year honoree, along with being nominated for Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year. Ragland earned three career first team all-region nods and was twice selected first team All-State Virginia 6A as well as Washington Post All-Met first team.