By: Connor Glunt, Director of Athletic Communications
EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. — The ESU football team revealed its 2026 recruiting class on Wednesday morning, National Signing Day, welcoming 18 high school seniors into the program.
"We are all excited to welcome the 2026 recruit class to East Stroudsburg University," Head Coach
Jimmy Terwilliger said. "These young men and their families fit our culture and embody our program values: Work Hard-Compete-Do it Right. We look forward to walking alongside them during this next chapter of their life!"
This year's class of high school recruits features high-end talent all around the field, bringing in six conference players of the year, 14 All-District and All-League selections, seven All-State honorees, and nine team captains. ESU is bringing in 10 players on defense and eight on offense in this year's high school recruiting class, with standouts at every position to replace last year's departures and build on preexisting depth.
"When it comes to recruiting at East Stroudsburg University, we are not collecting talent or constructing a roster; we are building a brotherhood," Terwilliger said. These young men are extremely talented, but more importantly, they are tremendous student-athletes and elite human beings."
Terwilliger and the Warriors placed a heavy emphasis on winning at the line of scrimmage, with half of the class set to play on the offensive or defensive line. With four OL coming in, the Warriors addressed center, guard, and tackle with their recruitment process. Completing that side of the ball, ESU is bringing in one recruit each at QB, TB, WR, and TE — athletes that will help the Warriors continue their dominant rushing attack and big-play potential through the air. On the other side of the ball, the Warriors brought in five players on the defensive line, featuring game-breaking pass rushers who can stuff the run just as well. Three LBs and 2 DBs round out the class, emphasizing the ability to cover the entire field and win the turnover battle.
The Warriors finished 2025 with an 8-3 record, reaching at least eight wins for the third-straight year. It was the first time since 2003-05 that the Warriors had three consecutive years of eight or more wins. The Warriors have finished second twice and third once in the PSAC East during the stretch, making two NCAA Playoff appearances as well.
CLASS OF 2026
Tavon Anthony, DL
6-4 | 330 lbs | Baltimore, Md. | Archbishop Curley
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- 2024-25 Maryland Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) B Conference Athlete of the Year
- Three-time All-MIAA selection
- 2025 All-Private School selection
- Over 35 tackles with four sacks and four touchdowns in senior year
- 2024 MIAA Champion
- National Honors Society for Math and French
HC Jimmy Terwilliger: "Big Turk is a tremendous addition to the defensive line. He's an aggressive and physical player who adds athleticism to the defensive front. He'll be a dominant player with great upside! WARRIOR."
Alex Clark, WR
6-3 | 180 lbs | Philadelphia, Pa. | Notre Dame GP
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- All-State, All-League, and All-Conference selection
- All-time leading receiver in school history
- Most receiving yards in one game (209 yards, 3 touchdowns)
- Team was runners-up in districts
HC Jimmy Terwilliger: "AC is a vertical threat wide receiver. His speed and route-running abilities are his superpowers. He's a man coverage mismatch for any defense, and a highly productive wide receiver from the Lehigh Valley. WARRIOR."
Jackson Connelly, DL
6-2 | 235 lbs | Quakertown, Pa. | Quakertown Community
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- All-League TB and LB senior year, All-League TB and DE junior year, and All-League LB sophomore year
- Team made playoff appearances in two of his three seasons
- 190 career tackles and 30 TFL
- Team captain
HC Jimmy Terwilliger: "Jax is an extremely aggressive and tough defensive end. His work ethic is unrivaled and will command attention from the opposing offense. A highly productive DE out of Quakertown, he will make a fine WARRIOR!"
Eugene Cummings, DL
6-1 | 200 lbs | Baltimore, Md. | Dunbar
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- Two-time All-Metro DE
- Baltimore Touchdown Club All Star Game Selection
- Three-time state champion
HC Jimmy Terwilliger: Big Gene is a pass-rushing machine. He has the ability to bend the edge and create plays on the edge of the defense. His length and ability are separators. We are very glad he is a WARRIOR!"
Jah Dooley, DB
6-0 | 190 lbs | Phillipsburg, N.J. | Phillipsburg
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- Two-time North 2 Group 4 champions
- Team captain
HC Jimmy Terwilliger: "Jah is a downhill free safety. He comes from a tough program at Phillipsburg, where he was extremely productive. He'll make plays from the hash to the line of scrimmage. WARRIOR."
Jamir Duncan, DB
5-11 | 140 lbs | Philadelphia, Pa. | Abraham Lincoln
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- 6A Public League Player of the Year
- NE Times Player of the Year
- All-Southeastern PA
- First Team Philadelphia All-Public League
- Team won 2024 6A Public League Championship
- Led team in INTs
- Team captain
HC Jimmy Terwilliger: "Dunc is a lockdown CB. He loves the physicality of the game, played mostly off the hash at Abraham Lincoln HS because of his leadership qualities. WARRIOR."
Mike Eckart, QB
6-2 | 215 lbs | Langhorne, Pa. | Neshaminy
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- Conference Player of the Year
- Offensive Player of the Year
- First Team All-League
- 3,367 total yards and 42 total touchdowns during senior year
HC Jimmy Terwilliger: "Mike is one of the most productive QBs in the state. A Neshaminy graduate, where he was the Offensive Player of the Year. He has tremendous leadership qualities, athleticism, and most importantly… toughness! WARRIOR."
Julian Enoch, DL
6-2 | 205 lbs | Philadelphia, Pa. | Roman Catholic
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- PCL Second Team during senior year
- All-Pub First Team LT and DE
- 5A state champions senior year
- Team captain
HC Jimmy Terwilliger: "Julian is a prime-time player. He's competitive and can impact the game on every down. He was the captain of a state championship team at Roman Catholic. An edge rusher, a culture driver, and a WARRIOR."
Danny Francis, LB
5-11 | 200 lbs | Cape May, N.J. | St. Augustine Prep
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- All-South Jersey LB
- 21-9 record at St. Augustine Prep
HC Jimmy Terwilliger: "Danny is a fire plug. He can make plays all over the field. An aggressive LB out of St. Augustine Prep, N.J. He has great leadership qualities and a work ethic second to none. He will be a great addition to the LB room. WARRIOR."
Max Getzie, OL
6-5 | 290 lbs | West Pittston, Pa. | Wyoming Area
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- Mini Maxwell Award Finalist
- Pennsylvania 3A All-State Second Team
- Eastern Pennsylvania Second Team
- First Team All-District
- First Team All-Conference
- Citizens Voice All-Star
HC Jimmy Terwilliger: "Getzie was one of the most dominant offensive linemen in District 2. At Wyoming Area, he was All-Conference and All-State. He is tough and loves the physicality of the game. WARRIOR."
Kyle Grasso, OL
6-2 | 275 lbs | Churchville, Pa. | Council Rock South
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- Team Offensive MVP
- Two-time First Team All-League
- All-County selection
- Led team to division championship, best record in school history, and first playoff win in 14 years
HC Jimmy Terwilliger: "Tough and physical OL out of Council Rock South HS. He finishes blocks and plays the game with an attitude. Relentless work ethic and true WARRIOR."
Ashton Joseph, LB
6-0 | 200 | Upper Darby, Pa. | Saint Joseph's Prep
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- Two-time 6A state champion
- Team captain
- 27-8 record at Saint Joseph's Prep
HC Jimmy Terwilliger: "Ashton is a ball player. Match his physical stature with his aggressive mindset, and you have a game-changing LB. He's a football guy — won two state championships at Saint Joseph's Prep and was a captain his senior year. WARRIOR."
Braiden McCartney, OL
6-2 | 285 lbs | Elizabethville, Pa. | Elizabethville
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- Two-time All-State center
- Two-time All-Conference OL
- All-Conference DL
- Top 10 in TFL in school history
HC Jimmy Terwilliger: "Braiden is a productive offensive lineman with the ability to snap the ball and make the calls. A physical player, captain, and All-State OL. We're really excited to see his growth and production at the college level. WARRIOR."
Travis Nodelman, OL
6-0 | 300 lbs | Milford, Pa. | Bergen Catholic
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- Three-time state champion
- 41-5 career record at Bergen Catholic
HC Jimmy Terwilliger: "Travis excelled against the top competition in the country. A highly productive center out of Bergen Catholic HS, he was a three-year starter. He's a technician who can make every block on the field. Tough… WARRIOR."
Sean Steckert, TB
5-8 | 175 | Coopersburg, Pa. | Southern Lehigh
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- Mini Maxwell Award Winner
- 4A Player of the Year
- All-State First Team
- All-Area First Team
- All-Area Offensive Player of the Year
- All-League First Team
- All-League Offensive Player of the Year
- Scholar Athlete Award
HC Jimmy Terwilliger: "Sean is one of the most explosive RBs in the state. He scored 45 TDs at Southern Lehigh on his way to winning a state championship. Sean is a culture driver and an outstanding recruit out of the Lehigh Valley. WARRIOR."
Beau Thomas, TE
6-2 | 225 lbs | Punxsutawney, Pa. | Punxsutawney Area
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- Two-time All-State TE
- Three-time All-District HB
- Two-time District Defensive MVP
- Holds five school records
- 1,673 career receiving yards, 19 receiving TDs, 119 receptions
- 1,259 career rushing yards, 22 rushing TDs
HC Jimmy Terwilliger: "Beau fits our scheme and can create mismatches for the opposing defense. Versatile athlete with a great blend of receiving skills and blocking ability. WARRIOR."
Jabari Torbit Jr., LB
5-11 | 225 lbs | Baltimore, Md. | Dunbar
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- Three-time Defensive MVP
- Three-time All-State
- Three-time All-Region
- Baltimore Sun All-Metro selection
- 70 tackles, 22 TFL, eight sacks during career
- Team Captain
- National Honors Society
HC Jimmy Terwilliger: "JT is a throwback-type of LB. He is a tackling machine that can plays from sideline to sideline. He's a physical player that has great shock power. I can't wait to see him in WARRIOR red!"
Chase Walters, DL
6-3 | 275 | Levittown, Pa. | Conwell-Egan Catholic
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- Six-time All-Catholic
- Two-time All-State
- Two-time team captain
- District 12 championship
- 27 sacks across two seasons
HC Jimmy Terwilliger: "Chase is tough, yet very versatile as a DL. He can play multiple techniques up front. His superpower is his relentless motor. He has one speed: full throttle. A hard-nosed, gritty player out of Conwell-Egan HS, he will create mismatches up front. WARRIOR."
