College

Villanova Football signs 17 to National Letter of Intent

by
Renee Washington
February 7, 2016

Across the country, many high school students signed their National Letter of Intent to play a fall sport in college on Wednesday afternoon.

Villanova football head coach Andy Talley announced his 2016 recruiting class of 17 players expected to enroll and join the Wildcat roster in the fall of this year. The class includes 11 offensive linemen and six defensive players.

Within Talley’s incoming class, signees come from eight different states. Along with the four players from Pennsylvania, three players are from New Jersey, one from Indiana and Tennessee, and then two players are each from Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Virginia.

Villanova has had a history of success over the last eight seasons, tallying an overall record of 66-35 (.653) including five playoff appearances. Over the last eight seasons the Wildcats advanced to at least the quarterfinal round of the FCS playoffs on two occasions and on a third occasion, in 2009, won the national championship.

Since 2008, 87 players have received All-CAA football selections and won nine major conference award winners since 2008.

The class of 2016, looks to continue the Wildcats success.

Four players will be representing Pennsylvania at Villanova University in the fall. First is Paul Grattan, a Pittsburgh native at 6-3 and 295 lbs. Grattan is an offensive lineman from Mt. Lebanon high school joining the Wildcats after making 24 career starts and three varsity letters. At Mt. Lebanon he was named to the first team All-Conference team, the AAAA All-State team, PA Preps Golden 33 Team, and the Pittsburgh Tribune Review Terrific 25.

The second in-state signee is Changa Hodge, another Pennsylvania native, coming in at 6-1, 178 lbs. Hodge is an All-Conference, All-League player from East Stroudsburg South High School. In 2015, he caught 31 receptions for 868 yards (avg. 28.0 yards per catch), 12 TDs, and two kickoff return touchdowns.

Aaron Seigle joins the Wildcats from Harrisburg, PA. The 6-3, 280 lb defensive lineman was a first team All-State, first team All-Eastern player at Susquehanna Township High School. He was a three year varsity starter for the offensive and defensive line. In addition, he was named to the first team Mid-Penn Conference in the Keystone Division.

The final Pennsylvania native, Todd Summers, is a tight end from Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, PA. The 6-6, 220 lb team captain was a two-time first team All-Conference player, named to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review Fabulous 22 and the Big 33 nominee.

The 13 other players attending Villanova currently live in eight other states. The signees names, height, weight, position, and hometown can be found below.

Korey Stevens  – Defensive Back,  5-11 / 175,  Columbia, Md.

Jack Schetelich  – Quarterback , 6-2 / 185 , Cranford, N.J.

Terrell Vassel –  Defensive Back,  6-1 / 190,  East Orange, N.J.

Jeff Wiley – Defensive Line,  6-4 / 245,  Pennington, N.J.

Nanakofi Appiah –  Offensive Line,  6-7 / 255,  Bowie, Md.

Nowoola Awopetu –  Defensive Back , 5-11 / 185 , Staten Island, N.Y.

Justin Covington –  Running Back,  5-11 / 205,  Bronx, N.Y.

MJ Dumas  – Offensive Line,  6-5 / 319,  Indianapolis, Ind.

Keeling Hunter –  Linebacker,  Franklin, Tenn.

Zac Kerxton –  Wide Receiver,  6-0 / 180,  Haymarket, Va.

Josh McGrigg  – Wide Receiver , 5-10 / 175 , Alexandria, Va.

Patrick Lawler – Offensive Line,  6-7 / 270,  Milton, Mass.