Ferrante and the Wildcats coaching staff laid the foundation for consistent success on the recruiting track by combining a national perspective with the ability to keep top talent close to home for their college careers. Such is the case with the group of 11 signatories announced on Wednesday, with the 11 school players representing five East Coast states. Villanova recruited five players from New Jersey, two from Virginia and two from New York, and added a player from Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Each of the 11 signers will enroll at Villanova for the fall 2023 semester.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Wildcats signed the tight end Nolan Clayton (PA – Upper Merion High School); offensive lineman Kyle Fay (NJ – Cranford High School); to come back Ja’Briel Mace (NJ – Continental Regional High School); offensive lineman Chris McCullers (VA – Woodgrove High School); wide receiver Kenyon Miles (NY – St. Anthony High School); and run back Isaiah Ragland (Virginia – Centerville High School).
Defensive signers are defensive backs 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 (New Jersey – Delbarton School); and defensive lineman Ivan Murray (NJ – Paulsboro High School).
This group of incoming student-athletes will join a Villanova program that has compiled winning records in each of the past three full seasons played and made FCS playoff appearances in 2019 and 2021. Last season, the Wildcats are went 6-5 on aggregate and 4-4 in CAA football play, including a thrilling win over rival Delaware in the season finale as Villanova won the Blue Trophy battle for 14e times in the past 16 years. Four players were named to all CAA Football Conference squads after the season, making 26 this timee times in the past 27 years that the Wildcats have had at least four all-conference selections.
Below, in alphabetical order, the capsules of each of the signatories of the Wildcats for the class of 2027.
Nolan Clayton (Tight End/Upper Merion High School/PA/6-5/240
Homegrown product Nolan Clayton contributed all-court during his school career at Upper Merion High School (Pennsylvania). He was an all-conference first-team selection as a tight end and punter. His efforts as a tight end also earned him first-team Mercury All-Area recognition and he added second-team all-conference honors as a defensive lineman. Clayton served as team captain twice at Upper Merion.
Zahmir Dawud (Defensive Dean / North Brunswick Township High School / NJ / 6-0 / 175
As a two-way player for North Brunswick Township (NJ) High School, Dawud had 113 tackles, two forced fumbles and two interceptions on defense. He also played wide receiver on offense and recorded a total of 60 receptions, 953 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. He finished his school career ranked fourth in school history in career receptions and career reception yards. Dawud was an all-division first team, an all-conference first team and an all-county first team selection.
Kyle Fay (offensive line / Cranford High School / NJ / 6-6 / 285
Fay was ranked third prosect out of Union County as an offensive lineman at Cranford (NJ) 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 team. basketball.
Jason Hall (Linebacker/Suffield Academy/CT/6-2/215
Hall was an all-league selection in the Northeast Prep Conference while playing both offense and defense during his school career. As a running back, he had 1,180 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in five games while earning all-state honors from Massachusetts and earning first-team all-conference honors. room won boston globe All-Scholastic recognition and won 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 South Jersey’s 2022 Player of the Year. 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 All-South Jersey First Team 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 appointed to star diary Super 11 roster as a senior at Iona Prep (NY) where he was a second all-state team selection as a defensive lineman. He earned two career All-League honors on the defensive line and was named NYCHSFL Player of the Week. In addition to his efforts on the grill, 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 competed 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, in addition to being an All-District First-Team Pick and a two-time All-Region First-Team Honoree. He was also selected in all first-team districts as a defensive lineman.
Nigel McSween (Defensive Line / Delbarton School / NJ / 6-4 / 240
McSween stood out in two sports at Delbarton School where he competed for the football and athletics teams. He was an all-county first-team and all-super conference first-team selection as a defensive lineman in football. McSween was also the county champion in the discus and shot put in track and field.
Kenyon Miles (Wide Receiver/St. Anthony’s High School/NY/6-2/175
Playing for a team that won the state title in 2022, Miles had 32 receptions for 473 receiving yards and five touchdowns at St. Anthony’s High School (NY). 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 both offense and defense during his school career at Paulsboro (NJ) High School. He was twice selected to All-South Jersey as a defensive lineman to go along with two All-Conference First-Team accolades. Murray also earned First-Team All-Conference honors as an offensive lineman and was named to the All-Academic Team for his in-class success.
Isaiah Ragland (Running Back/Centerville High School/VA/5-9/190
Ragland set school records with 5,197 career rushing yards and 68 career touchdowns during his school career at Centerville (Va.) High School. His professional accolades include being twice Regional Offensive Player of the Year and Northern Virginia Player of the Year, as well as being nominated for Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year. Ragland earned three career first-team nods in all regions and was selected to the All-State Virginia 6A first team twice as well as Washington Post First Team All-Met.