Bucknell Football Adds 11 Signees to Incoming Class
3/12/2024 10:51:00 AM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell head football coach Dave Cecchini announced the addition of 11 players to his incoming class as part of the regular signing period, which began in February. The 11 new Bison bring the incoming class total to 26 after 15 signed national letters of intent in December.
The February group is comprised of four offensive linemen, one wide receiver one running back, one tight end, one quarterback, one cornerback, one kicker/punter, and one long snapper. The 11 newcomers hail from California (1), Delaware (1), Florida (3), Maryland (1), Missouri (1), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (1), Kansas (1) and Cameroon (1). Eight of the signees served as team captains in high school.
Among the group is Michael Cadden, the younger brother of current Bucknell wide receiver TJ Cadden, as well as a pair of teammates from Carrollwood Day School, kicker/punter Juan Garanton and offensive lineman Calvin Dickey. The Bucknell coaching staff also has familiarity with quarterback Marco Sansone, as Cecchini was on staff at Lehigh when his brother, Stefan Sansone, was a wide receiver for the Mountain Hawks.
Below is more information on the 11 Bison newcomers, and information on the 15 early signees can be found in the December announcement.
Noah Wright
Offensive Line, 6'3", 295 lbs., Windermere, Fla., Windermere
Windermere High School: Lettered two years in football and one in lacrosse … served as team captain for the Wolverines … First Team All-Metro, First Team All-Area and First Team All-Orange Observer selection … registered 56 pancake blocks and allowed no sacks on the offensive line.
Personal: Noah Benjamin Wright … born June 27, 2006 in Orlando, Fla. … son of Nancy and Greg Wright … has two siblings: Zachary and Samantha.
Coach Cecchini's Scouting Report: "He's a really big, thick, smart offensive lineman from Florida. He immediately fell in love with campus the first time he stepped on it and has been a Bison the whole way through."
More future Bison coming your way! Welcome home, @NoahWright71_! 🖊️
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) March 12, 2024
📏 6'3" | 295 lbs.
🎓 Windermere#ACT | #NSD24 pic.twitter.com/7jBElY60Tb
Juan Garanton
Kicker/Punter, 5'11", 170 lbs., Tampa, Fla., Carrollwood Day School
Carrollwood Day School: Lettered four years in football and four years in soccer for the Patriots … helped team reach an 8-2 record as a senior … holds Carrollwood school record for longest made field goal at 51 yards … registered 37 touchbacks in a single season.
Personal: Juan Garanton … born May 17, 2006 in Caracas, Venezuela … son of Juan Carolos Garanton and Cori Bukonja … has one sibling: Camila … Camila competed in track & field at the University of Chicago.
Coach Cecchini's Scouting Report: "He has an explosive leg and will be able to develop into doing both kicking and punting."
Another big leg on the special teams unit. Please welcome @JuanAGaranton! 🤘
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) February 7, 2024
📏 5'11" | 170 lbs.
🎓 Carrollwood Day School#ACT | #NSD24 pic.twitter.com/bS4UNVvKdY
Tristan Menconi
Wide Receiver, 5'8", 175 lbs., Frederick, Md., Walkersville
Walkersville High School: Lettered three years and served as team captain for the Lions … earned All-State, All-Region and All-Area honors … received the Danny Mack/Tim Meyers Leadership Award … led team to 2023 regional title and state finals appearance … recorded 64 catches for 1,090 yards and seven touchdowns at Walkersville.
Personal: Tristano Daniele Menconi … born Sept. 22, 2005 in Frederick, Md. … son of Jennifer and Daniele Menconi … has one sibling: Alessia … grandfather, Richard V. Aiello, wrestled at UMD and Marshall.
Coach Cecchini's Scouting Report: "Tristan dominated at one of our summer camps as a wide receiver. It doesn't matter how big he is. If you can't catch him, you're not going to be able to tackle him. He's just very fast and elusive."
Officially a Bison! 🦬 Please welcome @TristanoMenconi!
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) March 12, 2024
📏 5'8" | 175 lbs.
🎓 Walkersville#ACT | #NSD24 pic.twitter.com/w6axZasRfk
Calvin Dickey
Offensive Line, 6'4", 280 lbs., Land O' Lakes, Fla., Carrollwood Day School
Carrollwood Day School: Lettered two years in football and one year in baseball for the Patriots … voted team captain as a senior … helped lead team to two regional finals games … allowed no sacks during a strong senior season.
Personal: Calvin Dickey … born Sept. 26, 2005 in Tampa, Fla. … son of Nicole Dickey and Calvin Dickey Sr. … has one sibling: Patrice.
Coach Cecchini's Scouting Report: "He has a good frame. He just needs to develop, and he could develop into a really outstanding player with us."
Another big man on the offensive side of the ball. Welcome to Bucknell, @CJ_Dickey24! 🔶🔷
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) February 7, 2024
📏 6'4" | 280 lbs.
🎓 Carrollwood Day School#ACT | #NSD24 pic.twitter.com/iHUYxzqxSW
Reuben Logan
Offensive Line, 6'3", 295 lbs., Wichita, Kan., Royse City (Texas)
Royse City High School: Lettered in football, track and powerlifting for the Bulldogs … served as team captain … was a two-time First Team All-District honoree and two-time Offensive Lineman of the Year selection … led team to 2022 6A Bi-District Championship title.
Personal: Reuben Mandel Logan Jr. … born May 18, 2006 in Wichita, Kan. … son of Charisse and Reuben Logan … has three siblings: Nicia, Haleigh and Shayla … father played football at Butler County Community College.
Coach Cecchini's Scouting Report: "He's a great edge-setting offensive tackle, both in the run and the pass game."
Welcome home, @ReubenL56! 🦬
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) February 7, 2024
📏 6'3" | 295 lbs.
🎓 Royse City#ACT | #NSD24 pic.twitter.com/vGWYE992ZM
Michael Cadden
Running Back, 5'10", 190 lbs., Oaks, Pa., Episcopal Academy
Episcopal Academy: Lettered three years in football and four in baseball … served as a team captain for the Churchmen … twice named First Team All-League … earned Second Team All-County recognition and was an All-Eastern PA Honorable Mention … registered a school-record 45 receptions in a single season … totaled 1,873 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns in 19 games on offense … helped lead team to a 9-1 record as a junior and a No. 2 spot in PA on MaxPreps.
Personal: Michael Keith Cadden … born Dec. 22, 2005 in Paoli, Pa. … son of Ken and Keith Cadden … brother, TJ, is a wide receiver for Bucknell … father played football at Lycoming, mother played lacrosse at JMU … grandfather, Harry Gicking, was a graduate assistant coach for Bucknell football in 1971-72.
Coach Cecchini's Scouting Report: "He's the younger brother of TJ Cadden. He'll play a different position from his brother, but has all the same attributes in terms of speed, football aptitude and mental toughness."
Signed! 🖊️ Please welcome, @michaelcadden20! 🔶🔷
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) March 12, 2024
📏 5'10" | 190 lbs.
🎓 Episcopal Academy#ACT | #NSD24 pic.twitter.com/vCtWO5c5b1
Caden Allard
Tight End, 6'3", 215 lbs., San Jose, Calif., Archbishop Mitty
Archbishop Mitty High School: Lettered three years varsity and served as team captain for the Monarchs … earned First Team All-League, Third Team All-Bay Area and team MVP honors … named All-Metro Honorable Mention … helped guide team to a 9-4 record and two playoff wins as well as a section championship appearance in 2022 … ranked second in the league in receiving yards and tied for the most touchdowns by a tight end as a junior … as a senior led the Monarchs in receiving yards and total touchdowns.
Personal: Caden James Allard … born Sept. 30, 2005 in San Jose, Calif. … son of Nicole and Robert … has three siblings: Jacq, Shea and Ashton … mother played lacrosse at SUNY Oneonta, brother Jacq played football at Holy Cross.
Coach Cecchini's Scouting Report: "He comes from a family of Patriot League football players. He's going to be a pass-catching threat for the tight end room for years to come."
Welcome home, @CadenAllard3! 🦬🖊️
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) March 12, 2024
📏 6'3" | 215 lbs.
🎓 Archbishop Mitty#ACT | #NSD24 pic.twitter.com/vjS1zBqexK
Marco Sansone
Quarterback, 6'0", 195 lbs., St. Louis, Mo., St. Louis University High School
St. Louis University High School: Lettered four years in football and four years in lacrosse … served as a two-time team captain for the Jr. Bills … Second Team All-State and Second Team All-Metro-Coaches Association selection … earned First Team All-Conference and First Team All-District honors … two-time Academic All-State recipient … set four school records at Saint Louis University High School: single-season passing touchdowns (29), single-season completions (209), single-season passing attempts (338) and longest touchdown pass (94 yards) … ranked first in the state last season with 2,950 passing yards and fourth in the state with 29 passing touchdowns … also rushed for seven touchdowns … completed 62 percent of his passes … named First Team All-State and First Team All-Metro in lacrosse, earning Conference Defensive Player of the Year recognition.
Personal: Marco Gerard Sansone … born June 16, 2005 in St. Louis, Mo. … son of Kathryn and Jim … has nine siblings: Jimmy, Conrad, Nikko, Lan, Stefan, Sophia, Anthony, Carmen and Mia … mother played volleyball at Saint Louis University, brother played football at Northwestern and Washington, Nikko played football at Mizzou, DePauw and the European Football League, Lan played football at DePauw, Stefan played football at Lehigh … Anthony played football at DePauw, Sophia played field hockey at Catholic, Carmen played club field hockey at Miami University, Mia attends TCU.
Coach Cecchini's Scouting Report: "We're reuniting with the Sansone family. Marco's got a very good arm and really good talent."
Welcome to Bucknell, @marcosansone_4! 🦬🖊️
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) March 12, 2024
📏 6'0" | 195 lbs.
🎓 St. Louis University HS#ACT | #NSD24 pic.twitter.com/6H6GSARWfF
Tristan Arndt
Offensive Line, 6'3", 295 lbs., Dublin, Ohio, Dublin Scioto
Dublin Scioto High School: Lettered in football and served as team captain for the Scioto Irish … received All-State, All-District and All-League recognition … helped lead team to playoff appearances in 2021 and 2022 … also played rugby and won a state championship.
Personal: Tristan Walker Arndt … born Sept. 29, 2005 in Columbus, Ohio … son of Leslie and Jon Arndt.
Coach Cecchini's Scouting Report: "His best offensive line football is in front of him. He's got tons of potential. He played really high-level competition in Ohio and did really well."
Please welcome our new guy up front, OL @TristanArndt! 🦬
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) February 7, 2024
📏 6'3" | 295 lbs.
🎓 Dublin Scioto#ACT | #NSD24 pic.twitter.com/Avgia9BaKf
Gus Musika
Long Snapper, 5'10", 196 lbs., Lewes Delaware, Cape Henlopen
Cape Henlopen High School: Lettered in both football and lacrosse for the Vikings … named the overall champion at Rubio Long Snapping Camp, where he was rated 4.5 stars … highest-rated long snapper in Delaware … Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association Crown Trophy winner … earned Academic All-Conference and All-State honors in the Henlopen Conference and Delaware … helped team reach DIAA Class 3A stat runner-up finish in 2023 … was 42/42 on short snaps and 29/29 on long snaps … also received Defensive MVP recognition in lacrosse.
Personal: Augustine Joseph Musika … born May 10, 2006 in Philadelphia, Pa. … son of Alexander Musika, Faye Schilling and stepfather William Schilling … has one sibling, McShane Schilling … mother played basketball and field hockey at Gwynedd-Mercy University.
Coach Cecchini's Scouting Report: "He's one of the most accurate long snappers we've ever seen. He has the opportunity to come in and play right away if he can do it."
Introducing @gmusika3! 🔶🔷 Welcome to Bucknell!
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) February 7, 2024
📏 5'10" | 195 lbs.
🎓 Cape Henlopen#ACT | #NSD24 pic.twitter.com/fUafDnODg8
Rostand Olama
Cornerback, 6'3", 195 lbs., Yaounde, Cameroon, Woodside Priory School/The Taft School
The Taft School: First Team All-Founders League honoree at cornerback for The Taft School.
Personal: Rostand Olama Abanda … born Aug. 9, 2004 in Yaounde, Cameroon … son of Ovah Rosine and Abanda Thaddee.
Coach Cecchini's Scouting Report: "He's a super long, rangy corner who hasn't played football very long. He's an international student who has an NFL build."
Welcome to Bucknell, @olama_ro! 🦬🖊️
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) February 7, 2024
📏 6'3" | 195 lbs.
🎓 Taft#ACT | #NSD24 pic.twitter.com/1VOYg75k9K
