Bucknell Football Announces Early Signees
12/3/2025 5:15:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. — Bucknell head football coach Dave Cecchini announced the signing of eight recruits for the 2026 season on Wednesday as the NCAA's early signing period commenced.
The early group of signees spans across three different positions including three offensive lineman, three defensive backs, one defensive lineman and one wide receiver. The eight recruits hail from two countries and five U.S. states including Pennsylvania (2), Massachusetts (2), Connecticut (1), New Jersey (1), Ohio (1) and Finland. The recruiting class also features two brothers that are a part of a set up triplets.
Cecchini and his staff will continue to add to the 2026 recruiting class during the traditional signing period, which begins on February 4.
MATTHEW GIANNANTONIO
WR | 6'1"| 192 | Plain City, OH | Dublin Jerome HS
Personal/High School: Born October 28, 2007…son of Mike and Jamie Giannantonio...has two siblings; Dominic and Hope…earned four varsity letters; three in football and one in basketball…earned first team all conference honors…earned all-state honors…two-time all-region…scored the longest receiving touchdown in school history (97 yards)...ranked first in Ohio in receiving yards through the regular season (958 in 2024)...second in all-time receiving touchdowns and third all-time in receiving yards at the school…served as a team captain.
MATTIAS KASS
DL | 6'4" | 240 | Vaasa, Finland | St. Anne's Belfield School
Personal/High School: Born September 4, 2006…son of Monika and Martti Kass…has one sibling; Mirtel…lettered two years in football and track & field…two-time All-Central Virginia…Finnish U20 Champion…Visaa D2 State Runner-Up 2025…recorded 13 sacks, 59 tackles and 14 tackles for loss in senior year…served as a team captain.
KAIYEN MBANDI
OL | 6'2" | 280 | Monroeville, Pa. | Gateway HS
Personal/High School: Born August 16, 2008…son of Brooke and Ndeh Mbandi…has one sibling; Ajani Mbandi…lettered in football for three years…first team all-conference…two0time second team all-conference…Gateway Highschool won the conference championship once in his three years…served as a team captain.
NATHANIEL OLSON
DB | 6'2" | 190 | Holliston, Mass. | Avon Old Farms
Personal/High School: Born on September 29, 2006…son of Erica and Kris Olson…is a triplet with a brother Shane and sister Lily…brother Shane is also on the Bison football team and sister Lily is a cheerleader for USC…dad played football at the University of British Columbia and grandfather played basketball at Colorado State University…played for The Rivers school before moving to Avon Old Farms…five-year varsity football starter…lettered four years in track and field…two-time All-Founders League Second Team…ALL-ISL Second Team…2025 New England Championships and undefeated 10-0…2023 Joe Souza Bowl Champion (The Rivers School)...2022 Moose Curtis Bowl Champions (The Rivers School).
SHANE OLSON
DB | 6'1" | 190 | Holliston, Mass. | Avon Old Farms
Personal/High School: Born on September 29, 2006…son of Erica and Kris Olson…is a triplet with a brother Nate and sister Lily…brother Nate is also on the Bison football team and sister Lily is a cheerleader for USC…dad played football at the University of British Columbia and grandfather played basketball at Colorado State University…played for The Rivers school before moving to Avon Old Farms…five-year varsity football letterwinner…lettered three years in track and field…2024 All-Founders League Honorable Mention…2022 All-ISL Honorable Mention…2025 NEPSAC Class A Champions…2023 Joe Souza Bowl Champion (The Rivers School)...2022 Moose Curtis Bowl Champions (The Rivers School)...elected to Avon leadership council.
JUSTIN SIMPSON
OL | 6'1½" | 305 | Bridgewater, NJ | Bridgewater-Raritan
Personal/High School: Born on July 9, 2008…son of Marvan and Gaye Simpson…has two siblings; Tyler and Alex…lettered in football…Big Central Conference American Silver Division Second Team…second team all-county…part of the team that earned Bridgewater's first sectional championship in program history.
CAMERON THOMAS
STAR | 6'1" | 205 | West Hartford, Conn. | Kingswood Oxford
Personal/High School: Born on August 28, 2007…son of Elton and Jessica Thomas…has two siblings; Londyn and Landon..mother swam at North Carolina A&T…lettered in football and track & field…three-time All-Evergreen League honors…team leader in tackles for two consecutive years…Evergreen League Champions…two-time bowl game runner-ups…in nine games played recorded; 55 tackles, 7 QB hurries, 1 sack, 9 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and two interceptions with one being returned for a touchdown.
BRYCE WILLEY
OL | 6'3 | 285 | Malvern, Pa. | Malvern Prep
Personal/High School: Born January 8, 2008…son of Tracey and Josh Willey…has four siblings; Moses, Cooper, Armani and Shy…lettered in football, rugby and track & field…two-time all-league…won a league championship with Malvern Prep…served as a team captain.
