Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Football Announces 2026 Incoming Class
2/3/2026 3:59:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. — Bucknell football head coach Jeff Behrman announced the full list of 2026 commits that will round out the Bison roster on Wednesday as the NCAA's signing day period commenced. The Bison welcomed four transfers and 23 freshmen to the team ahead of the 2026 season.
The new additions include seven offensive lineman, four wide receivers, three defensive lineman, three linebackers, two tight ends, two cornerbacks, two defensive backs, one star, one quarterback, one running back and one kicker.
The 27 student-athletes hail from two countries and ten states including; Pennsylvania (5), New Jersey (4), Ohio (3), Illinois (3), Maryland (3), Massachusetts (3), Connecticut (2), D.C. (1), Virginia (1), North Carolina (1) and Finland (1).
12 of the 27 additions to the Bucknell football team served as team captains at their respective high schools.
Learn more about each of the new Bucknell football student athletes below.
2026 Transfers
JAKE KIERNAN
OL | 6'1" | 270 | Greenwich, Conn. | Greenwich HS
University of Connecticut (Freshman): Participated in one game.
Personal/High School: Born December 20, 2004…son of Ted and Yvelisse Kiernan…has three siblings; Amanda, Riley and Mikayla…uncle played football for the New York Giants from 199-2005 and captained for Syracuse football…other uncle played football and baseball at Columbia…lettered in football…two-time All-State…two-time All-FCIAC First Team…recorded 36 tackles, two sacks and 12 tackles for loss through senior season…served as team captain.
JASON MORBITZER
DL | 5'11" | 295 | Hilliard, Ohio | Hilliard Bradley HS
Eastern Michigan University (Freshman): Earned Scout Team Player of the Year award…did not see game action.
Personal/High School: Born January 22, 2006…son of Jason and Judi Morbitzer…has one sibling; Tyler…lettered four years in football…First Team All-Conference…Academic All-Ohio…Defensive Team MVP in North/South All-Star Game…OCC-Central League Champions…regional champions…accumulated 98 tackles, 4.0 TFLs, 4.0 sacks, one forced fumble, and two pass breakups in his final prep season.
SHANE TOOLAN
OL | 6'4" | 285 | Philadelphia, Pa. | St. Joseph's Prep
Temple University (Redshirt Freshman): Played in two games as a redshirt freshman in 2025.
Temple University (Freshman): Joined the team as a walk-on in 2024.
Personal/High School: Born December 15, 2005…son of Sean and Kirby Toolan…has one sibling; Kyla…lettered three years in football and one in baseball…two-time state champion…played both offensive and defensive line.
NICK WONSALA
WR | 6'1" | 200 | Wall Township, NJ | Wall Township HS
Gettysburg College (Sophomore): Played in ten games…had 38 catches for 618 yards and 11 touchdowns…had one kick return for 74 yards.
Gettysburg College (Freshman): Played in eight games with two starts at wide receiver…caught 12 passes for 116 yards…averaged 9.7 yards per catch…returned one kickoff for 25 yards.
Personal/High School: Born May 13, 2006…son of Karen and Rich Wonsala…has one sibling; Rich…lettered in football, lacrosse and wrestling…lacrosse sectional champions…regional qualifier in wrestling…trains with NFL alumni Abdullah Anderson.
2026 Freshmen Commits
TOM ARTH
TE | 6'3" | 200 | Cleveland, Ohio | North Catholic HS
Personal/High School: Born January 29, 2008…son of Lauren and Tom Arth…has four siblings; Caroline, Kate, Patrick and Lizzy…father played in the NFL with the Colts and Packers…lettered in football and basketball…All-Conference honors…WPIAL Finals…put up 1,100 yards and 19 touchdowns in junior season…in basketball, won WPIAL Champions and went to the final four…served as team captain for both football and basketball.
LANGSTON BLAIR
CB | 5'10" | 175 | Washington, D.C. | Gonzaga College HS
Personal/High School: Born October 29, 2007…son of Julian and Renee Blair…has two siblings; Julian (played football at Howard) and Logan…father played football at Towson…lettered in football and track & field…ALL-WCAC First Team…appeared in WCAC Championship…recorded three interceptions, 250 rushing yards and 200 receiving yards.
EMMETT DOWLING
QB | 6'0" | 185 | Chicago, Ill. | Mount Carmel HS
Personal/High School: Born June 5, 2008…son of James Dowling…has six siblings; Kevin (played baseball at Murray State), Ella, Blainey, Tessa, Brody, Beau (played football at Eastern Illinois) …lettered in football…four-time state champion in undefeated 14-0 season…CCL Blue Player of the Year…Daily Southtown Player of the Year…8A All-State Honorable Mention…CCL Blue Champions…ranked #1 team in Illinois…set new school passing touchdown record (46)...set new school completions record (259)...set new school passing yards record (4,750)...served as team captain.
WILL FREEMAN
RB | 6'0 | 205 | Washington, Ill. | Washington Community High School #308
Personal/High School: Born June 7, 2007…son of Kyle and Amy Freeman…has one sibling; Sophie…mom was a softball pitcher at Southern Illinois…lettered three years in football and played lacrosse… First Team IHSFCA All-State…IHSA Academic All-State…Champaign News Gazette All-State Honorable Mention…WEEK-TV NBC All-Area Running Back…Linebacker Clutch Sports Media All-Area…All-Area Linebacker Peoria Journal Star…First Team All-Mid-Illini Conference Honors…2024 All Mid Illini Conference Second Team…Oar Leadership Award winner (an award chosen by teammates for the player who exemplifies strong work ethic, leadership, and integrity)...three-time Mid-Illini Champions…third in career rushing (8.5 yds/carry)...fifth in season rushing average (8.2 yds/carry)...served as team captain.
CADEN GABRIELE
LB | 6'2" | 200 | Chatham, NJ | Chatham HS
Personal/High School: Born December 16, 2007…son of Eileen and Ryan Gabriele…has one sibling; Ryan…from a football family; father (Columbia), uncle (UConn) and grandfather (Holy Cross) all played…lettered in both football and baseball…two-time All-Conference…All-County…2025 Conference Champion…senior stats; 65 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, four sacks and two forced fumbles…holds the school's all-time record in tackles for loss…served as team captain.
MATTHEW GIANNANTONIO
WR | 6'1"| 192 | Plain City, Ohio | 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.
SEBASTIAN GRAY
DL | 6'2" | 255 | Hoboken, NJ | Saint Peter's Preparatory
Personal/High School: Born January 10, 2008…son of Laura and Fran Gray…has one sibling; Hudson…father was a swimmer at ASU and cousin played baseball at UConn and Tulane..lettered three years in football and track…First Team All-League…Co-Conference Champions…recorded 64 total tackles, 16 TFL's, 4.5 sacks, seven hurries and one fumble recovery in 2025…in track, served as throwing captain.
JERRY HARRISON
WR | 5'11" | 178 | Sterling, Va. | Gonzaga College HS
Personal/High School: Born November 26, 2007…son of Jerry and Tiffany Harrison…has one brother; Jonah…lettered four years in football and track…All-WCAC Second Team Specialist…WCAC Capital Division Runner-Up…set school record for longest punt return (99 yards).
SHANE HULMES
LB | 6'1" | 215 | Kutztown, Pa. | Northwestern Lehigh High School
Personal/High School: Born on February 18, 2008…son of Ashleigh and Ryan Hulmes…has one sibling; Caleb…lettered in both football and baseball…three-time First Team All-State…three-time All-Conference…three-time All-Area…three-time All-Eastern Pennsylvania…one-time league Defensive Player of the Year…four-time district champions…four-time league champions…four-time state champions…set school records in career tackles, tackles for loss, sacks and forced fumbles…served as team captain.
JOHN JUPPE
TE | 6'4" | 235 | Crofton, Md. | Archbishop Spalding HS
Personal/High School: Born November 20, 2007…son of Elizabeth and John Juppe…lettered in football… two-time All-County…2025 All-Conference…undefeated 12-0 season in 2024…four-time MIAA A Conference Champions…notched 200 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
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.
DEAN KEMPH
LB | 6'2" | 205 | Elmhurst, Ill. | Mount Carmel HS
Personal/High School: Born February 22, 2008…son of Stephe and Kati Kemph…has three siblings; Kiely, Liam and Arden…comes from a football family; father is a punter for Minnesota Golden Gophers and NFL Free Agent, great grandpa and uncle both played collegiate football…lettered four years in football and lacrosse and two years in hockey…All-Conference Chicago Catholic League in football and lacrosse…Army All-American Bowl participant…two-time state champions.
MATTHEW LEIBMAN
WR | 6'0"| 180 | Wellesley, Mass. | Wellesley HS
Personal/High School: Born March 16, 2008…son of Leanne and Chris Leibman…has two siblings; Claire and Elise…lettered in football, track & field and basketball…Bay State Conference Champions…final four appearance for the first time for the school in 25 years…two-time 1,000+ all-purpose yard receiver…18 touchdowns.
LUKE LEWIS
OL | 6'2" | 305 | Hermitage, Pa. | Hickory HS
Personal/High School: Born June 28, 2007…son of mother Karen, father Jeff and step father Rick…has one sibling; Jordan…lettered in football and baseball…three-time First Team All-State…WKBN Top 5 Block of Granite…two-time District 10 Champion…set football weight lifting record for bench squat deadlift (1,365 lbs)...two-time team captain.
KYLE LUCAS
OL | 6'4" | 285 | Edgewater, Md. | Archbishop Spalding
Personal/High School: Born September 24, 2007…son of Arian and Ryan Lucas…has one sibling; Bridon Lucas…lettered in football for five years…four-time MIAA-A Conference Champion… three-time First Team All-County… three-time First Team All-Conference…two-time First Team All-State… two-time Baltimore Sun All-Metro Selection…Washington Post All-Metro Selection…Baltimore Touchdown Club Super 22 selection…Annapolis Touchdown Club Al Laramore Trophy Award Winner…team ranked nationally each season with the highest ranking being seventh…held single season MIAA rushing record with 2,541 yards…held single season MIAA rushing touchdown record with 37 touchdowns…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.
SEAN MOLLEY
OL | 6'2" | 285 | Folcroft Pa. | St. Joseph's Preparatory School
Personal/ High School: Born on April 8, 2008…son of Elizabeth Bangura and Ansu Molley…has three siblings; Zayne, Zora and Joseph…lettered in football and track…two-time PIAA 6A Football State Champion…two-time PIAA 6A District 12 Football Champion…2023 Philadelphia Catholic League Football Champions…recorded over 50 career pancake blocks.
NATE 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.
GAVIN REESE
CB | 5'11" | 175 | Advance, NC | Davie County High School
Personal/High School: Born on October 10, 2007… son of Christy and James Reese…has one sibling; Allison…lettered in football, track and baseball…four-year starter…three-time All-Conference…All-Area Second Team…recorded 84 career solo tackles, 36 career pass breakups…recorded five interceptions as a senior.
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 its 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.
AIDAN ZOELLER
K | 6'0"| 175 | Timonoum, Md. | The McDonogh School
Personal/High School: Born March 13, 2008…son of Christopher Zoeller and Catherine Coble…has two siblings; Emma and Eleanor…father played baseball at Franklin and Marshall and uncle played baseball at Ohio State…lettered in football…All-MIAA kicker…went 10-2 junior year and were MIAA runner-ups…went 8-3 senior year and were MIAA runner-ups…94 career points through two seasons…41-for-45 (91%) on PAT's and field goals during senior season.
