Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks Add Nine As Early Signing Period Begins
12/15/2021 2:59:00 PM | Football
The first members of the class of 2026 come from hail from six different states. Four of the nine signees hail from New Jersey, while Delaware, Massachusetts, Michigan, Texas and Virginia are all represented.
The early signees include one running back, two receivers and a tight end, plus two defensive linemen, two linebackers and a defensive back.
"We're really excited about the student-athletes we signed today," Gilmore said. "We believe we've landed a high-quality group. It is approximately half of the class that we need. We feel strongly that these guys are really good fits for Lehigh and our football program.
"We have a really good group of prospects still interested in Lehigh, that will cover some of the positional groups that were not addressed," Gilmore added. "Those prospects were not ready to finalize the process today."
While Wednesday marked the opening of the early signing period, Lehigh will be adding to its class of 2026 on Feb. 2.
The Mountain Hawks finished the 2021 season with three consecutive victories, including a 17-10 triumph over Lafayette in the 157th meeting of college football's most-played rivalry on Nov. 20.
A complete list of early signees follows:
Damien Jay Brown – RB; 5-9/190; Leonard, Texas/Leonard
Offensive Newcomer of the Year… first team all-district… three-time district Offensive MVP… Built Ford Tough Player of the Week… also competed in basketball, baseball, track and field and powerlifting… first team all-district and Defensive MVP in basketball… second team all-district in baseball… four-year academic all-district across multiple sports… active in Beta Club and student government.
This man was literally born to be in the Brown and White! @Damienbrown01 is going to do it big like his home state of TX! Welcome to the family! #2FLY2GETHER #BeGreat pic.twitter.com/ohtI7G3ImX
— Lehigh Football (@LehighFootball) December 15, 2021
TJ Burke – DL; 6-2/290; Selbyville, Del./Indian River
First team all-state as an offensive guard and defensive tackle… district Lineman of the Year… four sport athlete (football, wrestling, track and field, lacrosse)… broke school weightlifting records in bench press, squat, deadlift and hang clean… finished third in state as a wrestler… second team all-academic honor roll.
@TjBurke56 coming to get this work! Welcome to the family! #2FLY2GETHER #BeGreat pic.twitter.com/Yr27NgDaB2
— Lehigh Football (@LehighFootball) December 15, 2021
Brycen Edwards – LB; 6-0/195; Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor
First team all-district as both a running back and linebacker… third team all-region as a linebacker… holds 4.36 GPA.
From VA to PA this man is tackling everything in sight! Absolute predator who is coming to the Mountain Top. Welcome home @BrycenEdwards1! #2FLY2GETHER #BeGreat pic.twitter.com/4TAc0RkyH8
— Lehigh Football (@LehighFootball) December 15, 2021
Geoffrey Jamiel – WR; 5-8/175; West Yarmouth, Mass./Deerfield Academy
Four-time first team all-conference… two-time team captain… two-time state champion… two-time Boston Globe all-scholastic… league MVP… Boston Herald first team All-Massachusetts decade team… first team All-New England in 2021… career stats: 294 receptions, 4,029 yards, 56 touchdowns (64 total touchdowns)… lettered and team captain in baseball… 2019 AP English Voice of Democracy Speech Contest Winner… began career at Dennis-Yarmouth before taking postgraduate year at Deerfield Academy.
A DYNAMIC PLAYMAKER...@gjamiel36 is the real deal! Check the resume! Welcome to the family! #2FLY2GETHER #BeGreat pic.twitter.com/4u0bmkNThF
— Lehigh Football (@LehighFootball) December 15, 2021
Tyler Ochojski – LB; 6-2/215; Freehold, N.J./Freehold Boro
Three-time all-conference and all-division… Division Defensive Player of the Year… two-time All-Group 4… two-time all-state honorable mention… also lettered in basketball where he was all-division honoree.
Defense is looking scary the next 4 years with @tyocho25 running the show🤫! Welcome to the family! #2FLY2GETHER #BeGreat pic.twitter.com/WaHs0mw0Pz
— Lehigh Football (@LehighFootball) December 15, 2021
Nick Peltekian – DB; 6-0/195; Mahwah, N.J./Deerfield Academy
2021 first team All-Northeast Prep Football Conference… honorable mention NEPSAC Class A… took postgraduate year after high school career at Mahwah High School… first team All-North Jersey and All-Bergen County in 2020… three-time All-North Jersey Super Football Conference… Bergen Record Athlete of the Week… also lettered in basketball where he was four-time all-league and amassed nearly 2,000 points… two-time all-county and 2021 all-North Jersey.
Nick P is gonna be a problem for many years to come! Ballhawk that is joining the #StrapPack😤😤! Welcome to the family @NickPeltekian! #2FLY2GETHER #BeGreat pic.twitter.com/of4umcqZAv
— Lehigh Football (@LehighFootball) December 15, 2021
Jasuah Philemon – DL; 6-4/265; West Orange, N.J./West Orange
First team all-conference defensive lineman in 2021… also played on the offensive line… honorable mention All-Essex County.@JasuahP is going to be a force in the trenches the next 4 years! Welcome home! #2FLY2GETHER #BeGreat pic.twitter.com/ACyZS896by
— Lehigh Football (@LehighFootball) December 15, 2021
Nick Williams – TE; 6-4/225; Livonia, Mich./The Hotchkiss School
Took postgraduate year at The Hotchkiss School after strong high school career at Orchard Lake St. Mary's Prep… in final season at Orchard Lake St. Mary's Prep was all-state, all-region, All-Catholic and team MVP… also lettered in lacrosse.
Closing out the day in the best way! @williamsnick273 is an absolute force! He will cook your best DB, block your best LB, and find a way to get the TD! Welcome to the family! #2FLY2GETHER #BeGreat pic.twitter.com/rPupGPxLX6
— Lehigh Football (@LehighFootball) December 15, 2021
Jaden Wimberly – WR; 6-0/175; Paterson, N.J./Saint Joseph Regional
First team all-county and all-league… second team All-North Jersey… also lettered in baseball and basketball… won a state championship in baseball… honor roll student… Omega Psi Phi Lambda Upsilon Chapter Youth Of The Year.
Welcome to the #AirShow! @wimberly_jaden is a playmaker!! Welcome to the family! #2FLY2GETHER #BeGreat pic.twitter.com/VU7Q6RcmZM
— Lehigh Football (@LehighFootball) December 15, 2021
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