Lehigh University Athletics
Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Lehigh Welcomes 17 To #TheNest As Early Signing Period Opens
12/20/2023 5:26:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh head coach Kevin Cahill has announced the addition of 17 student-athletes that will join the Mountain Hawks football program in the summer as the early signing period opened Wednesday.
"The Lehigh football family got bigger today," Cahill said. "While our focus was and will continue to be on the best fits for Lehigh, our staff did a tremendous job on focusing on what was important to our program. We were able to start the 2024 recruiting class with some big additions. With this early National Signing Day, we were able to add the size, speed, strength and athleticism we needed. More importantly, we added high character players that will impact our Lehigh community. We look forward to finishing our class just as strong as we started it."
The first members of the Class of 2028 cover nearly every position group, with a heavy focus on the offensive side of the ball. This incoming group features four offensive linemen, three wide receivers, two tight ends and two quarterbacks. It also includes a running back, two linebackers, a defensive lineman, a safety and a kicker/punter.
Seven states are represented in the incoming class, highlighted by nine from Pennsylvania. New Jersey is home to three signees, while Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia are also represented.
The two quarterbacks in the group are Hayden Johnson from Manheim Township in Pennsylvania and Matt Machalik from nearby Palmerton Area High School. Machalik is one of two Lehigh Valley products in this group, along with Bethlehem Catholic offensive lineman Sammy Ayache.
The list of early signees follows:
Sammy Ayache – OL; 6-4/275; Bethlehem, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic
Dakarai Bryant – WR; 5-10/165; Raleigh, N.C./Millbrook
Aaron Crossley – RB; 5-10/205; Wyoming, Pa./Wyoming Area
Matt D'Avino – WR; 6-2/200; Montgomery, N.J./Montgomery
Talan Dudley – LB; 6-2/215; Tampa, Fla./Carrollwood Day
Jaden Ferguson – WR; 6-3/195; Charlottesville, Va./Woodberry Forest
Garrett Guess – TE; 6-5/220, Washington Court House, Ohio/Miami Trace
Cole Hughes – LB; 6-2/220; Park Ridge, N.J./Park Ridge
Hayden Johnson – QB; 6-1/195; Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township
Matt Machalik – QB; 6-0/200; Palmerton, Pa./Palmerton
Garrison McKinney – OL; 6-3/270; Nicholasville, Ky./Lexington Christian Academy
Ryan Moses – OL; 6-4/250; Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown East
Connor Poole – K/P; 6-3/180; Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport
Luke Reilly – DL; 6-3/285; Pennington, N.J./Deerfield Academy
Aiden Schomp – TE; 6-6/230; Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest
Mekhai Smith – DB; 6-2/200; Lower Merion, Pa./Lower Merion
Charles Soska – OL; 6-4/285; Langhorne, Pa./NeshaminyGallery: (12-20-2023) Football Early Signing Day, 12/20/23
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on X/Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
"The Lehigh football family got bigger today," Cahill said. "While our focus was and will continue to be on the best fits for Lehigh, our staff did a tremendous job on focusing on what was important to our program. We were able to start the 2024 recruiting class with some big additions. With this early National Signing Day, we were able to add the size, speed, strength and athleticism we needed. More importantly, we added high character players that will impact our Lehigh community. We look forward to finishing our class just as strong as we started it."
The first members of the Class of 2028 cover nearly every position group, with a heavy focus on the offensive side of the ball. This incoming group features four offensive linemen, three wide receivers, two tight ends and two quarterbacks. It also includes a running back, two linebackers, a defensive lineman, a safety and a kicker/punter.
Seven states are represented in the incoming class, highlighted by nine from Pennsylvania. New Jersey is home to three signees, while Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia are also represented.
The two quarterbacks in the group are Hayden Johnson from Manheim Township in Pennsylvania and Matt Machalik from nearby Palmerton Area High School. Machalik is one of two Lehigh Valley products in this group, along with Bethlehem Catholic offensive lineman Sammy Ayache.
The list of early signees follows:
Sammy Ayache – OL; 6-4/275; Bethlehem, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic
Dakarai Bryant – WR; 5-10/165; Raleigh, N.C./Millbrook
Aaron Crossley – RB; 5-10/205; Wyoming, Pa./Wyoming Area
Matt D'Avino – WR; 6-2/200; Montgomery, N.J./Montgomery
Talan Dudley – LB; 6-2/215; Tampa, Fla./Carrollwood Day
Jaden Ferguson – WR; 6-3/195; Charlottesville, Va./Woodberry Forest
Garrett Guess – TE; 6-5/220, Washington Court House, Ohio/Miami Trace
Cole Hughes – LB; 6-2/220; Park Ridge, N.J./Park Ridge
Hayden Johnson – QB; 6-1/195; Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township
Matt Machalik – QB; 6-0/200; Palmerton, Pa./Palmerton
Garrison McKinney – OL; 6-3/270; Nicholasville, Ky./Lexington Christian Academy
Ryan Moses – OL; 6-4/250; Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown East
Connor Poole – K/P; 6-3/180; Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport
Luke Reilly – DL; 6-3/285; Pennington, N.J./Deerfield Academy
Aiden Schomp – TE; 6-6/230; Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest
Mekhai Smith – DB; 6-2/200; Lower Merion, Pa./Lower Merion
Charles Soska – OL; 6-4/285; Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on X/Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Lehigh Sports Central: Football
Tuesday, December 02
MHT EP6 - Football
Thursday, November 20
Brown & Flight - Episode 4
Friday, November 14
Football Blitz
Friday, October 31
