Valpo Football Welcomes First Signing Class of Andy Waddle Era
The Valparaiso University football program has announced the signing of 31 student-athletes, who will continue their academic and athletic endeavors at Valpo, the first recruiting class of the Andy Waddle head coaching era.
Additional incoming student-athletes will be added at a later time.
“Valparaiso as an institution is so easy to get young people excited about,” Waddle said. “All of our different academic programs, our location here in Northwest Indiana and your ability and ease to travel to big cities like Chicago have made it exciting for us to get out and sell Valpo. We think we’ve put together a strong class that has hit some positional needs as well as adding some talent. We’re looking forward to seeing what these young men can do over the next couple of years.”
The states of Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota, Nebraska, California, Michigan, Florida, Wyoming, Missouri, Arizona and Indiana are among those represented in Waddle’s initial class.
“We all want to make sure we’re bringing in good football players, and that’s the easiest thing you do as a football coach, because you start by watching their film and seeing that they have skills set with what we want to do schematically,” Waddle said. “One of the things that has made me successful at previous institutions is looking beyond the football side of things, and looking at individuals who came from winning programs or were captains on their team. We want to find guys who are good students who want to be successful, not just in their four years of playing football, but in their four years of being a student and their life beyond that. That can be a hard thing to evaluate, but it’s something we try to do. When we get a chance to spend time with each of our recruits, they’re interviewing us and we’re interviewing them to make sure we find that perfect match.”
Michael Rumoro, RB, 5-10, 185, Geneva, Ill. (Genova Community)
Intends to study business… Son of Salvatore and Karen Rumoro… Has two older sisters, Carmela and Anna… Cousin Patrick Rumoro played baseball at Louisville from 2016-2019, father Salvatore played baseball at Lewis University from 1986-1989 and Northeastern University from 1989-1990… Uncle Mark Tortorice played baseball at Grand Canyon from 1982-1985 and played minor league baseball in the Oakland A’s and Chicago White Sox’s farm systems… Two-year varsity letter winner… First-team all-conference and two-time all-area honoree… Voted best skilled player for the 2023 season… Had 200 rushing yards and 8.7 yards per carry in a 31-7 victory in the Batavia vs. Geneva rivalry game his senior year… Played baseball as a freshman and sophomore and track & field as a junior… Hobbies include golfing, basketball, video games, playing cards and working out… Is a first-generation American… On the honor roll seven times, twice named academic all-conference and also garnered academic all-state honors.
Nico Downie, WR, 5-10, 165, Santa Cruz, Calif. (Monte Vista Christian)
Plans to study business management… Son of Chris and Karina Downie… Has one brother, Will… Three-year varsity letter winner… Named the league’s offensive player of the year once and an all-league honoree three times… Had three receptions for 264 receiving yards and two touchdowns… Also played basketball all four years of high school… Team captain in basketball and football as a senior… Hobbies include going to the beach and working out… Three-time honor roll member.
Brock Huggins, K, 5-10, 170, Canton, Ohio (Massillon Perry)
Intends to study sports management… Son of Michael and Erica Huggins… Two-year varsity letter winner… Broke a school record for longest field goal with a 50 yarder his senior season… Two-time all-county, two-time all-league and two-time all-district honoree… Also played three years of high school soccer… Hobbies include lifting, hiking, swimming, driving around, spending time outside and hanging out with friends.
Alex Prine, DL, 6-6, 240, Scottsdale, Ariz. (Horizon)
Plans to major in sports management… Son of Laura and Shawn Prine… Has two sisters, Lilly and Katelyn… Father Shawn played football at Concordia Wisconsin from 1993-1996… Uncle Joseph Benson played football at Army from 1995-1998… Three-year varsity letter winner… Had four solo tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack in a 2023 game vs. Desert Mountain… Played basketball as a freshman… Hobbies include fishing, traveling and hiking… Had a close encounter with a black bear in Canada.
Bryson Winbush, WR, 5-9, 170, Columbus, Ohio (Bishop Hartley)
Interested in pursuing athletic training… Son of Bryan and LaDonna Winbush… Has a brother, Brayden… Cousin Lawrence Reid played football at Michigan from 2002-2006, cousin Stuart Reid played football at Toledo, uncle Rodney Barber played basketball at Bluffton University from 1989-1992, cousin Brandon James played at Bluffton from 2019-2021 and Johnnie Jackson played at Findlay from 2003-2008… Four-year varsity letter winner… Earned second team All-Ohio, first team all-district, first team all-Metro and first team all-conference after his senior season while also earning the Bishop Hartley Geyer Award, presented to the team’s most outstanding player… Received honorable mention all-district and first-team all-conference as a junior and second team all-conference as a sophomore… Had 272 total yards, eight tackles, two pass breakups and two touchdowns in a single game against Bloom Carrol… Also competed in track & field all four years of high school, basketball as a freshman and wrestling as a sophomore and junior… Team captain in football as a senior… Enjoys watching movies, playing sports, listening to music, cooking, eating and working out… His biggest fear is big statues… Earned honor roll the fourth quarter of his junior year.
Micah Markley, LB, 6-1, 210, West Chester, Ohio (Lakota West)
Majoring in business finance… Son of Brandon and Molly Markley… Has one sister, Grace… Relatives who have competed in collegiate athletics include Duke Markley (football), Jeff Markley (baseball, Georgia), Tara Markley (basketball, Rio Grande) and Tom Chambers (wrestling, Miami Ohio)… Three-year varsity letter winner… First-team all-academic honoree… Had 15 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble against Princeton his junior year… Also competed in baseball as a freshman, wrestling as a junior and track & field as a sophomore… Team captain in wrestling as a junior and football as a senior… Hobbies include football, church, training and work… Is colorblind… Earned highest honor roll.
Ashton Allen, RB, 5-9, 180, New Albany, Ohio (New Albany)
Majoring in sports management… Son of Leigh and Kevin Allen… Has a brother, Kevin Jr., and a sister, Kaleigh… Three-year varsity letter winner… Earned special mention All-Central District and second team all-conference… Had eight carries for 175 yards and a touchdown as his top single-game performance in high school… Ran track all four years of high school and played basketball as a freshman and sophomore… Enjoys hanging out with friends and playing video games… Describes himself as a very hard worker.
Nolan Teising, WR/KR, 6-2, 195, Zionsville, Ind. (Zionsville)
Majoring in sports management… Son of Jason Teising and Emily Giltner… Has two brothers, Eli and Gavin… Relatives Jeff Seifert (basketball, Rose-Hulman), Nate Hulen (baseball, DePauw) and John Teising (pro baseball) all competed in athletics at the collegiate or professional levels… Two-year varsity letter winner… Earned Offensive Skill MVP, JV Offensive MVP and Special Teams MVP during his high school career… Had three receptions for 69 yards and two touchdowns against LCHS, six receptions for 78 yards and one 95-yard kickoff return TD vs. Noblesville and seven receptions for 80 yards against HSHS… Played three years of basketball and three years of track & field… Hobbies include Legos and golf… Is named after Nolan Ryan… Graduated with academic honors.
Xavier Gipson, DB, 5-10, 180, Lorton, Va. (IMG Academy)
Intends to study business… Son of Yohan Gipson and Paula Sakun… Has a sister, Athena… Relative Tashaun Gipson has played in the NFL since 2012 for the Browns, Jaguars, Texans, Bears and 49ers and was a 2014 Pro Bowl choice… Three-year varsity letter winner… Earned all-district honors… 2024 SSIA state champion… Had a game-changing interception in a playoff game against Specially Fit Academy… 2024 team captain at IMG… Hobbies include fishing, working out and clothing.
Zander Lankford, P/K, 5-11, 190, Hobart, Ind. (Hobart)
Plans to study business administration… Son of Brandon and Sarah Lankford… Has a sister, Scottlynne… Three-year varsity letter winner… First team all-state, first team Region 1 all-star, two-time first team all-conference choice, two-time first-team Post-Tribune all-area selection, two-time first team Region Sports Network all-area choice… Highest punting average 4A in the state of Indiana in the regular season… Indiana Preps Player of the Week against Hammond Morton… Academic all-state and academic all-conference honoree… Helped his team to a conference championship… Team Special Teams MVP… Two-time Special Teams Player of the Week… Named Indiana Player of the Week after his Week 8 game against Hammond Morton as a senior – six punts for an average of 52.3 yards per game with three of six going 60+ yards, four going 50+ yards, one downed at the 1-yard line and three inside the 20… He was 2-for-2 on field goals and 7-for-7 on PATs… Hobbies include video gaming and stock trading… Is in the top 0.1 percent in the video games Marvel Rivals… Academic all-state and academic all-conference honoree… Four years on honor roll.
Billy Jack McCool, OL, 6-4, 280, Sheridan, Wyo. (Big Horn)
Plans to major in political science… Son of Billy and Michelene McCool… Has a brother, Spencer, and a sister, Lauren… Father Billy Wade McCool played football at Wake Forest (1999-2000) and Valdosta State (2000-2001) and rugby at North Texas (2001-2003), grandfather Daniel Vazquez played football at Wilber Wright Junior College in Chicago (1967-68), great grandfather Bill Maniord played football at Allen Academy in Bryan, Texas, great grandfather Jack McCool played basketball for Lon Morris Junior College in Jacksonville, Texas, great-great uncle Shelby Metcalf played basketball for East Texas State and was an All-American before later coaching at Texas A&M… Four-year varsity letter winner… Wyoming Class 2A Lineman of the Year… All-state selection, Wyoming Class 2A East Lineman of the Year… All-conference east selection… WyoPreps All-Championship Game Team… WyoPreps Wyoming Athlete of the Week… Two-one starter… Averaged eight pancake blocks per game, over 70 for the year and two hurries for the year… 11 pancakes in less than a half of play in 2024 Wheatland vs. Big Horn game… Also played basketball (2021-2023), golf (2022) and track & field (2021-2022)… Team captain on the gridiron as a senior… Hobbies include reading, fishing and sports… Lived in the cities/suburbs in the southern United States until eighth grade, then moved with his family to a ranch in Wyoming and learned cattle ranching and horses.
Nathan Downey, QB, 6-2, 190, South Elgin, Ill. (Wheaton Academy)
Plans to major in business… Son of Jeff and Melissa Downey… Has a brother, Aaron… Grandfather Jim Rucks played football, basketball and baseball at the University of Illinois from 1969-1973… Three-year varsity letter winner… Earned all-conference and academic all-conference honors… Went 14-of-22 for 232 yards and four touchdowns in a 2024 win over St. Charles East… Also competed in basketball and track & field… Team captain in 2024… Hobbies include fishing, basketball and biking… Has never left the United States.
Manny Olojo, DL, 6-0, 255, Chicago, Ill. (Niles West)
Interested in studying business or communications… Son of Abi and Charles Olojo… Has a brother, Jeremiah, and a sister, Sarah… Sister competed in track & field at Loyola, his father competed in boxing and his mother in track & field… Brother Jeremiah played football at Valpo in 2017 and 2018… Three-year varsity letter winner… All-conference honoree… Also competed in four years of track & field and one year of wrestling… Team captain in both football and track & field as a senior… Hobbies include working out… Was the strongest person in the weight room as a high school freshman.
Jackson Crawford, TE/LS, 6-2, 230, Lincoln, Neb. (Lincoln Southwest)
Intends to pursue a degree in civil engineering… Son of Janelle Crabbe and Jordan Crawford… Has four siblings – Charley, Natalie, Chandler and Chloe… Father Jordan played football at Doane University, where his mother competed in track & field… Three-year varsity letter winner… First team all-conference honoree and honorable mention all-state choice… First team all-city honors… Had six receptions for 68 yards against Lincoln East as a senior… Played basketball as a freshman and sophomore and competed in four years of track & Field… Team captain on the gridiron as a senior… Enjoys spending time with friends, working out and playing football… Placed eighth in discus at state as a junior… Member of the honor roll all four years of high school.
Donovan Brown, DB, 6-0, 195, Chicago Heights, Ill. (Brother Rice)
Plans to major in communications… Son of Maurice Brown and Dana Jackson… Has four brothers – Dallas, Dalen, Maurice and Marcus – and three sisters – Demi, Dabayah and Mireyah… Brother Marcus was a freshman quarterback for the Beacons this past fall… Brother Dallas played four years of football at Rockford University, brother Maurice Jr. played two years at the University of Indianapolis and brother Dalen played four years at UIndy and one at Saint Xavier… Two-year varsity letter winner… CCL Blue All-Conference Honorable Mention… Competed in track & field all four years of high school… Team captain on the gridiron as a senior… Has a golden doodle named Cinnamon… Member of the honor roll.
Rafael Suarez, OL, 6-1, 260, Miami, Fla. (Christopher Columbus)
Son of Ralph and Ailene Suarez… Has a brother, Michael… Father Ralph played football at Minnesota (2000-2001) and FIU (2002-2004)… Four-year varsity letter winner… Two-time first-team all-Dade, 2023 state champion, Dade All-Star Player… Team captain as a senior… Hobbies include video games… Enjoys bright colors.
Carson Scott, OL, 6-2, 290, Fairfield, Ohio (Fairfield)
Plans to pursue business administration… Son of Jen and Tony Phillips… Has an older brother, Logan… Great grandfather was a center at Ohio University for four years… Three-year varsity letter winner… Two-time all-conference honoree, Offensive Newcomer of the Year, Mason Blanchard Indian Pride Award… Had 15 pancakes in a 2024 game against Sycamore… Team captain as a senior… Has played football for 12 years.
Kaiser Wilhelm, DB, 5-11, 165, Mason, Ohio (William Mason)
Majoring in business… Son of Melissa and Gregg Wilhelm… Has a brother, Aiden, and two sisters – Gabby and Alex… Father played tennis at Southern Indiana and brother golfed at Xavier… Two-year varsity letter winner… First Team GMC, Second Team All-City, All-Ohio Academic Team, MVP Award for Mason 2024, Best Defensive Player Award, Best DB Award, JV MVP Award in 2023… Had a forced fumble, three tackles and two pass breakups in a 2024 game against Hamilton… Also competed in wrestling (junior year), track & field (junior year) and baseball (freshman year)… Hobbies include his faith in Jesus, basketball, pickleball and trying to learn guitar… Is a self-taught gymnast… Named to the Academic All-Ohio Team, Fall Academic Award for being a student-athlete with a 3.15+ GPA while in season.
Donovan Dey, RB, 5-10, 200, Round Lake Beach, Ill. (Carmel Catholic)
Plans to major in marketing and business… Son of Sonia and Randi Dey… Has a younger brother, Declan… Three-year varsity letter winner… Named Conference Player of the Year… Had 300 yards and three touchdowns in a game against a conference rival… Hobbies and interests include music and photography.
Tristan Pusateri, LB/S, 5-11, 195, Portage, Ind. (Mount Carmel)
Plans to study biomedical engineering… Son of Desirae and Eddie Pusateri… Has two sisters, Taylor and Bailey… Sister Taylor is a member of the Valpo track & field and cheerleading teams… Cousin Jimmy Oliver played football at Tri State from 2000-2005 and arena football for the 2006 and 2007 seasons… Three-year varsity letter winner… Named a 7A state champion in 2022, 2023 and 2024… Earned the team’s outstanding linebacker award in 2023 and 2024… Top individual high school performance featured 12 tackles, two tackles for loss and four pass breakups against Normal Community in the 2024 quarterfinals… Played basketball and baseball as a freshman and lacrosse as a senior… Hobbies include the gym, fishing, golfing, hanging with friends and family, pickleball and making money… Was born eight weeks early on his sister’s first birthday… Named to the honor roll all four years of high school and academic honor roll as a senior.
Colin Abercrombie, DB, 6-1, 185, North Richland Hills, Texas (Fort Worth Christian)
Plans to study business… Son of Christie and Kevin Abercrombie… Has two brothers, Aiden and Bryce, and a sister, Danni… Three-year varsity letter winner… Two-time all-district honoree… Had five solo tackles, four assisted tackles, one tackle for loss and two pass breakups in 2024 vs. Trinity Lubbock… Also played four years of track & field… Hobbies include track and NBA… Member of the honor roll.
Johnny DiBlasio, QB, 6-2, 185, Hilliard, Ohio (Hilliard Davidson)
Plans to study sports management… Son of John and Anne DiBlasio… Has a brother, Josh, and a sister, Catie… Relative Karen DiBlasio swam at Harvard and in the 1980 Olympics… Four-year varsity letter winner… First team all-conference and second team all-district honoree… Totaled 212 yards and four touchdowns in 2024 vs. Hilliard Bradley while only playing the first half… Also played four years of high school baseball… Team captain on the gridiron as a senior… Hobbies include sports, video games and listening to music…. Member of the honor roll.
Cameron Waldon, DL, 6-5, 230, Valparaiso, Ind. (Valparaiso)
Plans to study computer science… Son of Liz and Eric Waldon… Has two older brothers, Kyle and Tyler… Has an older sister, Emily… Father played basketball at California State University at Long Beach in 1987-88… Three-year varsity letter winner… 2024 team defensive line MVP… Had two sacks, a forced fumble, a pass deflection, nine tackles and two tackles for loss on Aug. 30, 2024 vs. Andrean… Also competed in varsity volleyball in 2022 and unified track in 2025… Hobbies include working out, video games, movies and Legos… Has lived in seven states.
David Akinbosoye, DB, 6-3, 190, Buffalo Grove, Ill. (Stevenson)
Plans to study environmental engineering… Son of Akin Akinbosoye and Osayi Ovbiosa… Has a sister, Zoe… Cousin Adetomiwa Adebawore has played for the Indianapolis Colts since 2023… Two-year varsity letter winner… Academic all-conference honoree… Had four pass breakups in Week 7 vs. Warren… Competed in three years of track & field… Hobbies include traveling, playing sports, being active and eating… Can do a backflip… Seven-time gold honor roll member.
Easton Hill, LB, 6-0, 215, Columbus, Ohio (Hamilton Township)
Intends to study business… Son of Cody Hill and Jordan Hockett… Has two younger brothers, Eli and Hudson, and two younger sister, Ella and Emileigh… Three-year varsity letter winner… First team all-conference, academic all-conference and two-time second team all-district honoree… 18 total tackles and three tackles for loss in a 2024 game against Circleville… Also competed in wrestling as a freshman… Team captain on the gridiron in 2024… Hobbies include snowboarding and playing Madden/NCAA video games… Is a Cincinnati Bengals fan… Member of dean’s list and honor roll all terms of high school.
Nathan Fletcher, 6-5, 240, Manchester, Mich. (Manchester)
Plans to study business management… Son of Julia and Jeff Fletcher… Has three brothers – Kenny, Ian and Ben – and three sisters – Anna, Stefanie and Maggie… Four-year varsity letter winner… Two-time first team all-state choice… Had 14.5 sacks as a senior… Also competed in four years of wrestling and four years of track & field… Hobbies include lifting and fishing… Academic all-state honoree… Earned three years of academic honors and one year of high honors.
Case-Edward Miller, DL, 6-2, 255, St. Louis, Mo. (Westminster Christian Academy)
Plans to study kinesiology… Son of Darius and Takilyia Miller… Has two brothers, Camden and Cade… Four-year varsity letter winner… Played both ways and some special teams in high school… Second team all-Metro choice… First team all-district honoree… Team captain… Competed in track & field and wrestled as a junior… Hobbies include playing with his dog, storm fishing, gaming and cooking… Has an Irish twin.
Caleb Baczek, DL, 6-2, 215, Libertyville, Ill. (Libertyville)
Plans to study business… Son of Todd and Trish Baczek… Has a brother, Chase, and a sister, Grace… Father played football at Northwestern and was signed by the New York Jets… Three-year varsity letter winner… Earned all-conference honorable mention (2023), all-conference (2024) and first team all-area (2024)… Had a big game against Stevenson in 2024, when he had two sacks including a strip sack, three solo tackles, three assists and five QB hurries… Competed in wrestling all four years… Team captain in both football and wrestling as a senior… Hobbies include fishing, camping, playing video games, eating and cooking… Can play the harmonica… Member of the honor roll.
Carsen Burckhardt, LB, 6-0, 220, Long Lake, Minn. (Orono)
Intends to major in finance… Son of Jonah and Abby Burckhardt… Has a brother, Parker… Mother Abby competed in golf and basketball at the University of Sioux Falls and St. Cloud State University… Four-year varsity letter winner… Team captain, four-year varsity letter winner and all-district first team honoree… Had 15 tackles and two tackles for loss in 2024 vs. Mound-Westonka… Also competed in two years of basketball and one of track & field… Team captain on the gridiron as a senior… Hobbies include cars, lifting and pickup basketball… Has lived in 12+ houses… Earned the McDonald’s student-athlete award… Enrolled in multiple AP courses.
Jacob Ritter, QB, 6-2, 190, Tinley Park, Ill. (Marist Chicago)
Intends to major in civil engineering… Son of Dave and Janet Ritter… Has three brothers – Jackson, Ben and DJ, and one sister, Sam… Mother played volleyball at Iowa and father played football at Michigan… Two-year varsity letter winner… First team all-conference and academic all-state honoree… Threw four touchdown passes and totaled 170 yards through the air and 70 on the ground in Week 1 of this past season vs. Morgan… Also competed in basketball and track & field… Hobbies include snowboarding, reading, working out and video games… Member of the honor roll each of the last two years.
Marco Morales, OL, 6-3, 270, Riverside, Calif. (Riverside Poly)
Plans to major in exercise science… Son of Marco and Sherry Morales… Has three sisters, Hannah, Taryn and Naomi… Grandfather Jaime was a professional Bolivian soccer player in the 1960s… Sister Hannah played for the Chaffey College water polo team in 2016… Sister Naomi played water polo at Riverside Community College in 2022… Three-year varsity letter winner… Two-time first team all-league honoree, one-time all-city honoree, 2023 CIF Championship Finalist… Best Offensive Lineman Award and Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award… Had a big game against rival Ramona High School in 2024… Team captain in 2023 and 2024… Hobbies include video editing, music production and content creation… Created and ran his school’s “Barstool” account that has 1,300+ followers. This account is used to promote his high school’s athletics in a fun way that is up to date with current trends/memes and also updates fans/parents on schedules and game times… Three-time scholar-athlete honoree.
