CALIFORNIA (Feb. 4) – The California (PA) football program announced its initial recruiting class on Wednesday, which included National Letter of Intent signees, preferred walk-ons and mid-year transfers.
Additional commitments may be added to this page at later date.
| Name |
Position |
Height |
Weight |
Hometown / High School / Previous School |
| Donovan Biggs |
DB |
5-8 |
175 |
Monroeville, Pa. / Gateway / Grove City (Pa.) |
| William Bigham IV |
OL |
6-4 |
300 |
Webster, N.Y. / Webster Schroeder / Saint Francis (Pa.) |
| Aidan Bilek |
DL |
6-0 |
265 |
Hollidaysburg, Pa. / Hollidaysburg / Saint Francis (Pa.) |
| Terrell Booth |
DB |
5-11 |
180 |
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Serra Catholic / Clarion |
| Kyreese Bradley |
RB |
5-10 |
210 |
Philadelphia, Pa. / Neumann Goretti / Milford Academy |
| Brian Carter |
LB |
6-2 |
200 |
Downingtown, Pa. / Downingtown West |
| Kaedyn Daniels |
DL |
6-1 |
245 |
Philadelphia, Pa. / Upper Darby |
| Deakyn DeHoet |
WR |
5-11 |
205 |
Waynesburg, Pa. / Jefferson-Morgan |
| Wilfredo Diaz |
LB |
5-11 |
215 |
Miami, Fla. / West Broward / Minot State (N.D.) |
| Rocco Fetzko |
OL |
6-2 |
270 |
Johnstown, Pa. / Bishop McCort |
| Eric Gibson,Jr. |
QB |
6-1 |
205 |
Norfolk, Va. / Maury / Northern Colorado |
| Khalil Holley |
LB |
6-3 |
235 |
Philadelphia, Pa. / Monsignor Bonner / King's (Pa.) |
| Damien Holloway |
WR |
6-3 |
205 |
Carnegie, Pa. / Chartiers Valley |
| Ray Jackson |
WR |
6-1 |
200 |
Erie, Pa. / McDowell / Clarion |
| Aiden Johnson |
DL |
6-2 |
260 |
Belle Vernon, Pa. / Belle Vernon / Millersville |
| Cameron Kiersch |
LB |
6-1 |
225 |
Danville, Pa. / Danville / Saint Francis (Pa.) |
| Ryan Konchek |
OL |
6-3 |
265 |
Downingtown, Pa. / Downingtown East / Millersville |
| Lane Lambert |
LB |
6-1 |
215 |
Somerset, Pa. / Somerset / Saint Francis (Pa.) |
| Braden Laux |
LB |
6-4 |
225 |
Belle Vernon, Pa. / Belle Vernon / Eastern Michigan |
| Daniel Lawyer |
OL |
-- |
-- |
-- |
| Noah Layhue |
LB |
6-5 |
240 |
California, Pa. / California |
| Elias Lippincott |
LB |
6-2 |
230 |
Jefferson Hills, Pa. / Thomas Jefferson |
| Jaden McCray |
WR |
6-2 |
195 |
Apollo, Pa. / Apollo-Ridge |
| DeJheerit Mellix |
DB |
6-0 |
205 |
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Westinghouse |
| Carlos Morales |
LB |
5-10 |
205 |
Southwest Ranches, Fla. / West Broward / Edinboro |
| Darian Nelson |
DB |
6-1 |
195 |
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Plum / Saint Francis (Pa.) |
| Robert Nettles-Carter |
DB |
6-0 |
175 |
Philadelphia, Pa. / Monsignor Bonner |
| Damar Olds |
WR |
5-10 |
165 |
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Bishop Canevin |
| Jay Pearson |
RB |
6-0 |
210 |
McKees Rocks, Pa. / Sto-Rox / Eastern Illinois |
| Thomas Peveto |
OL |
6-6 |
315 |
Dover, Ohio / Dover / Edinboro |
| Zaire Pollard |
WR |
6-3 |
195 |
Philadelphia, Pa. / Imhotep Charter |
| Jayden Riley |
DL |
5-11 |
290 |
Harrisburg, Pa. / Susquehanna Township |
| Justin Schwartz |
OL |
6-5 |
275 |
Berwyn, Pa. / Conestoga |
| Jordan Smith |
LB |
6-0 |
220 |
Woodlyn, Pa. / Imhotep Charter |
| Micah Smith |
DL |
6-2 |
290 |
Abbottstown, Pa. / New Oxford / Shippensburg |
| Sean Smith |
OL |
6-4 |
290 |
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Seneca Valley |
| Caden Solomon |
OL |
6-2 |
285 |
York, Pa. / Central York |
| Justus Starks |
DL |
6-1 |
255 |
Aliquippa, Pa. / Aliquippa |
| Colton Stone |
TE |
6-5 |
260 |
Susquehanna, Pa. / Susquehanna / Bloomsburg |
| Brian Tarrant, Jr. |
DB |
5-10 |
165 |
North Versailles, Pa. / Woodland Hills |
| Tristyn Tavares |
QB |
6-0 |
195 |
Irwin, Pa. / Norwin |
| Gregory Thompson |
QB |
6-3 |
200 |
Norristown, Pa. / Norristown |
| Dylan Turcan |
OL |
6-3 |
310 |
Gibsonia, Pa. / Pine-Richland |
| Tymir Walker |
DB |
6-1 |
185 |
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Woodland Hills |
| Jake Wolfe |
QB |
6-1 |
195 |
McKees Rocks, Pa. / Montour / Robert Morris |
| JJ Work |
LB |
5-11 |
190 |
Alquippa, Pa. / Aliquippa |
Donovan Biggs I DB I 5-8 I 175 I Monroeville, Pa. / Gateway I Grove City (Pa.)
Son of Dennis and Jamille Biggs… has 1 sister, Taylor, who was a member of the Detroit Mercy Track and Field Team from 2018-2023… Played at Gateway under head coach Don Holl… Previously played at Grove City under head coach Andrew DiDonato in 2024…
William Bigham IV I OL I 6-4 I 300 I Webster, N.Y. / Webster Schroeder I Saint Francis (Pa.)
Son of William Bigham III and Carolyn Bigham… has 1 brother and 1 sister… Played at Webster Schroeder under head coach Michael Stumpf… Previously played at Saint Francis under head coach Chris Villarrial in 2025…
Aiden Bilek I DL I 6-0 I 265 I Hollidaysburg, Pa. / Hollidaysburg I Saint Francis (Pa.)
Son of David and Jeanna Bilek… has 1 sister… Played at Hollidaysburg under head coach Homer DeLattre… Previously played at Saint Francis under head coach Chris Villarrial in 2025…
Terrell Booth I DB I 5-11 I 180 I Pittsburgh, Pa. / Serra Catholic I Clarion
Son of Terry Booth and Robin Nixon… has 1 brother and 2 sisters… Played at Serra Catholic under head coach Jose Regus… won a WPIAL Title at 2A in 2021… named to All-PIAA 1st Team at WR/DB in 2021… Previously played at Notre Dame (OH) under head coach Garrett Mack and Clarion under head coach Raymond Monica… appeared in 22 games at Clarion and recorded 98 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 15 pass deflections, and 1 interception…
Kyreese Bradley I RB I 5-10 I 210 I Philadelphia, Pa. / Neumann Goretti I Milford Academy
Son of Maurice Bradley and Marcell Thompson… has 1 brother and 2 sisters… Played at Neumann Goretti & Milford under head coaches Albie Crosby and Bill Chaplick… won the PCL Championship in 2023… named 1st Team All-PCL at LB in 2023 and 2024…
Brian Carter I LB I 6-2 I 200 I Downingtown, Pa. / Downingtown West
Son of Brian Carr and Alicia Davis… has 2 brothers and 4 sisters… Played at Downingtown West under head coach Tom Kline… won the Ches-Mont Conference 2 straight years from 2024-2025… won the 6A District 1 Championship in 2024… named to 2 straight All-League 1st Team selections at DL in 2024 and 2025…
Kaedyn Daniels I DL I 6-1 I 245 I Philadelphia, Pa. / Upper Darby
Son of Devin and Aryell Simpkins… has 6 brothers and 3 sisters… Played at McKeesport under head coach Matt Miller… named to All-WPIAL 1
st team in 4A at DE in 2024 and 2025…
Deakyn DeHoet I WR I 5-11 I 205 I Waynesburg, Pa. / Jefferson-Morgan
Son of Jay and Krysta Ferencak… has 1 brother and 1 sister… Played at Jefferson-Morgan under head coach Shane Ziats… won the 1A Tri County South Conference in 2024… named to three straight All-WPIAL 1
st Teams from 2023-25 in 1A at WR/DB…
Wilfredo Diaz I LB I 5-11 I 215 I Miami, Fla. / West Broward I Minot State (S.D.)
Son of Sandra Blanco… Played at West Broward under head coach Brian McCartney… Previously played at Edinboro under head coach Jake Nulph from 2022-2024… appeared in 24 games and recorded 246 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles… named to the PSAC West All-Conference 1st Team at LB in 2024… named a D2CCA 2nd Team All-American after leading all of Division 2 football in tackles with 150 in 2024.
Rocco Fetzko I OL I 6-2 I 270 I Johnstown, Pa. / Bishop McCort
Son of Robert and Kelly Fetzko…has 1 brother and 1 sister… Played at Bishop McCourt under head coach Tom Smith… won a LHAC championship in 2025 with Bishop McCourt … named an All-LHAC Honorable Mention for OL/DL in 2025… 2-time District 6 champion and 2024 PIAA semifinalist as a member of the baseball team…
Eric Gibson, Jr. I QB I 6-1 I 205 I Norfold, Va. / Maury I Northern Colorado
Son of Eric and Charity Gibson… has 1 sister… Played at Maury under head coach Dyrri McCain… won a VHSL State Title at 5A in 2019… named to the VHSL All-State 1st Team in 5A at QB in 2019… Previously played at LSU under Ed Orgeron and Brian Kelly from 2021-22, Monterey Peninsula College under head coach Ronnie Palmer from 2023-2024, and University of Northern Colorado under head coach Ed Lamb in 2025… appeared in 12 games for Northern Colorado, throwing for 2,533 yards and 11 touchdowns…
Khalil Holley I LB I 6-3 I 235 I Philadelphia, Pa. / Monsignor Bonner I King's (Pa.)
Son of Barbara Thomas… has 2 brothers and 4 sisters… his brother Khaliq currently plays football at King's College (PA)... Played at Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast under head coach Jack Muldoon… Previously played at King's College (PA) under head coach Mike Cebrosky in 2025… appeared in 9 games and recorded 23 tackles, 4 ½ tackles for loss, and 4 sacks…
Damien Holloway I WR I 6-3 I 205 I Carnegie, Pa. / Chartiers Valley
Son of Rahmad Holloway and Carmen Vasquez… has 1 brother and 4 sisters… Played at Chartiers Valley under head coach Steve Spence… named to back-to-back All-WPIAL 1
st Teams in 2A and 4A at WR in 2024 and 2025…
Ray Jackson I WR I 6-1 I 200 I Erie, Pa. / McDowell I Clarion
Son of Justin and Deandra Ward… has 1 brother and 1 sister… His brother Nashawn was a member of the California Vulcans Football Team from 2021-2024… Played at McDowell under head coach Bo Orlando… Previously played at Clarion under head coach Raymond Monica from 2022-2025… appeared in 27 career games for the Golden Eagles and recorded 56 receptions for 950 yards and 8 touchdowns…
Aiden Johnson I DL I 6-2 I 260 I Belle Vernon, Pa. / Belle Vernon I Millersville
Son of Blair Johnson and Tara McBride… his father Blair was a member of the California Vulcan Football Team in 1989… has 2 sisters… Played at Belle Vernon under head coach Matt Humbert… won back-to-back WPIAL Championships and PIAA State Titles at 3A with Belle Vernon in 2022 and 2023… named MVP in the 2022 PIAA State Championship game… named to the All-WPIAL 1st Team in 3A at DL in 2023… Previously played at Millersville under head coach J.C. Morgan and Brian Ferguson from 2024-2025… appeared in 9 games and recorded 11 tackles… named a PSAC Scholar-Athlete in 2025…
Cameron Kiersch I LB I 6-1 I 225 I Danville, Pa. / Danville I Saint Francis (Pa.)
Played at Danville under head coach Carl Majer… Previously played at Saint Francis under head coach Chris Villarrial in 2025… appeared in 8 games and recorded 14 tackles…
Ryan Konchek I OL I 6-3 I 265 I Doningtown, Pa. / Downingtown East I Millersville
Son of Eric and Jennifer Konchek… has 1 sister… Played at Downingtown East under head coach Michael Matta… won the Ches-Mont Conference in 2023… Previously played at Millersville under head coach J.C. Morgan from 2024-2025…
Lane Lambert I LB I 6-1 I 215 I Somerset, Pa. / Somerset I Saint Francis (Pa.)
Son of Travis and Kristin Lambert… has 1 brother… Played at Somerset under head coach Jeff Urban… won 2 straight LHAC Titles as a member of the baseball team in 2023 and 2024… named to the PIAA All-State 1st Team in 3A at OF in 2023… Previously played at Saint Francis under head coach Chris Villarrial in 2025…
Braden Laux I LB I 6-4 I 225 I Belle Vernon, Pa. / Belle Vernon I Eastern Michigan
Son of Brian and Michelle Laux… has 1 sister… Played at Belle Vernon under head coach Matt Humbert… won back-to-back WPIAL Championships and PIAA State Titles at 3A with Belle Vernon in 2022 and 2023… Previously played at Eastern Michigan under head coach Chris Creighton…
Noah Layhue I LB I 6-5 I 240 I California, Pa. / California
Son of Jason and Janae Layhue… has 2 brothers… His brother Jake is a current member of the California Vulcan Football Team… He played at California under head coach Ed Woods… won 2 Tri County South Section Championships in 2023 and 2025… named to 2 straight All-WPIAL 1st Team's in 1A at OL/DE in 2024 and 2025… named to All-State 1st Team in 1A at DL by the PFN Coaches in 2025… led all of PIAA with 19 sacks in 2025…
Elias Lippincott I LB I 6-2 I 230 I Jefferson Hills, Pa. / Thomas Jefferson
Son of Herb and Denise Lippincott… has 2 sisters… Played at Thomas Jefferson under head coach Bill Cherpak… Previously attended Northern Virginia…
Jaden McCray I WR I 6-2 I 195 I Apollo, Pa. / Apollo-Ridge
Son of Arthur McCray Jr. and Jennifer McCray… has 1 brother and 2 sisters… Played at Apollo-Ridge under head coach John Skiba… named to All-WPIAL 1
st Team in 2A at WR and OLB in 2025… placed 1
st in 2A at the WPIAL Championships for javelin…
DeJheerit Mellix I DB I 6-0 I 205 I Pittsburgh, Pa. / Westinghouse
Son of Kenya Venson and DeJanee Mellix… has 4 brothers and 2 sisters… His brother Amaree currently plays football at Waynesburg… Played at Westinghouse under head coach Donta Green… won 3 straight City League Championships from 2022-2024… named to 2 All-WPIAL 1st Teams in the City League at LB/S in 2024 and 2025…
Carlos Morales I LB I 5-10 I 205 I Southwest Ranches, Fla. / West Broward I Edinboro
Son of Carlos Morales and Jenny Buron… has 1 brother and 2 sisters… Played at West Broward under Brian McCartney… won back-to-back 4M District 14 Championships in 2022 and 2023… named to All-Broward County 2nd Team at LB in 2023… Previously played at Edinboro under head coaches Jake Nulph and Matt Scott from 2024-2025… appeared in 11 games and registered 57 tackles, 3 ½ tackles for loss, and 1 interception…
Darian Nelson I DB I 6-1 I 195 I Pittsburgh, Pa. / Plum I Edinboro
Son of Stephanie Nelson… Played at Plum under head coach Matt Morgan… named to 2 All-WPIAL 1st Teams at 5A for ATH and LB in 2023 and 2024… Previously played at Saint Francis under head coach Chris Villarrial in 2025… appeared in 5 games and recorded 11 tackles and 1 pass defended…
Robert Nettles-Carter I DB I 6-0 I 175 I Philadelphia, Pa. / Monsignor Bonner
Son of Anthony Nettles and Roberta Carter… has 2 brothers and 2 sisters… Played at Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast under head coach Jack Muldoon… won the PIAA 4A State Title in 2024…
Damar Olds I WR I 5-10 165 I Pittsburgh, Pa. / Bishop Canevin
Son of Damon and Marissa Olds… has 2 sisters… Played at Bishop Canevin under head coaches Richard Johnson and Rod Steele…
Jay Pearson I RB I 6-0 I 210 I McKees Rocks, Pa. / Sto-Rox I Eastern Illinois
Son of Brenden Pearson and Najla Benson… has 1 brother and 1 sister… Played at Sto-Rox under head coach LaRoi Johnson… named to All-WPIAL 1st Team in 2A at RB in 2021… named Co-MVP of the Three Rivers Conference in 2021… Previously played at Eastern Illinois under head coach Chris Wilkerson from 2023-2025… appeared in 26 career games and recorded 733 all-purpose yards and 1 touchdown…
Zaire Pollard I WR I 6-3 I 195 I Philadelphia, Pa. / Imhotep Charter
Played at Imhotep under head coach Devon Johnson… won back-to-back 6A Public League championships in 2024 and 2025… member of Imhotep's PIAA 5A State championship in 2023…
Thomas Peveto I OL I 6-6 I 315 I Dover, Ohio / Dover I Edinboro
Son of Dan and Jennfier Peveto… has 1 brother… Played at Dover for head coach Dan Ifft… Previously played for Edinboro under head coach Jake Nulph… appeared in 8 games…
Jayden Riley I DL I 5-11 I 290 I Harrisburg, Pa. / Susquehanna Township
Son of Jon Riley and Toni Annibali… has 3 brothers and 1 sister… His brother Isiah played football at Millersville from 2024-2025… Played at Susquehanna under head coach Joe Headen… selected to All-State 2nd Team by PFN Coaches in 4A at DT in 2025… named to 2 straight ALL-MPC 1st Team's at DL in 2024 and 2025…
Justin Schwartz I OL I 6-5 I 275 I Berwyn, Pa. / Conestoga
Son of Jamie Schwartz and Melanie Moore… has 1 brother and 1 sister… Played at Conestoga under head coach Scott Gee… named All-Central League 2
nd Team at DL and All-Central League Honorable Mention at OL in 2025…
Jordan Smith I LB I 6-0 I 220 I Woodlyn, Pa. / Imhotep Charter
Son of Chubb Smith and Jamyla Carlton… has 1 brother and 1 sister… Played at Imhotep under head coach Devon Johnson… won back-to-back 6A Public League championships in 2024 and 2025… member of Imhotep's PIAA 5A State championship in 2023…
Micah Smith I DL I 6-2 I 290 I Abbottstown, Pa. / New Oxford I Shippensburg
Son of Gerald and Alma Smith… has 2 brothers and 4 sisters… Played at New Oxford under head coach Jason Warner… won 2 York-Adams 2 Conference titles in 2022 and 2023… named YAIAA 1st Team at OL and DL in 2022 and 2023… YAIAA district champion as a member of the competitive cheerleading team… Previously played at Shippensburg under head coach Mark Maciejewski from 2024-2025… appeared in 10 games and recorded 8 tackles and 1 fumble recovery…
Sean Smith I OL 6-4 I 290 I Pittsburgh, Pa. / Seneca Valley
Son of Frederick and Linda Smith… has 1 sister… Played at Seneca Valley under head coach Don Barclay…
Caden Solomon I OL I 6-2 I 285 I York, Pa. / Central York
Son of Donnell and Brandi Solomon… has 3 brothers and 1 sister… Played at York Central under head coach GerryYonchiuk… won 4 straight York-Adams 1 Conference titles from 2022-2025 … named aYork-Adams All-County 1
st Team member at OL in 2025…
Justus Starks I DL I 6-1 I 255 I Aliquippa, Pa. / Aliquippa
Son of Aaron Starks and Vicki Taylor… has 3 sisters… Played at Aliquippa under head coach Mike Warfield… won 3 WPIAL 4A Titles in 2022, 2023, and 2025 and a PIAA 4A State Championship with Aliquippa in 2023…
Colton Stone I TE I 6-5 I 260 I Susquehanna, Pa. / Susquehanna I Bloomsburg
Son of Bronson and Tammy Stone… has 2 brothers… Played at Susquehanna under head coach Kyle Cook… Previously played at Bloomsburg under head coach Frank Sheptock from 2024-2025…
Brian Tarrant Jr. I DB I 5-10 I 165 I North Versailles, Pa. / Woodland Hills
Son of Brian Tarrant Sr. and Melissa Tarrant… His father Brian Sr. and cousin Cam were both members of the California Vulcans football team from 1996-2000 and 2017-2022 respectively… has 1 sister… Played at Woodland Hills under head coach Brian Tarrant Sr. … won back-to-back 5A Big East Conference Championships in 2024 and 2025… was named 2nd Team All-Conference at DB in 2024…
Tristyn Tavares I QB I 6-0 I 195 I Irwin, Pa. / Norwin
Son of John and Lacie Tavares… has 1 brother… Played at Norwin under head coach Mike Brown… named 1st Team All-WPIAL QB at 5A in 2023 and 6A in 2025… Norwin's record holder in single season passing yards, single season passing touchdowns and single game passing touchdowns…
Gregory Thompson I QB I 6-3 I 200 I Norristown, Pa. / Norristown
Son of Charles Thompson and Larene White… has 2 brothers and 4 sisters… Played at Norristown under head coach Joseph Milligan…
Dylan Turcan I OL I 6-3 I 310 I Gibsonia, Pa. / Pine-Richland
Son of Ozkan and Natalie Turcan… has 1 brother and 1 sister… Played at Pine Richland under head coach Jon LeDonne… won a 5A WPIAL Championship in 2024…
Tymir Walker I DB I 6-1 I 185 I Pittsburgh, Pa. / Woodland Hills
Son of Tyrone and Tiffany Jenkins… has 3 brothers and 1 sister… Played at Woodland Hills under head coach Brian Tarrant Sr. … won back-to-back 5A Big East Conference Titles in 2024 and 2025… named to the All-WPIAL 1
st Team in 5A at DB in 2024…
Jake Wolfe I QB I 6-1 I 195 I McKees Rocks, Pa. / Montour I Robert Morris
Son of Johnathon and Dana McGarry… has 1 brother and 2 sisters… his sister Jordyn played basketball at W&J in 2024… Played at Montour under head coach Lou Cerro… named to PIAA All-State and All-WPIAL 1st Teams in 4A at QB in 2023… scored over 1,000 career points as a member of the basketball team… Previously played at Robert Morris under head coach Bernard Clark… appeared in 7 games and threw for 183 yards and 1 touchdown…
JJ Work I LB I 5-11 I 190 I Aliquippa, Pa. / Aliquippa
Son of Earl and Kristal Work… has 4 brothers and 2 sisters… Played at Aliquippa under head coach Mike Warfield… won a WPIAL 4A Championship with Aliquippa in 2025… named to the All-WPIAL 1
st Team in 4A at RB in 2025…
