GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Davenport University football program continued to build on its recent success by welcoming 43 signed student-athletes on National Signing Day, Wednesday, February 4, reinforcing a roster that has produced 20 wins over the past three seasons.
The newest class reflects both immediate impact and long-term vision. Of the 43 signees, 17 are already enrolled to Davenport for the current semester, providing instant depth and experience, while 26 high school recruits are set to join the Panthers ahead of the 2026 season.
Davenport's recruiting approach stayed primarily in the Mitten State, with 36 student-athletes hailing from Michigan. The remainder of the class is represented by Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. The class brings balance across all phases of the game, featuring 18 offensive players, 23 defensive standouts, and two special teams contributors.
This year's signing class underscores the program's commitment to sustained excellence, blending proven collegiate talent with promising high school recruits as the Panthers continue to strengthen their foundation and prepare for the future.
Head coach
Sparky McEwen said this about this year's class, "We have signed a class of student-athletes that will continue the proud winning tradition of DU football! This talented group of freshman athletes will make an impact immediately and in the near future. Recruiting has changed, the standard and expectation is at an all-time high, and this class comes in with the mindset of winners in the classroom as well as on the field. The transfers will begin their journey this spring as they are looking to help us with the goal of winning a GLIAC championship. The class of transfers are as talented as I have seen here at DU, and we can't wait to get spring underway and a chance to welcome all of our new Panthers to the family."
Mid-Year Transfers
| Name |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Hometown/Prev. School |
| Caleb Aungst |
DB |
6-2 |
200 |
East Jordan, Mich./Quincy Univ. |
| Henry Carstarphen |
WR |
6-3 |
180 |
Flint, Mich./Siena Heights Univ. |
| Daniel Daley |
OL |
6-5 |
280 |
Bridgeport, Conn./Univ. of Charleston |
| Jacob Griffin |
DL |
6-3 |
340 |
McKees Rocks, Pa./Hutchinson C.C. |
| Prestin Hawkins |
OL |
6-6 |
320 |
Charlotte, N.C./Slippery Rock Univ. |
| Mickey Herrick |
LS |
5-10 |
220 |
Fairhope, Ala./Independence C.C. |
| Aydin Johnson |
DL |
6-4 |
260 |
Parchment, Mich./Wayne State Univ. |
| Breon Key |
OL |
6-2 |
270 |
Detroit, Mich./Valdosta State Univ. |
| Drew Mabrito |
WR |
6-2 |
205 |
Fruitport, Mich./Ave Maria Univ. |
| Josh McKnight |
DL |
6-2 |
245 |
Upper Darby, Pa./Shippensburg Univ. |
| Logan Mogg |
OL |
6-4 |
300 |
Center Line, Mich./Adams State Univ. |
| Jonathan Palmer |
QB |
6-3 |
205 |
Franklin, Tenn./Tennessee State Univ. |
| Zyers Ruff |
LB |
6-1 |
215 |
Belleville, Mich./Iowa Western C.C. |
| Darekeo Speech, Jr. |
LB |
6-1 |
230 |
Muskegon, Mich./Saginaw Valley State Univ. |
| Ian Van Der Merwe |
DL |
6-1 |
265 |
Tucson, Ariz./Bowling Green State Univ. |
| Tyson Watson |
DL |
6-6 |
300 |
Detroit, Mich./Campbellsville Univ. |
| Matt Wickey |
OL |
6-6 |
325 |
Sturgis, Mich./Tiffin Univ. |
High School Signees
| Name |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
High School |
| Hadi Alrabiah |
OL |
6-4 |
320 |
Dearborn (Mich.) |
| Ryan Bondy |
OL |
6-2 |
275 |
Saline (Mich.) |
| Vince Coleman |
OL |
6-0 |
290 |
Muskegon Mona Shores (Mich.) |
| Jonathan Copsey |
LS |
5-11 |
215 |
Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills (Mich.) |
| Connor Cox |
OL |
6-3 |
285 |
Brighton (Mich.) |
| Kaden Eller |
OL |
6-4 |
270 |
White Lake Lakeland (Mich.) |
| Carson Ginn |
DL |
6-2 |
225 |
Grand Rapids Northview (Mich.) |
| Peyton Gout |
DL |
6-2 |
240 |
Livonia Churchill (Mich.) |
| Cainan Hanbury |
LB |
6-1 |
210 |
Troy Athens (Mich.) |
| Deneir Harris-Wright |
LB |
6-1 |
215 |
Detroit Edison (Mich.) |
| Hank Hornung |
WR |
6-2 |
195 |
Clarkston (Mich.) |
| Patrick "PJ" LeBlanc |
DB |
6-1 |
195 |
Rockford (Mich.) |
| Jonah Leslie |
LB |
6-1 |
205 |
Zeeland West (Mich.) |
| Dominic Melaragni |
OL |
6-2 |
280 |
Goodrich (Mich.) |
| Ayden Mercado-Wims |
LB |
6-1 |
215 |
Waterford Mott (Mich.) |
| Tyler Orman |
OL |
6-4 |
285 |
Gaylord (Mich.) |
| Charlie Pomo |
LB |
6-2 |
230 |
Dexter (Mich.) |
| Kaliq Robinson |
DB |
6-0 |
175 |
West Bloomfield (Mich.) |
| Max Schwesing |
OL |
6-2 |
260 |
Livonia Churchill (Mich.) |
| Brody Stack |
TE |
6-4 |
235 |
Howell (Mich.) |
| Samarae Stephens |
DB |
5-11 |
185 |
Detroit Martin Luther King (Mich.) |
| Richard Stewart |
DL |
6-1 |
280 |
Detroit Martin Luther King (Mich.) |
| Logan Thompson |
DB |
6-0 |
190 |
Kent City (Mich.) |
| Carter Vandertuig |
DL |
6-4 |
220 |
Rockford (Mich.) |
| Antonio Vasquez |
DB |
6-2 |
175 |
Dearborn Divine Child (Mich.) |
| Nolan Zbytowski |
DB |
5-10 |
185 |
Portland (Mich.) |
