Football Announces 26-Member Incoming Class of 2026

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown football head coach James Perry '00 has announced the 26 members of the incoming Brown Football class of 2026. The incoming class features 12 offensive players and 14 defense players.

Connecticut leads the way with the most incoming players at four, followed by California, Florida, Massachusetts and Texas with three apiece, and two from the state of Ohio. Eight states – Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island – all have one commit apiece.

Six defensive linemen make up this fall's incoming class, along with five defensive backs, four wide receivers, three linebackers, three offensive lineman, three tight ends, one running back and one quarterback.

"I am tremendously excited to welcome these 26 student-athletes to Brown," Perry said. "They represent the best efforts of my staff and their recruiting all over the country to get the best and the brightest student-athletes. I look forward to bringing them to campus because I know they will make us a deeper and faster football team."

A complete list of this year's incoming class can be found below.

OFFENSE

Jade Arroyo – Tight End – Highlands Ranch, Colo. – Highlands Ranch High School
Before Brown: Honorable mention all-state accolades…Two-time first team all-conference honoree…Set career-highs with 43 catches for 655 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior in 2021…Finished his career with 107 catches for 1,515 yards and 16 touchdowns…Also played basketball and a was a thrower (shot put) on the track and field team…Presented with the team's 2021 Hustle Award…Honor roll student.

Personal: Son of Susan Arroyo…Has two high school teammates playing Ivy League Football.

Why Brown?: "I chose Brown because of the family environment and closely-knit community. I also chose Brown because of the opportunity to play Division I football and get an Ivy League education."

Chason Barber – Wide Receiver – Old Greenwich, Conn. – Greenwich High School
Before Brown: First Team All-FCIAC selection in 2021…Caught 33 passes for 545 yards and eight touchdowns during his senior season…Two-Time Second Team All-FCIAC selection in basketball and two-time FCIAC All-Defensive Team honoree in basketball…Member of the National Honor Society and National Chinese Honor Society…Honor roll student.

Personal: Son of Tiki Barber and Ginny Hoffman…Has three siblings, Aj, Riley and Ella…His brother Aj plays football at Princeton…His father Tiki (Giants) and uncle Ronde (Buccaneers) both played in the NFL…His cousin Justyce Barber plays lacrosse for Williams & Mary…Six of his high school teammates went on to play football in the Ivy League.

Why Brown?: "I picked Brown because I get to play football for a coaching staff that has the ability to bring out my full potential while also receiving a degree from one of the best colleges in the world."

Hayden Bozich – Offensive Lineman – Richmond, Ohio – The Linsly School
Before Brown: Offensive Block of Granite Award winner as one of the five best offensive lineman in the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference in 2021…Won the Stobb's Award as the team's best senior lineman…First Team All-Valley Small School honoree…Also a member of the basketball and track and field teams…Served as team captain as a senior…National Honor Society member…Headmaster's Performance List student.

Personal: Son of Kim and Alan Bozich.

Why Brown?: "Brown offers me a great mix of strong Ivy League academics and high quality athletics in one."

Qwentin Brown – Running Back – Santa Cruz, Calif. – Santa Cruz High School
Before Brown: Second Team All-State selection…Two-time league Offensive Player of the Year…Three-time First Team All-League selection…Two-time league champion…CCS Champion…Finished his career with 326 carries for 3,308 yards…Added 30 receptions for 383 yards and 37 total touchdowns.

Personal: Son of Patience Harris and Jon Brown…Has one brother, Roman.

Why Brown?: "I chose Brown because the football staff has shown that they believe in my ability and wish that I could be a part of their team. Brown also offers an education in which I can see myself thrive in."

Jackson Delaney – Wide receiver – Topsfield, Mass. – St. John's Prep
Before Brown: All-state selection as a senior…Catholic Conference All-Star honoree…Boston Globe/Herald All-Scholastic honoree…Also a member of the lacrosse team at St. John's Prep.

Personal: Son of Kara and George…Has two sisters, Kathryn and Madeline.

Evan Faiella – Tight End – Middlefield, Conn. – Coginchaug Regional – Saint Thomas More Prep
Before Brown: Earned all-conference honors as a safety and wide receiver…Walter Camp Scholar-Athlete.

Personal: Son of Valerie and Nick Faiella…Has two brothers, Justin and Aaron.

Why Brown?: "I chose Brown for its education, campus feel, and coaching staff."

Nevaeh Gattis – Running Back – Graham, N.C. – Southern Alamance High School
Before Brown: Two-time first team all-conference selection…First team all-region honoree…Rushed for 1,499 yards and 22 rushing touchdowns (24 total) as senior in 2021…Honor roll student…Also competed on the track and field team.

Personal: Son of Tina Gattis…Has two siblings, Typhany Cheek and Noble Woods.

Why Brown?: "I loved Brown when I visited and it's been my dream school ever since."

Dillon Golden – Tight End – San Jose, Calif. – Saint Francis High School
Before Brown: Mercury News All-Bay Area selection…West Catholic Athletic League (WCAL) Tight End of the year honoree…Mercury News Preseason All-Bay Area…West Coast Preps All-Bay Area…2021 WCAL champions and became the first NoCal team to beat De La Salle in 30 years…Also played basketball and lacrosse…CCS D2 champions in basketball.

Personal: Son of Mitzi and David Golden…Has one brother, Sebastian.

Why Brown?: "I chose Brown because I wanted to attend a school with world class academics and a football team competing at the highest level. I knew a university such as Brown would provide me with this, while allowing me to grow as a person."

Liam Halligan - Offensive Lineman – Pittsburgh, Pa. – Seton La-Salle Catholic High School
Before Brown: Two-time First Team All-Conference selection…Conference Lineman of the Year…2021 Best of the Batch All-WPIAL Preseason Team selection…Honor roll student…National Honor Society member…Senior Class President.

Personal: Son of Joanna and Michael…Has one sibling, Ursula.

Why Brown?: "I choose Brown because I fell in love with the coaches, campus, facilities, and people at Brown."

Tyler Holtz – Quarterback – DeWitt, Mich. – DeWitt High School
Before Brown: Sophomore Year: All-conference selection as a free safety. Junior Year: Helped lead DeWitt to an undefeated state title…AP Player of the Year…First Team All-State…Mr. Football Finalist…MLive Player of the Year Top 10..Greater Lansing Offensive Player of the Year…Senior Year: Led DeWitt to an appearance in the state championship game…First Team All-State selection…Mr. Football Runner Up…MLive Player of the Year Finalist…Dream Team QB…Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Scholar Athlete Award Recipient (one of two recipients in MI)…Three-time Academic All-State selection…Honor roll student…Graduated fourth in his class of 280+ students…Member of the school's Academic Hall of Fame.

Personal: Son of Allison and Kevin Holtz…Has a sister, Riley, and brother, Max.

Why Brown?: "I chose Brown because it was the perfect fit. It's almost impossible to beat playing football in the Ivy League, but having the opportunity to play for Coach Perry and the rest of the staff at Brown is second to none. Receiving an education from one of the best schools in the world and joining the environment Brown has to offer made my decision a no-brainer."

Solomon Miller – Wide Receiver – Orlando, Fla. – Lake Highland Prep
Before Brown: All-state selection…FACA Independent Player of the Year…President's List student…National Honor Society and National Chinese Honor Society member.

Personal: Kaydene and Samuel Miller…Has two siblings, Saphir and Samuel…His brother, Samuel '25 also attends Brown.

Why Brown?: "I chose Brown because of the genuine relationships and countless opportunities I was presented with. Brown University's education system combined with athletics will allow me to pursue dreams I have had since a child. Brown will allow me to pursue my dreams of playing D1 football while getting a world-class education and that is exactly what I was looking for."

Marco Monteiro – Offensive Line – Milford, Mass. – Milford High School
Before Brown: Two-time Hockomock All-Star selection…MetroWest All-Star and Boston Herald All-Scholastic honors as a senior in 2021…Also competed in track and field, serving as a team captain and earned all-state honors…Honor roll student…Received a Seal of Bilaterally.

Personal: Son of Nilzete Da Penha Welten Monteiro and Nestor Monteiro Jr., has one sibling, Murilo.

Why Brown?: "Second to none in academics, great environment, and a great staff."

John Perdue – Linebacker – Houston, Texas – St. John's School
Before Brown: Led the team in rushing and scoring in 2020…Team captain…Team's leading tackler in 2019…Won the school's Not Without Honor Award as a sophomore, junior and senior…Also competed on the swimming, wrestling, track and lacrosse teams…Set the school swimming record in the 50 free, and was the Houston champion in the 50 free and 100 free…As a wrestler, earned all-state and All-SPC honors in 2019…Captured a SPC title in 2020 and was state runner-up and National qualifier…Earned All-America honors while qualifying for Nationals and winning a state title in 2021.

Personal: Nicole and Jim Perdue…Has two brothers, William and Charlie.

Why Brown?: "I loved The open curriculum and the opportunities found in the Nelson Center. I also love coach Perry and football facilities."

Tyler Pezza – Wide Receiver – North Kingstown, R.I. – North Kingstown High School
Before Brown: Nominated for 2021 Rhode Island Gatorade Player of the Year…All-NEPSAC 1st Team…Northeast Prep Football Conference First Team Offense…All-state receiver in 2019-2020 and 2020-2021…Three-time Academic All-Division honoree…Helped lead North Kingstown to the Division I Superbowl Championship titles in 2018 and 2019…2021 Golden Dozen Athlete…Finished his career at North Kingstown with 148 receptions for 2,285 yards and 22 touchdowns…Also added nine INTs and two forced fumbles on defense in his career…Commended Student for National Merit Scholarship and Presidential Scholarship…Honor roll student.

Personal: Son of Jennifer and Joseph Pezza…Has two brothers, Zachary and Jake…His father Joseph was a thrower on the track and field team at Boston College (1988-92) and his mother played lacrosse at BC from 1989-93.

Why Brown?: "I chose Brown because of the incredible opportunities it provides both athletically and academically, and the foundation it can build for my future."

DEFENSE

Elias Archie – Defensive Back – Cerritos, Calif. – St. John Bosco High School
Before Brown: 2021 Varsity Football Scholar Athlete of the Year at St. John Bosco High…Also played center field on the baseball team…Also played for the Monarchs Baseball Club and Lakewood Lancer Football program.

Personal: Son of Eva and Jason Archie.

Why Brown?: "I chose Brown because of the open curriculum so I can figure out what draws me the most and they really pursued me for football."

Tyler Baskett – Defensive Back– Chesapeake Beach, Md. – Northern High School
Before Brown: Helped lead Northern to its first-ever football 3A state championship…Named to the Maryland Big 33 Team…Led the state of Maryland in 2021 in receiving yards (1,390) and touchdowns (18)…2021 MPSSAA All-State selection for offense…2021 First Team Southern Maryland Football Coaches Association selection…Played in the 2021 Crab Bowl All-Star Game and Chick-fil-A All-Star Game…SMFCA Senior All-Academic Team honoree…Also played basketball (guard) and competed in track and field (sprints/long jump)…Competed at the Nike Indoor Nationals as a member of the fourth-place 4x400 relay team.

Personal: Son of Keyanna Frazier and Jesse Baskett.

Why Brown?: "I chose Brown because of the opportunity to pursue my goals both academically through the open-curriculum and athletically at a world-class university. Also, safety was a big factor and the location along with the diversity on/off campus made me feel comfortable. Coach Perry and the rest of the coaching staff made me feel welcomed and I appreciate having the opportunity to play football at a high level."

Nolan Clark – Defensive Lineman – Glen Rock, N.J. – Glen Rock High School
Before Brown: NJFCA Super 10 selection…Second Team USA Today All-New Jersey...Second Team All-State Group 2…First Team All-North Jersey…First Team All-Bergen County…First Team All-NJIC Liberty…Phil Sims North/South All-Star Classic selection…Also competed on the wrestling team at Glen Rock, earning first team all-league and honorable mention all-county honors at 285 pounds…Honor roll student.

Personal: Son of Lyn and Kevin…Has one sibling, Aedan.

Why Brown?: "I chose Brown because it will allow me to get a world class education while playing D-1 football for a great, historic program."

Owen Clarke – Defensive End – Westport, Conn. – Staples High School – Choate Rosemary Hall
Before Brown: Served as a team captain in football and wrestling…All-America and two-time all-state selection in rugby…Also played baseball and wrestled…Competed for National US Rugby and EIRA Rugby…Honor roll student.

Personal: Son of Susan and Ronald Clark…Has three siblings, Aidan, Kieran and Sean.

Why Brown?: "I chose Brown because of the excellent opportunity's available in both football and school. Everyone I met or spoke to that attended or graduated from Brown had amazing things to say and I wanted to give myself the chance to surround myself with such great people."

Ryan Haley – Linebacker – Mankato, Minn. – Mankato West Senior High School
Before Brown: 2021 state champion…All All-State First Team honors…Minnesota Vikings All-State Team…Top 10 Finalist for Mr. Minnesota Football…Two-time District Defensive Player of the Year…Three-time all-conference…Three-time All-City honoree…Team MVP…As a senior in 2021, made 144 tackles, 36 TFLs, 14 sacks, two INTs, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, scored three defensive TDs…Offensively, he totaled 339 yards rushing on 48 carries and seven TDs in 2021…Also played baseball….Graduated top three in his class…Honor Roll student.

Personal: Son of Katerina and John Haley…Has four siblings, Meaghan, John Jr., Peter and Padraig.

Why Brown?: "I chose Brown because the education is unmatched, and I loved the campus and coaching staff."

Nick Hudson – Defensive Back – Houston, Texas – Shadow Creek High School
Before Brown: 2021 Preseason All-Vype Houston selection…Unanimous First Team All-District selection…2020 Honorable Mention All-District 23-6A…Totaled 55 tackles, two interceptions, 11 pass deflections, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries as a senior in 2021…Also a member of the track team, specializing in the 400m dash…National Honor Society member…THSCA Academic All-State selection.

Personal: Son of Lacelia and Terry Hudson…Has one brother, Uryan….Uryan plays college football at the University of Colorado…His father Terry played football at Southern University…His uncle, Chris Hudson was an All-American and Jim Thorpe Award Winner at Colorado in 1994 and was drafted in the third round of the 1995 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars…His high school teammate C.J. Brown plays football at Columbia.

Why Brown?: "I chose Brown because the great opportunities that it allows me to have access to as I am able to receive a high-end education from such a prestigious Ivy League school while also playing Division I football. Most importantly, Brown sets me up to have a great life after my undergraduate studies."

Nick Manley – Defensive Lineman – Medina, Ohio – Medina High School
Before Brown: 2021 2nd Team All-Ohio selection…2020 All-Ohio Honorable Mention accolades…Two-time All-GCC Conference selection…Two-time First Team All-Inland District… 2021 First Team All-Region and Academic All-Ohio honoree…2021 senior captain…National Honor Society member…Honor roll student…2022 Mr. Medina winner…Also competed on the track and field team in the discus and shot put.

Personal: Son of Jill and Mike Manley…Has a brother, Michael and a sister, Jessica.

Why Brown?: "I chose Brown because I loved the people who made up the school and program, and the competitive nature they possess."

Pat O'Neill – Defensive Lineman – Barnstable, Mass. – Barnstable High School
Before Brown: Earned all-conference, all-state and all-scholastic honors…Served as team captain…Also competed on the track and field team as a sprinter, shot putter and threw the discus…National Honor Society member.

Personal: Son of Eileen and Robert O'Neill…Has two brothers, Aiden and John, and two sisters, Jess and Maureen…His father, John, played football at Michigan State in the Class of 1988.

Mike Renoit – Linebacker/Defensive End – Lauderhill, Fla. – Saint Thomas Aquinas
Before Brown: Second Team All-Broward County selection…Also played basketball at Saint Thomas Aquinas…Member of the ping pong club…Honor Roll student.

Personal: Son of Brunette Metayer and Velvy Renoit…Has a younger brother, Christopher.

Everett Skillern – Defensive Back – Houston, Texas – Second Baptist School
Before Brown: Texas All-Private School First Team…A two-time first team all-state and one-time second team all-state (running back) selection during his career…Houston Chronicle Private School Defensive Player of the Year…Touchdown Club of Houston Private School Defensive Player of the Year…Vype Houston Private School Defensive Player of the Year…Three-time first team all-district honoree…District Defensive MVP…Team MVP…Also played baseball and was a member of the track and field team…National Honor Society member.

Personal: Son of Holly and Joel Skillern…Has three siblings, Lexi, Creighton, and Maclean…His father Joel played baseball at the University of Houston from 1990-93…His grandfather Roy Skillern played basketball at Stephen F. Austin, and his uncle John played basketball at Sul Ross State…Three of his high school teammates play Ivy League football.

Why Brown?: "I chose Brown because of the support I felt from the coaching staff throughout the whole process. I feel this is the best school that will allow me to personally grow, both academically and athletically."

Sam Smith – Linebacker – Avon, Conn. – Kingswood Oxford School – Avon Old Farms
Before Brown: First team All-New England selection on defense as a senior…First team all-conference selection as a sophomore and junior…Also played high school baseball.

Personal: Son of Tracy Yarde and Matthew Smith…Has two brothers, Ben and Cole.

Why Brown?: "I chose Brown because of the great academics and high division football."

John Starman – Defensive Lineman – Miami, Fla. – Christopher Columbus High School
Before Brown: First Team All-State selection...First Team All-Dade County…Totaled 114 tackles as a senior in 2021 with 14 sacks, 22 TFLs, 24 QB hurries, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, blocked two punts and one field goal…Mas Scholar.

Personal: Son of Melissa Starman…Has a brother, Shane, and a sister, Sidney.

Why Brown?: "Brown is the best place to continue my learning at a high level and to play Division I football at a high level."

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Football Announces 26-Member Incoming Class of 2026

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