Football Welcomes 26 to the Incoming Class of 2030
5/4/2026
Brown head football coach James Perry ‘00 has announced the Bears’ 26-member incoming Class of 2030. The incoming class features 10 offensive players and 16 defensive players from 19 different states.
“I am excited to welcome the class of 2030,” Perry said. "It is a talented group of student-athletes and I know they are hungry to get to campus and compete. Recruiting is a team effort, so I would like to extend a thank you and congratulations to our entire staff for their efforts."
Hayes Beaver
LB – 6'2 – 215 – Savannah, Ga. – Savannah Country Day School
Before Brown: Played both football and lacrosse at Savannah Country Day School…2025 all-state selection…2025 Coastal Empire Athlete of the Year Nominee…Two-time first team all-region selection…Finished his career with 316 total tackles, including 125 as a junior and 115 as a senior…Had three interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, five sacks and 13 tackles for loss as a senior in 2025…Scholar-athlete and National Honor Society member.
Personal: Son of Cindy and West Beaver…Has one older sibling, Ivy.
Why Brown?: “I chose Brown because of the incredible opportunity to play D1 football while attending an Ivy League school. I also really liked the coaches and players that I met on my official visit.”
Landan Blue
DB – 5'10 – 175 – Baltimore, Md. – The St. Paul's School for Boys
Before Brown: All-state selection and two-time all-conference honoree as a defensive back…Helped lead his team to a conference championship title as a senior in 2025…As a senior in 2025, had 392 receiving yards and 216 rushing yards for nine total touchdowns, while adding five interceptions and one forced fumble…Voted the Kent Marbury Award (team award) winner as the football athlete that best resembles the love for the game…Chinese National Honor Society…Math National Honor Society.
Personal: Son of Lekeshia Blue…Has one sibling, Jadan.
Why Brown?: “Brown gave me an opportunity to do great things. I know Brown believes in me and trusts me (with) this opportunity and I don’t want to waste it.”
Deke Carpenter
DB – 6'1 – 195 – Mandeville, La. – St. Paul's/The Hun School of Princeton
Before Brown: First Team All-New Jersey Prep honoree on defense…Also served as captain of the lacrosse team and named a Warrior All-American for lacrosse…Elected class president.
Personal: Son of Dr. Shaun Carpenter and Dr. Ashley Geoghegan.
Why Brown?: “The Open Curriculum, football program, and the location.”
Emmett Caughey
LB – 6'4 – 210 – Essex Fells, N.J. – Delbarton School
Before Brown: Two-time all-conference honoree (SFC United White) in 2024 and 2025…All-Morris County selection as a senior…Finished his career with 102 total tackles and 4.0 TFLs, including 78 tackles as a senior…Student peer leader.
Personal: Son of Geralyn and Patrick Caughey…Has four siblings, Patrick, Sheridan, Delaney and Caroline…Patrick plays football at Stanford and Delaney is on the rowing team at Notre Dame.
Why Brown?: “Brown is the perfect blend of high-level athletics and academics, with people that want you to be the best in everything you do.”
Cole Cavanaugh
WR – 6'3 – 200 – Severna Park, Md. – Severna Park
Before Brown: Played football and lacrosse at Severna Park High School.
Football: Graduated as the school record holder for career, season and single game receptions and receiving yards…Finished his career with 104 receptions, 1,569 yards and 17 touchdowns… All MPSSAA 4A/3A East Region Team…2025 BTC Baltimore All-Star Team starter…Two-time AACPS All County honoree…Two-time Capital Gazette All-County Team…2025 varsity team captain
Lacrosse: Honorable mention all-state…Two-time AACPA All-Conference selection…Helped lead team to two Maryland 3A state championship titles.
Academic: HSFA Academic All-American…National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society…President of the SPHS Athletic Leadership Council.
Personal: Son of Jeanette and Mark Cavanaugh…Has a brother Charlie and a sister Teagan…His father Mark played football at Northeastern from 1983-86.
Why Brown?: “I chose Brown for its ability to challenge me both academically and athletically, and for the platform it provides to grow, lead, and prepare for my future.”
Will Chen
DB – 5'10 – 185 – Southlake, Texas – Southlake Carroll
Before Brown: Padilla Poll First Team All-State selection…Voted the 4-6PA Defensive Player of the Year…Two-time first team all-district honoree…Finished with 47 total tackles and 5.0 tackles for loss as a senior in 2025.
Personal: Son of Mei Chen…Has a brother Richard and a sister Sarah.
Why Brown?: “The culture and people made it feel like home.”
Nico D'Orazio
WR – 5'10 – 190 – Pittsburgh, Pa. – Upper St. Clair
Before Brown: Played baseball and football at Upper St. Clair High School…Three-time Big 56 All-Conference honoree as a defensive back and also earned First Team honors as a receiver as a senior in 2025…2025 Pittsburgh Post Gazette First Team honors as a defensive back and receiver…Tribune Review First Team selection as a receiver and defensive back…Totaled 40 receptions and 1,044 all-purpose yards with 12 touchdowns, while adding 40 total tackles, 6.0 TFLs and three interceptions as a senior in 2025…Also earned multiple Big 56 All-Conference honors, as well as multiple Tribune Review and Pittsburgh Post Gazette honors in baseball…National Honor Society member…Fundraising Team member for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society…UThon Fundraising member…Miracle League Buddy.
Personal: Son of Pamela and Bob D’Orazio…Has a sister Gianna and a brother Dominic.
Why Brown?: “I choose Brown because of the hardworking environment which challenges me to be the best version of myself in the classroom and on the field while preparing me for my future.”
Miles Gaito
DL – 6'3 – 230 – Chicago, Ill. – Saint Ignatius Prep
Before Brown: Played football, basketball and lacrosse at Saint Ignatius College Prep…All-conference honoree…Led the team in sacks…National Honor Society member and registered over 100 hours of community service.
Personal: Son of David Gaito and Heather Zimmerman-Gaito…Has two siblings Tessa and Alasdair.
Why Brown?: “I chose Brown because of the academics and the opportunity to play football at the next level.”
Jack Harrison
OL – 6'3 – 300 – Baltimore, Md. – McDonogh School
Before Brown: All-state selection among Maryland private schools…Three-time First Team All-MIAA selection…Baltimore Sun First Team All-Metro…Served as team captain…Dean’s List student.
Personal: Son of Pamela and Robert Harrison…Has a sister Caroline…His father played lacrosse at Loyola (Md.) from 1990-93.
Why Brown?: “I felt it was the best fit for me. I loved the coaches, town, campus, and it was also a very high academic school which will help prepare me for my future in the work force.”
Seamus Henry
OL – 6'5 – 260 – West Roxbury, Mass. – Catholic Memorial
Before Brown: Played football and wrestled at Catholic Memorial…The football team captured two state championships during his career…Two-time conference all-star in wrestling.
Personal: Son of Kathleen and James Henry…Has a sister Katherine and a brother Jack.
Why Brown?: “I had an amazing first visit on campus and when I first met all the coaches I knew I was home.”
Messiah Jackson
QB – 6'2 – 200 – Florence, S.C. – South Florence
Before Brown: Played football and competed in track and field…Earned all-state honors as a senior in 2025…Two-time first-team all-region…2025 regional player of the year…Selected as the Quarterback of the Year by both All Blitz and The Morning News in 2024 and WDPE End Zone in 2025…Helped South Florence capture the 4A state title as a junior in 2024…Two-time first team all-region selection…2025 NC/SC Shrine Bowl selection…Threw for 4,826 yards and 53 touchdowns, and also rushed for 34 touchdowns across his junior and senior seasons…National Honor Society member.
Personal: Son of Asha Reaves-Jackson…Has two siblings Justice and Zamaya.
Why Brown?: “I went on my official visit and slowly fell in love with the place. Growing up in a kind of rural area, I didn't know what Providence was like. The city was beautiful and the people were extremely nice. I love the coaches and the parents; I took my official visit and most importantly the team seemed tight-knit and I wanted to play for a team like that.”
Gavin Jones
LB – 6'1 – 220 – Knoxville, Tenn. – Knoxville Catholic
Before Brown: Two-time All-Region honoree (Division II AAA East)…2025 National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete Award Winner…2025-26 Johnny Mauer Scholar-Athlete Award winner, presented annually by the Optimist Club of Knoxville for academic and athletic achievements…Named to the All 5 Star Preps Team…Two-time Shamrock Award Winner, given to the player who shows excellent leadership on and off the field, performance, and character…Compiled 23 tackles during his varsity career, leading the team as senior…Two-year team captain…National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society inductee…Named to the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society.
Personal: Son of Ashley and Evander Jones…His father played football at Brown and is a member of the class of 1993…Has three older brothers Evander, Eli and Gray…His brother Eli has played football at Western Kentucky and Austin Peay.
Why Brown?: “I chose Brown because I wanted to be challenged not just athletically, but also academically. Being able to follow in my father's footsteps has been a dream of mine ever since I was little. From the beginning, the coaches welcomed me and made it feel like home, and there is a culture of working hard and improving yourself within the football program that I wanted to be a part of.”
Tegan Jones
LB – 6'1 – 210 – Conrad, Mont. – Conrad
Before Brown: Played football and wrestled at Conrad High School…Finished his career with 233 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 16 TFLs…First team all-conference linebacker and second team all-conference as a running back…Four-time state placer and multi-time All-American as a wrestler and captured the 2026 190-pound Class B state championship title…National Honor Society member…Earned an Associate’s Degree of Science and Math from Great Falls College.
Personal: Son of Katie and Aaron Jones…His father wrestled at Brown and is a member of the class of 2007…Has two siblings Gracin and Owen…Had two uncles who wrestled at Harvard.
Why Brown?: “I chose Brown to play football because of its campus location and Open Curriculum. I knew when I went on the ADOCH that Brown was home.”
Sam Kelley
LB – 6'1 – 225 – Natick, Mass. – Buckingham Browne & Nichols
Before Brown: Played football and basketball at Buckingham Browne and Nichols…Three-time All-Independent School League selection in football…Two-time All-NEPSAC honoree.
Personal: Son of Brett Kelley…Has two brothers, Jack and Will.
Why Brown?: “Great athletic programs and the coaching staff on the football team. Also, because of the amazing academics.”
Jonathan Kim
DE – 6'2 – 190 – Closter, N.J. – Northern Valley Regional at Demarest
Before Brown: National Merit Commended Student…AP Scholar with Distinction…2025 SFC Scholar Athlete Award winner.
Personal: Son of Benita and Jaeyoun Kim…Has two brothers, Lucas and William…His mother Benita is a member of Brown’s Class of 2001.
Why Brown?: “The Open Curriculum and the culture.”
Flynn Malgieri
OL – 6'3 – 300 – Fayetteville, N.Y. – Fayetteville-Manlius
Before Brown: All-state honoree…First Team All-CNY honoree…Class A First Team and a first team all-section selection…Science Honor Society and National Honor Society member.
Personal: Son of Molly and Gino Malgieri…Has a sister Maddy, and a brother Liam.
Why Brown?: “At Brown, I felt a true genuine connection between the team. Also getting to see the real side of coaches and not the recruiting part got me, where the coaches are excited to be there always amped up. As well as Coach Morrissey, how he coaches just drew me in, and I knew I would develop and learn to be a good person under him.”
Saphir Miller
WR – 6'0 – 190 – Orlando, Fla. – Edgewater
Before Brown: Finished his senior season with 20 catches for over 300 yards and three touchdowns…Added 25 tackles, five interceptions and two defensive touchdowns…Four-year honor roll student…Winner of the NFL’s Way to Play Award.
Personal: Son of Kayden and Samuel Miller…Has two brothers, Samuel and Solomon.
Why Brown?: “Brown’s combination of strong academics and athletics will open many pathways for me to explore once I graduate.”
John Luke Minner
DL – 6'3 – 220 – Lexington, Ky. – Sayre
Before Brown: 2024 and 2025 Prep Gridiron All-State Team selection…2024 and 2025 KYHS Sports First Team All-State selection…2024 and 2025 Prep Redzone All-State Selection…Helped lead Sayre to the 2024 KHSAA Class 1A state championship title…Helped anchor a defense that ranked No. 1 in the state of Kentucky (by points allowed) in 2024…2026 Class of the Commonwealth Top Seniors in Kentucky football selection…Academic all-state and National Honor Society member.
Personal: Son of Joy and Matt Minner…Has a sister, Jaye Beth, and two brothers, Jackson and Joe.
Why Brown?: “It has the combination D1 athletics with great coaches and a perfect defensive scheme that I fit into based on my style of play. Brown also offers top tier education and preparation for life.”
Mack Mrowka
S – 6'3 – 195 – San Mateo, Calif. – Saint Francis/Deerfield Academy
Before Brown: Played football and baseball at Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, California before continuing at Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts…Catholic Leadership Council member.
Deerfield: First Team All-NEPSAC honoree…Had 56 tackles, four interceptions, 3.0 TFLs and two blocked field goals in 2024.
Saint Francis: First Team All-WCAL…All Bay-Area…All-NorCal…All-California Honorable Mention…Had 65 tackles, 4.0 TFLs, three interceptions, one defensive touchdown, two blocked punts and a blocked field goal in 2023.
Personal: Son of DeLinda and James Mrowka…Has two brothers, Jimmy and Jake…His father James played football and baseball at Harvard and played professionally in the New York Mets organization.
Why Brown?: “One of the most prestigious universities in the world with a great culture.”
Tyrone Neal
RB – 5'10 – 195 – Jacksonville, Fla. – The Bolles School/Phillips Exeter Academy
Before Brown: Played football and ran track and field in high school…National Honor Society…Spanish Honor Society…Senior Band Award…Bugle Award…Winner of the Babe Ruth Award.
Personal: Son of Jamie and Derek Neal…Had a sister Jaina, and a brother Derek.
Why Brown?: “The prestigious name, strong academics, Open Curriculum, and a great football program I can’t wait to be a part of.”
Desmond Ortiz
RB – 5'10 – 190 – Philadelphia, Pa. – La Salle College H.S.
Before Brown: Earned consecutive All-Catholic League honors…PA Football News All-Academic Gold Team honoree (+4.0 GPA)…Served as senior captain…Elected as senator of the student council…Philadelphia Catholic League Student-Athlete representative…Served as a student ambassador.
Personal: Son of Claribel Ortiz…Has two brothers, Avery and Markell.
Why Brown?: “The opportunity to play high-level football while earning a prestigious education, combined with its great campus and facilities.”
Colin Overy
OL – 6'4 – 265 – Boulder, Colo. – Fairview/The Taft School
Before Brown: 2025 all-conference selection and team captain at The Taft School…2024 all-state and all-conference honoree and served as team captain…Fairview’s 2024 Forrest Buckner Award winner…Four-time academic all-state across baseball, football and track…Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish.
Personal: Son of Susan and Russ Overy…Has one sibling, Taylor.
Why Brown?: “Brown's Open Curriculum allows me to follow my curiosity. I can explore topics outside of my concentration for all four years. The football program and especially the coaching staff stood out as soon as I got on campus. I knew Brown was a place where I would be held to high standards.”
Jackson Skinner
LB – 6'3 – 210 – Eugene, Ore. – Marist H.S.
Before Brown: Two-time all-state selection as a linebacker and also earned honorable mention all-state honors as a running back…Area Defensive Player of the Year honoree…Three-time first team all-league selection as a linebacker and first team all-league honors as a running back…National Honor Society inductee…Model UN…Global Seal of Biliteracy.
Personal: Son of Kari and Christian Skinner…Has one sister, Kendall.
Why Brown?: “I chose Brown because it gives me a great chance to succeed in both athletics and academics. I also really like the coaches and the environment they’ve built. It feels like a place where I can grow and compete at a high level.”
Adam Vessel
DB – 5'10 – 170 – Houston, Texas – Ridge Point
Before Brown: Four-year varsity starter at Ridge Point High School…Texas all-state selection as a junior…Three-time all-district honoree…Named the District Underclassman of the Year as a sophomore…Finished his career with 175 total tackles, nine interceptions, 32 pass breakups, and six forced fumbles…Had over 700 all-purpose yards as a junior…National Honor Society inductee…Honors Algebra II Award recipient.
Personal: Son of Grenata and Troy Vessel…Has a brother Aiden, and a sister Chloe.
Why Brown?: “I chose Brown because of the strong, positive community that Brown offers in all aspects of sports and academics. In addition, the Open Curriculum and the opportunity to explore my interests throughout college was an opportunity I could not pass up. Brown was just different than any other college I visited.”
Caleb White
DL – 6'1 – 270 – Jacksonville, Fla. – Mandarin
Before Brown: Named the 1010XL Scholar Athlete of the Week in September 2025…2024 Military Child of the Year Semifinalist…2023 NJROTC Distinguished Cadet Award…National Honor Society member.
Personal: Son of Corina and Roosevelt White…Has two siblings, Laila and Sarai…His cousin, Norman Powell, plays in the NBA.
Why Brown?: “I chose Brown because it represents the highest level of academics and athletics, and I’m excited to contribute to the team’s success.”
Travis Wilson
DB – 5'10 – 190 – Riverside, Conn. – Brunswick School
Before Brown: 2025 Northeast Prep Football Conference All-League honoree…Member of the Brunswick football team that won the 2024 Northeast Prep Football Conference title…2024 NHSFA Connecticut Academic All-American…2026 All-NEPSAC and an All-Western New England honoree in wrestling in the 177-pound weight class…2026 National Merit Scholar Finalist…2026 Presidential Scholar Candidate.
Personal: Son of Elisa and Thomas Wilson…Has a sister, Elexa, and a brother, Tyler…His father Thomas played football at Boston College from 1992-94.
Why Brown?: “I chose Brown because of the uniqueness of the university's curriculum, which allows you to study whatever you desire and spread yourself amongst various subjects. Brown football offers a world-class education through this curriculum, while also giving players the chance to play for an amazing staff and incredible facilities. Because of this, I am thrilled to be part of Brown football.”
Brown will kick off the 2026 season on Saturday, September 19 at New Haven, before the home opener the following weekend against Harvard. View the full 2026 season schedule here.
