After he had to hit the ground running on National Signing Day just days after being hired in 2024, Dan Curran had a lot more time to recruit for this NSD.
On Wednesday, Curran and his staff announced the addition of a pretty big class, 18 in total including three transfers. In a day where programs are living out of the portal, Curran knows the importance of balance and trying to develop as many ‘home grown’ guys as possible.
Curran led the Crusaders to a share of a sixth straight Patriot League title in his first year, but an influx of young talent after losing a lot of experienced players that knew what it took to win is always needed. Hopefully, the transfer guys can assimilate quickly with those that are already in Worcester and the younger guys can pick up the standard and the culture quickly.
With the help of Holy Cross PR, here’s a bit more on each signee…
Cal Swanson
QB | 6-3 | 205 | Ardmore, Okla. | University of Illinois
Spent 2023 and 2024 seasons at the University of Illinois. Three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN, On3, and Rivals. Four-year letter winner under head coach Josh Newby at Ardmore High School. OSSAA 5A Offensive Player of the Year. All-state selection as a junior
Jayden Joyce
OL | 6-4 | 295 | Annapolis, Md. | Davidson College
Played in 22 games at Davidson, started 10 games as a captain last year. Appeared in every game in 2023 and played once in 2022. Played high school football at Broadneck Senior under head coach Robert Harris. Received All-Metro and All State honors.
Ty Curran
WR | 5-11 | 185 | Chelmsford, Mass. | Ball State University
Family affair in Worcester this year. Former 3-star wide receiver who transferred in midyear from Ball State after redshirting. Was the top receiver in Connecticut and top slot receiver in New England as a senior, playing under head coach Ernest Anderson at St. Thomas More. 42 catches and five touchdowns senior year. Led Deerfield with 45 catches and five touchdowns as a junior. Three-time All-Conference honoree.
Troy Bailey
DB | 6-2 | 185 | Parsippany, N.J. | Delbarton
Played at Delbarton School under head coach Brian Bowers. First team all-conference honoree. Part of Delbarton team that won state championship in 2023 and was back-to-back conference champions. 103 tackles, six interceptions and four forced fumbles in his career.
Dominic Campanile
QB | 6-0 | 194 | Fair Lawn, N.J. | Bergen Catholic
Played for his father Vito Campanile at Bergen Catholic. 2023 and 2024 First Team All-North Jersey honoree. Two-time All-State honoree. 68 touchdown passes and 5,322 total yards; also scored nine rushing touchdowns in his career. Only quarterback in New Jersey history to start and win three Parochial A New Jersey State Championships. Bergen Catholic was four-time state champions and ranked eighth in the country during 2024 season.
Lucas Catoggio
OL | 6-3 | 275 | Massapequa, N.Y. | Chaminade
Started 32 games in three years for Chaminade under head coach Thomas Claro, a former Holy Cross All-American. Captain as a senior. Earned NYCHSFL all-league honors both junior and senior year. 2024 Offensive MVP. Team finished as NYCHSFL AAA 2022 and 2024 semifinalists.
Patrick Enright
OL | 6-5 | 277 | Orchard Park, N.Y. | Canisius HS
Senior captain, played Canisius High School under head coach Kraig Kurzanski. Three-time First Team All Catholic (Monsignor Martin League) selection. First Team All Western New York. Scholar Athlete of the Year honors. Canisus was 2024 Monsignor Martin regular season and playoff champions (runner-up finish in Catholic State Championship). 91 tackles, 60 solo tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and three sacks for his career.
Vin Ferrara
DL | 6-1 | 268 | Cedar Grove, N.J. | Saint Joseph Regional
Two-time captain at Saint Joseph Regional under head coach Augie Hoffmann. First Team All-League for a team that was ranked No. 3 in the state. 124 tackles and seven sacks during his high school career.
Lincoln Fisher
WR | 6-3 | 185 | Upper Marlboro, Md. | Gonzaga College (D.C.)
Team captain for Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., under head coach Randy Trivers, a Holy Cross alum. Two-time first team WCAC and All-MET selection. Team finished as semifinalists in the WCAC. 16 touchdowns, with over 70 receptions and 1,000 yards during his career.
Tyler Georgs
LB | 6-2 | 225 | Ridgefield, Conn. | Brunswick School
Played football at the Brunswick School under head coach Wayne McGillicuddy while also playing lacrosse and participated in wrestling, weightlifting and track and field. Two-time first team All-NEPSAC and as the team’s defensive MVP. Last year, team went 9-1 and was in the NEPSAC championship. Had more than 375 tackles in his high school career.
Daniel Leupold
LB | 6-3 | 210 | San Francisco, Calif. | Saint Ignatius College Prep
Three-star (247 Sports) and team captain last year while playing at Saint Ignatius College Prep under head coach Lenny Vandermade. First Team All-League West Catholic. All-State honors. 2024 West Catholic Champions and Open CCS Champions. More than 100 tackles, 10 sacks and 20 TFLs in his high school career.
Bobby Luongo
OL | 6-1 | 275 | Chevy Chase, Md. | St. John’s College
Three-year starter at St. John’s College High School under head coach Pat Ward. All-WCAC honorable mention. Highest GPA on HS team. Finished as a two-time WCAC champion.
Anthony Redfern
DB | 6-0 | 205 | Parkville, Md. | McDonogh School
Two-time MIAA All-Conference while playing under head coach Hakeem Sule at the McDonogh School. Team made championship game in back-to-back years. 141 tackles, six interceptions, two touchdowns, 12 pass deflections, one sack, one forced fumble, and one blocked field goal in his career. Also played basketball and participated in track and field.
Charlie Simeone
OL | 6-4 | 290 | Needham, Mass. | Needham
Three-year varsity starter under head coach Doug Kopcso at Needham High School and a big reason why Needham was in the D1 Super Bowl this past season. Two-time All-State and All-Bay State First-Team.
Dominic Sorrentino
OL | 6-5 | 285 | Lake Mary, Fla. | Lake Mary
Played under head coach Scott Perry at Lake Mary High School and also played basketball and wrestled. Received team’s Most Improved Varsity Player award in 2022 and Lineman of the Year in 2024. Team won the regional and district championships in 2024.
Drae Tyme
TE | 6-4 | 235 | Toronto, Ontario | The Hun School of Princeton (N.J.)
Dan Curran loves his tight ends and Tyme could flourish in this offense after playing under head coach Todd Smith at The Hun School of Princeton. First-Team All Prep A NJ and Most Improved Player honors as a senior. Second-Team All-MAPL as a junior. Comeback Player of the Year and Second-Team All-MAPL sophomore year. Program had an overall record of 35-2 over four years and beat two nationally ranked teams in 2024 to win state championship. 26 receptions, 662 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns senior year. 11 receptions, one touchdown and 219 yards junior year. Played basketball and received Coaches Award in 2023
Mack Vinton
LB | 6-1 | 205 | Holden, Mass. | Saint John’s
Played football at Saint John’s in Shrewsbury, Mass., under head coach John Vassar, also played lacrosse. Three-year varsity starter. 117 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, two interceptions and six QB hurries in his career.
Joseph Williams
RB | 5-7 | 175 | Clarksburg, Md. | Our Lady of Good Counsel
Senior captain for Our Lady of Good Counsel under head coach Andy Stefanelli. 2024 First-Team All-WCAC and 2023 Second-Team All-WCAC. Five-time 2024 Offensive Player of the Week and 2024 Offensive MVP. Two-time Iron Falcon Award winner as strongest athlete at Our Lady of Good Counsel. Won WCAC conference championship in 2023 and was runner-up in 2024. 17 touchdowns, 1,504 all purpose yards, and 1,296 rushing yards senior year. 10 touchdowns, 813 all purpose yards, and 712 rushing yards junior year. Also wrestled and placed in WCAC Championship Tournament.
Participated in track and field team, had one of the top 10 fastest times in the 100 meters in the WCAC.