The Class A NEPSAC programs are some of the best in New England, and certainly Avon Old Farms fits that bill.
Right now, coach Jon Wholley’s team has an overflowing amount of talent, so we wanted to talk to him and get a look at who some of his best players are.
“I think the competition level is extremely high here, especially week to week, and I definitely think it varies,” Wholley said last week over the phone. “When we’re playing the top four or five teams in our league, everybody that you’re playing against on the other side is playing college football. There’s at least a Division 3 college football starter on the opposition at every position. . . . Obviously, the level of talent has improved. The coaching, the detail, and the level of structure and importance of football and football programs at these schools has increased a significant amount.”
The most high-profile prospect for Avon is quarterback Ryan Puglisi. A class of 2024 player, Puglisi transferred to Avon after one season at Lawrence Academy. A 6-foot-3, 200-pounder, Puglisi is verbally committed to the national champion Georgia Bulldogs.
“He’s a big, strong, dynamic athlete. From an arm strength and talent standpoint, he’s as good as probably anyone in the country,” Wholley said of the Paxton native. “I’ve coached for a long period of time, and I don’t know anybody that has a stronger arm. In the past, I’ve been around guys who have as strong an arm, but those guys are either seniors or going through the NFL. He’s a good kid, a humble kid, that works hard, is intelligent, and is a good leader, and is a good athlete. He plays on our varsity baseball team and was on the All-New England baseball team as well. All those characteristics make him a good quarterback in terms of a college prospect, obviously, a great player at the high school level, a leader, and a guy we’re glad we have.”
Another player who will have an opportunity to play major college football is defensive end/defensive tackle Benedict Umeh (6-5, 265).
“He looks like the Under Armor mannequin,” Wholley said of the class of 2024 player. “He’s a create-a-player in Madden.”
Schools that have already offered include North Carolina, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas, Florida, South Carolina, Penn State, Texas A&M, USC, and Stanford, among others.
Still new to the game, Umeh has only played two years of football.
“He’s explosive, strong, fast,” Wholley said. “He’s got great use of hands. He’s a great kid, and he’s a very good student. He’s also football smart, and sometimes kids don’t always equate, but it definitely equates with him.”
Some other prospects in that 2024 class include Keke Adams (6-0, 180, S), Jack Hines (6-7, 280, OT), Zach Gluckman (6-2, 270, OG/C), Florian Lietz (DE/LB, 6-2, 220), Duncan McPherson (DL/OL, 6-4, 235).
There are some underclassmen who are also getting major attention already.
Buck Craig, a 5-11, 175-pound running back and defensive back in the 2026 class, already has offers from Georgia, Penn State, BC, Syracuse, Rutgers, UMass, Pitt, Virginia Tech, Ole Miss, and UConn.
Another offensive tackle to watch is 2025 big man Owen Aliciene (6-7, 275). He started as a sophomore.
Owen Moreland is a 6-0, 205-pound LB/DB who is explosive and fast out of the 2025 class.
BC offers Monteiro
One of the best locals to keep an eye on is Brockton 2024 WR Cam Monteiro. A starter for the Boxers since his freshman season, Monteiro’s recruitment began to pick up over the last year.
He had offers from places like UConn, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Pitt, UMass, Temple, and Akron. All those, but no BC, until this past week.
But the Eagles jumped on board. They did their homework, as we are told BC visited Monteiro at Brockton upwards of eight times throughout the process.
We’ll see where Monteiro’s recruitment goes from here, as it is possible some more Power 5 schools join the fray.
UAB offers X duo
Xaverian’s Henry Hasselbeck, a 2024 quarterback, and Jonathan Monteiro, a 2024 wide receiver, both pulled down offers from UAB this past week.
Hasselbeck is a lacrosse recruit, as well, and this was Monteiro’s first FBS offer.
Along with Charlie Comella, who has a BC offer as a wide receiver/defensive back, the Hawks have some big recruits in that 2024 class.