EASTON- Stonehill College announced its 2026 recruiting class on Wednesday. The class serves as a critical foundation for Head Coach Eli Gardner’s vision for the program moving forward.

The incoming group, largely solidified during the December early signing period and the February national signing window, emphasizes a balanced blend of regional commits and expanded national reach. The coaching staff has prioritized size in the trenches while adding explosive versatility to the secondary and skill positions to compete in the Northeast Conference.

The offensive front receives a significant boost with the addition of physical blockers like Charles Cripe and Collin Shelley, both of whom bring the frame and functional strength required for the Skyhawks’ interior offensive line. They are joined by Kurtis Crossman, another incoming offensive lineman expected to provide depth and competition early in his career.

In the backfield, Saalem Frink joins the program as a running back with the vision and burst to complement the team’s ground game, while the perimeter passing attack gains a new weapon in wide receiver Alex Deckert.

Defensively, Stonehill has focused on creating a more disruptive front and a ball-hawking secondary. Seedi Sheriff headlines the defensive line recruits, bringing a formidable presence to the interior. He is joined by Springfield College transfer Aaziah Scott who will bring pressure off the edge. The linebacker corps also sees reinforcement with the signing of Adrian Weatherly, a player noted for his lateral quickness and tackling range. The defensive backfield is perhaps the most heavily bolstered unit in this cycle, featuring a diverse group of athletes including Catholic Memorial’s Orion Fernandez, who brings versatility as a defensive back and athlete. He is joined by fellow secondary additions Dean Palazzolo, Kaleb Knox, and Jaylee Lumsden, all of whom possess the length and speed necessary to handle the increasingly vertical offenses of the NEC.

This class reflects Stonehill’s commitment to drawing talent from established New England programs while successfully recruiting key players from Pennsylvania and beyond. By addressing immediate needs at offensive line and defensive back, the Skyhawks have positioned themselves to maintain their reputation for a disciplined, hard-nosed style of play while injecting the roster with the high-end athleticism required for the modern Division I landscape.