College wrap: Updates on two dozen Berks alums playing Division I football (updated)
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Here’s an update on former Berks standouts playing at the Division I level this season:
Caleb Brewer, Penn State
The 6-4, 288-pound true freshman has not appeared in any games this season for the Nittany Lions, who open the FBS playoffs Saturday against SMU.
As a senior at Wyomissing, Brewer was the MikeDragoSports.com Lineman of the Year and Lancaster-Lebanon League Lineman of the Year by the Manheim Touchdown Club.
In 2023 he was a force for a Spartans team that went 12-2, beat West Perry for its fifth straight District 3 Class 3A championship and opened the PIAA Tournament with a 48-27 win over Danville.
Amier Burdine, Sacred Heart
The Reading High grad saw time as a defensive back for the Yankee Conference champions, making six tackles in six games.
The 6-1, 180-pound sophomore had a season-high five tackles against Delaware in late September.
Burdine was a dual-threat quarterback for the Red Knights, running for 720 yards and six TDs and passing for 1,202 yards as a senior. He was an All-Berks pick at defensive back and anchored a pass defense that was ranked No. 1 in Section 1 of Lancaster-Lebanon League.
He was a second-team All-Berks pick on offense, at All-Purpose Back, and earned All-State 6A honors on the Pennsylvania Football News Coaches Select All-State teams.
Sacred Heart beat Merrimack 31-20 in the season finale to claim the conference title.
Burdine did not see the field as a true freshman in 2023.
Anthony Caccese, University of Delaware
The Exeter grad appeared in four games for the Blue Hens.
The 6-6, 300-pound sophomore was listed No. 2 on the depth chart at right guard behind grad student Bradly Anyanwu. He is one of only four sophomores on Blue Hens’ two-deep offense chart.
Caccese appeared in four games as a freshman.
Caccese, a Class 5A All-State pick as a senior, was one of the anchors on the outstanding lines that helped Exeter reach back-to-back District 3 Class 5A championship games in 2021 and 2022. He was Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 2 all-league and All-Berks pick at offensive tackle and the first position player in Exeter history selected for the Big 33 Classic.
Aiden Cirulli, Saint Francis
The redshirt junior from Wyomissing recorded two of the longest punts in Red Flash history this season, a 69-yarder at Eastern Michigan that ranks third-best and a 68-yarder against Duquesne that is tied for fifth-longest.
He averaged 41.3 yards per kick, fourth-best in the Northeast Conference, on his 64 attempts, with 16 inside the 20 and 10 punts of 50 yards or longer. He ranked fourth in the conference in kicks inside the 20.
After two years as the starter at St. Francis Cirulli has entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal.
His career average of 40.8 yards is second-best in program history.
Last season Cirulli appeared in all 10 games, averaging 39.2 yards on 42 punts, with nine inside the 20-yard line.
Cirulli was an All-State pick as a senior at Wyomissing in 2020. He had a 49-yard field goal in 2019 vs. Berks Catholic, at the time the third-longest in program history.
Josh Cupitt, University of Delaware
The Exeter grad, in his first season with the Blue Hens, averaged 42.9 yards on 27 punts, sixth-best in the Colonial Athletic Conference.
The grad student had 10 kicks of 50 yards or longer, with a 68-yarder against Rhode Island.
Last season, kicking for Towson, he finished third among FCS punters and first in the CAA with a 44.9 yard punting average.
Cupitt was a senior at Exeter in 2019, helping the Eagles to a 9-4 record.
Aanjay Feliciano, Stetson University
The 6-2, 210-pound wide receiver had 31 receptions for 304 yards and five touchdowns for the Hatters, who play in the Pioneer League. He had a pair of touchdown catches against Davidson.
The Conrad Weiser grad has entered the NCAA transfer portal and has two years of eligibility remaining.
Over two seasons he caught 52 balls and scored seven TDs.
Feliciano enjoyed a record-setting senior in 2021 season with the Scouts, catching 71 passes for 1,248 yards and 15 TDs to earn All-State honors. He was twice named Berks League Section 2 Receiver of the Year and was selected to play in the East/West All-Star Game.
Brandon George, University of Pittsburgh
The 6-3, 240-pound super senior has started all 12 games at linebacker for the Panthers, who are set for the “GameAbove Sport Bowl” Dec. 26 against Toledo at Ford Field.
The Berks Catholic grad is in his sixth and final season with the Panthers.
He is fourth on the team with 69 tackles and third with seven quarterback hurries. He has recorded two sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery, and has forced two fumbles. He has five tackles for loss.
George had a season-high 11 tackles against California.
Last season he appeared in all 12 games at middle linebacker and on special teams.
Pittsburgh opened the season 7-0 but has lost five straight.
At Berks Catholic George was a two-time All-State pick, Linebacker of the Year in Section 2 of the Berks Football League and selected for the Big 33 Classic. As a fullback and linebacker, he was a central figure on one of the greatest teams in league history, one that went 48-8 over his four seasons and played for a district championship four times.
Max Hurleman, Notre Dame
After four seasons at Colgate the Wyomissing grad walked on and became the Fightin Irish’s No. 1 punt returner and a key special teams contributor. He’ll play a key role Friday when Notre Dame opens the College Football Playoffs at home against Indiana.
Earlier this month Hurleman was named Notre Dame’s “Walk-On of the Year” at the Echoes Awards banquet. He’s played more special teams downs than anyone on the team, covering kickoffs and punts and as part of the kickoff return unit. He is averaging 5.9 yards on 17 punt returns.
Hurleman was named Notre Dame’s Special Teams Player of the Game following a 31-24 win early in the season over Louisville.
He started 23 games at Colgate and was named Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Year last season.
Cam Jones, Holy Cross
The Wilson grad enjoyed a breakout sophomore season, earning second-team all-conference honors as a cornerback. He started all 12 games, led the team with nine pass breakups, and tied for the team lead with a pair of interceptions.
He finished with 56 tackles, third on the team, and had a season-high 11 stops vs. New Hampshire. He had four pass breakups in a win over Fordham.
Jones scored a touchdown in a 40-38 win over Bucknell when he recovered a blocked punt and returned it 2 yards.
He did not appear in any games as a true freshman.
Jones was a two-time All-State pick and Berks County Player of the Year in 2022 after rushing for 999 yards and scored 25 TDs, including a record five on punts.
He was named the Lancaster-Lebanon League Big School Player of the Year by the Manheim Touchdown Club and played in the Big 33 Classic.
Ryker Jones, Princeton
The true freshman linebacker from Wyomissing appeared in four games for the Tigers, making two tackles.
Jones was the Body Zone Physical Therapy Berks County Defensive Player as a senior in 2023, and the Berks and Linebacker of the Year. He was a two-time All-State pick.
Nolan Larkin, Lehigh University
The 6-foot, 190-pound sophomore running back did not appear in any games for the Mountain Hawks, who clinched a share of their sixth straight Patriot League championship.
Larkin transferred from Susquehanna University where he appeared in four games as a running back in 2023.
He spent the 2022 season playing at Bryant University.
He played at Berks Catholic and New Canaan (Conn.) and graduated from Wyomissing.
Aiden Mack, University of Richmond
The redshirt sophomore appeared in 12 games, mostly on special teams, for the Spiders, who finished 10-3 and went unbeaten in Colonial Athletic Association play to win back-to-back conference titles for the first time in over 50 years.
The 6-4, 215-pound Mack had one start at tight end, against Bryant.
The Wyomissing grad was redshirted as a freshman in 2022 and played one game last season.
Richmond qualified for the FCS playoffs for the third straight year but saw their 10-game winning streak snapped with a 20-16 loss to Patriot League champ Lehigh in the opening round.
Mack was a three-year starter at tight end and defensive end for Spartans, helping them win District 3 championships in 2019, 2020 and 2021. He was a two-way all-league pick as a senior and an All-State pick.
Tanner Maddocks, Villanova
The 6-1, 210-pound junior appeared in 11 games for the Wildcats as the backup quarterback and as their lead punt returner.
The Fleetwood grad completed 8-of-14 passes for 112 yards and had a big showing late in a 38-20 loss at Maryland, completing all four of his passes for 50 yards and running for an 8-yard touchdown.
Maddocks took over as the primary punt returner at midseason and ended up taking back 10 punts for 97 yards, with a long of 22.
He has appeared in 15 games the last two seasons. He is listed as the No. 2 quarterback on the depth charter behind graduate senior Connor Watkins.
Maddocks had a standout career at Fleetwood, where he became the program’s first All-State pick as a senior in 2021. As a cornerback he led Berks with seven interceptions and he once picked off three in the same game, returning two for touchdowns.
As a passer he set a program record with 24 completions in a game and matched a record with five touchdown passes.
Gavin McCusker, Merrimack College
The Exeter grad appeared in one game for the Warriors this season and did not attempt a pass.
The 6-2, 195-pound junior quarterback has entered the NCAA transfer portal and has two years of eligibility remaining.
He appeared in 10 games as a freshman, throwing for 1,013 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was twice named Rookie of the Week and helped the Warriors finish 7-1 in the NEC, best in program history.
McCusker was a two-time all-league pick with the Eagles who set single-season records for passing yards (2,075) and touchdown passes (24).
Charlie McIntyre, Bucknell
The sophomore from Wyomissing played in one game for the Bison but caught the eye of the coaching staff in practice and was named the special teams scout team Player of the Year.
The 6-foot, 200-pound McIntyre played in a 34-18 win against Marist. He was listed No. 2 on the depth chart at linebacker for the Bisons’ season finale against Colgate.
At Wyomissing, McIntyre was a first-team selection on Pennsylvania Football News Coaches Select All-State team at defensive back. As a senior he rushed for 1,028 yards, scored 12 touchdowns, and led the Lancaster-Lebanon League by averaging 10.9 yards per carry.
He also earned All-State honors in the 4×400 and 4×100 in track.
One year after finishing in last place in the Patriot League, Bucknell went 6-6 overall and 4-2 in league play.
Xander Menapace, Columbia
The 6-4, 205-pound sophomore quarterback from Hamburg has not appeared in a game for the Lions, who beat Cornell 17-9 to earn a share of first Ivy League title since 1961. They finished 7-3 overall and 5-2 in the league, sharing the title with Yale and Dartmouth.
Menapace is one of seven quarterbacks listed on the Columbia roster.
He was an All-Berks pick as a senior, throwing for a program-record 1,833 yards and 16 TDs.
Menapace is the first football player from Hamburg to play football at an Ivy League school.
Matt Noll, Jackson State
The Conrad Weiser grad was the punter and holder for the Tigers, who won the SWAC championship and beat South Carolina State in the annual Celebration Bowl to claim the HBCU national championship.
Noll earned second-team all-league honors this season after averaging 43.0 yards on his 36 punts. He finished third in the conference in punting average. He placed 15 kicks inside the 20 and had nine kicks of 50 or more yards.
Noll averaged 43 yards on his three punts in the championship game, with a long of 54. Only one of the kicks was returned, for 3 yards; the other two were fair caught.
Luke Painton, University of Massachusetts
The Berks Catholic grad’s first season with the Minutemen lasted only one game as he was injured in the season-opener and missed the remainder of the season.
The graduate student is considering applying for a medical redshirt, which would allow him one more season of eligibility.
The 6-7, 320-pound tackle played five seasons at Columbia before transferring after last season. He spent his first three seasons at tight end before moving to the offensive line.
Painton was a two-time All-State pick as a tight end with the Saints and twice was named Defensive Lineman of the Year in Section 2 of the Berks Football League.
Joey Schlaffer, Penn State
Theredshirt freshman has appeared in two games this season for the Nittany Lions,
who open the College Football Playoffs Saturday against SMU.
The 6-4, 240-pound tight end made his debut Aug. 31 at West Virginia.
The Exeter grad was named the Development Squad co-offensive player of the Week Sept. 28, prior to the game vs. Illinois.
He was a four-year starter at Exeter, at tight end and wide receiver, and set Berks career records in receiving yards (2,493) and receiving touchdowns (28).
Nick Singleton, Penn State
The Gov. Mifflin grad leads the Nittany Lions in rushing yards, touchdowns, and all-purpose yards heading into Saturday’s College Football Playoffs first-round game against SMU.
The 6-foot 226-pound junior has rushed for 838 yards and scored 12 TDs. He is averaging 23.8 yards on his team-leading 12 kickoff returns and is third in receptions, with 37.
Singleton is third in the Big Ten, averaging 121.5 all-purpose yards per game; his 6.4 yards-per-carry average is second-best in the conference.
He has topped 100 yards three times, most recently against Oregon. He ran for a season-high 119 yards against Bowling Green; his longest run of the season, 41 yards, came against Oregon.
Singleton rushed for 1,061 yards and 12 TDs and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2022; he rushed for 752 yards and eight TDs last season. He has scored 36 touchdowns in 38 games for the Nittany Lions.
Singleton set Berks records with seven touchdowns in a game, 42 touchdowns in a season, 252 points in a season, 114 career touchdowns, 688 career points, and 6,326 career rushing yards.
Cam’Ron Stewart, Temple
The Gov. Mifflin grad appeared in six games for the Owls, record 18 tackles, including five tackles for loss. The 6-5, 250-pound defensive end earned early season starts vs. Navy and Coastal Carolina but was injured against Connecticut and did not play in the second half of the season.
The redshirt junior recorded a career-high six tackles at Navy and tied a career-high with two tackles for loss vs. Utah State.
Stewart played three seasons at Rutgers before transferring before this season.
Stewart was a two-time Berks Defensive Lineman of the Year with the Mustangs, leading them to a pair of Berks Football League Section 1 titles in 2019 and 2020 and to their only District 3 championship, in 2020.
He was named Pennsylvania’s MVP in the 2021 Big 33 Classic.
JR Strauss, Villanova
Strauss appeared in all 14 games for the Wildcats, who went 10-4, won their NCAA FCS opener over Eastern Kentucky before losing to the University of the Incarnate Word.
The 6-3, 225-pound sophomore was listed No. 2 on depth chart at middle linebacker behind senior Richie Kimmel. He record six tackles and had a key blocked field goal in a 14-13 win over Towson. He was also special teams leaders with three tackles.
Strauss has appeared in 27 games over three seasons for the Wildcats.
He was an all-league pick at linebacker and second-team all-league pick at tight end as a senior in 2021, helping lead the Eagles to their only District 3 Class 5A championship.
Joey Svoboda, William & Mary
The 6-5, 265-pound junior defensive lineman did not appear in any games for the Tribe, who finished 7-5 overall and 4-4 in the Colonial Athletic Conference.
The Fleetwood grad has played three seasons with the Tribe.
Hunter Svoboda, William & Mary
The 6-6, 260-pound offensive lineman did not appear in any games for the Tribe, who finished 7-5 overall and 4-4 in the Colonial Athletic Conference.
As he a senior at Fleetwood he anchored the offensive line for a team that won the Eastern Conference Class 4A championship.
J’ven Williams, Penn State
The redshirt freshman from Wyomissing has appeared in 13 games this season for the Nittany Lions, primarily on special teams. He has seen time in games behind left tackle Drew Shelton.
He appeared in three games last season as a true freshman.
At Wyomissing, Williams was a two-time Wyomissing Physical Therapy Lineman of the Year pick and was named All-State in 2021 and 2022. He played on three District 3 championship teams.
Ty Yocum, Merrimack College
The Exeter grad appeared in four games this season with the Warriors, as a tight end or H-back. He caught three passes for 33 yards and ran for a pair of touchdowns.
The 6-foot, 240-pound junior has appeared in 17 games over his three seasons with the Warriors, who finished 5-6 this season.
Yocum was named Body Zone Physical Therapy Berks County Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2021 and, as a linebacker and fullback, led the Eagles to their only District 3 Class 5A championship.
Zach Zandier, Coastal Carolina
The true freshman from Exeter did not appear in any games for the Chanticleers, who wrap up their season Monday against the University of Texas-San Antonio in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.
Coastal Carolina beat Georgia State on Nov. 30 to reach 6-6 and become bowl eligible.
Zandier was a two-time All-Berks pick at tight end.
Pacen Ziegler, Sacred Heart
The 6-4, 262-pound sophomore offensive lineman appeared in one game for the Pioneers this season.
Sacred Heart finished 5-6 and beat Merrimack 31-20 in the season finale to claim the Yankee Conference title. At Wyomissing, Ziegler was played on three District 3 championship teams and was named to the Pennsylvania Football News Coaches Select All-State team at offensive tackle.
