Sacred Heart announces incoming recruiting class

Looking to hoist the Northeast Conference trophy for the third time in four years, the Sacred Heart University football team signed 15 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent this week as part of the early signing period. The class consists of 14 high school signees and one transfer.

“I am very excited about the student-athletes we are welcoming to the Sacred Heart football family,” head coach Mark Nofri said. “I think my assistant coaches did a great job finding the right fit for our program, both on and off the field. The players we are signing are a perfect fit for our culture and will be great student-athletes both on and off the field.”

Nine of the commitments are from the defensive side of the ball. The newest Pioneers on offense include a quarterback, two receivers and a running back. New Jersey led the way with four signees. Connecticut and New York followed with three each.

The newest Pioneers are:

JAMIL ANDERSON

Hometown: South Chesterfield, Va.

High School: Fork Union Military Academy Position: Cornerback Height: 5-11 Weight: 185

About Anderson: Had six interceptions his postgrad year at Fork Union ... Selected to play in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl ... Also played wide receiver.

GIOVANTAE BOONE

Hometown: Severn, Md.

High School: Archbishop Spalding Position: Linebacker Height: 6-0 Weight: 185

About Boone: Earned 2022 MIAA AllConference honors ... Named one of the top returning defensive players in the state by Maryland Varsity ... Member of the Baltimore Touchdown Club Super 22 Team ... Helped ABHS win the MIAA A Conference Championship his senior year.

NATE CHANDLER

Hometown: Smyrna, Del.

High School: Smyrna

Position: Defensive Tackle Height: 6-3

Weight: 250

About Chandler: Named First-Team AllState ... Led Smyrna to the Delaware Class 3A State Championship ... Earned First-Team All-District and Lineman of the Year ... Voted team captain his senior year ... Set school record with 15 sacks.

JEREMIAH DERILHOMME

Hometown: Edison, N.J.

High School: St. Thomas Aquinas Position: Defensive Tackle Height: 6-4

Weight: 255

About Derilhomme: Earned Big Central All-Conference honors as well as All-Middlesex County accolades ... Recorded 57 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss and six sacks his senior year.

BEN EVEE

Hometown: Randolph, Mass.

High School: Salisbury School

Position: Wide Receiver Height: 6-1

Weight: 170

About Evee: Class “A” 1st team All-NEPSAC ... First-Team All-League ... Had 692 receiving yards and seven touchdowns ... Finished second in the long jump at the state championships with a school record jump of 22’10” ... Brother Travis plays basketball at Rice.

JOSH FITZGERALD

Hometown: Youngstown, Ohio

High School: Fitch

Position: Offensive Line Height: 6-4

Weight: 275

About Fitzgerald: Named First-Team AllState ... Earned All-Northeast Inland District Football Team honors ... Picked up All-Mahoning County Team accolades ... Helped the Falcons to 10 wins and a berth in the Division II playoffs.

KYLE HALL

Hometown: Rahway, N.J. High School: Rahway

Position: Linebacker Height: 6-0 Weight: 185

About Hall: Named Second-Team AllState ... Also named First Team All-Conference and All-County ... Earned Big Central Player of the Week ... Registered 200 tackles, 26 TFL and 21 touchdowns during his career ... Named Academic All-America by High School Football America.

TY HARLEY

Hometown: Philadelphia

Previous School: Marist College Position: Cornerback Height: 5-9 Weight: 172

At Marist: Played in 11 games his final season ... Produced an interception and two pass breakups versus St. Thomas ... Had a season high four tackles, including a TFL at Drake ... Named to the Pioneer Football League Academic Honor Roll

High School: Named All-State as both defensive back and quarterback ... Also earned the Maxwell Award and was a BlueGold All Star ... Threw for 4,700 career yards and 67 TDS while leading Howard High School to a state championship.

JARED HIRSCHFELD

Hometown: Medfield, Mass.

High School: Cheshire Academy Position: Defensive End Height: 6-3

Weight: 265

About Hirschfeld: Earned All-Conference honors ... Named to Preseason Watch List by the Republican-American.

HASHYM HOBBS-HARRIS

Hometown: Somerville, N.J.

High School: Somerville

Position: Running Back Height: 6-0

Weight: 188

About Hobbs-Harris: Two-time All-League ... Ran for a career-high 171 yards and two touchdowns against Summit ... Also played wide receiver and defensive back.

DAIMON JACOBS

Hometown: West Chester, Pa.

High School: West Chester Rustin Position: Linebacker Height: 5-10 Weight: 180

About Jacobs: Earned All-Eastern Pennsylvania honors ... Area leader in interceptions ... Also played running back.

LOGAN LYSON

Hometown: Oceanside, N.Y.

High School: Oceanside

Position: Tight End Height: 6-3 Weight: 230

About Lyson: Earned All-State honors his senior year ... Two-time All-County and an All-Long Island selection.

JOHN MICHALSKI

Hometown: Staten Island, N.Y.

High School: Moore Catholic

Position: Quarterback Height: 6-2 Weight: 205

About Michalski: Catholic League Offensive Player of the Year ...Led Moore Catholic to two-straight CHSAA AA-I division title games ... Finished the season with 2,045 passing yards and 1,454 rushing yards — first Staten Island player with 2,000 yards passing and 1,000 rushing yards.

JASON PALMIERI

Hometown: Beacon Falls

High School: Cheshire Academy Position: Wide Receiver Height: 5-10

Weight: 180

About Palmieri: Twice Named First-Team All-NEPSAC ... Two-time First-Team AllNortheast Prep ... Team MVP in 2021 and 2022 . ... Named team captain.

DANTE VERNIERI

Hometown: Toms River, N.J.

High School: Donovan Catholic

Position: Linebacker Height: 6-0 Weight: 215

About Vernieri: Named Honorable Mention All-New Jersey ... Earned a spot on the AllJersey Sports Zone Team ... Tops in the state with 174 tackles with a single-game high of 30 ... Led Donovan Catholic to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs.