Penn Sprint Football Welcomes Highly Anticipated Class of 2029
Penn sprint football fans have reason for optimism as Head Coach Jerry McConnell announced the arrival of eight promising student-athletes comprising the Quakers’ incoming Class of 2029 on Wednesday. The program anticipates an immediate impact from this diverse group, hailing from six states, as they prepare for the 2025 season.
“We are excited about the incoming class of freshmen and believe this group will have an immediate impact on our program,” McConnell stated. “This group has a chance to be really special, and we can’t wait to see them on Franklin Field this fall.”
The Class of 2029 reflects a commitment to both athletic prowess and academic excellence, with all incoming players enrolled in either the College of Arts and Sciences or the Wharton School of Business. The team will kick off its season on September 19th at 7 p.m. against Caldwell University at Franklin Field.
Here’s a closer look at each member of the incoming class:
Charlie Almeida (DB/LB | West Chester, Pa. | Unionville)
A three-year letterwinner at Unionville High School, Almeida served as team captain during his senior year, leading his squad to a league championship. He earned First Team All-League honors in 2024 and was named the Defensive MVP. Almeida was also selected for the Valor Bowl. His family boasts a strong athletic background, with his sister playing field hockey at Penn and his father having competed in basketball at Trinity College. He cited the “endless opportunities” and “tight-knit brotherhood” as key factors in his decision to attend Penn.
Ryan Goodrich (RB | Whitehall, Mich. | Whitehall)
Goodrich arrives at Penn as a decorated athlete from Whitehall High School, where he lettered in football for three years and served as captain during his senior campaign. He led his team to two District Championships and earned All-State honors as a linebacker. Goodrich also excelled in wrestling and baseball. He chose Penn for its “academic culture” and the “strong bond fostered within the Sprint community.”
Ezra Granet (P/K | San Diego, Calif. | The Bishop’s School in La Jolla)
Granet is a four-year letterwinner from The Bishop’s School, contributing to league championships in both 2022 and 2023. He also distinguished himself as a four-year letterwinner and All-League player in soccer. Granet’s family has a history of collegiate athletics, with brothers competing in hockey at Washington and fencing at Columbia. He was drawn to Penn’s academic flexibility and the supportive campus environment, stating, “Penn feels like a place where I’ll be challenged, inspired, and surrounded by people who care about making a difference.”
Jayden Janock (OL/LB | Marblehead, Mass. | Marblehead)
Janock joins the Quakers after a successful career at Marblehead High School, where he was a four-year letterwinner and helped lead the team to Northeastern Conference titles in 2023 and 2024. He also lettered in tennis. Following in the footsteps of his brother, who also played sprint football at Penn, Janock was attracted to Penn’s “outstanding academics” and “strong emphasis on interdisciplinary exploration.”
Hugh Maley (LB | Doylestown, Pa. | William Penn Charter)
Maley brings a wealth of experience as a four-year letterwinner at William Penn Charter, where he earned two All-League selections as a linebacker and amassed an impressive 239 career tackles. His sisters also compete collegiately in soccer at Union and Wooster Colleges. He chose Penn to “create lifelong relationships with like-minded people.”
Xavier May IV (RB/LB | Overland Park, Kan. | Pembroke)
May IV arrives at Penn with a strong athletic pedigree, having lettered in football, basketball, and track at Pembroke High School. He served as captain for both his junior and senior years, leading his team to Crossroads Conference and District Championships in 2024. His father, Floyd May, won the Heritage Bowl at Howard University. May IV will pursue his studies at the Wharton School of Business, drawn to the opportunity to combine top-tier academics with sprint football. “I chose Penn for the opportunity to study at the world’s best business school while playing sprint football for a storied program,” he said.
Matthew Newbold (OL/DL | Overland Park, Kan. | Pembroke)
Newbold is a versatile athlete who played both varsity football and lacrosse at Pembroke High School, contributing to a Kansas City Crossroads Conference and Missouri District Championship in 2024. He expressed his admiration for the Penn community, stating, “Everyone here is helpful and inspires you to be better as a person.” He is eager to contribute to the “brotherhood of compassion and competition” within the sprint football program.
Luke Sharp (LB | Lewisville, Texas | Hebron)
Sharp, a three-year letterwinner at Hebron High School, helped lead his team to a Texas UIL 6A Division I Regional Finalist appearance. He also lettered in baseball. Sharp chose Penn to continue pursuing his athletic passions while receiving a “rewarding education surrounded by other ambitious individuals.”
The incoming class represents a significant step forward for the Penn sprint football program, promising a bright future for the Quakers on and off the field. .
