Two-Time Defending NEC Champion Football Team Unveils Signing Day Class

Third-year head coach Adam Lechtenberg announced the Central Connecticut State football early signee period class on Thursday. The Blue Devils inked 15 high school seniors to the recruiting class of 2026. The group will join the roster of the two-time defending NEC Champions for the Fall 2026 campaign.

"I am very excited about the talent we signed in the December signing period," said Lechtenberg. "Our coaches have done an outstanding job of identifying really good players who have the chance to develop and become great players here at CCSU.  Acquiring players with size, speed and athleticism will always be a focal point of our recruiting philosophy and I am excited that we were able to do that. I am thrilled about the potential of this class, and I can't wait for the opportunity to get to work with them.  I would like to thank them and their families for choosing to become Blue Devils!" 

CCSU has won back-to-back NEC Championships and, for the first-time in program history, have played in the FCS Playoffs in consecutive seasons. CCSU posted an 8-4 record during the 2025 campaign and have 15 wins in the past two seasons. Lechteberg has earned NEC Coach of the Year honors the past two seasons, and the Blue Devils have won the league's top award on both sides of the ball in 2024 and 2025.

MEET THE BLUE DEVIL SIGNEES 

Matthew Alvarez is an offensive lineman from Elizabeth, NJ that attends DePaul Catholic High School, where he is a team captain.

Ronell Armstrong, an offensive lineman, hails from Hyannis MA and plays at Barnstable High School. He is a team captain.

Nick Chomko, an offensive lineman from Kingswood-Oxford and a native of Newington, CT. He was named NEPSAC Class C Lineman of the Year and is a two-time All-New England First Team selection.

Anthony Dinapoli is an offensive lineman currently at Iona Prep and hails from Eastchester, NY. He helped the squad to a state championship and is a two-time All-League selection.

Nathan Eggerling is a tight end from North Haven, CT, who plays at North Haven High School, where he has won two state championships. He is a team captain and has ben First-Team All-Conference.

Kyion Greenwood is a cornerback from Edgewood High School that resides in Edgewood, MD. He is a 2025 BTC All-Star Selection at corner, was named All-Chesapeake in 2024 and All-State in the 55, in indoor track.

Jeffrey Logan out of Aquinas Institute of Rochester in New York, will play running back.

Jaylen Mack, of Liberty High School in Liberty, MO will be a running back for the Blue Devils. He was the conference player of the year and is a two-time First-Team All-District and All-Conference selection.

Nick Pavia, a Newtown, CT native and senior at Newtown High School will be an outside linebacker for the Blue Devils. He was a 2024 First-Team All-State selection and an All Walter Camp First Team honoree as well.

Ona Pela, from Cherry Hill, NJ, is an offensive lineman that attends Cherry Hill East. He has twice been named All-Conference and earned All-South Jersey on the defensive line.

AJ Robinson, from Windsor, CT, plays quarterback at Windsor High School. He is a two-time New Haven Register All-State selection and has earned three All-Conference honors.

Jarrett Serate is a defensive tackle that played at Curtis High School and is a native of Staten Island, NY. He is a three-time All-City First Team defensive selection.

A'zeem Spicer will play inside linebacker, after graduating from Upper Darby High School in Pennsylvania. He was First-Team All-Central League as a wide receiver and on the defensive line.

Javon Tyler, an East Side High School player, is an offensive lineman from Newark, NJ. He has twice been named Second-Team All-Conference.

Gabriel Wiggins, a running back that played at Phelps ACE High School and comes to CCSU from Washington, DC. He has earned DC IAA Player of the Year, Second-Team All-State defensively and twice been named First-Team All-League on both sides of the ball.