DAYTON – Coming off an 8-3 record in 2019 that included a 6-2 Pioneer Football League record and second-place PFL finish, the University of Dayton Flyer football program is bringing in another strong recruiting class according to head coach Rick Chamberlin.

While NCAA regulations and University policies preclude the release of the individuals who have committed at this time, Chamberlin sees them carrying on the Dayton tradition of success on the field and in the classroom.  The entire class will be released at a later date.

"This is always an exciting day for us and a happy day for our recruits' families as we have the opportunity to add new members to our football program," Chamberlin said.  "With 36 individuals at the moment, it's a bit larger than some of our other classes because of the large senior class that we are graduating this year.

"I would say it's a typical Dayton football recruiting class, because these student-athletes are a great fit academically and athletically.  We know these young men will be successful in the classroom and they will leave the University of Dayton with a degree that will serve them well.

"We have 23 offensive players in this class, including eight offensive linemen.  We felt we needed to build depth on the offensive line after graduating what might have been the best line in school history from tackle to tackle.  

"What stands out about our defensive players in this class is speed.  The way the game is played today, you need speed in every position group.  Your defense has to play fast to be successful.

"When you look at where our recruits are from, it's obvious that the University continues to cast a wide net in terms of its appeal across the country.  An example of that is that we have just the second player in program history from the state of Arizona.  But the majority of our recruiting class is from Ohio, including three more from the Miami Valley.  

"If you had to boil down this year's class to a one-word description, that word would be 'leadership.' We are bringing an outstanding group of leaders to the University of Dayton.  This class has 25 team captains.  A number of them were not just captains of their football teams, but also captains in many of the other sports they play -- basketball, baseball, wrestling and track.  Having great leaders on your team will lead to championships.

"This year's Flyer football class is like many of our others – made up of high-character, intelligent individuals who possess a great work ethic and are great leaders.  We look forward to working with them over the next four and five years."

Among the highlights for the Flyer Football Class of 2022 are:
• 3.68 average high school GPA
• 27.5 average score on the ACT
• 25 team captains
• 14 National Honor Society members
• 2 members of state championship teams
• 23 offensive players
• 13 defensive players

The members of the Class of 2024 hail from nine states:  Arizona, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio and Tennessee.

In addition, Chamberlin announced the following seniors have indicated they will return in the fall for their fifth season in the Flyer football program:  receiver/kick returner Kyle Butz and tight end Jay Vallie. 

Butz was UD's Special Teams captain last year, and was earned All-PFL honors as both a returner and a receiver in his career.  Vallie has played in 21 games the last two seasons, with three starts.  Butz hails from Cincinnati, while Vallie is from Grand Blanc, Mich.

The majority of UD's new recruiting class will be in attendance when the Flyers play the annual Spring Game on Sunday, April 19.