DAYTON – Despite the challenges associated with Covid-19 pandemic, the University of Dayton's academic reputation and past success on the football field (UD was 8-3 in 2019, and second in the Pioneer Football League with a 6-2 mark), the 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.  Information on the entire class will be released at a later date.

"This is a special day in college football, and it's special day for our football program and for the families whose young men are joining our program," Chamberlin said.

"This is a smaller class than those in the recent past, because our retention rates are so very good and the NCAA waiver where several of our seniors from last year are able to return for next year.

"But while it is smaller, it is very much like every other Flyer football recruiting class.  It is made up of bright young men with strong academic profiles.  These newest Flyers are leaders, with 19 of them serving as team captains for the teams. 

"And they are winners.  They've combined success in the classroom with success on the football field.  As a class, they have combined for eight state championships, including three this past year.  They know what it takes to win and will fit in very well with our winning program.

"We are very pleased with this year's recruiting class.  They may be unique in the way they were recruited during a pandemic, but they are just like the teammates they will join next fall – winners with strong academics, and high-character leaders who I am sure will help us win championships in the Flyer football careers."

Among the highlights for the Flyer Football Class of 2021 are:
• 3.70 average high school GPA
• 25 average score on the ACT
• 19 team captains
• 14 National Honor Society members
• 8 members of state championship teams
• 11 offensive players
• 14 defensive players

The members of the Class of 2025 hail from nine states:  Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.

In addition, Chamberlin announced the following six players listed as seniors in 2020 who have indicated they will return in the fall for their fifth season in the Flyer football program:  safety Joe Bubonics, quarterback Jack Cook, safety Brandon Easterling, linebacker Shane Ferrick, H-Back Andrew Holderer and cornerback A.J. Watson. 

Easterling was named a 2019 FCS All-American by HERO Sports, the Walter Camp Foundation, the Associated Press and STATS FCS. He was a finalist for FCS Stats' Buck Buchanan Award, which goes annually to the top defensive player in FCS football. He led FCS football in solo tackles (7.5) and was second in total tackles (12.7).  

Cook is the FCS active career leader in passing efficiency (162.0) and led FCS in points responsible for per game (24.7) in 2019.  He was also top five in passing efficiency (3rd, 169.1) and passing touchdowns (4th, 33).