SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts – The American International College football team is set to welcome 24 newcomers to its 2025 roster, including 22 high school players and 2 college transfers. Head Coach Dan Chipka unveiled the list of signees on Wednesday, marking the official signing day for college football.
Chipka and his staff concentrated their recruiting efforts primarily on high school prospects within a 5-hour radius, covering Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey.
"I'm very pleased with the class we've signed so far and the families who have committed to our football program," said Chipka, who is entering his second season as head coach after removing the interim tag. "Building off the momentum from last year's class, we've added a number of players from successful high school programs—athletes who have excelled both on and off the field. At each position, we've focused on adding size and speed, with recruits whose families value the cultural pillars of our football program."
The Yellow Jackets remained largely local in their recruiting efforts, bringing in 8 players from Massachusetts, 6 from New Jersey, 4 from New York, 3 from Connecticut, and 1 from Rhode Island. AIC also secured recruits from Florida and California.
"Our recruiting efforts begin right here in Massachusetts, our primary recruiting footprint," Chipka added. "We put a great deal of effort into our Mass-Blitz Campaign and continue to foster relationships with high school coaches throughout the Commonwealth. From there, we identify, evaluate, and visit players within the 5-hour radius. Our coaching staff works tirelessly to evaluate talent, bring recruits to campus, and secure their commitment to our program. It's a long and intensive process that requires significant time and energy. Ultimately, I'm confident that we've done an excellent job of selecting players who align with our culture and fill our positional needs."
The following is a look at the 24 new additions to the AIC Football program:
Nnaemeka Amaechina
Defensive Back | 5-10 | 180 | Fr. | Bayville, NJ (Central Regional High School)
'Meka' is an exceptional athlete who has excelled both in football and track and field from Central Regional High School in Bayville, New Jersey. He possess the necessary athletic ability to play both on the hash and in the box as a Safety in the Jackets' secondary. As a Senior, Meka earned 2nd Team All-Shore as a defensive back.
BEN ANTOINE
Defensive Back | 5-11 | 185 | Jr. | Medford, MA (Santa Barbara City College)
Ben is an experienced defender in coverage with great ball skills, body control, football intelligence, and instincts. In two seasons with the Vaqueros, Ben finished with 40 total tackles, 3 interceptions, 6 pass breakups, and 1 blocked kick. The Jackets' will look for Ben to make an immediate impact on both defense and special teams.
MAKAI BOLDEN
Cornerback | 5-11 | 170 | Fr. | Pemberton, NJ (Camden Catholic High School)
Makai is a versatile player that will bring coverage ability and ball skills to the Jackets' Secondary. Additionally, we expect him to make an impact on special teams. After playing in a competitive league for Camden Catholic in New Jersey, Makai looks to bring his skill set to Springfield and continue to make an impact versus both run and pass.
GIOVANNI CARTER
Defensive Line | 6-2 | 300 | Fr. | Broad Brook, CT (East Windsor High School)
Gio is sturdy interior defensive lineman from Northern Connecticut. After a productive Senior season, Gio looks to bring his size and strength to the Jackets' defensive front as both a 2-gap and 1-gap defender.
AARON CODRINGTON
Offensive Line | 6-3| 350 | Fr. | Springfield, MA (SICS)
Aaron first made impressions on the Jackets' coaching staff during the 'Friday Night Lights' in the summer of 2024. His size, length, and eagerness to learn stood out. Aaron will join a deep and talented offensive line group at AIC.
NASIR "NAS" COX
Safety | 6-1 | 175 | Fr. | New Bedford, MA (Greater New Bedford Vocational Tech)
'Nas' features the length and athletic ability to make an impact in the Jackets secondary. He was a two-way starter in high school, showcasing his football instincts and playmaking ability to help push the Bears to a winning season.
ABRAHAM "ABE" EBODA
Defensive Line | 5'10" | 235 | Fr. | Delran, NJ (Delran High School)
'Abe' is versatile defensive lineman that has shown he has the ability to play both defensive end and nose tackle. During his time at Delran High School, Abe helped lead DHS to a 9-2 record and a playoff berth.
ANGEL GONZALEZ
Wide Receiver | 6'0" | 180 | Fr. | Brockton, MA (Thayer Academy)
Angel earned all-league honors in just six games as a senior and voted a team captain by his peers. Throughout his high school career, he demonstrated great concentration to catch difficult passes in every direction. Angel proved to be a very reliable target for the Tigers and looks to bring his talents to State Street this Fall.
JARREN GOODINE
Running Back | 5'9" | 170 | Fr. | New Bedford, MA (New Bedford High School)
Jarren is a versatile athlete who excels in multiple sports. Throughout his high school career, Jarren has excelled in both football and basketball. On the gridiron, Jarren was honored as a Southeast Conference All-Star this past season.
DAVANTE GOODINE-RODRIGUEZ
Linebacker | 6'2" | 220 | Fr. | New Bedford, MA (Tabor Academy)
'Diesel' has the ability to play a multitude of positions at the 1st and 2nd level of the Jackets' defense. After being apart of Coach Jeff Moore's rebuild at The Tabor Academy, Davante knows what it takes to win and compete at a high level. Additionally, Davante will look to add physicality and size to the Jackets' LB room with the athletic ability to both rush the passer and be utilized in coverage.
CHRIS HOLTS
EDGE | 6'4" | 225 | Fr. | Mansfield, MA (Mansfield High School)
Chris will add length and athleticism to the Jackets' defensive front this Fall. During his senior campaign, Chris earned All-State honors for the Mansfield Hornets, while helping to lead his team to a 9-4 record and a deep playoff run.
GIAN IACUELE
Wide Receiver | 6'3" | 195 | Fr. | North Kingstown, RI (North Kingstown HS)
Gian had a historic senior campaign. Playing on both sides of the ball for the Division 1 Non-State Super Bowl Champions. On offense, Iacuele caught 67 passes for 1,104 yards and 12 TD's. On defense, Gian made 41 tackles, with an INT. After the season, Gian was considered a candidate for the Rhode Island Player of the Year by Sports Illustrated.
ZAMIR JONES
Linebacker | 5'10" | 230 | Fr. | Paterson, NJ (Passaic County Tech)
Zamir is a knock-back tackler, who will bring immediate size and physicality to the Jackets' LB corps. As a defensive stalwart for the Bulldogs or Passaic Tech, Zamir helped push the program into the playoffs and finish with a 9-3 record.
LUKE LAGUERRE
Offensive Line | 6'4" | 330 | Fr. | Canton, MA (Canton High School)
Luke had a tremendous senior season for the Canton Bulldogs, while being honored as an All-State offensive lineman in Massachusetts. Luke is an experienced leader as he started 3 years and was voted a team captain during his senior campaign. Canton H.S. head coach, Anthony Fallon "Luke is a big, strong, hard-nosed lineman." Luke will join a deep and talented offensive lineman position group on State Street.
ANTHONY MENNONA
Offensive Line | 6'5" | 365 | Sr. | Monroe, CT (Post University)
AJ is an experienced offensive lineman that has played collegiately for several years. With a combination of size, strength, and football IQ, AJ will look to make an impact for the Jackets' upfront.
MALACHI MESSIAH
Defensive Line | 6'2" | 245 | Fr. | Union, NJ (Union High School)
Malachi comes from a rich tradition of winning at Union High School in New Jersey, where he contributed as a defensive lineman for the Farmers. The younger brother of Saleem, who has served on the AIC football support staff for several years, will be a great addition to the defensive line unit.
IKENNA NWAGBAOSO
EDGE | 6'4" | 245 | Fr. | Queens, NY (Bayside High School)
Ikenna displays ideal length and build to compete right away on AIC's defensive front. At Bayside High School, he started on both sides of the ball and excelled both on and off the field for the Commodores. Ikenna will be featured at the field defensive end position, where he will utilize his great initial quickness and football instincts to be a force, against both run and pass.
VAUGHN PAYNE
Wide Receiver | 6'5" | 195 | Fr. | Cromwell, CT (Cromwell High School)
Vaughn, a dual sport athlete, comes to State Street by way of the 2023 State Runner-Up, Cromwell Panthers. With tremendous length, jumping ability, and catch radius, Vaughn has consistently proven to be a reliable target with the explosiveness to score from anywhere.
DAMEER PHIFER
Wide Receiver | 6' | 170 | Fr. | Stratford, CT (Tabor Academy)
Dameer proved to be a dynamic playmaker with great clutch ability for Coach Jeff Moore's offensive attack. This past season, the SeaWolves finished 8-1 with an impressive offensive charge. His RAC ability, combined with his ability to create separation, make him an outstanding target for the Jackets' offense for many years to come.
JEREMIAH POPE
Offensive Line | 6'1" | 300 | Fr. | Brooklyn, NY (South Shore High School)
Jeremiah possesses great strength at the point of attack to control the line of scrimmage and reset the opponent's front. While playing a multitude of positions within the offensive line, Jeremiah trends to play Guard and Center at the next level, where his ability to pull, finish, and block in space will make an offensive weapon for Coach Carr and the Yellow Jackets offensive attack.
RONEIL ROMAIN
Defensive Back | 6'3" | 210 | Fr. | Irvington, NJ (Irvington High School)
Roneil is an instinctual defensive back that has a knack for making plays and causing turnovers. During his senior year, Roneil led the Blue Knights to playoff berth by consistently making tackles in the box and breaking up passes in the secondary.
TYLER THOMAS
Offensive Line | 6'6" | 305 | Fr. | Brooklyn, NY (South Shore High School)
Tyler possesses the ideal length, frame, and overall athletic ability to be a premier offensive tackle at any level of football. With a versatile background, featuring basketball, defensive line, offensive tackle, and tight end, Tyler has demonstrated a unique ability to enforce his will on opponents with play strength, while having the athleticism to win in space.
TYRONE SMITH, Jr
Defensive Back | 6'0" | 180 | Fr. | Brooklyn, NY (Cardinal Hayes High School)
Tyrone displays exceptional ball skills with a consistent ability to score after creating turnovers. After helping lead his team to a state championship as a Junior, the Cardinals of Cardinal Hayes finished 8-4 this past season under the leadership of Coach Chris O'Neil. Tyrone also features great length and body control to make an immediate impact in the Jackets' secondary.
NICO WEISS
Defensive Back | 6'0" | 195 | Fr. | St. John, FL (Creekside High School)
Nico comes to Springfield, Massachusetts by way of Creekside High school, outside of Jacksonville, FL. Nico spent most of his high school career playing CB and exhibits the change of direction and skills in trail technique to excel in man coverage. Additionally, Nico's ability to tackle in space makes him a valuable piece to the Jackets' defensive secondary and special teams units, led by Coach Wollman.
