Get to know: Holy Cross Football 2024 recruiting class

Last month, the Holy Cross football team put the finishes touches on its first signing class under new head coach Dan Curran. 

Get to know the 21-member class, detailed below:

Ashton Booker 

OL, 6-5, 320 lbs, DeMatha Catholic (Md.)

Starting offensive tackle and All-WCAC performer for national prep powerhouse DeMatha Catholic.

“Ashton is a massive offensive tackle that has the rare combination of size and power along with excellent feet and the ability to bend. He had a great senior year against some of the best competition in the country and we believe his best football is ahead of him." - Coach Curran

Alijah Cason 

WR, 5-10, 170 lbs, First Baptist Academy (Texas)

State Champion…Built Ford Tough Player of the Week…"Beast of the Week" in Dallas…Two-time All-State First Team as a junior and senior…All-District first team as a junior and senior…District MVP…TXPS Wide Receiver of the Year…TXPS Offensive Player of the Year…35 receiving touchdowns are tied for third in Texas high school football history…posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons…broke school touchdown record with 61 total touchdowns.

“Alijah is an explosive playmaker who can impact a game as a receiver, returner in the kicking game, and as a runner in our jet packages. He has a knack for making defenders miss and can take it the distance every time he touches the ball.” - Coach Curran
 

Marco Coleman

CB, 5-10, 185 lbs, Bishop Gorman (Nev.)

Three-star recruit…two-year starter and standout for national champion Bishop Gorman.

“Marco is a versatile defensive back that has the ability to project at all four spots on the back end of our defense because of his unique skill set and high football IQ. Because of the level of competition he faced in high school and how advanced he is with his technique, he should have an opportunity to make an impact early, on both defense and special teams." - Coach Curran

Chase Couch

DL, 6-4, 250 lbs, Lexington Christian (Ky.)

Two-time first team all-district performer who was a force in the trenches for Lexington Christian.

“Chase is a big, athletic, and physical defensive lineman who brings position and scheme versatility to our defensive line room.” - Coach Curran

Lathan Croley 

LB, 6-1, 195 lbs, Miami Palmetto (Fla.)

All-Dade first team…Week 1 Player of the Week…tallied 127 tackles…led his team to a second-round playoff appearance.

"Lathan is an explosive and fast linebacker that has the ability to make plays sideline to sideline. The coaching staff believes he will develop into a three-down LB at the college level with his athleticism. - Coach Curran

Omarr Dixon

CB, 6-3, 170 lbs, Episcopal (Fla.)

Named MVP in football…Football Athlete of the Week for Northeast Florida (10/15)…Track Athlete of the Year nominee for Northeast Florida Nomination…Two-time MVP in track…held PR of 6-6 in high jump…academically, earned Spanish honors and part of National Honor Society.

“Omarr is a tremendously talented two-way player (defensive back/wide receiver) out of Florida who has speed, length, and great instincts. We believe he has a chance to develop into a lockdown cover guy at the next level.” - Coach Curran

Gabriel Erhuanga

DL, 6-2, 230 lbs, Archbishop Carroll (D.C.)

Two-time first team All-WCAC Performer…led team in sacks and tackles for loss his senior season…earned Defensive Player of the Year honors.

“Gabe is an explosive playmaker on the defensive side of the ball and has been one of the best pass rushers in one of the best conferences in the country the past two years.” - Coach Curran
 

Amari Gardner 

DB, 6-1, 170 lbs, Archbishop Curley (Md.)

Maryland All-State first team…MIAA All-Conference defensive back.

“Amari is a long, athletic defensive back who excels both in man-to-man coverage and as a run defender in the box. The staff believes Amari has a chance to make an early impact on both defense and special teams." - Coach Curran

SirCharles Gordon 

WR, 6-4, 190 lbs, St. Vincent-St. Mary (Ohio)

Totaled 32 receptions for 480 yards, averaging 15 yards per reception…scored three touchdowns.

“SirCharles is a long, athletic wide receiver that was a two-way starter for three years, who has good ball skills and is a big red zone threat.” - Coach Curran

Braden Graham

QB, 6-1, 205 lbs, Riverdale (Tenn.)

Three-star recruit…named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Tennessee…completed 255 of 350 passes for 3,492 yards and 42 touchdowns…also rushed for a touchdown and only had three interceptions…"Mr. Football" runner-up….All-State first team…Quarterback of the Year….team earned region championship…named Region MVP…Tennessean Player of the Year…named 615 Preps Offensive Player of the Year…49th-ranked quarterback in the country according to ESPN and 56th ranked QB in the country according to 247 Sports.

“Braden is an extremely talented passer and has the ability to make all the throws from the pocket, in addition to being able to extend plays and make throws on the run. He will be one of the highest rated recruits we have had in program history.” - Coach Curran

Liam Lynch

OL, 6-3, 275 lbs, Archbishop Spalding (Md.)

Three-year starter and two-time first team all-conference performer for MIAA champion Archbishop Spalding.

“Liam is an athletic and versatile offensive lineman who has played all three spots on the line and has the ability to be a multi-year starter at the college level." - Coach Curran
 

Mason McSweeney

TE/DE, 6-2.5, 230 lbs, St. John’s Prep (Mass.)

Catholic Conference Defensive Player of the Year…Catholic Conference All-Star…named to the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association Super 26 Team…named to the New England Football Journal first team…named to the Boston Herald 2023 Football All-Scholastic Team.

“Mason is a physical, gritty, high-motor football player that is dynamic enough to play both tight end and defensive end at the collegiate level. With his versatility and ability to make plays in each phase of the game, I expect big things from Mason for years to come.” - Coach Curran

Caiden Newsome

DB, 5-11, 170 lbs, Calvert Hill College (Md.)

All-Conference performer during senior year…tallied 23 tackles and nine PBUs…ran a 100 meter time of 10.8 seconds.

“Caiden has the length, speed, and competitive toughness to develop into an elite corner at the next level.” - Coach Curran

RJ Newton 

WR, 6-4, 190 lbs, Archbishop Spalding (Md.)

Two-time MIAA champion…Baltimore Touchdown Club selection…Maryland Football Foundation All-State second team…totaled 100 receptions for 1,111 yards.

"RJ is a long, athletic kid with good speed and ball skills. He has a winning background and is extremely competitive.” - Coach Curran

Jordan Pritchard-Sewell

DL, 6-2, 265 lbs, Archbishop Hoban (Ohio)

Recorded 199 tackles, 104 TFLs, 42 sacks, five forced fumbles, and three touchdowns…as a sophomore, earned Division 2 All-Ohio third team and N.E. Inland first team…as a junior, earned Division 2 All-Ohio second team and N.E. Inland first team…as a senior, earned Defensive Player of the Year honors and All-Ohio fist team defense honors.

“Jordan has tremendous quickness and excellent hands, which has allowed him to develop into one of the best pass rushers in the state of Ohio the past two years." - Coach Curran

Ty Robinson

QB, 6-4, 220 lbs, Steinbrenner (Fla.)

Tallied most passing yards and most touchdowns in school history…first consecutive 2,000-yard passer in school history…two-year TD/INT ratio of 44/9.

“Ty is a true dual threat quarterback that can change the game in the air and on the ground. He is a tone setter that plays the game with a competitive edge and toughness that elevates those around him.” - Coach Curran
 

Jackson Rood 

OL, 6-3, 280 lbs, Winston Churchill (Md.)

Montgomery County Offensive Lineman of the Year…All-State second team…helped lead his high school program to its best season in 30 years.

“Jackson is a super physical offensive lineman who has the ability to play all three spots up front and competes with an edge we want all of our players to play with." - Coach Curran

Mark Schoonmaker 

TE, 6-4, 222 lbs, Hamden Hall Country Day School (Conn.)

Named All-League Evergreen…All-New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC)…ranked second in New England in sacks.

“Mark is a dynamic tight end that dominates in both the run game and pass game. His size and speed make him a vertical threat that will have an instant impact on our football team.” - Coach Curran

Destin Simmons

DL, 6-6, 220 lbs, Rock Creek Christian (Md.)

Two-time all-conference selection…Senior Bowl All-Star Game selection.

“Destin is a long athletic edge defender who has a great first step and the ability to bend and get after the quarterback. We believe he has a chance to develop into an elite pass rusher at the next level.” - Coach Curran

Nazir Treadwell

RB, 6-1, 210 lbs, Keyport (N.J.)

All-Conference first team selection…first team All-Division, two-time MVP and two-time Offensive Player of the Year…his team was a two-time Patriot Division Champion…totaled 3,185 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns…completed 60 of 89 pass attempts for 945 yards, 14 touchdowns and two interceptions…in the classroom was a National Honors Society member, a Principal's Honor Roll, a High Honor Roll and Student of the Month…was a varsity letterman on the track team and played two years of basketball.

“Nazir is a talented running back who has the ability to run between the tackles with power and contact balance while also having the speed to take it the distance on any given play.” - Coach Curran

Daniel Zlatanov 

DE, 6-5, 225 lbs, Glenbard East (Ill.)

During senior year, recorded 105 total tackles, 13 TFLs, 10 sacks and four blocked kicks…posted best statistical year for a Glenbard East DE in school history, leading team to their first quarterfinal appearance since 1999…team went 10-2 on the year…team captain…earned All-Conference, Academic All-State and All-Area mention…10-year concert pianist…Illinois State Scholar…two-time all-conference high jumper and thrower.

“Daniel is a long edge defender who has a knack of getting to the quarterback, and has a nonstop motor that allows him to make plays sideline to sideline.” - Coach Curran

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS 
Be sure to follow the Holy Cross football team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!
Twitter - @HCrossFB | @goholycross
Instagram - @hcrossfb | @goholycross
Facebook - Holy Cross Football | Holy Cross Athletics
YouTube - GoHolyCross