OFFENSE
Captain and star running back Jayden Clerveaux leads a talented backfield, returning for his junior campaign in 2025 after a breakout sophomore season. A year ago, he stepped in as the team’s starter after All-American Jordan Fuller suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3, and didn’t skip a beat, earning All-Patriot League first team and All-New England honors. Clerveaux ended the year with 942 rushing yards, while also scoring 11 touchdowns, ranking second in the conference.
Clerveaux is the Patriot League's returning leader in rushing touchdowns. In league action, he averaged 106 rushing yards per contest. He had three 100+ yard games and four multi-touchdown games in 2024, including back-to-back two-touchdown games in wins over Bucknell and Georgetown.
Senior Sam Slade appeared in all 12 games a season ago and racked up 333 yards on 79 carries, providing a strong veteran presence in the running backs room. Senior Nyeoti Punni, who joined the football program as a sophomore from the Crusader track and field program, had a strong camp, and is set to see significant time this season as well. In a room that features tremendous depth — also with sophomore Naz Treadwell and rookies Joseph Williams and Luke Foster — numerous backs could see time on the field this year.
Senior wide receiver Max Mosey also returns after a breakthrough 2024 season. Also an All-Patriot League first team honoree, Mosey registered 37 catches for 715 yards and six touchdowns. Mosey, who arrived on The Hill as a quarterback, provides a versatile option for the Crusader offense; a year ago, he rushed for two more scores and passed for another. His 19.3 yards per catch ranked in the top 10 nationally.
Sophomore Alijah Cason had a strong rookie campaign a year ago, both as a receiver and kick returner. He earned Patriot League Rookie of the Week honors after a solid showing in the Crusaders’ Patriot League opener at Colgate.
Senior Blake Youngblood, who has played 23 career games, brings experience for the Crusaders. Junior Charly Mullaly missed time due to injury a season ago, but scored a touchdown in the Crusaders’ opener at Rhode Island, and totaled 139 yards in four contests. Sophomore Ty Curran, son of head coach Dan Curran, transferred to Holy Cross from Ball State this spring and will play a factor both as a receiver and as a return specialist. Other names to watch include rising sophomores SirCharles Gordon and RJ Newton, along with freshman Lincoln Fisher.
Transfer quarterback Cal Swanson earned the starting job out of camp, and will play his first collegiate action this Saturday. A transfer from the University of Illinois, Swanson ranked as one of the top quarterbacks out of Oklahoma during a standout career at Ardmore High School.
A number of tight ends will play a major role this season, led by senior Nathan Schillinger and sophomore Mason McSweeney. Both appeared in all 12 games a year ago. Junior Luke Petitta will also see significant time.
Along the offensive line, senior captain and right guard Cam Nolan returns after earning All-Patriot League Second Team accolades in 2024. Senior right tackle and captain Joe Metzger, along with junior left tackle Bradford Blattner, also return with starting experience. The Holy Cross offensive line conceded just 13 sacks a year ago — their 1.08 sacks allowed per game was the best mark in the Patriot League and 11th-best nationally, and the Crusaders only conceded nine sacks total against FCS competition. Both helped anchor a Crusaders offense that averaged 27.6 points per contest.
Junior transfer Jayden Joyce (Davidson) and sophomore Liam Lynch will rotate in at guard, and junior Sean Woods enters the year as the team’s starting center. Other names to watch along the line include junior Bennett Nunnally, senior Noah Eldridge, sophomore Brady Earle, sophomore Ashton Booker and freshman Dominic Sorrentino.
