"We're really excited about this class," head coach Lance Leipold said. "Even during these difficult times, we felt we were able to connect early and establish strong relationships from afar. We were able to showcase facilities in unique ways and it helped them get a good understanding of our program and university."
The initial class is comprised of four offensive linemen, two cornerbacks, two running backs, two defensive ends, a tight end, a quarterback, a wide receiver, a safety, a defensive tackle and a linebacker. The newest class comes to UB from nine different states, including Michigan (4), Maryland (3), New York (3), Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Georgia and Nebraska.
Mid-Year Enrollees
Demarco Cuffey
Cornerback
Freshman
6-1, 180
Waldorf, MD/IMG Academy
Cornerback who played his senior season at IMG Academy and helped lead the Avengers to a national title… previously played at North Point High School in Maryland… had 24 tackles and two interceptions in 2019.
Janik Ogunlade
Offensive Line
Freshman
6-5, 275
Waldorf, MD/North Point HS
Offensive lineman who played at North Point High School… was a team leader and helped lead the Eagles to a 9-3 record in 2019.
Mid-Year Enrollees
Jibrahn Claude
Safety
Freshman
6-0, 185
Loganville, GA/Grayson HS
Safety from Georgia who played at Grayson High School… had 72 tackles and two interceptions his junior season… second-team All-State selection… named first-team All-Region.
Floyd Dozier
Defensive Tackle
Freshman
6-2, 285
Tampa, FL/Lakewood HS
Defensive tackle from Florida who played at Lakewood High School… had 58 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, four sacks and an interception his junior season… an All-District First Team selection… his team was a district champion and two-time regional champion.
Ali Fisher
Wide Receiver
Freshman
6-1, 190
Belleville, MI/Pioneer HS
Wide receiver from Michigan who played at Pioneer High School… had 57 receptions for 874 yards and nine touchdowns his junior season… also had 33 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception as a defensive back… earned All-State honors… named All-Conference First Team… Ann Arbor Area Offensive Player of the Year.
Nolan Gorczyca
Offensive Line
Freshman
6-6, 275
Omaha, NE/Roncalli Catholic HS
Offensive lineman from Nebraska who played at Roncalli Catholic High School… three-year starter and a team captain… two-time All-State Class B selection… two-time All-River Cities Conference selection… two-time All-District selection… allowed only five sacks in 31 starts.
Al-Jay Henderson
Running Back
Freshman
6-0, 195
South Orange, NJ/Irvington HS
Running back from New Jersey who played at Irvington High School… rushed for 1,055 yards on 111 attempts his senior season - averaging 9.75 yards per carry… also played defense and had 25 tackles on the year… was named first-team All-Conference.
Jaillen Howze
Linebacker
Freshman
6-1, 220
East Point, MI/Chippewa Valley HS
Linebacker from Michigan who played at Chippewa Valley High School… limited to five games due to an injury in 2019, he still racked up 32 tackles, six tackles for loss and two forced fumbles… named Macomb Area Conference All-League… named All-County Tier First Team… named to the MHSFCA All-Region team… honored as Chippewa Valley High School Defensive Player of the Year… twin brother of fellow signee Quillen Howze.
Quillen Howze
Cornerback
Freshman
6-0, 180
Sterling Heights, MI/Chippewa Valley HS
Cornerback from Michigan who played at Chippewa Valley High School … as a cornerback had 22 tackles, four tackles for loss, an interception and 10 pass breakups… named Macomb Area Conference All-League… named All-County Tier First Team… named to the MHSFCA All-Region team… named team MVP… twin brother of fellow signee Jaillen Howze.
Chris King
Defensive End
Freshman
6-3, 235
Queens, NY/Paramus Catholic HS
Defensive end from Queens, NY who played at Paramus Catholic High School… had 23 tackles and a sack his senior season… an All-League selection… team captain.
Rowan McGwin
Offensive Line
Freshman
6-6, 280
Rochester, NY/Irondequoit HS
Offensive lineman from Rochester who played at Irondequoit High School… named All-County… helped lead the Eagles to a Section 5 Championship… three-sport athlete who also plays basketball and lacrosse… team captain.
Matt Pajuste
Offensive Line
Freshman
6-4, 280
Philadelphia, PA/Martin Luther King HS
Offensive lineman from Philadelphia who played at Martin Luther King High School… first-team All-State selection… named All-Public League First Team… nominated for the Mini Max Award presented by Maxwell Football Club.
Brian Plummer
Quarterback
Freshman
6-4, 205
Gaithersburg, MD/Quince Orchard HS
A dual-threat quarterback from Maryland who played at Quince Orchard High School… went 25-2 as a starter and led the Cougars to a state championship his sophomore season… threw for over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns as a starter… All-League selection.
Anton Ricumstrict
Defensive End
Freshman
6-5, 225
Mount Pleasant, MI/Mount Pleasant Senior HS
Defensive end from Michigan who played at Mount Pleasant Senior High School… had 56 tackles and two interceptions over six games his senior season… named All-Conference First Team… named All-Region First Team… team captain.
Mike Washington
Running Back
Freshman
6-5, 205
Clay, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse HS
Running back from Central New York who played at Cicero-North Syracuse High School… earned All-State honors after rushing for 1,423 yards and 15 touchdowns his junior season… also played defense and had 31 tackles and three interceptions… named All-CNY… MVP of the Regional Championship Game.
Carson Williams
Tight End
Freshman
6-5, 230
Marshalltown, IA/Marshalltown HS
Tight end from Iowa who played at Marshalltown High School… had 64 receptions for 739 yards and nine touchdowns over his career… also played linebacker and had 121.5 tackles, nine tackles for loss and three interceptions … an All-State selection… Nick Norris Scholarship Award winner… team captain.