ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany football program has officially announced the new class of Great Danes to join the team ahead of the 2026 season. The list includes 38 new student-athletes in total, including 20 transfers and 18 freshmen.
 
"We are thrilled to officially welcome these young men into the Great Dane family," said Head Coach Tom Perkovich. "This is a versatile group, and the balance of both incoming freshmen and experienced transfers allows us to build for the future while adding immediate depth to our roster. Our staff worked tirelessly to identify individuals who fit the culture and competitive standard that we are establishing, and we couldn't be more excited to get them on the field this fall and see the impact they'll make at Casey Stadium."
 
The Great Danes are ready to return to Tom & Mary Casey Stadium for another exciting season, once again welcoming five teams to the Capital Region. UAlbany's home slate kicks off with a primetime opener on Friday, Aug. 28 against New Hampshire, followed by Family Weekend on Sept. 19 as the Danes host Monmouth. The festivities continue on Oct. 3 for the program's annual Homecoming game against Delaware State, before the home schedule rounds out with matchups against Campbell (Oct. 31) and Maine (Nov. 14).
 
Season tickets for 2026 start at just $125 and include access to all five home games, giving fans the best value and the best seats all season long. Cheer on the Great Danes, enjoy exclusive season ticket holder benefits, and experience every home game from your favorite spot.
 
Fans interested in new season ticket packages can click here to view available seating and select the option that's right for them.
 
Fans can also contact the UAlbany Ticket Office by email at GreatDaneTickets@albany.edu or by phone at 518-442-DANE (3263). All tickets and Great Dane Athletic Club Preferred Seat Funds (GDAC PSF) must be paid in full by August 1, 2026.
 
For the full list of new Great Danes, see below.
 
TRANSFERS
Aaron Angelo
Fr. | WR | Susquehanna | Enola, Pa.
 
Rich Benenge
Jr. | LB | Akron | Sioux Falls, S.D.
 
Orion Cairo
So. | OL | Lakeland | El Paso, Texas
 
Ashanti Caviness Jr
Gr. | TE | Monmouth | Bogota, N.J.
 
Zachary Couch
So. | TE | Saint Francis | Fairport, N.Y.
 
Sidoine Djimbou
Jr. | S | Stonehill | Montgomery Village, Md.
 
Daniel Growney
Fr. | WR | Susquehanna | Silver Spring, Md.
 
Matthew Iuvara
So. | WR | West Chester  | Haddon Heights, N.J.
 
Dana Johnson Jr.
Jr. | S | Monmouth | Mansfield, Mass.
 
Dominic Jones
So. | LB | Hudson Valley | Cassville, N.Y.
 
Rahshan La Mons
So. | RB | Susquehanna | Smyrna, Del.
 
Romero Lavalais Jr.
So. | CB | Susquehanna | Accokeek, Md.
 
Luke McAuliffe
So. | WR | Monmouth | Clifton Park, N.Y.
 
Gavin Myers
So. | P | Austin Peay | Perry, Fla.
 
Leo Ricci
Fr. | K/P | UConn | Quakertown, Pa.
 
Steven Rose Jr
Gr. | S | Gardner Webb | Reading, Pa.
 
Christian Santiago
So. | DL | Saint Francis | Erie, Pa.
 
Devan Taylor
So. | OL | Wagner | Deerfield Beach, Fla.
 
Kion Wright
Jr. | DL | Delaware | Philadelphia, Pa.
 
Jamari Young
Gr. | LB | Gardner Webb | Temple Hills, Md.
 
FRESHMEN
Grant Barr
Fr. | WR | Avon HS | Avon, Ohio
 
Sy'eer Coleman
Fr. | RB | Imhotep Institute CHS | Philadelphia, Pa.
 
Myles Coons
Fr. | OL | Saugerties HS, | Saugerties, NY
 
Ryan Fitzpatrick
Fr. | OL | Goshen HS | Goshen, N.Y.
 
Carter Giberson
Fr. | OL | Southern Lehigh HS | Center Valley, Pa.
 
Cam Grasso
Fr. | WR | Niskayuna HS | Niskayuna, N.Y.
 
Braeden Harris
Fr. | DL | St. Thomas More | Berlin, Conn.
 
Max Hoerter
Fr. | OL | Ramsey HS | Ramsey, N.J.
 
Justus Murray
Fr. | WR | Erasmus Hall | Staten Island, N.Y.
 
Sean Kentish
Fr. | OL | The First Academy | Minneola, Fla.
 
Jojo Njoh
Fr. | S | Kent School | New York City, N.Y.
 
Oji Numa
Fr. | OL | Northeastern HS | Manchester, Pa.
 
Nathan Pailler
Fr. | LS | Mansfield HS | Mansfield, Mass.
 
Diego Rodriguez
Fr. | DL | Quince Orchard HS | Germantown, Md.
 
Bodhi Sabongui
Fr. | DB | St. Thomas More | Paterson, N.J.
 
Joseph Scheffers
Fr. | LB | Archbishop Spalding HS | Glen Burnie, Md.
 
Pj Schwartz
Fr. | WR | Oakton HS | Fairfax, Va.
 
Jemel Williams
Fr. | DT | La Salle College HS | Philadelphia, Pa.
 
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