One of college football’s best atmospheres has an official date.
Led by new head coach Matt Campbell, Penn State will host its iconic “White Out” game against Southern California on Oct. 10, the program announced on Tuesday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (NBC10, Peacock).
The tradition started in 2004 with just the Penn State student section and expanded to the entire stadium in 2007. This will be the 19th year with a full “White Out” in Happy Valley.
Last season, the Nittany Lions lost to Oregon during the “White Out” game in overtime, which set off a string of six straight losses and included the firing of longtime head coach James Franklin. Last year’s loss also ended a six-game winning streak in the annual game, dating back to 2019.
This matchup will also mark the first time Penn State will host USC in Beaver Stadium since the Trojans joined the Big Ten ahead of the 2024 season. Their only meeting as conference foes came in 2024, when the Nittany Lions overcame a 14-point halftime deficit to win in overtime, 33-30. Overall, USC holds a 6-5 advantage in all-time meetings between the two programs.
Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell, left, meets with Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley, right, before an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)Matthew Putney
Campbell and Lincoln Riley will face off as head coaches for the first time since 2021, when the former was at Iowa State and the latter was with Oklahoma. Riley’s Sooners held a 4-2 advantage over Campbell’s Cyclones, including a Big 12 championship game win in 2020.
Before Penn State hosts USC for the White Out game, it will face Marshall (Sept. 5) at home, travel to Lincoln Financial Field for a noon kickoff against Temple (Sept. 12), and host Buffalo (Sept. 19). Then, Big Ten Conference play begins with the opener against Wisconsin (Sept. 26) before traveling to Northwestern’s new Ryan Field for a Friday night in Evanston, Ill. (Oct. 2).
That gave her just about one day to prepare for her first professional tennis match at the Ennoble Care Philly Open, a WTA 125 event being held at the University of Pennsylvania’s Hamlin Tennis Center. Later that evening, she learned she was going to play her second — in doubles, with Penn teammate Lara Stojanovski, the next day.
“It’s been so hectic,” Velaga said. “Obviously, it didn’t go the way I wanted to in both singles and doubles, but no matter what, it was genuinely so cool. Even if I wasn’t necessarily preparing to the best of my ability, it was really fun.”
Velaga, a senior, lost her qualifying match 6-2, 6-4 to Ekaterina Ovcharenko in front of a packed crowd of Penn teammates, coaches, and friends cheering her on. She is headed for medical school after graduation instead of a professional tennis career. But she is planning on using the experience as a springboard for the Quakers’ upcoming season.
“We can compete here, even though we haven’t been doing professional-level training,” Velaga said. “I think we’ll definitely use the momentum and the good energy as well, and bring it into our very high-energy college season, and just know that no matter what team we compete against, we always have a chance, and we’re in it.”
Penn senior Esha Velaga played in her first professional tennis match on Sunday at the Ennoble Care Philly Open.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Velaga and Stojanovski were all-Ivy honorable mentions in doubles in 2025-26, but hadn’t practiced together all summer. They ultimately fell 6-4, 6-2 to the second-seeded team, but considering the circumstances, both were happy with the experience.
“It was a lot better than I expected,” Stojanovski said. “I think our chemistry since I came here as a freshman has been really good. We get each others’ games, so I don’t think we needed that much time to get on, but I do wish we had a little bit more time to prepare because I genuinely think we have the level.”
The Philly Open is the first WTA tournament in the area in over 20 years. Since the opening of the Penn Tennis Center, the university has been trying to attract a professional event, and they are taking full advantage of the opportunity.
Velaga lost both her matches, but thinks the experience will pay dividends for the Quakers this season.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
The event is a boon to all of Penn’s tennis players. Stojanovski and Velaga got the wild-card entries into the draw, but other Penn players on campus got the chance to serve as hitting partners for players on-site and to watch their trainings.
Stojanovski said playing against the professionals showed her just how high the level is in college tennis, and that they have the ability to compete.
“It’s been an amazing experience because we got to practice with professionals, see how they’re preparing, see how they’re practicing, how they’re recovering,” Stojanovski said. “What are they doing differently?”
The Patriot League Council of Presidents executive committee has denied Villanova’s eligibility appeal for quarterback Pat McQuaide, Richard Hamilton Jr., the attorney representing McQuaide, confirmed to The Inquirer.
McQuaide and Villanova looked to file an appeal after the Patriot League denied his eligibility for the 2026 season, despite the potential starting quarterback being granted a preliminary injunction to play this year.
The committee is composed of Lafayette president Dr. Nicole Hurd (chair), Loyola (Md.) president Terrence M. Sawyer (chair-elect), and Holy Cross president Vincent D. Rougeau. Patriot League commissioner Jennifer Heppel is the council’s liaison.
A request for comment was left with Villanova Athletics. The Patriot League said it doesn’t “comment on individual eligibility issues.”
On Aug. 4, the Patriot League sent a letter to Villanova stating that it had denied McQuaide’s eligibility waiver request based on the four seasons of competition rule. This decision conflicted with a preliminary injunction granted on Aug. 1 by Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Common Pleas Court Judge Timothy P. McCormick. McQuaide, who’s from Cuyahoga County, sued the NCAA after the governing body denied his waiver request to play in 2026.
“The Patriot League is now asserting [the four seasons of competition rule] as its basis to prohibit [McQuaide] from playing in any Patriot League games,” Hamilton, who represented McQuaide in Cuyahoga County, previously told The Inquirer. “My understanding is that Villanova has been informed that if he plays in any games, then they’ll be forfeited.”
According to Page 7, Section 3 of the Patriot League bylaws, the school must submit “a written appeal, along with supporting documentation, to the Patriot League Commissioner no later than fourteen (14) days after receipt of the decision” on a student-athlete’s behalf.
McQuaide threw for 3,123 yards with 25 touchdowns last year and still could play for the Wildcats this season. However, with the Patriot League denying his eligibility, the case will need to be settled in court.
On Aug. 11, Hamilton, on behalf of McQuaide, filed a motion for clarification to the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. Hamilton is looking for the court to clarify whether the Patriot League is legally required to obey the court’s preliminary injunction. If so, the conference must allow McQuaide to play.
Villanova quarterback Pat McQuaide threw for 3,123 yards on 237-of-401 passing with 25 touchdowns and four interceptions last season.Isaiah Vazquez / For The Inquirer
On Friday, two days after Hamilton filed a notice of supplemental authority to prompt an expedited ruling, the NCAA filed a brief in opposition. The governing body contends that the Patriot League is a “separate entity from the NCAA.” As the conference was not “served process and is not a defendant,” the NCAA is contending the motion for clarification does not apply to the Patriot League.
The question of McQuaide’s eligibility pertains to his 2022 season at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. In the original waiver request to the NCAA, Villanova argued that the COVID-19 pandemic directly led to the quarterback’s single season with the junior college. McQuaide contends that the pandemic stunted his development in high school, and he landed at Kent State as a walk-on. After one year redshirting with the Golden Flashes, he transferred to Mississippi Gulf Coast before two seasons at Nicholls State. Villanova described the move to a JUCO as a “necessary bridge rather than a choice to ‘use’ an additional season.”
JUCO programs are not under the purview of the NCAA, but seasons spent at that level historically counted toward student-athletes’ eligibility. However, Villanova had requested that the season should not count as one of McQuaide’s allotted seasons of eligibility.
Villanova’s season opener is Friday at 6 p.m. against conference opponent William & Mary. With just six days to go before the opener and McQuaide’s situation unresolved, the Wildcats might have to look at another option at quarterback. Throughout spring and summer camps, senior Robert Russo and freshman Nolan DiLucia have been getting a majority of the starter reps.
On Thursday, we released The Inquirer’s first list of the Philadelphia area’s 25 best athletes under 25 years old. But since that list was limited to those who currently play in Philly, we thought it was only fair to tip our cap to athletes who are originally from the region but no longer play here.
Here are 11 young college and professional athletes (listed alphabetically) who got their starts in Philly but currently star elsewhere …
Abdul Carter
New York Giants | Age: 22
At linebacker, Carter helped lead La Salle to the 2021 Philadelphia Catholic League championship before becoming a national name at Penn State. Now, the North Philadelphia native is looking to break out during his sophomore season with the Giants after being drafted No. 3 overall by the franchise in 2025. Last season, Carter finished with 25 solo tackles, four sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Davis was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Player of the Year after a successful sophomore season at Louisville. He led the nation with 34 home runs while driving in 98 runs. The West Chester native, who attended Malvern Prep, saw action for Team USA this summer in the inaugural World Collegiate Baseball Championship in Taiwan. The first baseman is the son of former major league catcher and Phillies color commentator Ben Davis. His younger sister, Riley Davis, is a standout lacrosse player at the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur and one of the 25 athletes to make our inaugural 25 under 25.
Tague Davis received significant attention from other programs after the Cardinals were bounced from the first round of the ACC postseason tournament, but he opted to stay in Louisville.
“Sometimes the grass ain’t always greener,” Davis told The Inquirer in July.
Dumas, a recent graduate of Eastern Regional, is heading to Arkansas for her freshman year. At Eastern, Dumas broke more than 20 program records and became the first girl to place first in three events at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions — the 400 meters, 400-meter hurdles, and 800 meters. Dumas became one of just 20 female high school track and field athletes to sign with Nike Elite — a coveted name, image, and likeness program.
“At the end of the day I’m not afraid to lose,” Dumas told The Inquirer in July.
Duren, a Sharon Hill native, played two high school basketball seasons at Roman Catholic before transferring to the prestigious Montverde Academy in Florida. After a single season at Memphis, Duren was selected 13th overall to the Detroit Pistons in the 2022 NBA draft. In the Motor City, Duren has made a name for himself as one of the most talented young bigs in the league. This past season, he was named to the All-NBA third team. He is currently a free agent but is expected to resign in Detroit.
Marvin Harrison Jr. (center) was drafted fourth overall by the Cardinals in the 2024 NFL draft.Richard Rodriguez
Marvin Harrison Jr.
Arizona Cardinals | Age: 24
Harrison Jr. was a star at St. Joseph’s Prep before playing college football at Ohio State. The wideout, who owns the Philadelphia Catholic League record book, was drafted No. 4 overall in the 2024 NFL draft by the Cardinals. Despite inconsistent play at quarterback, Harrison Jr. has logged 1,493 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns through his first 29 games. He is the son of NFL Hall of Fame wideout Marvin Harrison and the older brother of Jett Harrison, a standout receiver at Prep who is committed to Ohio State.
Ryleigh Heck
Team USA field hockey | Age: 22
Heck grew up in Shamong, Burlington County and played field hockey at Eastern Regional. There, she became a three-time state champion and an All-American. After high school, Heck took her talents to North Carolina. Through four years with the Tar Heels, she has collected two NCAA championships and four ACC titles. In 2023, she was named the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division I National Player of the Year.
Before leading the Fighting Irish women’s basketball team, Hidalgo turned heads at Paul VI High School in Haddon Township. Hidalgo was named a McDonald’s All-American during her senior year at Paul VI before heading off to South Bend. Last season, the Merchantville native averaged 25.3 points. 6.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and a nation-best 5.6 steals. She also helped lead Notre Dame to an Elite Eight appearance.
“It gives us motivation,” Hidalgo told The Inquirer in March. “To be able to [reach the Elite Eight] with this team, when nobody thought we were going to get past the second round.”
Johnson grew up in Voorhees and is a product of the Philadelphia Union Academy. The Union, however, were not able to retain the promising winger. Johnson, who was named to the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro All-Star game, signed with Orange County SC in January. Johnson has international playing experience, playing for the U.S. Youth National Team. He has seven goals in international play.
Gary Martin was a seven-time first-team All-American at Virginia.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer
Gary Martin
Track and field | Age: 22
Martin, who set records at Archbishop Wood, recently finished up his collegiate career at Virginia. In Charlottesville, Martin was a seven-time first-team All-American. During the 2025 NCAA Indoor Championships, Martin won a national title in the distance medley relay, running the last leg. He recently signed a professional contract with Brooks.
Kevin McGonigle
Detroit Tigers | Age: 22
McGonigle, a standout at Bonner-Prendergast, now stars at shortstop for the Detroit Tigers. The Media native has an on-base percentage of .384 and has scored 82 runs. This season, McGonigle made his All-Star debut at Citizens Bank Park and played in front of his “fan club” — a group of fans from Archbishop Prendergast High School that have traveled far and wide to watch him play.
Sessa, a Schwenksville native, won a national championship at North Carolina during her freshman season. After a single year with the Tar Heels, Sessa transferred to Northwestern. Her winning ways followed. Her sophomore and junior campaigns at Northwestern both ended with national titles. The two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year is looking to go 4-for-4 by adding another championship to cap off her collegiate career.
She also has her eyes set out for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
“If I have a bad practice day, I let myself think forward a bit and just say, ‘You know what, this is good, I’m learning something new,’” Sessa told The Inquirer earlier this month. “This preparation will help me further in the future for the L.A. Games.
These are the Philly area’s best athletes under 25 years old.
By
Inquirer Sports Staff
Published
The Philadelphia area's sports scene is on the rise — and we're not talking about the addition of LeBron James to the city's professional ranks.
The region's professional sports franchises are only part of the picture. There also are athletes enrolled in the area's many colleges and universities, a wealth of talent at the high school and amateur levels, and others who dominate individual sports like boxing or figure skating. We decided it was about time to spotlight some of the best.
Welcome to The Inquirer's first 25 Under 25 list, highlighting the region's best athletes under the age of 25.
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The criteria is simple. To qualify for our list, an athlete must:
Be under 25 as of July 1, 2026, and
Currently reside in or train in the Philadelphia area (the city, collar counties, or South Jersey) and/or play for one of the area's colleges or professional teams (including their minor league affiliates).
That second rule means that high school students from the Class of 2026 are ineligible, since many have already arrived on their respective college campuses across the country. A few of them can be found on our list of the best players fromhere, which includes Philly athletes playing elsewhere. However, there is one exception this year, which we'll explain when we get there.
With those qualifications in mind, we went searching for the best of the best. And after much debate among our sports editors, we came away with 25 athletes who truly show the region's depth of talent at every level across a variety of sports. Here they are, presented in alphabetical order.
Jasmine Bascoe
Age: 20
Jasmine Bascoe was an all-conference selection for Villanova as a freshman in 2024-25 after leading the Wildcats with 16.2 points and 4.3 assists per game in 34 games.
Bascoe, who’s from the Toronto area, followed a stellar freshman season with an even better sophomore campaign, again leading the team in points (18.9) and assists (4.8) per game. She was the Big East’s leading scorer last season, beating UConn stars Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd. Bascoe led Denise Dillon’s Wildcats back to the 2026 NCAA Tournament after a two-season drought, and the Wildcats retained Bascoe for a third season. If Bascoe takes another step forward, Villanova could be a team to watch in March.
“Denise, she trusts me, and I have all my trust in her, so I’ll do whatever she needs me to do,” Bascoe said ahead of her sophomore season. “I love it in Philly — nowhere else I’d rather be.”
Bascoe’s Villanova inspiration
Villanova’s Jasmine Bascoe is having an impressive freshman season. She draws inspiration from a Wildcats legend.
She watched Jalen Brunson from home in Canada and hopes to shape her game around his. So far, it's paying off for her and the Wildcats.
Justin Crawford
Age: 22
Justin Crawford, one of the Phillies’ top five prospects entering the year, made his big league debut on opening day and has appeared in all but 10 games so far this season. Heading into play Wednesday, Crawford is slashing .270/.316/.361 as a rookie, and, after an early adjustment period at the plate, has hit .305 since June 1. The center fielder's defense also has steadily improved.
As for his struggles against left-handed pitching, which relegated him to a platoon role earlier in the season, Crawford hopes to pick the brain of new teammate Luis Arraez, a three-time batting champ and two-time Silver Slugger. And like Crawford, Arraez is a lefty who hits for average. Since Arraez’s arrival earlier this month, Crawford has been even better, slashing .342/.381/.500.
Commentary from David Murphy
Justin Crawford delights his dad Carl and showed the Phillies the weapon they might have in the nine-hole
Crawford didn’t just perform as advertised on opening day. He showed the value of what was advertised.
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Reese D’Ariano
Age: 17
The youngest member of the current United States field hockey team, Reese D’Ariano has plenty of international experience at just 17 years old. Before the field hockey World Cup in Belgium, D’Ariano won two gold medals with USA field hockey, including at the 2024 Indoor Pan American Cup in Calgary, Canada, where she was named tournament MVP. D’Ariano, who is a rising senior at Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School and committed to the University of North Carolina, is one of the top prospects in her class.
Before she began training with WC Eagles, her field hockey club, D’Ariano would train at a multipurpose field with her mother while her brother had swim practice. “Obviously, the progression was slow if you saw it day to day,” D’Ariano said. “But as the weeks and months went on, it was a pretty drastic change in how I progressed.”
Climbing the ranks
Reese D’Ariano embraces role as youngest player on USA field hockey’s World Cup roster
The 17-year-old, West Chester native was 9 the last time the U.S. women’s national team qualified for the FIH Hockey World Cup. This will mark her biggest stage, and she's looking to contribute.
Riley Davis
Age: 16
Entering her senior year at Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, Riley Davis is the top-ranked lacrosse player in the Class of 2027, according to Inside Lacrosse. The five-star recruit and Penn State commit is a two-way midfielder for the Irish and also plays on the school’s varsity basketball team.
Riley’s father, Ben, played seven years in the MLB as a catcher. Her mother, Megan, was a two-sport athlete at Rutgers. Her brother, Tague, set Louisville’s freshman home run record (18) last year and led the nation in home runs (34) as a sophomore. Her older sister, Finley, is entering her freshman year at Furman, where she will play lacrosse after playing with Riley at Notre Dame.
Despite all that competition, Riley is considered the most athletic in a family of high-level athletes. “Riley is the best athlete in the family,” Ben told The Inquirer in April.
A family of stars
Former MLB catcher Ben Davis’ family is full of athletes. His daughter, Riley, might be the best.
Riley Davis is ranked as the No. 1 lacrosse player in the class of 2027. Her mother, Megan, and older sister, Finley, are “the anchor and the force” that guided her success.
Cooper DeJean
Age: 23
Securing your first career pick-six in the Super Bowl on your birthday is the kind of story dreams are made of. But that’s Cooper DeJean’s real life. DeJean, however, is much more than just that moment. He earned first-team All-Pro honors as the league’s best slot cornerback in 2025. He’s also one heck of a basketball player.
Now, he is taking on a new role as a safety in Vic Fangio’s base defense. He’ll still see the majority of his snaps in the slot, but his growing positional versatility is a testament to his skill as he becomes one of the Eagles’ most important players.
“Playing nickel in this defense is kind of like playing safety in a lot of ways,” DeJean said. “A lot of the techniques are pretty similar.”
DeJean’s making moves
How Cooper DeJean’s ‘first love’ of basketball helped set him on a path to the Eagles
Growing up in small-town Iowa, playing multiple sports was the norm. But DeJean stood out, especially on the basketball court, and he has the highlight reel to prove it.
Audrey Derivaux
Age: 17
A four-time world junior swimming champion, Haddonfield’s Audrey Derivaux was the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2027. But Derivaux recently reclassified to the Class of 2026 to start her collegiate swimming journey at Texas a year earlier than expected. Derivaux shared the news on her social media with an Instagram post captioned, “See you in August, Austin! Can’t wait to rep the Longhorns next season!”
(Editor’s note: Derivaux reclassified to 2026 after our list was complete.)
Derivaux, who turned 17 earlier this month, in 2024 was the youngest swimmer to reach the finals of an Olympic trial since 2012 when she was 14 years old. She competed in the women's 400 individual medley, but fell short of earning a spot in Paris. In July, she competed in the USA Swimming national championship, finished with the second-best time in the 100-meter butterfly, and won a trio of under-18 events (the women’s 100- and 200-meter butterfly and the women’s 400-meter individual medley).
Derivaux on the rise
Meet Haddonfield’s Audrey Derivaux, the 14-year-old who’s swimming’s next rising star
The rising sophomore at Haddonfield Memorial High School became the youngest swimmer to reach the finals of an Olympic trial since 2012. Could the 2028 Olympics be next?
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Natalie Dove
Age: 24
Since her professional debut in 2023, Natalie Dove is undefeated in nine fights — with two knockouts and five unanimous decisions. Dove, a super flyweight, remained undefeated in her most recent bout, an eight-round slugfest against Maria Micheo Santizo in April that ended with a split decision.
“No Love” Dove initially was exposed to the sport as a self-defense method and started sparring in Philadelphia at 14. She fought in amateur tournaments and trained as a hopeful for the 2020 Olympics before turning pro. Since May 2025, Dove has fought for Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. She credits her toughness in the ring to her upbringing in Philly gyms and learning to hold her own “in a gym full of grown men that … talk [trash] the entire time.”
“I really don’t care what anyone says,” Dove said last year. “If anything, I’m probably the biggest bully in the gym. I think it just made me tougher and it made boxing fun for me.”
When Doves fly
How Philly’s Natalie Dove went from shadow boxing in her sleep to fighting with Jake Paul’s promotion
The 23-year-old Philly native had Olympic dreams. Now, she's preparing to face Randee Lynn Morales on Saturday for Jake Paul's MVP.
VJ Edgecombe
Age: 21
By the end of his first professional game, VJ Edgecombe already had flashed his star potential. The No. 3 overall pick in last year’s draft finished third in NBA Rookie of the Year voting and is set to start alongside Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and LeBron James. But don’t let him slip under the radar behind those huge names.
Edgecombe averaged 16 points per game last season and performed even better in the critical stretch in which Maxey, Embiid, and Paul George were sidelined. Brown, whose Celtics were eliminated in seven games by the Sixers, praised Edgecombe as a difference-maker in that first-round series. His teammates agree.
“He’s the guy,” Embiid said after the Sixers’ season ended. “I’m telling you guys, that guy is something different, and this was only Year 1. Year 2 is going to be better.”
Sixers’ future is now
‘I want us to go down in history’: Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe’s bond will shape the Sixers’ future
Maxey and Edgecombe have served as the life source of this Sixers season. The franchise will likely will go as far as they can take them — now and in the years to come.
Tyson Foerster
Age: 24
Before an upper-body injury sidelined Tyson Foerster for 49 games, the winger was on pace for career-best numbers with 13 goals in 29 games thanks to a shot head coach Rick Tocchet called “really elite.” The Flyers signed Foerster to an eight-year extension this offseason, so, barring a trade, the winger will be in Philadelphia for years to come. He couldn’t be happier.
“For me, I love Philadelphia, and I love playing with these guys,” he said. “They asked me if I would look to extend this year, and it was a no-brainer for me. I mean, I don’t play hockey for the money, so it’s all fun, and just happy to be here, hopefully, for the next nine years.”
Foerster’s big payday
Tyson Foerster talks lucrative extension with the Flyers: ‘It was a no-brainer for me’
Foerster missed 49 games because of injury a season ago, but cited his love of the Flyers and his teammates for why he inked an extension perhaps ahead of schedule.
Colton Hiller
Age: 16
Colton Hiller, the No. 2 player in the Class of 2028, is a 6-foot-7 small forward for Coatesville. In his sophomore season, he averaged 25 points, six rebounds, three assists, and 1.8 steals. Ahead of his junior year, Hiller is uncommitted but holds offers from more than 15 schools, including Villanova and Penn State. Last summer, he was part of the gold-medal winning Team USA at the FIBA U16 AmeriCup, where he averaged 13 points in six games.
In his two seasons with the Red Raiders, the five-star recruit has already surpassed 1,000 career points. He plays travel basketball in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, representing the 17-and-under PSA Cardinals, based in New York.
Despite having ‘a lot of eyes on me,’ hoops star Colton Hiller plans to stay at Coatesville
The 15-year-old, who’s nationally ranked, just wrapped up a stellar sophomore season. With the spotlight only getting bigger, Hiller has remained committed to developing in his hometown.
Maxwell Hiller
Age: 17
Maxwell Hiller — yes, he’s Colton’s older brother — also is a five-star recruit, but not in basketball. The Coatesville offensive lineman is entering his senior year and is the top-ranked interior O-lineman in the nation and No. 2 player overall for the Class of 2027, according to 247Sports. With more than 40 college offers, Hiller received his first college offer in eighth grade from Penn State. In April, the 6-foot-5 lineman committed to Florida.
“I don’t even watch the play, I just watch [Max],” Colton said of his brother. “I definitely like when he gets people on the ground, just pancakes, and that’s probably my favorite part.”
Max also played basketball, using it as a way to stay in shape, and even received an offer to play college hoops at La Salle.
Two Hillers are better than one
Meet Coatesville High’s Maxwell and Colton Hiller, who are rising stars in different sports
Max is a rising junior and ranked as one of the best offensive tackles in the country. Colton, who recently turned 15, is a 6-foot-6 shooting guard ranked No. 4 in his class.
Salman Khalil
Age: 21
Cairo-born Salman Khalil has been a standout in squash for Penn since he joined the Quakers in 2023. He was the Ivy League’s Rookie of the Year in 2023-24 and was the conference’s Player of the Year as a sophomore. Khalil, a rising senior, has been a standout for Penn as it has claimed its first two Potter Cups as the collegiate squash national champion in his first two seasons.
As a sophomore, Khalil became the first Quaker to claim the individual national championship (Pool Trophy) and the Potter Cup in the same season — and he did it while fasting for Ramadan. In addition to his career at Penn, Khalil is No. 52 in the squash world rankings. He holds a 42-16 record in noncollegiate events.
Khalil’s big win for Penn
Penn captured another national squash title even as three players fasted for Ramadan
Salman Khalil clinched the Potter Cup national team championship by beating Yale's Tad Carney. Khalil, Marwan Abdelsalam, and Omar Hafez of the Quakers were fasting during the final.
Makai Lemon
Age: 22
Makai Lemon, the Eagles’ first-round pick in 2026, hasn’t played a snap in the NFL yet. But with A.J. Brown gone, the rookie has big shoes to fill and a big opportunity in front of him. At Southern Cal, he averaged 14.6 yards per catch and racked up 1,156 receiving yards in 12 games in his final season. Lemon is known for his elite ball skills, despite being just 5-foot-11, on the smaller side for a receiver. He suffered an injury that sidelined him during minicamp and has been dealing with a hamstring injury during training camp. But when it’s time for him to take the field, Eagles fans will be “getting a dawg,” Lemon told the crowd on draft night.
“You drafted the guy that’s going to match the city’s intensity when it comes to pro football,” said Ray Fenton, Lemon’s former coach at Los Alamitos High School, located outside Los Angeles.
What Lemon brings
What the film says about Eagles first-round draft pick Makai Lemon
What does the newest Eagles wideout do well, and how does it fit in the new-look scheme?
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Isabeau Levito
Age: 19
Isabeau Levito became a household name this winter as one of the “Blade Angels,” the women’s figure skaters representing the U.S. at the Milan Cortina Olympics. She missed out on the podium, but she still got to bask in the experience of being an Olympian.
“It was just so cool with all these athletes from different sports all in one place,” Levito said. “It was very magical, and it was a dream come true.”
The South Jersey native also skated to a fourth-place finish at the 2026 World Championships in March. Levito has eight podium finishes at major events in her career, including silver at the 2024 World Championships and gold at the 2023 U.S. Championship. And she’s already started teasing her next routine.
What’s next for Isabeau?
South Jersey figure skater Isabeau Levito reached the peak this year with the Olympics. She wants more.
The Olympics were "very magical and a dream come true," Levito said. But she also wished she pushed herself more and is eager to get back to training and up her content for next season.
Porter Martone
Age: 19
Porter Martone, who got his start blasting holes in the wall of his parents’ basement before starring at Michigan State, made an immediate impact following his NHL debut, with 10 points in his nine regular-season games. After the Flyers’ season ended in the second round against Carolina, Martone joined Team Canada at World Championships and got ice time on the top line with Macklin Celebrini and Sidney Crosby, scoring one goal and four assists in 10 games.
“He wants to be out there when the game’s on the line,” coach Rick Tocchet said. “He’s unflappable.”
Martone’s origin story
Flyers rookie Porter Martone blasted holes in his parents’ basement before becoming an NHL phenom
The teenager has taken the NHL by storm in the playoffs. He honed his scoring touch growing up in Ontario, firing slap shots in the basement and beating "Jeff" the goalie in his backyard.
Matvei Michkov
Age: 21
Matvei Michkov’s sophomore NHL season was a bit turbulent, but the 21-year-old’s potential is sky-high, if his post-Olympic break stretch leading the team in points is any indication. At his best, the winger is a game-breaker and an elite talent the Flyers desperately need.
“He knows he needs to improve off the ice in his training — and that’s not a secret — he’s admitted that himself. … So, the big thing for Matvei is adapting," general manager Danny Brière said.
Coming to America
Matvei Michkov is 5,100 miles away from his home in Russia. But in Philly, ‘life has become easier.’
The 21-year-old's adjustment to North American culture, the English language, and the NHL is ongoing. But the Flyers winger is starting to feel more comfortable on and off the ice.
Quinyon Mitchell
Age: 25
Quinyon Mitchell is the oldest player on our list and the only one who has already turned 25 — he beat our cutoff date by about two weeks — but the Eagles cornerback is more than deserving. He won the Super Bowl and was runner-up for Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2024 and has just kept improving.
Mitchell was named first-team All-Pro in his second season and was ranked 47th on the NFL’s top 100 Players of 2026 by his peers, and there’s still room for him to grow. Mitchell’s lockdown coverage makes him a ball repellent. He was targeted just 85 times last year and gave up 36 catches for 451 yards and one touchdown. But in two NFL seasons, Mitchell still hasn’t picked off a pass in the regular season. He’s hoping to change that in 2026.
“I’ve been working with the staff on catching and eye placement and stuff like that, so I just need to get better,” Mitchell said.
Commentary from Marcus Hayes
Quinyon Mitchell looked like an All-Pro vs. the Lions. His Florida family and friends were there to see it.
The Eagles cornerback allowed zero catches against Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Jared Goff, and the highest-scoring offense in the NFC.
Andrew Painter
Age: 23
After years of anticipation, Andrew Painter got his first crack at the Phillies’ rotation this year, and it didn’t go as many hoped. The 23-year-old had a 7.06 ERA in 14 appearances, including 12 starts, before being demoted to triple A. His first game back in the majors showed promise. After giving up a double and a home run early, he settled in for six strong innings and only allowed one hit after that.
“When he’s done some things with his delivery, which is going more directly to the plate rather than spinning off, he’s had more life,” Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowskisaid.
His three starts since — including one that was cut short by hamstring tightness — have been trending in the wrong direction. But at his best, Painter still represents a ton of potential.
Commentary from David Murphy
Andrew Painter has reached his Roy Halladay moment. It is on him to seize it.
Failing is easy. The hard work is what comes next with his demotion to triple A. It's an endeavor upon which Painter must embark, much like Halladay did at his age.
Jordyn Palmer
Age: 17
Westtown School star Jordyn Palmer is a 6-foot-2 rising senior guard/forward who is No. 9 in her class, according to ESPN. Palmer, a three-time Gatorade Pennsylvania Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year, averaged 23.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 3.3 steals, and 2.5 blocks as a junior, helping lead the Westtown School (28-2) to the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association championship game. She has 1,746 career points and 894 career rebounds.
She has offers from more than 20 colleges, including South Carolina and LSU. In June, she was named Miss Pennsylvania Basketball, awarded to the best female high school basketball player in the state, voted on by fans, coaches, and media.
Best is yet to come
Westtown’s Jordyn Palmer — a basketball phenom and highly sought-after recruit — has untapped potential
The 6-foot-2 junior, who is ranked No. 6 in the nation, has had constant attention on her since she was 14. She has taken her game to a new level, but the best of her talents has yet to be displayed.
Labaron Philon Jr.
Age: 20
Labaron Philon Jr. is one of a few professional players on this list who have yet to make their debut, but there are high hopes and plenty of hype surrounding the former Alabama point guard who fell to the Sixers as the 22nd overall pick in this summer’s draft.
Of course, the expectations have eased in recent weeks as the Sixers added Jaylen Brown and LeBron James. But the 20-year-old brings shooting (48.2% for the Crimson Tide in two seasons) and a spark off the bench behind Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. Philon’s Sixers career already got off to a good start at NBA Summer League, and he’s got a plan for his transition into the league.
“Having the same ‘dawg’ mentality that I had at Alabama and being the same person,” Philon said after his Sixers debut. “Being me, really.”
Philon’s ready for Philly
Labaron Philon Jr. is ready for his rookie season with ‘a lot at stake’ after Sixers added LeBron James, Jaylen Brown
"Being a rookie and being able to be around all those guys is a privilege for me," Philon said after the Sixers added James and Brown this offseason.
Lavar Scott
Age: 22
South Jersey’s Lavar Scott comes from a racing family, so it’s no surprise that he was able to climb the ranks of stock car racing to become one of three active Black drivers in NASCAR. In two full seasons in the ARCA Menards Series, Scott finished in the top five 22 times for Rev Racing, including four second place finishes.
He earned a full-time spot in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026, making 22 starts in Alpha Prime Racing’s No. 45 Chevrolet. Scott has earned five top-20 finishes in 22 starts this season. Still looking for his first NASCAR win, Scott is chasing a feeling that he first learned racing go-karts at five years old.
“It’s a feeling that when I go to bed, I think about, [when I] wake up, [I] think about, [when I] sleep, [I am] thinking about. It’s just the feeling of standing on top of your car after a win and [celebrating] with your friends and family and knowing you did your job really well that day,” Scott said in June.
From South Jersey to NASCAR
South Jersey’s Lavar Scott, one of NASCAR’s three Black drivers, is chasing greatness and not looking back: ‘There was no Plan B’
Go behind the scenes at Pocono Raceway with 22-year-old South Jersey native Lavar Scott and the family that helped him become one of three active Black drivers in NASCAR.
Luigi Suigo
Age: 19
Standing at 7-foot-3, Italian-born center Luigi Suigo was the marquee addition for Kevin Willard this summer as he tries to lead Villanova back to the NCAA Tournament. Suigo, born in northern Italy, has played professionally in Europe since 2023. He averaged 7.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 26 games during 2025-26 for KK Mega Basket of Serbia. Suigo entered the 2026 NBA draft and was projected as a late first-round, early second-round selection before he withdrew and decided to play college basketball at Villanova.
“He wants to make sure when he gets drafted, he’s going to play,” Willard said of Suigo in June. “The big thing is I think he needs to get Americanized a little bit, to American basketball. I think that’s why college will be really good for him.”
Even better for the Italian big man, Suigo will begin his college career with a game in Rome, where the Wildcats will play Notre Dame on Nov. 1.
From Italy to the Main Line
Big man Luigi Suigo has arrived at Villanova. His journey to the 2027 NBA draft is underway.
Suigo is expected to join the short list of Villanova players who are on campus for one season before being selected in the NBA draft. But his temporary stop at Villanova is a critical one.
Cavan Sullivan
Age: 16
Cavan Sullivan, the youngest professional on this list, has a chance to be the most internationally recognized real athlete to come from Philadelphia — apologies to Rocky. The attacking midfielder has a deal in place that will send him to English giant Manchester City once he turns 18, but for now, he’s tearing up the pitch for the Union. He netted his first MLS goal in May, and his role for the team has continued to grow.
“It’s a big year for me,” Sullivan said in January. “It’s exciting, but I’m not going to get ahead of myself. I know there’s still work to do and stuff to prove.”
Look out for Sullivan in stars and stripes, too. He’s still waiting on his first senior team call-up, but he’s received numerous call-ups to U.S. youth national teams and scored twice at the 2025 FIFA under-17 World Cup in Qatar.
A Philly soccer story
Why Cavan Sullivan, hyped as the world’s best 14-year-old soccer player, chose to turn pro with the Union
In a few years, Sullivan will play for English superpower Manchester City. But for now he has chosen to start with his hometown team. Here's the inside story of why he picked the Union.
Quinn Sullivan
Age: 22
While his younger brother has Europe’s attention, Quinn Sullivan has developed into an integral piece for his hometown club. Before an ACL tear ended his 2025 season, Sullivan scored three goals and logged eight assists in 31 appearances across all competitions as the Union claimed the MLS Supporters’ Shield.
Sullivan also has experience with the U.S. men’s national team and made one start during the 2025 Gold Cup.
Sullivan returned from his ACL injury in July 2026, and now that he’s fully healthy, he’s back in the Union’s starting lineup. Quinn isn’t making a move to Europe yet, but the Bridesburg native is happy to represent his hometown club for now.
“I’d love to be the face of this team,” Sullivan said in January. “I mean, I grew up supporting this team. I love this team; I love this city. I feel like I embody what Philadelphia means.”
Holding down the homefront
Quinn Sullivan ‘would love to be the face’ of the Union. When he returns from a torn ACL, he just might be.
Though the 21-year-old from Bridesburg likely won't be back on the field until July, he's in good spirits. He appreciates all the support he's gotten from fans, the Union, and the national team.
Gage Wood
Age: 22
Gage Wood, the Phillies’ first-round pick in 2025, made his first start at Citizens Bank Park in July — as part of the MLB All-Star Futures Game.
But the right-hander, who was promoted to double-A Reading earlier this season, is progressing quickly through the system. Wood’s elite fastball helped get him to No. 33 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects, but there are questions about whether Wood is a starter or a reliever long-term.
“Obviously, I want to go back to the Bank as fast as I can,” Wood said. “I just keep working every day and try to get there as fast as possible.”
Patience paying off
Phillies prospect Gage Wood may have to take a longer road to the majors — and he’s OK with that
After the Phillies drafted the 22-year-old pitcher out of Arkansas, they plan to develop Wood as a starter. Fans caught a glimpse of the first-round pick in the Spring Breakout game on Saturday.
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That completes the first installment of The Inquirer’s 25 Under 25 athlete list. Naturally we couldn’t include every great athlete from the area, so be sure to check out our list of those who just missed the cut. We also have a list of the best under-25 athletes that are from the region but no longer play here. And, of course, we want to know who you think should’ve made the cut but didn’t, so email us at sports.daily@inquirer.com with anyone we might have missed.
Staff Contributors
Design and Development: Julia Duarte
Reporting: Gabriela Carroll, Owen Hewitt, Mia Messina
Editing: Matt Mullin
Illustration: Vivi John
List Curation: Inquirer Sports Editors
Digital Editing: Matt Mullin
Copy Editing: Maria McIlwain
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The 2027 NCAA women’s lacrosse championships finals won’t be at Subaru Park after all.
On Wednesday, the NCAA announced that Towson University will host next year’s championship from May 28 to 30 at Johnny Unitas Stadium in Towson, Md., near Baltimore. The NCAA and the Union previously announced that Subaru Park in Chester would host the Division I women’s lacrosse finals in 2027 and 2028. In a statement released Wednesday, the NCAA said a “scheduling conflict made the facility unavailable” in 2027, but Subaru Park, the Union’s home field, is still slated to hold the championship in 2028.
A request for comment was left with Subaru Park officials.
The change was released alongside the NCAA’s announcement that all three divisions’ women’s lacrosse championship games will be held at one site for the first time.
This past season, the Division I championship was at Northwestern’s Martin Stadium in Evanston, Ill., with semifinals two days before the final. With the change, the 2027 and 2028 events will expand to three days of games. In 2027, the Division I semifinals are set to be played on Friday, May 28 at Towson. The Division II and Division III championship games are May 29, and the Division I national title game is May 30.
“This announcement of a joint women’s lacrosse championship to life in 2027 at Towson and again in 2028 at Subaru Park has been years in the making and is a testament to the hard work and the collaborative efforts of all involved,” Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association executive director Liz Robertshaw said. “The chance to showcase the best of the college game across divisions in one weekend is amazing, but getting to do it in Baltimore and Philadelphia, I feel, has the opportunity to be massive with regards to attendance all three days.”
Subaru Park previously hosted the Division I championship in 2015 and 2016. Last week, the stadium hosted the inaugural Women’s Lacrosse League championship.
Maryland Charms players Ally Kennedy (left) and Alex Holman celebrate Kennedy’s goal late in the fourth quarter of the inaugural Women’s Lacrosse League championship on Saturday at Subaru Park.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
For Jeffrey Cunningham, golf has always been more than the scores, wins, and losses.
The Drexel alumnus started playing golf at 5 years old in Dallas. His coach, Dante Degrate, introduced him to his son Austin, another young Black golfer who was competing and winning U.S. Kids Golf tournaments. Seeing someone who looked like him playing golf made it easier for Cunningham to catch the golf bug.
Now, the 27-year-old hopes to create the same sense of representation for the next generation.
Cunningham graduated from Drexel in 2022 and earned a spot on the Advocates Professional Golf Association tour after finishing second in the APGA’s collegiate rankings. Cunningham returned to Philadelphia to compete at an APGA Tour event at The 1912 Club on Aug. 3-5.
The APGA Tour provides competitive opportunities for underrepresented golfers and an inclusive future for the game. What began in 2010 as just three events has grown into a national schedule held almost every month from coast to coast.
The APGA has provided Cunningham a place to compete, develop his game, and build a professional resume as he works toward earning his PGA Tour card.
“The APGA Tour is definitely important for guys like me who need a place to play and get ready for qualifying school,” he said. “I don’t think what I’m doing now is possible without the APGA Tour because it gives me a chance to sharpen my game and learn more about myself to reach the highest level of the game.”
Solomon Hughes, APGA’s chief operating officer, said co-founders Ken Bentley and Adrian Stills, the last Black player to make it through PGA Tour qualifying school for 25 years, created the organization to address the lack of access and opportunity for talented golfers from underrepresented communities.
“Bentley and Stills started the organization really to help address access and opportunity issues for players who have the game but maybe haven’t had the resources,” Hughes said. “We give players you haven’t heard of, but certainly talented players, a chance to play and compete.”
In 2022, Jeffrey Cunningham was the first African-American golfer to advance to the finals of the BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship.APGA Tour
But Cunningham sees the work of the tour extending beyond professional golfers.
Along with the tour, the APGA has a foundation focused on empowering underserved youth through golf, education, and wellness. While in Philadelphia, the tour hosted a youth clinic for members of the First Tee of Philadelphia at The 1912 Club.
The youth clinics are for ages 13-21, and they participate in a three-phase program focused on golf education, career development, and mental health advocacy.
“We really want to try to give the game of golf to people who may have a background in it, but also to people who don’t,” Hughes said.
This year, the APGA had more than 3,500 participants in the youth clinics, Hughes said.
“Getting out in the community and educating the youth on the etiquette of the game and the culture and how to fit ourselves within the culture of the game is important for our country,” Cunningham said. “I think the game and the industry would look a lot more represented if we met at those crossroads.”
Austin Degrate was a major influence on Cunningham’s golf journey and pushed him to compete in tournaments in West Palm Beach, Fla., where he moved to when he was 8. As Cunningham got older, he became more serious about competition and playing in college.
After visiting Drexel, he loved the coach and program, so he decided “to take a gamble on West Philadelphia.” The difference in style of golf and wearing his North Face parka between shots in qualifying rounds during the winter was an adjustment for Cunningham, but his time in the city pushed him to be where he is today.
“It was the best decision that I’ve made for my career because it gave me a place to play for five years and hone in my game, then get into the APGA Tour through their collegiate program,” he said.
Cunningham said playing golf at Drexel was the “best decision that I’ve made for my career.”Drexel Athletics
His time in Philadelphia also gave him a firsthand look at the barriers facing Black golfers.
In 2022, Cunningham was the first African American golfer to advance to the finals of the BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship.
“In the city of Philadelphia, there is a large population of African Americans and Black folks who have not gotten the opportunity that I have gotten, as we can see from me being the first African American to reach the finals of the Philly Am,” he said. “It is awesome to be able to break that barrier, but we can also learn that it was 2022. … We should be pressing and doing what we can and using the right resources to make that more possible for people who look like me.”
America is diverse, Cunningham said, and golf should reflect that.
“The misrepresentation is something we see in all levels,” he added. “Whether it be professional golf, teaching pro level, we are not giving enough opportunities across the board to underrepresented communities.
“It is cool to see we are on the right path, but we still have a lot of work to do, and it starts with getting the youth into the game.”
Despite Villanova quarterback Pat McQuaide being granted a preliminary injunction to play this season, the Patriot League has deemed the Wildcats starter ineligible.
On Aug. 4, the Patriot League sent a letter to Villanova stating that the conference denied McQuaide’s eligibility waiver request. The conference’s decision conflicts with a preliminary injunction granted on Aug. 1 by Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Common Pleas Court judge Timothy P. McCormick. McQuaide, a native of Cuyahoga County, originally motioned to sue the NCAA after it denied his waiver request to play in 2026.
In its reasoning, the Patriot League cited the original NCAA ruling which had been overruled by the Ohio court. The letter to Villanova from Patriot League Senior Associate Commissioner for Policy and Compliance Lynn Hughes states that the quarterback “has utilized four seasons of competition within five years since initial collegiate enrollment.”
“The university is aware of the situation and are in the process of working with [McQuaide] and the Patriot League to determine next steps,” wrote Villanova athletics.
The Patriot League declined to comment.
“The Patriot League is now asserting [the four seasons of competition rule] as its basis to prohibit [McQuaide] from playing in any Patriot League games,” Richard Hamilton Jr., the attorney that represented McQuaide in Cuyahoga County, told the Inquirer. “My understanding is that Villanova has been informed that if he plays in any games, then they’ll be forfeited.”
On Aug. 11, Hamilton, on behalf of McQuaide, filed a Motion for Clarification to the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. Hamilton is looking for the court to clarify whether the Patriot League is legally required to obey the court’s preliminary injunction. If so, the conference is required to allow McQuaide to play.
Patriot League Senior Associate Commissioner for Policy and Compliance Lynn Hughes wrote in a letter that Pat McQuaide “has utilized four seasons of competition within five years since initial collegiate enrollment.”Courtesy of Richard Hamilton Jr.
“It’s an extraordinary move,” Hamilton said. “No conference has done it. I have no idea why the Patriot League has insinuated itself into it, and have no idea why the Patriot League believes that it, and not the court, is the final arbiter on who plays and who doesn’t after a valid court injunction.
“Frankly, my own legal view is that [the Patriot League is] in contempt of court. Hopefully, we can get this resolved, if not in a Cleveland court in Delaware County.”
McQuaide contends the COVID-19 pandemic toward the end of his high school career disrupted his development and recruitment before he landed at Kent State as a walk-on. McQuaide redshirted at Kent State, before transferring to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where he led the junior college ranks in passing yards, passing yards per game, and passing TDs.
The legal question around McQuaide’s eligibility surrounds his 2022 season at Mississippi Gulf Coast. JUCO programs are not under the purview of the NCAA, but seasons spent at that level have historically counted towards student-athletes’ eligibility.
Villanova, which submitted the waiver request to the NCAA on behalf of McQuaide, argued that the COVID-19 pandemic directly led to McQuaide’s single season at Mississippi Gulf Coast. The school described the year as a “necessary bridge rather than a choice to ‘use’ an additional season.”
For this reason, Villanova had requested that the season should not count as one of McQuaide’s allotted seasons of eligibility.
McQuaide subsequently played for two seasons at NCAA Division I FCS program Nicholls State before transferring to Villanova for the 2025 season.
The initial decision by the Ohio court had noted that Villanova was holding a roster spot for McQuaide, who threw for 3,123 yards and 25 touchdowns last season. McQuaide is not currently listed on Villanova’s official roster, but he has been seen at team practice. The Wildcats were recently ranked No. 7 in the preseason FCS coaches poll.
There’s no other quarterback on Villanova’s roster who has completed a pass in college. Villanova will host William & Mary next Friday (6 p.m.) in its season opener, which is also the first-ever Patriot League game for both teams.
Both programs were formerly longtime members of the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA).
There was a time when Sam Brown thought his college football career was over.
Before transferring to Temple from Rutgers this past offseason, the running back was limited to 16 carries for 38 yards during an injury-riddled 2025 season with the Scarlet Knights.
“There was a point where I didn’t really want to play anymore,” said Brown, a fifth-year senior from La Salle College High. “It was a lot on me mentally. Injuries were weighing on me a lot, and I didn’t want to be in a situation where I got hurt again.”
Brown has been hampered with injuries throughout his college career. He dealt with a season-ending lower-body injury in 2024 which lingered into 2025, when he played in just three games. As a freshman in 2022, , he suffered a broken foot in the middle of the season. His sophomore year was his only complete season; he had 216 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games.
Before his foot fracture in his freshman season, he had rushed for 374 yards and three touchdowns. Now, in his final year of college, he’s looking to get back to that.
“I wanted a fresh start,” he said. “I wanted to go somewhere that was definitely home-oriented, with a great coaching staff and great teammates. That is what went into my decision. And I met with everyone when I took my visit. It just felt like the right place and the right fit.”
‘Can’t just give up’
The injuries took a physical and mental battle on Brown. But he spent most of his life playing football, so walking away wasn’t going to be easy.
“I noticed that [quitting] wasn’t the right way to go about things,” said Brown. “I just thought [about] all the sacrifices that my parents made for me since I was 4 years old playing football, and I was like, I can’t just give up. I have another year left, and I need to take advantage of that.”
Sam Brown could be a key piece to Temple’s offense this season.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer
But it’s taken Brown some time to feel like himself again.
“It was definitely tough,” he said. “But my coaching staff at Rutgers and I, we already had kind of talked, and we kind of knew what the plan was for me [last] year. Even through that season, I wasn’t myself.”
When Brown entered the transfer portal, he had an idea of what he wanted in a new school. As it turned out, that school wasn’t entirely new to him.
While playing for La Salle College High, Brown, who grew up in Hunting Park, was recruited by Temple out of high school, albeit by a different regime.
With the Owls losing one of their top producers in Jay Ducker to graduation, the starting spot was open. Brown has been competing in the backfield with Hunter Smith and Keveun Mason.
“I think it’s a testament to his ability to fight through adversity,” said running backs coach Andrew Pierce. “He could have easily just said, ‘I’m done with football after injuries and all of those things,’ he could have said, ‘Football’s over for me, I’m going to move on.’ It’s just his ability to put his head down and work every single day, and I think that just improved the room overall.”
Another opportunity
Brown came into spring practices, getting reps with the second- and first-team offenses but quickly built separation between himself and the rest of the room.
During the Owls’ Cherry and White spring game, Brown was the first running back to have his name called in the first drive of the game.
Brown, at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, is a powerful figure on the field. He can put defenders on their backs and trudge through the line in short-yardage spots.
Temple quarterback Jaxon Smolik (14) hands the ball to running back Sam Brown (27) during the Cherry and White Spring Game on April 11.Isaiah Vazquez / For The Inquirer
But Brown’s new calling card since he made it to North Broad has been speed.
Since taking the field, and healthy for the first time in nearly two whole years, Brown’s acceleration out of the backfield has changed the Owls’ offense.
“A lot of the work that I put in with the strength program played a big part in everything,” he said. “Having the spring, having the summer to train, even in the moments where I wasn’t in here, I was at home with my trainers. That all [played a] part in just staying positive and staying confident in my abilities through it all.”
Temple kicks off its season against Rhode Island on Sept. 5 at Lincoln Financial Field, and Brown looks poised to headline the backfield.
“The first thing is his character,” Pierce said. “Just who he is as a person, he’s the right fit for this program and what we are trying to accomplish. I think his character speaks volumes, and obviously, as a player, just his ability to be a big physical back who also can just run as well.
“He is not a very talkative guy, but he also leads by example. Anybody in that building can tell you he’s in here 24/7 trying to get better every single day. And that, I think, trickles down to our room, which I think only improves everybody in there.”
Nearly a year after Brown questioned whether he still wanted to play football, he is preparing to enter this season as one of the Owls’ most important offensive pieces.
This time, there’s little question about whether he wants to be there.
“I’m just grateful for every opportunity I get,” Brown said. “I just got to keep working and I’ll get what I deserve.”
The American Football Coaches Association released its preseason Top 25 FCS poll Monday, and Villanova comes in at No. 7.
The Wildcats are coming off a 12-3 season that ended in the Football Championship Subdivision semifinals with a 30-14 loss to Illinois State. Villanova’s 12 wins marked the second most in school history, and included a 7-1 record in the Coastal Athletic Association.
As of July 1, Villanova became part of the Patriot League. In a conference preseason poll, the Wildcats were selected to finish first in their inaugural season in the league. They received seven first-place votes, with Lehigh, which won the Patriot title a year ago but fell to Villanova in the playoffs, receiving the other three.
Villanova running back Ja’briel Mace returns for his junior season.Courtesy of Brendan Maloney
Quarterback Pat McQuaide, an All-America candidate who passed for over 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns a year ago, won a court ruling to gain eligibility to return to Villanova this season.
Running back and rising junior Ja’Briel Mace, junior offensive lineman Chris McCullers, and sophomore Braden Reed, a wide receiver, were all named to the preseason All-Patriot League offensive team. Mace also got a nod on the special teams as a return specialist. Senior defensive lineman Capri Martin and sophomore linebacker Omari Bursey were both named to the preseason defensive team.
Defending FCS champion Montana State tops the poll with 25 first-place votes, while South Dakota State, which comes in third, was the only other team to receive a vote for the top seed (1).
Villanova’s season starts against William and Mary at home on Aug. 28, at 6 p.m., marking the first game in the Patriot League for both teams.
