LB/EDGE Jayden Jones (SIGNED)
A consensus three-star recruit, who would be the 13th rated prospect in school history per 247, Jones was, and still is, a big piece in this recruiting class. An EDGE/LB, Jones chose the Huskies over six other schools; Penn State, Pitt, Syracuse, Buffalo, UMass, and Illinois. After a junior season where he totaled 65 tackles, six sacks, 14 TFLs, two forced fumbles and recoveries, his production took a step back as a senior, with 29 tackles, but eight sacks, to go along with four TFLs and an INT. He will find himself in a position to play early, as the Huskies lose both starting LBs in Bryun Parham and Oumar Diomande, and also losing starting EDGE Donovan Branch.
DE James Tilus (SIGNED)
The Winter Haven, FL native chose the Huskies in June over a top five that included the Huskies, alongside Bowling Green, Georgia State, East Carolina, and Wake Forest. He also received offers from Marshall, FAU, Army, Navy, UNLV, Southern Miss, and several FCS programs. He was previously committed to Wake Forest for a brief period. As a junior, he posted 54 tackles, nine sacks, a fumble recovery, and a pass breakup. In his senior season, he totaled 48 tackles, 19.5 TFLs, 11.5 sacks, forced two fumbles, and recovered one. Like Jones, his position room will be much emptier, so he should find himself in position to compete for playing time.
DB Elijah Whitaker (SIGNED)
If the name sounds familiar, it’s because he was a recruit in the class of 2025. Sadly, he was injured during his senior year and needed a year to rehab. He is back, and will be a Husky, albeit a year late. He was a two-sport athlete at Spalding HS, also playing varsity basketball. Whitaker was selected 1st team All-Region in both his sophomore and junior season, and chosen for the Georgia Junior Bowl for rising seniors. He chose the Huskies last year over offers from East Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Liberty, Western Kentucky, plus several FCS offers. With the significant turnover in the secondary, he adds some much needed depth.
DB Zikhere Leaks (SIGNED)
The PA native was committed to Syracuse since June, after choosing the Orange over the Huskies. A tremendous athlete, Leaks set a school record in the 110-meter hurdles at the Mid-Pennsylvania championships last year. This season, he was 1st team All Mid-Penn on offense, after catching 40 passes for 750 yards and 12 TDs. Defensively, he was 3rd team, and had 22 tackles, 2 picks, and 2 fumble recoveries. It will be up to the new staff to decide to what position to play him, but he was initially recruited as a DB.
