West Chester Football Adds 25 Newcomers To Roster

Photo Gallery of Incoming First-Year Players

WEST CHESTER, Pa. – West Chester University football head coach Bill Zwaan, Sr., announced his Class of 2020 recruits Friday morning. The 25-member class consists of 15 incoming first-year players and another 10 transfers hailing from four different states.
 
Zwaan brought in 11 offensive players, 12 defensive players and a pair of place-kickers/punters on the special teams.
 
"I am really excited about this year's class," Zwaan stated. "We didn't have a large senior class graduate last season. So, we didn't have as many holes to fill. Our goals were to improve in the secondary and at wide receiver, and between the freshmen and the transfers, we did that. There are a few intriguing guys in this class, and I am looking forward to see how this group plays out."
 
The incoming class joins a West Chester roster that features 16 returning starters (7 offense, 7 defense, 2 specialists) in 2020, including PSAC East Rookie of the Year Ja'Den McKenzie (Morton, Pa./Springfield) and four all-conference performers.
 
Five freshman signees – offensive lineman Trey Wells, wide receiver Elizjah Lewis, linebackers Aiden Gair and Oscar Uduma, and place-kicker Sean Henry – were all first team all-state performers. Additionally, Gair and Wells were named player of the year at their respective positions, and three of the incoming freshmen were National Honor Society honorees in high school.
 
Capsules on the recruiting class, along with a roster format of the incoming class, are below. Click on the individual's name to see their Hudl highlight film.
 
Rene Junior Duffault (Reading, Pa./Muhlenberg) – 6-1, 200 lbs., WR = He was a four-year starter. During his senior year, he had 33 receptions and 746 all-purpose yards. He was named first team all-division. He was recently selected to participate in the Berks vs. Chester County All-Star Game. He was also awarded the U.S. Army's Most Dedicated Athlete award. As a member of the track & field team, he was first team all-division in the high jump and was a New Balance Nationals high jump qualifier. Duffault was selected to the Berks County All-Academic team.
 
Dai-Jahn Dukes (Hatboro, Pa./Upper Moreland) – 6-0, 190 lbs., DB = He was a four-year starter who totaled 112 tackles, nine sacks, 14 tackles for loss, three interceptions and eight forced fumbles in his senior season. Dai-Jahn is a two-time, first team all-league performer and is an honorable mention All-Area player as well. He also plays basketball and was an honorable mention all-leaguer as well. Academically, he is an honor roll student and a member of the National Honors Society. 
 
Marcus Gainer (West Chester, Pa./Downingtown West) – 5-11, 165 lbs., DB –During his senior season, his team won the District 1 championship. He totaled 103 tackles and had one sack, one interception and one forced fumble. He is also a member of his high school's track & field team. His twin brother, Terrence, is also a member of this year's recruiting class.
 
Terrence Gainer (West Chester, Pa./Downingtown West) – 5-10, 165 lbs., DB = His high school team was District 1 champions in 2019. In his senior year, he totaled 86 tackles and had one fumble recovery. He is also a member of his high school's track & field team. His twin brother, Marcus, is also a member of this year's recruiting class.
 
Aiden Gair (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock) – 6-3, 210 lbs., OLB = led Loyalsock High School to a district championship. In his senior season, he totaled 101 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, and two interceptions that he returned for touchdowns. He was a two-time, first team all-conference linebacker and second team all-conference tight end. He was named Defensive Player of the Year in District 4 and was selected first team all-state at linebacker. Gair is also a star basketball player as well. He is a 1,000-point scorer, district champion, and all-conference guard. Gair is also an honor roll student.
 
Sean Henry (Reading, Pa./Exeter) – 6-1, 185 lbs., PK = He received first team all-state honors in his senior season finishing a perfect 9/9 on FGs and 39/39 on PATs. He is a Big 33 All Star nominee. He is also a National Honors Society Member and currently has a 3.7 GPA.
 
Desman Johnson (Yeadon, Pa./Penn Wood) – 6-2, 250 lbs., QB = He is a two time first team All-Delco selection. He holds the Delco record for career passing yards with 7,558. He also holds the Delco single-season passing yards record. He threw 77 touchdowns and ran for 34 TDs in his high school career. Desman also is a contributor on Penn Wood's basketball team.
 
Elizjah Lewis (Smyrna, Del./Hodgson VoTech) – 6-1, 190 lbs., WR = He was first team all-conference and first team All-State. He had 32 catches for 916 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. He also participated in track & field.
 
Marc Macione (Glenside, Pa./Abington) – 6-0, 225 lbs., MLB = During his senior year, he totaled over 100 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and scored two touchdowns. He was named first team All-League at linebacker, first team All-Intelligencer and served as team captain. He was named to the Bucks/Montco All-Star Game. He was an honor roll student every year and is a member of the National Honors Society.
 
Ben Marsico (Harrisburg, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) – 6-2, 185 lbs., SAF = He was named second team All-Mid Penn Conference in 2018 and 2019. In 2018, he led the Mid Penn Conference in interceptions. He was team captain for both the football and basketball teams at Bishop McDevitt. His team was District 3 Champions in football and basketball his junior year. Besides athletics, he is the Overall Chairman for Bishop McDevitt Mini Thon.
 
Bill Martelon (Philadelphia, Pa./Roman Catholic) – 6-4, 280 lbs., O-Line = he was a two-year team captain and three-year varsity letterman for Roman Catholic. He started on both offensive and defensive line.  Bill was ranked as one of PA Sports Top 150 college football players. A four-year honor roll student and is ranked in the top half of his class.
 
Charley Mininger (Willow Grove, Pa./Archbishop Wood) – 6-3, 240 lbs., D-Line = he was named All- Catholic and All-Area at both offensive and defensive line. In his senior year, he led his team to a state championship. He also is an accomplished wrestler and was All-District in his sophomore year.
 
Oscar Uduma (Folcroft, Pa./Msgr Bonner-Prendergast) – 6-1, 200 lbs., OLB/SAF = He was named first team All-Catholic, first team All-Delco and first team all-state. He played both sides of the ball, scoring 11 touchdowns on offense. He totaled 57 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, one interception, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries (one for a touchdown). He was selected to the All-City All-Star Game and the Hero Bowl. Uduma also plays for his school's basketball team and was awarded the Markward Award.
 
Trey Wells (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Catholic) – 6-5, 280 lbs., O-Line = He was named first team all-section on both offense and defense. He was named Offensive Lineman of the Year for the section. He also added All-State honors for offensive line. Trey also is a participant of the school's basketball team. His mother, Angie DeMarco, was a stand-out All-Conference basketball player for West Chester University.
 
Chasen Wint (Havertown, Pa./Haverford) – 6-0, 205 lbs., Athlete = team captain for Haverford. He played all over the field as a senior. He played running back and rushed for 895 yards and 14 touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, he had 16 tackles for loss and five sacks in his senior campaign. He was second team All-Central League at running back, Honorable Mention All-Central Defensive Lineman and second team All-Delco All-Purpose Athlete. Wint was selected to play in the Hero Bowl All-Star Game. Besides football, he is a two-year captain on the track & field team and was selected first team All-Central and first team All-Delco in the discus and shot put.
 

MID-SEMESTER TRANSFERS FOR SPRING
Obi Anyatonwu (IUP) – 6-1, 180 lbs., CB = played as a true freshman at IUP in 2018, before red-shirting last year due to injury. He attended Central York High School and was second team all-county in 2017. He was also an honorable mention York-Adams League Coaches' All-Star.
 
Taquon Brown (Valley Forge Military College) – 6-2, 250 lbs., DL = totaled 24 tackles, five sacks and a pair of forced fumbles in just four games. He is originally from Lakeland, Fla., where he attended Victory Christian Academy. He made all-county and all-state three years in a row and won a state championship during his freshman year. In his senior year, he totaled 76 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He also won the Florida state championship in the shot put competing in track & field.
 
Brendan Gregory (Cal U) – 6-1, 150 lbs., PK = red-shirted at Cal U in 2019. He played for Central Columbia High School in Bloomsburg, Pa., where he played four varsity sports. In his senior year, he scored 61 points. (43 of 44 on PATs, 6-for-8 on FGs with a long of 46 yards).
 
Jalen Jackson (Lock Haven) – 6-0, 225 lbs., TE = In 2017, he was named First Team All-Region and All-PSAC. He was also named 2017 All-American. In his career at Lock Haven, he totaled 82 receptions for 1,105 yards and 12 touchdowns. Prior to Lock Haven, he attended Williamsport High School.
 
Kevin Kirk (Bloomsburg) – 5-10, 175 lbs., DB = He is a local product from nearby Coatesville High School. In 2015, he was first team All-Ches Mont and All-Southeastern PA at defensive back. For his high school career, he finished with seven interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.
 
Mike Kline (Cal U) – 6-4, 250 lbs., O-Line = red-shirted in 2019. He played for Wilson West Lawn High School where he earned second team all-league and all-county honors as a senior.
 
Drew Price (Shippensburg) – 5-9, 180 lbs., RB = He originally attended Burlington Township High School in New Jersey, before enrolling at Jireh Prep in North Carolina for a post-graduate year. He is the son of former West Chester University running back, Derrick Price, who ranks second all-time at the school with 4,008 rushing yards.
 
Naseir Upshur (Florida State) – 6-2, 250 lbs., TE = a graduate transfer. A consensus four-star recruit coming out of Imhotep Charter in Philadelphia. Played in the 2016 Under Armour All-America Game. In his senior season at Imhotep, he had 22 receptions for 640 yards and 11 touchdowns, which included a perfect 15-0 record and a Class AAA state championship.
 
Mari Wright (Shippensburg) – 5-9, 170 lbs., WR = He attended Susquehanna Township High School in Harrisburg, Pa., where he totaled 1,130 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns in his senior year. He was first team all-conference at both wide receiver and kick returner. He was also a PSFCA All-Star.


INCOMING FIRST-YEAR CLASS

NAME	POS	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	HOMETOWN / HIGH SCHOOL
Rene Junior Duffault	WR	6-1	200	Reading, Pa. / Muhlenberg
Dai Shan Dukes	DB	6-0	190	Hatboro, Pa. / Upper Moreland
Marcus Gainer	DB	5-11	165	West Chester, Pa. / Downingtown West
Terrence Gainer	DB	5-10	165	West Chester, Pa. / Downingtown West
Aiden Gair	LB	6-3	210	Williamsport, Pa. / Loyalsock
Sean Henry	PK/P	6-1	185	Reading, Pa. / Exeter
Desman Johnson	QB	6-2	240	Yeadon, Pa. / Penn Wood
Elizjah Lewis	WR	6-1	190	Smyrna, Del. / Hodgson VoTech
Marc Macione	LB	6-0	225	Glenside, Pa. / Abington
Ben Marsico	DB	6-2	185	Harrisburg, Pa. / Bishop McDevitt
Bill Martelon	OL	6-4	280	Philadelphia, Pa. / Roman Catholic
Charley Mininger	DL	6-3	240	Willow Grove, Pa. / Archbishop Wood
Oscar Uduma	DB	6-1	200	Folcroft, Pa. / Msgr. Bonner-Prendergrast
Trey Wells	OL	6-5	280	Lancaster, Pa. / Lancaster Catholic
Chasen Wint	ATH	6-0	205	Havertown, Pa. / Haverford

MID-SEMESTER TRANSFERS

NAME	POS	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	HOMETOWN / HIGH SCHOOL	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
Obi Anyatonwu	DB	6-1	180	York, Pa. / Central York	Indiana (Pa.)
Taquon Brown	DL	6-2	250	Lakeland, Fla. / Victory Christian	Valley Forge Military (Pa.)
Troy Brown	WR	6-2	180	Lincoln University, Pa. / Oxford	Kutztown
Brendan Gregory	PK/P	6-1	150	Millville, Pa. / Wilson West Lawn	California (Pa.)
Jalen Jackson	TE	6-0	225	Williamsport, Pa. / Williamsport	Lock Haven
Kevin Kirk	DB	5-10	175	Coatesville, Pa. / Coatesville	Bloomsburg
Mike Kline	OL	6-4	260	West Lawn, Pa. / Wilson West Lawn	California (Pa.)
Drew Price	RB	5-9	180	Burlington, N.J. / Jireh Prep (N.C.)	Shippensburg
Naseir Upshur	TE	6-2	250	Philadelphia, Pa. / Imhotep Charter	Florida State
Mari Wright	WR	5-9	170	Harrisburg, Pa. / Susquehanna Twp.	Shippensburg