The Muhlenberg football program has added 36 new players to its roster for the upcoming 2026 campaign, head coach
Nate Milne announced earlier this summer.
"This incoming class checks all the boxes you are looking for in a class," Milne said of the newest Mules. "There's depth to replace an elite group of seniors, great size to compete in the trenches, and skill to create big plays on both sides of the ball; this class has all the tools to create another elite group of Muhlenberg College football players."
They will be tasked with helping to replace a group of seniors that led the Mules to nine wins and an NCAA playoff victory last season. Among that group are
Dante Mahaffey,
Matthew Manning, and
John Runfolo, who each finished among the team's leaders in at least one offensive category. In the trenches, tackle
Michael Powel and center
Robert Terreros each earned all-conference nods as well. Defensively, the graduate departees include captains
Blaze Curry and
Marcus McClaine, All-Centennial Conference Honorable Mention
Peyton Elliott, in addition to a host of others.
To give each newcomer their own shine, we've broken the football newcomer stories into three parts. Part one covered the first 13 recruits and can be found here, and part three will go live later this month, all right here on muhlenbergsports.com.
MEET THE CLASS
Cody Arevalo (via Muhlenberg Football)
CODY AREVALO
S/WR | 6'1"
Manhattan, N.Y./Central Park East
Academic Interest: Business Administration
About Arevalo: Arevalo was downright prolific as a wide receiver at Central Park East High School, racking up over 3,300 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns during his career. During his senior campaign, he was a team captain and amassed over 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns en route to earning an all-state nod from the New York State Sportswriters Association. Arevalo added that to his trophy case along with three all-conference and three all-city awards.
Why Muhlenberg?: "I chose Muhlenberg once I started talking to the coaches and formed a connection. It made me feel that this was the place for me. I knew that I could develop as a football player and learn at an academically rigorous college that would support my future success both on and off the field."
Patrick Cognetta (via Muhlenberg Football)
PATRICK COGNETTA
QB
Wesley Chapel, Fla./Cypress Creek
Academic Interest: Neuroscience
About Cognetta: The first quarterback entry of the class, Cognetta earned three varsity letters and was team captain for his final two seasons at Cypress Creek High School. He amassed over 3,000 passing yards and totaled 30 touchdowns during his time there while helping his team to a district championship as a sophomore. Cognetta was named Cypress Creek's Male Champion Athlete of the Year as a senior as well. His future plans include attending graduate or medical school with the eventual goal of becoming a doctor and dedicating his career to serving others.
Why Muhlenberg?: "I chose Muhlenberg because I wanted to be part of a winning culture and a great group of teammates. Additionally, it offers me the perfect opportunity to pursue my education while continuing to play the sport I love."
Santino D'Amico (via Muhlenberg Football)
SANTINO D'AMICO
K/P | 5'10"
Taylor, Pa./Riverside
Academic Interest: Undecided
About D'Amico: Kicking and punting seems to run in the D'Amico family, as Santino is the younger brother of Mules kicker
Nicholas D'Amico, who took the vast majority of kickoffs in 2025. The younger D'Amico was a three-time letterwinner and team captain in high school and earned many awards from the Times Tribune, the most prestigious of which was an all-region nod. His uncle, Keith Van Fleet '03, played football at Muhlenberg and was a co-captain in 2003.
Why Muhlenberg?: "Muhlenberg has the perfect close-knit student life."
Matthew Giglio (via Muhlenberg Football)
MATTHEW GIGLIO
TE | 6'3"
Long Island, N.Y./Newfield
Academic Interests: Media and Communications, Music
About Giglio: Giglio lettered as a senior and was a team captain at Newfield High School in New York, where he played under head coach Nick Adler. He's one of three children, and his future plans include becoming a sports analyst while flipping houses on the side.
Why Muhlenberg?: "To play competitive football and be with a great group of people."
Xavier Howard (via Muhlenberg Football)
XAVIER HOWARD
WR/DB | 5'7"
Westminster, Md./Westminster
Academic Interest: Business
About Howard: A two-sport athlete, Howard excelled on the track as a sprinter and on the gridiron as a wide receiver and defensive back. He was a big-play threat on both sides of the ball, totaling 713 yards and 9 touchdowns on 26.4 yards per reception while snagging three interceptions on defense. Howard also helped Westminster make it to the state semi-finals and was tabbed as a first-team all-county receiver for his efforts. He plans to participate in both football and track at Muhlenberg.
Why Muhlenberg?: "The football and business programs were both good fits."
Cain Lanza (via Muhlenberg Football)
CAIN LANZA
RB/LB | 5'9"
River Edge, N.J./River Dell
Academic Interest: Undecided
About Lanza: Lanza played all over the field for River Dell High School and flourished no matter the spot. He racked up over 2000 rushing yards with 15 touchdowns and returned a pair of kicks for scores during his high school career. Defensively, Lanza totaled more than 200 tackles while forcing six fumbles and recovering five. He twice earned all-conference honors and was named All-North Jersey as well. Lanza also lettered four times in lacrosse, recording over 80 points and earning a second-team all-league selection.
Why Muhlenberg?: "I chose Muhlenberg since they have an elite football program that I would love to play for, as well as excellent academics. That mix between academics and sports meant the most to me."
Cole Lazorick (via Muhlenberg football)
COLE LAZORICK
QB | 6'0"
Jim Thorpe, Pa./Jim Thorpe
Academic Interest: Business Administration
About Lazorick: Lazorick broke career records for passing yards (5,687) and completions but also contributed with his legs during his time at Jim Thorpe High School. In addition to his 50 passing touchdowns, Lazorick amassed 1,819 rushing yards and 24 rushing touchdowns. Those numbers translated to success, as he led the Olympians to the playoffs in all four seasons. His future plans include becoming an athletic director and coaching football and baseball.
Why Muhlenberg?: "I fell in love with the campus and loved how hard the football team works and cares about the game, and I wanted to be a part of that."
Algee Macon (via Algee Macon)
ALGEE MACON
DL/OL | 6'1"
Easton, Pa./Easton Area
Academic Interest: Business
About Macon: A local product, Macon was a three-time letterwinner and team captain as a defensive end and offensive tackle at Easton Area High School under head coach Matt Senneca. He totaled 17.5 sacks during his career, 8.5 of those coming during his senior campaign to help the Red Rovers to a 14-1 mark. In addition to the defensive success, Macon earned First-Team All-Eastern Pennsylvania Conference (EPC) honors for his play at tackle in 2025.
Why Muhlenberg?: "[I chose Muhlenberg College] for a great education."
Owen Stanchock (via Muhlenberg Football)
OWEN STANCHOCK
ILB/RB/K | 5'11"
Bath, Pa./Northampton
Academic Interest: Biology-Pre Physical Therapy
About Stanchock: Despite missing his final season due to injury, Stanchock put together an impressive resume over three seasons. He was his team's MVP or defensive MVP every year and earned First-Team All-EPC as a linebacker as a junior after recording 105 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss. His future plans include majoring in biology before attending physical therapy school in order to earn his doctorate.
Why Muhlenberg?: "I chose Muhlenberg College for its academic rigor and because it immediately felt like home to me. The football coaches stood by me from the beginning following my ACL tear and showed me what a true brotherhood looks like within a team. Their support through one of the toughest moments of my athletic career made my decision easy, and I'm excited to continue both my academic and athletic journey as part of the Muhlenberg community."
Gavin Strohl (via Muhlenberg Football)
GAVIN STROHL
OL/DL | 6'1"
Jim Thorpe, Pa./Jim Thorpe
Academic Interest: Computer Science
About Strohl: Like Lazorick, Strohl comes to Muhlenberg after graduating from Jim Thorpe High School. He was twice named the school's lineman of the year and totaled 96 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and two sacks during his career. Strohl amassed seven varsity letters as well, nabbing three in football and four in track and field, where he owns the school record in the discus at 148 feet, six inches.
Why Muhlenberg?: "I chose Muhlenberg because it offered me the best overall fit for my academic goals and gave me the best athletic opportunity."
Stay tuned to muhlenbergsports.com and our social media channels throughout the summer to learn about all of the newest Mules!
