Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University Head Football Coach
Joe Conlin announced the signing of seven football student-athletes to letters of intent with Fordham for the 2022 season.
The new class features five defensive players and two offensive players. By position, defensive line leads the way with three, followed by one each at defensive back, linebacker, offensive line, and tight end.
The seven newcomers hail from five different states. Two newcomers hail from New Jersey and two more from Massachusetts, with one each from California, Ohio, and Texas.
"We are excited that these talented student-athletes chose to join our program," said Conlin. "Each of them has the talent to be a difference maker for Fordham. We can't wait for the seven to arrive on Rose Hill so that they can get their collegiate careers started."
Here is a complete list of the 2022 newcomers:
| Name |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Hometown/High School (Last School) |
| Sam Buerkle |
DL |
6-4 |
250 |
Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Xavier |
| Matt Buron |
TE |
6-5 |
240 |
Bridgewater, Mass./Choate Rosemary Hall |
| Duke Leonard |
OL |
6-4 |
275 |
Houston, Texas/Cypress Woods |
| Nicholas Pasquarella |
DB |
6-1 |
190 |
Alta Loma, Calif./Alta Loma |
| Marc Pretto |
LB |
6-2 |
215 |
Montclair, N.J./Saint Peter's Prep |
| Claudy Robinson |
DL |
6-3 |
300 |
Clifton, N.J./Don Bosco Prep |
| Colby Spencer |
DL |
6-4 |
260 |
Pembroke, Mass./Suffield Academy |
Sam Buerkle (DL, 6-4, 250, Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Xavier)
- Over the last two seasons, registered 94 tackles, 6.5 sacks and recovered four fumbles
- A two-time First-Team GCL-South selection
- Earned First-Team All-District and Third-Team All-Ohio honors in 2021
- 2021 stats: 52 total tackles, 43 solo, 6,0 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries
- Played for four years for head coach Steve Specht at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio
Matt Buron (TE, 6-5, 240, Bridgewater, Mass./Choate Rosemary Hall)
- Named First Team All-Founders League and All-New England
- Helped to a 5-1 conference record and second place finish in 2021
- Played the past two years for head coach L.J. Spinnato at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Conn.
- Attended Bridgewater High School for two years before transferring to Choate Rosemary where he played for head coach Dan Buron
Duke Leonard (OL, 6-4, 275, Houston, Texas/Cypress Woods)
- Two-time First Team All-District 16-6A
- Named to the 2021 Preseason All-VYPE Public School squad
- Named THSCA Academic All-State
- Has a perfect 4.00 GPA
- Played for head coach Cody Simper ay Cypress Woods High School
Nicholas Pasquarella (DB, 6-1, 190, Alta Loma, Calif./Alta Loma)
- Named 2021 Mountain West League Defensive Player of the Year
- Named First Team All-Conference as a kicker in 2021
- Averaged a team-leading 10.7 tackles per game as a junior
- Played safety and wide receiver at Alta Loma and was also the team's kicker
- Also a standout soccer player in high school
- Played at Alta Loma for head coach Mark Pasquarella, his father
Marc Pretto (LB, 6-2, 215, Montclair, N.J./Saint Peter's Prep)
- Named 2020 Hudson Reporter All-Area
- Had 49 tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles as a junior
- Member of the 2019 Non-Public, Group 4 state championship team
- Played at Saint Peter's Prep for head coach Rich Hansen III and Rich Hansen
Claudy Robinson (DL, 6-3, 300, Clifton, N.J./Don Bosco Prep)
- Named 2021 First Team All-North Jersey
- A 2021 First Team All-Bergen County selection
- Named 2021 First Team All-Division and All-Conference
- Helped Don Bosco advance to the 2021 New Jersey Non-Public A Championship game
- Played for head coach Dan Sabella at Don Bosco Prep
- Played with current Fordham linebacker Mike Courtney in high school
Colby Spencer (DL, 6-4, 260, Pembroke, Mass./Suffield Academy)
- Named 2021 First Team All-League
- Played for head coach Drew Gamere at Suffield Academy
- Played three years at Catholic Memorial High school in West Roxbury, Mass, for head coach John DiBiaso
- Helped Catholic Memorial to a perfect 4-0 spring in 202
- Catholic Memorial went 11-1 in 2019, falling in the state championship game
