The Lehigh football team is coming off a 12-1 season and a second consecutive Patriot League championship, and that makes the program attractive to many.<\/p>\n
But in the revolving door era of college sports with NIL money and the transfer portal changing a team\u2019s roster on seemingly a daily basis, coaches have to be on their toes all the time. It\u2019s not about just restocking with recruiting classes anymore.<\/p>\n
Lehigh coach Kevin Cahill feels his staff did a good job of staying the course during a hectic and chaotic recruiting period after his squad played into December.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re pretty much settled,\u201d Cahill said. \u201cThe portal was fine. We lost a couple of kids who had opportunities that seemed a little better for them, which is fine. We were also able to snag a few out of the portal. And of the three kids we got out of the portal, two of them we recruited heavily out of high school, and we were able to get them on the rebound. And I am good with that. They came out of the portal, but we knew them very well. We had asked all of the questions you need to ask earlier to get to know them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Two more players were signing earlier this week as the second signing day was held nationwide.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were pleased to get these last two signees because we have been recruiting them for a while, and they add to our depth,\u201d Cahill said. \u201cSo, we will have a total recruiting class of 24, and then in the portal, we lost five and gained three.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among the departures were running back Jaden Green and free safety Mehkai Smih, who both were regulars as sophomores last season, and Mason Humphey, who shone as a junior wide receiver last year.<\/p>\n
Green landed at Cal Poly, Smith will play at Minnesota, and Humphrey is at North Carolina.<\/p>\n
Matt Machalik, a former star at Palmerton, also transferred and will play for Jim Terwilliger at East Stroudsburg University.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had grad transfers, and I told them that since they put in four years here, if you want to go for that fifth year that you may have left to play somewhere else, go for it,\u201d Cahill said. \u201cYou have until this date and when that date comes you can come back if nothing works out and you want to return, and we got three guys to come back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cahill had nothing but good things to say about the kids who left, and said everyone\u2019s circumstances were different, and in many cases, it came down to money.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wish all of these kids good luck,\u201d Cahill said. \u201cThey all did a lot for us and helped us get to where we are and win back-to-back championships. You just have to roll with the punches.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for Machalik, Cahill said he and the former Blue Bomber had a \u201cgreat conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was never a football thing,\u201d Cahill said. \u201cIt was an academic thing and a couple of other things. He said he wanted to try to play somewhere else and as soon as he told me I called Jimmy at East Stroudsburg, and I said this kid is going to be interested in coming to your program and he said he\u2019d love to have him. That\u2019s where he ended up and I wish him well because Matt is one of the best people ever. There\u2019s not a kid leaving who I don\u2019t wish the best for.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe circumstances of college football are completely different now. Five or 10 years ago, I would be really upset about losing these kids. But it\u2019s a different climate. If you don\u2019t adjust and adapt to it, you\u2019re not going to survive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lehigh begins spring practice on March 17 and will hold its Brown and White event on April 18.<\/p>\n
The season opens on Aug. 29 at Holy Cross.<\/p>\n
As for the newcomers, Cahill said, \u201cWe are excited to add high-quality people to our Lehigh football family,\u201d Cahill said. \u201cNaturally, we are drawn to these high-quality football players, but the character of these men will continue to build our program in the direction we want to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
The newest signees on Wednesday were linebacker Josh Lenart from Norwin in western Pennsylvania and offensive lineman Bryce Willey from Malvern Prep in suburban Philly.<\/p>\n
The three incoming first-year additions since the December signing day announcement included Lehigh Valley products Jake Pukszyn from Liberty, Silas Day from Palisades and offensive lineman Case Jacobson from California.<\/p>\n
Lehigh\u2019s three additions from the portal are wide receiver Landon Kennel from Lancaster by way of Monmouth; running back Trey Tremba from Parkland and Army West Point; and safety TJ Hill from Westhampton Beach, N.Y., who comes from Arkansas State.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur coaches, players, administration and campus community worked hard to find the right fits for Lehigh football,\u201d Cahill said. \u201cThis class will certainly help us grow beyond previously viewed limits.\u201d<\/p>\n
The additions to the Class of 2030 join the 16 student-athletes who signed in December, putting the overall incoming first-year class at 21.<\/p>\n
Additions to the Lehigh Football Class of 2030<\/p>\n
Silas Day \u2013 ATH; 6-3\/215; Hellertown, Pa.\/Palisades<\/p>\n
Case Jacobson \u2013 OL; 6-3\/250; Woodside, Calif.\/Saint Francis<\/p>\n
Josh Lenart \u2013 LB; 6-2\/210; Pittsburgh, Pa.\/Norwin<\/p>\n
Jake Pukszyn \u2013 WR; 6-2\/195; Bethlehem, Pa.\/Liberty<\/p>\n
Bryce Willey \u2013 OL; 6-3\/285; Malvern, Pa.\/Malvern Prep<\/p>\n
Incoming Transfers for Spring 2026<\/p>\n
TJ Hill \u2013 DB; 6-2\/197; Westhampton Beach, N.Y.\/IMG Academy (Arkansas State)<\/p>\n
Landon Kennel \u2013 WR; 6-3\/210; Lancaster, Pa.\/Manheim Twp. (Monmouth)<\/p>\n
Trey Tremba \u2013 RB; 5-10\/200; Slatington, Pa.\/Parkland (Army West Point)<\/p>\n
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