Princeton Tigers Prepare for a New Season with Fresh Talent

Princeton’s football team finished last year with a 6‑4 record and a 5‑1 mark in conference play, earning a playoff spot for the fifth year in a row. After four straight seasons with double‑digit wins, the Tigers are now aiming for something bigger. Coach Ryan Pearson, who is starting his tenth year, said the previous season fell short of the program’s high standards. He added that the shortfall made the squad hungrier and gave some players a chip on their shoulder. Pearson wants athletes who are ready to prove themselves on the field.

With the season starting early, the staff had to get new starters ready quickly. The backfield could see as many as nine different ball carriers trying to replace the graduated 2025 BCR Player of the Year, Casey Etheridge. Senior Ayden Agushi, who rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns last year, and junior Lane Goskusky, with 108 yards and three scores, are the most experienced halfbacks. Others pushing for playing time include senior Jaydon Cooke, juniors Kaleb Caldwell, Noah Gutshall and Jamari Williams, and sophomore Reece Pearson. At fullback, junior Brennen Emmett, a second‑team all‑conference pick from Mississippi last season, teams up with senior Connor Kane. Coach Pearson called the depth a luxury.

The quarterback spot left by Gavin Lanham is now taken by junior Jack Oester. Oester caught nine passes for 154 yards after moving to wide receiver in 2025 and also returned kickoffs and punts. He said he felt excited about the switch to receiver because it let him play varsity, and he now feels more confident at quarterback, enjoying the chance to touch the ball almost every play and to lead the team. On the offensive line, senior left guard Landyn Kendall and senior tight ends Abe Longeville and Luke LaPorte keep their starting roles. The left tackle battle is between sophomore Kolten McCarter and junior Daniel Gilbertson. The center position is a three‑way fight among junior Carter Rossler and seniors Mason Cooney and Daelen Brzezinski. Right guard contenders are sophomore Gabe Heaton and junior Andrew Giaquinto, while the right tackle spot is contested by sophomore Mason Scruggs and junior Jake Arkels.

On defense, Goskusky and Longeville earned all‑conference honors at linebacker last year, and LaPorte received similar recognition on the defensive line. LaPorte and junior Deacon Gutshall return as the starting defensive ends, with Goskusky and Longeville leading a large group of linebackers looking to make an impact. Goskusky noted that the squad has many new varsity faces, so they need to get in shape fast and focus on technique and play execution. Other linebacker hopefuls include Giaquinto, Emmett, Kane and junior Sheperd Bayer. The defensive tackle race features Arkels, Scruggs, Cooney, senior Jack Heaton, and juniors Daniel Gilbertson and TJ Kruse‑Carter. Safety spots are contested by Caldwell, Pearson, Oester and senior Bryce Cochran, while the cornerback battle involves Cooke, Noah Gutshall, Agushi and Williams. The Tigers open the season on August 21 at Riverdale, facing the Rams for the first time since a 41‑0 Princeton victory in 2018