UNH adds seven during early signing period

DURHAM — University of New Hampshire football coach Rick Santos officially welcomed seven future Wildcats who each signed a national letter of intent during the early signing period to join the program as members of the incoming Class of 2022.

The early signing period is a 72-hour window from Wednesday-Friday for incoming student-athletes wishing to announce their commitment prior to National Signing Day, which is February 2, 2022.

The Wildcats welcomed four offensive linemen in the class, including Nathan Roach (Manchester, N.H.), Beau Riley (Sebring, Fla.), Jason Trotta (Hazlet, N.J.) and Jack Wilson (Westford, Mass.), along with quarterback Barry Kleinpeter (Savannah, Ga.), tight end Peyton Strickland (Goffstown, N.H.) and defensive end Cameron Garner-Young (Laurel, Md.).

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Cam Garner Young is a 6-3, 255-pound defensive tackle who was a standout player for St Vincent Pallotti High School. He had a very productive senior season with six sacks, one forced fumble, 10 quarterback hurries, 30 total tackles and 12.5 tackles for loss in six games. Garner Young was a unanimous All-Conference First Team selection and was named to the exclusive Baltimore Touchdown Club Super 22 Team. He has tremendous leadership ability, as evident with his selection as a four-time team captain in high school.

What Coach Santos Says: Cam is an explosive athlete who has the ability to rush the passer and be very stout in the run game. He has a quick first step, uses his hands well and understands leverage and how to use it to his advantage. He will bring a toughness and play-making ability to the defensive line. His skill set is perfect for our scheme, and he will make an already dynamic group even better. We’re thrilled to have Cam as part of the Wildcat family.

Barry Kleinpeter is a 6-foot-2, 200-pound quarterback who was a four-year starter and started every game for the Savannah Country Day School Hornets. Kleinpeter was named the Georgia Region 3a Player of the Year as a senior. He was selected All-Region First Team as both a sophomore and junior, as well as All-Region Second Team as a freshman.

Kleinpeter was named the SCDS Offensive Player of the Year in 2020 and 2021. In 2019, he led Savannah Country Day to an undefeated season and the school’s first region championship in 40 years. That same year, he was named the quarterback on the ESPN All Coastal Empire Team.

In 2021, Kleinpeter was selected to the WJCL BIG 22, which honors the top 22 football players in the southeast Georgia area. Over the course of his career, he was selected a record four times (one time for defense) for the coveted Savannah Quarterback Club Player of the Week.

Kleinpeter was voted team captain of the football team as a junior and senior. He finished his career as the all-time leader in touchdown passes (74), passing yards (6,927), total touchdowns (rushing plus passing) for a QB with 93, and total yards (rushing plus passing) for a QB with 8,399 in the history of Savannah, Georgia football.

Kleinpeter has lettered in football, basketball, and baseball every year of his high school career. A switch-hitting shortstop, third baseman and pitcher, he started on the varsity baseball team his freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons. He was selected All-Region First Team as a junior.

What Coach Santos Says: Barry is a dynamic three-sport athlete who is a fierce competitor and has a winning pedigree. He is as dangerous with his legs as he is with his arm and can make all the plays necessary to excel at this level. The dual threat QB has the ability to push the ball down the field and also make intermediate passes. He has a knack for throwing people open and is very accurate. We’re excited to have him as a part of our team and the future is bright in Durham.

Beau Riley is a 6-7, 315-pound offensive lineman who attended Sebring High School. He is a three-sport athlete who exceled in multiple arenas. He was a four-year starter on the football team and racked up numerous accolades. Riley was selected to the District 17 All-Offensive Team and was asked to play in the FACA North/South All-Star Game. He was voted Offensive Lineman of the Year of his district in the 2019 season.

Riley was a regional qualifier in shot put while also exceling in the classroom. He earned recognition on his high school’s President’s Honor Roll.

What Coach Santos Says: Beau has the ideal length and size you’re looking for at the offensive tackle position. His quick feet, athleticism and ability to climb to the second level make him a dynamic prospect. He is enrolling in the spring semester and will look to get integrated into our offense and play early. Games are won in the trenches, and he will shore up an already impressive group.

Nathan Roach is a 6-2, 275-pound offensive/defensive lineman who was a four year starter and senior captain at Buckingham, Browne, and Nichols School (Cambridge, Mass.). Over the course of his football career, Roach helped lead BB&N to 21-6 record, two postseason appearances and a bowl game victory over Avon Old Farms in 2018.

Roach earned All NEPSAC Class A Honors and All-ISL recognition in 2019. He was also named to the All-Scholastic Football Team by both the Boston Herald and the Boston Globe in 2019. He was a two-time Boston Globe Star of the Week. As a sophomore in 2018, he also earned a spot on ISL All-Star Team.

In addition to football, Roach was a three-year starter on the varsity basketball team and a four-year member of the track and field team.

What Coach Santos Says: Nate is a local talent that we’re thrilled to keep home in the Granite state. He is enrolling early for the spring semester and will look to have an immediate impact. Nate is very athletic, agile and can play multiple positions on the offensive line. His position flexibility, toughness and winning mindset make him a big-time prospect that we’re thrilled to have. Our O-line will be better with his play, and we welcome him to the Wildcat family.

Peyton Strickland is a 6-3, 230-pound tight end who was a four-year member of the Goffstown High School varsity football team. Strickland was a dominant multi-purpose player for Goffstown as he lined up at tight end, wide receiver, quarterback and running back on offense, and on defense he played both linebacker and defensive end.

As a senior captain, Strickland totaled 18 catches for more than 400 yards and five touchdowns, as well as 361 rushing yards on just 24 carries and four additional scores. He led Goffstown to another state playoff appearance as a senior and garnered an All-Conference Frist Team nomination. Strickland was named to the top 50 Players in the state by the New Hampshire Football Report and was selected to the New Hampshire CHaD All-Star game.

Strickland is also a standout on Goffstown’s basketball and track teams, and was the all-division state champion in the discus as a junior.

What Coach Santos Says: Peyton is a versatile athlete who will pose matchup problems for opposing defenses. He is a physically imposing young man who can have an impact in the run game with his ability to block. In the passing game, he can stretch the field vertically and is a big play threat every time he touches the ball. We expect him to have an immediate impact for our offense next fall and are very excited about his future.

Jason Trotta is a 6-5, 280-pound offensive tackle who attends Raritan High School, where he is a three-sport athlete competing in football, basketball, and track and field. In his senior year of football, Trotta earned All-Division First Team and All-Shore Conference Second Team. Trotta has 19 career varsity starts on the gridiron. He is a three-year starter in basketball and has thrown varsity shot put since freshman year.

What Coach Santos Says: Jason is a big, rugged athlete who can play multiple positions on the offensive line. He has great upside and is light on his feet for a big man. He plays with elite effort and has an edge and toughness about him. We’re excited to have a part of our football family.

Jack Wilson is a 6-3, 275-pound offensive/defensive lineman who was a two-year starter at Milton Academy after transferring from Westford Academy, where he started for three seasons. Wilson helped lead Milton to a 17-2 record and two bowl game appearances in those two seasons.

Wilson allowed zero sacks over the course of his playing career, and he was named team MVP following this past season. For his performance, Wilson was named to the All-ISL, All-NEPSAC, and Boston Globe All-Scholastic teams. He was also a four-year member of the varsity wrestling team.

What Coach Santos Says: Jack is a rugged interior offensive lineman who will bring a toughness and edge to the group. He is a proven winner who really excelled in his senior season. He is a physically imposing young man who is strong at the point of attack. His ability to finish blocks and drive his feet on contact makes him a very good prospect. We’re fired up to add him our group up front.

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