2024 Video Snapshot: Princeton
- Updated: August 9, 2024
There are some ravenous critters who have been refusing to give up their spots on the hierarchy of the Division I football food chain. Princeton has a hunger that it wants to satisfy but it is going to be quite the fight to appease that appetite.
Breaking into Division I football royalty has been on lockdown. St. Edward has won the last three state titles beating Springfield in each one of those affairs. Springfield has knocked off Moeller in the state semifinals the past three seasons to get to those championship games. Moeller has beaten Lakota West three straight campaigns to win the Region 4 championship. It was the fourth consecutive year that Lakota West, the Vikings top GMC rival, has fallen short in the regional finals. To say the deck is stacked would be an understatement.
There is no doubt that the Vikings have the talent to be special. There are proven commodities in front of Princeton who want it just as much as the Vikings do. They also understand how to dig down deeper than they ever have before once into the postseason. Matching that level of play is what great teams do. Watching the Vikings pursue that kind of greatness will be one of the best storylines to follow all season long.
Division I, Region 4
2023 RECORD: 12-1, 9-0 GMC
COACH: Andre Parker (32-6 at Princeton, three years; 119-41 overall, 14 years)
HONOR ROLL
Paul “P.J.” Nelson, Sr, LB – It was a monster junior year for Nelson who finished the season with 89 total tackles, 12.0 sacks, 23.5 tackles for losses, five forced fumbles, three takeaways (two FRs, one INT), a scoop-and-score and a pick-six. His efforts earned him OPSWA Division I Ohio Defensive Player of the Year, OPSWA First Team All-Ohio, OPSWA Southwest District Defensive Player of the Year, GMC Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-TriState Football and TSF Cincinnati Defensive Player of the Year honors. Nelson who is committed to Indiana has 151 total tackles, 18.0 sacks, 35.0 tackles for losses, 11 forced fumbles, four pass breakups, four takeaways (three FRs, one INT), one scoop-and-score and a pick-six in his career.
J.T. White, Sr, OL – The anchor and leader of the o-line. White was named OPSWA Division I Honorable Mention All-Ohio as a junior. He has picked up an offer from Tiffin.
Khy’Lek Jarrett, Sr, DE – Was a one-man wrecking crew on the outside for the Vikings defense in 2023. Jarrett finished with 54 total tackles, five-and-a-half sacks, 18.0 tackles for losses, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery on his way to OPSWA Division I Honorable Mention All-Ohio (DL) accolades as a junior. His offers include Boston College, Bowling Green, UMass, Memphis and West Virginia.
Princeton DE Khy’lek Jarrett (photo courtesy of: ScoutingOhio.com)
Antonio Hunter, Sr, WR/RS – An electrifying return man, who should also see his numbers improve as a receiver this fall. Hunter racked up 1,252 all-purpose yards (750 ret, 397 rec, 105 rec), had 45 receptions, averaged 16.6 yards per punt return, averaged 25.8 yards per kickoff return and found the end zone seven times (three PR, two rush, One KR, one rec) as a junior. He was named OPSWA Division I Honorable Mention All-Southwest District and First Team All-TriStte Football (RS) for his work. Hunter has committed to Howard.
Cole Kimble, Jr, K – Was the Vikings kickoff and long-range field goal specialist last fall. Kimble’s leg should see even more scoring opportunities this fall. He was a Second Team All-GMC selection as a sophomore after connecting on 2/3 extra points, 3/4 field goal attempts with 13 touchbacks on 70 kickoffs.
Landen Miree, Jr, WR – A large target at 6-foot-3 and 205-pounds, Miree has seen his stock rise exponentially since the end of last season. He was named Second Team All-GMC after hauling in 24 balls for 371 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore. His offers include Akron, Arizona State, BGSU, Central Florida, Cincinnati, Duke, Eastern Kentucky, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisville, Marshall, Kent State, Kentucky, Oregon, Pitt, South Florida, Toledo, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Andre Parker Jr., Jr, LB – A player who can cover a lot of ground and that makes Parker a valued asset, as a pass rusher and in pass coverage. He earned Second Team All-GMC honors after recording 61 total tackles, three-and-a-half sacks, eight-and-a-half tackles for losses, two fumble recoveries and a pass breakup as a sophomore. Parker has offers from Akron, BGSU, Illinois, Kentucky, UMass, Pitt, Toledo and West Virginia.
Andrew Wells, Jr, DB – Another member of the defense that can cover some ground as well as being an above average tackler. Wells was named Second Team All-GMC honors after recording 59 total tackles, a sack, three-and-a-half tackles for losses, a forced fumble, four pass breakups and two interceptions as a sophomore. He has an offer from UMass.
David Hambrick, Jr, RB – Teams with Brown-Freeman to make a dynamic backfield tandem. Their ability to share the carries and be productive will be a big reason for Princeton’s success in November. Hambrick was named Second Team All-GMC after running for 646 and 14 touchdowns a year ago.
Princeton RB David Hambrick (photo courtesy of: ScoutingOhio.com)
De’Angelo Birch, Jr, QB – Has had a transformative offseason, mentally and physically, Birch will be one of the most improved offensive players in the GMC. That is saying something because he threw for 1,295 yards, ran for 422 yards and accounted for 13 touchdowns (11 pass, two rush) to earn Second Team All-GMC honors as a sophomore.
OTHER RETURNEES
Teryntino Brown-Freeman, Sr, RB – A reliable back who knows how to get into the end zone. Brown-Freeman has run for at least one touchdown in 16 of the 23 games that he has played in. He has 879 yards and 18 touchdowns rushing in that span. Brown-Freeman has an offer from Ohio Northern.
Airriss Rosemond, Sr, DB – A healthy Rosemond makes the Vikings defense that much more “sic.” Despite just playing in five games a year ago, Rosemond has 55 total tackles in his career but is still looking for that elusive first interception. He has committed to Army.
Princeton DB Airriss Rosemond (photo courtesy of: ScoutingOhio.com)
Jaimion Olverson, Sr, DL – If you are looking for a dark horse candidate to dethrone Nelson as the GMC Defensive Player of the Year the 6-foot-4, 255-pound Olverson would be an excellent choice. All signs point to a monster season (numbers wise) for the senior. Olverson has offers from Austin Peay, Ball State, BGSU, Bucknell, Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, Howard, Kent State, Marshall, UMass and Ohio.
NEWCOMER
R.J. O’Bryant, Jr, WR – A transfer from Colerain, O’Bryant had 16 receptions, 223 yards and one touchdown receiving for the Cardinals last season. He has an offer from Toledo.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
(18 appearances, 25-16) – 2023. 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2007, 2001, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990 (State runner-up), 1988 (State Runner-up), 1987 (State Champion), 1985, (State Champion), 1982, 1980, 1978 (State Champion), 1972 (State runner-up)
2024 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/23/24 – MOELLER (10-5 in 2023) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/30/24 – at Sycamore (5-6)– 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/06/24 – LAKOTA WEST (11-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/13/24 – at Lakota East (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/20/24 – MASON (7-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/27/24 – at Hamilton (12-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/04/24 – OAK HILLS (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/11/24 – FAIRFIELD (3-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/18/24 – at Middletown (3-8)– 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/25/24 – COLERAIN (0-10) – 7:00 PM
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