A look at the 2025 Rams’ Front Line of Defense

Bronx, N.Y. – As we approach the start of week three of the 2025 Fordham football camp we continue our position-by-position breakdown of the Rams, highlighting the first line of defense, the defensive line.
 
The Fordham defensive line returns a wealth of experience, returning three of the four starters from 2024, led by senior Claudy Robinson. Last year Robinson earned All-Patriot League honors, starting all 12 games and recording 37 total tackles, 13 solo, including 6.0 tackles for loss and one sack.
 
Other returning starters on the defensive line for the Rans are senior Sam Buerkle, who started all 12 games at defensive tackle, registering 41 total tackles, 16 solo, including 8.0 for loss and 2.0 sacks, and junior John Scott III, who started all 12 games at Buck as a sophomore, recording 44 total tackles, 24 solo, including 6.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks.
 
Other veterans back for the Rams include seniors Peter Chalhoub, who saw action in eleven games as a junior, making 13 total tackles, six solo, including 1.5 for loss, Colby Spencer, who appeared in all 12 games as junior, compiling 16 total tackles, five solo, including 1.5 for loss and 0.5 sacks, and Michael Thorn, who played in ten games as a junior, making 15 total tackles, seven solo.

The defensive line will also be bolstered by the return of graduate student Jack Low, who missed last year with an injury after starting five games on the line in 2023, and senior Chris Tuck II, who was limited by injury to four games as a junior, both on the defensive line and special teams.

Juniors returning to the defensive line include Aiden Jeter, who appeared in four games as a sophomore in 2024, and Kevin Nizolek, who did not see action last fall.

 

Sophomore returnees include Cole Nelson, who saw action in four games as a freshman; Carter Hess, who appeared in nine games as a freshman, making 13 tackles; Mardale Rowe, who appeared in one game last year; and Owen Theoharides and Phillip Kunkel-Quesada, who did not see action as a rookie.

 

Newcomers to the defensive line include Tyler Davis, who helped Erasmus Hall to the 2023 PSAL AAAA Championship; Lorenzo Riddick, a 2024 All-State performer at Long Island Lutheran; Marco DeCroce, a First Team All-League selection at Northern Valley Demarest; James Dunnemann II, a 2024 First Team All-Conference pick at Seton Hall Prep; and Cole Siegel

 

Fordham opens the 2025 season on Saturday, August 30, when the Rams travel to Boston College for a 2:00 p.m. contest. Join your fellow Ram fans in a pregame reception prior to the game.

 

Season and individual game tickets for the 2025 home season are now on sale through the Fordham Athletic Ticket Office.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Sunshine State Conference announced the preseason Volleyball coaches poll on Tuesday morning. The Nova Southeastern Sharks, under the direction of Head Coach Kacie Ehinger, were picked to finish fifth in the league.  

NSU received 65 points in the poll and trailed Lynn, Tampa, Barry, and Embry-Riddle.  

2025 Sunshine State Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll

The Sharks return AVCA All-American Olivia Aniol, who set the single-season record for block assists (131) during the 2024 season. In addition to Aniol, Madelyn Hooper, Brooke Spurgeon, Taylor Stockman, Marley Navaretta, Avery Piatt, Varshini Panuganti, Ella Kern, Gabrielle Spankus, and Juliana Imbuzeiro all return to the program. The Sharks also welcomed several new additions to the team, as Brantley Chipley, Natalya Bergant, Abbie Roth, Hadley Dantzler, Erika Spankus, Mackenzie Pryor, Caiden Largent, Amalee Doyle, Ayana Solan, and Cami Kelsay all look to make an impact in their first season as Sharks.  

Nova Southeastern finished sixth in the league during the 2024 season, winning 20 matches, while also advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive year and third season under Ehinger’s guidance.  

The Sharks begin their 2025 season on Friday, September 5th, hosting Malone University at the Rick Case Arena. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Volleyball, be sure to follow on Instagram at NSU_VBall and X at NSU_VB.  

2023: Did not see action

2022: Did not see action.

Prior to Tulane: Griffin-Ruwin comes to New Orleans from San Francisco, California. At the beginning of her beach volleyball career she trained with the Sandlegs beach volleyball club before moving on to train with the Valley Girls. Griffin-Ruwin also trained on the sand with former USC coach, Anna Collier and AVP/USA professional, Allie Wheeler.  Griffin-Ruwin was recognized by AVCA volleyball as an elite rising high school volleyball student-athlete. She has trained and competed in P1440, USAV, CBVA’s, AAU and AVP tournaments. Top finishes in CBVA and P1440 tournaments. Getting stronger off the courts, Griffin-Ruwin did OC Fast-Twitch training, F45 training, and Apiros.

Griffin-Ruwin plans on majoring in Design and wants to pursue a career as an Interior Designer in the Real Estate Business.