Competition and camaraderie defined Princeton’s offseason, and head coach Bob Surace believes both will pay dividends when the Tigers open the 2025 season on Saturday.
 
Last fall brought challenges both on and off the field — from adjusting to a new academic calendar to enduring a rash of injuries — and the resulting inconsistency kept Princeton from reaching the level Surace felt was within grasp. Determined to return to the elite level of the Ivy League, he pushed his team throughout spring and preseason, turning anything and everything into a competition.
 
He smiles when he recalls some of those challenges, but he was most happy to see the progress on the field. If health can be on their side this time, Princeton could be in line for the kind of season Tiger fans have grown accustomed to over the past 13 years.
 
What follows is an offensive preview of the 2025 Tigers, who open on Powers Field against the University of San Diego on Saturday with kickoff set for 12 p.m. A defensive preview will follow, then a full game breakdown ahead of Surace’s 15th opener at his alma mater—a tenure that already includes four Ivy League titles.
 
Quarterback
It had been years since such an inexperienced quarterback took the lead for the Princeton offense the way Blaine Hipa did last season. Even first-time starters like Kevin Davidson and Cole Smith had three years in the offense and more than enough practice reps and game experience to feel mostly prepared for the role. Between COVID and his own injuries, Hipa didn’t have nearly the same snap count as past season starters.
 
It will be a different experience this year. Both Hipa and fellow senior Kai Colón know this offense much better, and Hipa has nine games of starting experience to build on.
 
“I think the room has been very good from a leadership standpoint,” Surace said. “Blaine and Kai have both been terrific.”
 
The two seniors have led the quarterback competition since the spring. Hipa threw for more than 1,600 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, and he rushed for three more, but turnovers plagued him throughout the year.
 
“Blaine is very fast, very athletic,” Surace said. “He has been training really hard mechanically. He is ripping the ball. The key for him is understanding that not every play has to be a touchdown. John Lovett had to learn this the hard way. Just make the right decision every play.”
 
Colón brings a different set of strengths to the field, which could allow Surace to move back to a two-quarterback offense at times.
 
“Kai is really poised and knowledgeable,” he said. “He has a very good arm with very good accuracy. You can go through days, long days of camp, and he doesn’t make a mistake. He’s improved his athleticism. He can put up a high completion percentage and get the ball out on time. He does those things that drive an offense.”
 
Junior West Smith and sophomore Asher Weiner could also find time at the position. Smith has the biggest arm in the room, and Surace is looking for improved decision-making from him. Weiner has shown John Lovett-type of athleticism during the offseason.
 
Running Backs
When Princeton traveled to nationally ranked Mercer last year, it prepared to face the nation’s top-ranked rushing defense without the likes of John Volker or Dareion Murphy. Little-used sophomore Ethan Clark was going to make his first start against a defense that allowed only 29.2 rushing yards per game.
 
Clark would go for 117 that day, and immediately established himself as a key offensive piece for both the present and future. A midseason illness kept him from a true breakout season, but he had strong games against both Brown and Yale, and he leads a deep running back room entering the fall.
 
“If one guy is going to emerge as the leader of the offense, Clark did show evidence last season that he could be that type of player,” Surace said. “He has some of the characteristics of top backs from our program over the last decade. But we have other guys with talent, and in modern football, you would like to see some form of a committee at the position.”
 
Murphy is healthy again and has more than 400 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns in his career. Sophomores Christian Lynch and Kai Honda have shown impressive signs early in their careers, so they could also emerge similar to the way Clark did last season.
 
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Seniors Luke Colella and AJ Barber, both of whom earned All-Ivy recognition during their Tiger careers, helped navigate the path for their inexperienced quarterback last season. The duo combined for 82 catches and nearly 1,000 yards, and they were the leaders of a deep core of senior receivers.
 
Despite their numbers, Surace looks back and wished he found more gameday opportunities for younger receivers, many of whom looked promising last fall. While they lack Saturday experience, their growth throughout the spring and preseason has Surace optimistic about the passing game once again.
 
“I need to utilize our depth at the wideout position and see if an alpha emerges,” Surace said. “We’re going to be fine if a true number one doesn’t flash, because I think there’s at least nine above average varsity receivers right now. We have a lot of good options.”
 
Seniors Jalen Geer (13 catches, 159 yards) and Charley Rossi (two receiving touchdowns) both looked strong in limited time last season, and junior Jackson Green took major strides during the season. Paul Kuhner and Landon DePrima bring the top-line speed needed to keep defensive backs honest, while several others have had good moments this preseason.
 
Juniors Jack Comeau and Joey Wassler entered last season backing up All-Ivy tight end Tyler Picinic, but they were thrust into the offense when the latter was hurt against Howard. While neither made major statistical impacts, their progress and experience will benefit the team this season.
 
“They probably played 90% of the stats snaps from week three on,” Surace said. “Our offense improved over the final weeks of the season, and I think those guys helped make that happen.”
 
Offensive Line
Princeton graduated two All-Ivy offensive linemen in Tommy Matheson and Nicholas Hilliard last season, and fellow senior Blake Feigenspan had been a stalwart at the center position. Despite those losses, Surace feels like he has both experience and depth up front entering the 2025 season, and he has a set of juniors that could turn into one of the best classes of linemen during his head coaching tenure.
 
The linemen with starting experience are seniors Scott Becker, who took over center duties when Feigenspan was injured two years ago, Jaden Wedderburn and Cooper Koers, both of whom started games at tackle, though Wedderburn has transitioned to guard for the 2025 season. Fellow senior Justice Musser should be in the tackle rotation as well.
 
The junior class has Surace, a former All-Ivy lineman himself, particularly excited. Phil Eichelzer is pushing Becker at the center spot. Justin Selbert is starting at guard. Oyintare Porbeni and Will Beargie are competing for snaps at tackle, while Barrett Eddlemon joins sophomore Andrew Pederson in the guard rotation.
 
“These juniors have a chance to be among the best guys we’ve had here,” said Surace, who can watch former standout Jalen Travis ’24 play for the Indianapolis Colts this season. “They need to take steps in technique, but they are a very encouraging group to be around.”
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