A tumultuous 2024 campaign for the Red Foxes might be precisely what Marist needed.
In Mike Willis’s first year as head coach, Marist finished with a 1-11 record. It was not the start that the Princeton Tiger-turned coach had imagined, but the only way to go now is up.
“There are a lot of lessons that failure can teach you,” said Willis. “When you are trying to build a process-oriented program, you need to get one percent better every day – like, actually get one percent better every single day.”
There are a lot of reasons for Red Foxes fans to be excited about this year, and it all starts with leadership.
Leadership
When a team has a season deemed forgettable, many players take this as a sign to look elsewhere, especially nowadays, when the transfer portal is so prominent in the game of college football. This was not the case for the Red Foxes. Marist retained many of their core players and honored them with captaincy roles in 2025.
Redshirt junior quarterback Sonny Mannino was not the starting quarterback to begin the 2024 season, but when called upon, his leadership and athleticism prospered. Mannino was named a captain for the Red Foxes this offseason. Standing at six-foot-five and weighing in just under 250 pounds, not only does he have the ability to sling the football down the field, but there is massive rushing upside with No. 12. Whether that be on a roll-out or designed QB-run, Mannino is not an easy player to tackle, something he put on display last season. If his accuracy improves, the ceiling for him and the Red Foxes is sky-high.
Graduate student offensive lineman Dominic Perricone is a mauler in the run game and is always involved, even when he is not on the field. Every team needs a vocal leader, and that is what Perricone is. At six-foot-five and 320 pounds, the Mahopac, New York native often looks like a man amongst boys on the field. His brute strength, combined with great technique, makes him an anchor for this Marist line that is called upon to protect Mannino and pave the way for running backs.
The captain of the secondary in 2025 is sophomore defensive back Nate Robinson Jr. Willis and the coaching staff used Robinson Jr. in every way last season. He played in the slot, up top and on the boundary. He is six-foot-one, which is important because he provides great press-man coverage ability and is a more than willing tackler. It is not often that a true sophomore gets named a captain in college football, but Robinson Jr. did, and it is well deserved according to Willis
“Nate has had high-level leadership qualities that existed before his playing time was high,” he said. “He was also the only player I have ever been around to receive a serious vote for captain as a freshman.”
Mike Willis
Defensive linemen Joey Patierno is the captain of the front seven; the redshirt junior played one season at Southern Connecticut State in 2022 and acted as a reserve player for the Red Foxes in 2023. As soon as last season started, it became clear that Patierno deserved more time. He started 10 of the 11 games last season, tallying two tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Names to Watch
Redshirt sophomore tight end Jackson Connors-McCarthy played a key part in the Marist offense last year, and that is going to continue to be the case. He was ranked the sixth-best FCS tight end by HERO Sports this offseason and led the Red Foxes with 50 receptions and 441 receiving yards last year.
Connors-McCarthy is also a great blocker in the run game. What makes him a name to watch is the fact that he lines up everywhere. Last year, he played in the slot, on the line and even out wide – is versatility has proven to be a challenge for opposing defenses.
The reigning Pioneer Football League Defensive Rookie of the Year is back in red and white, and this time as a full-time starter. Redshirt sophomore linebacker James Kratochvil led the team with 55 tackles and four interceptions in 2024. His sideline-to-sideline speed is always on display, and his cover skills give tight ends and quarterbacks constant headaches. He has a nose for the football and is looking to improve upon a great 2024 season.
Junior Kade Werner is listed as a linebacker, but the truth is that he plays every position on the field. Werner is a Swiss-Army Knife for the Red Foxes’ defense and offers a certain toughness that is crucial to a program’s success. He is a surefire tackler and has always been a standout on special teams. Werner accepts his role, wherever that may be, and gives his 100% on every single snap.
Graduate student linebacker Garrett Carter is coming over from Division III Susquehanna and offers elite tackling ability, especially in the run game. Marist struggled defending the inside run, specifically when opposing guards blocked upfield – stepping into those holes is Carter’s forte. Carter defeats blocks from tight ends and wideouts with ease, not only because of his frame, but also because he truly gives his all on every down.
Looking Ahead
Taking everything into account, there is a lot to monitor about the Red Foxes this year. Whether it is Willis returning with a vengeance or Mannino’s athleticism, there is real potential for Marist to be a true threat in the Pioneer Football League this season.
“I try to look at life as winning or learning,” said Willis. “And, last year, we learned a lot.”
Edited by August Lieberman and Ben Leeds
Graphic by Ben Monrad
Photo by Jaylen Rizzo