Thursday, October 1, 2026
Nassau Community College’s football team has a lot to prove this season.
Just ask sophomore running back Eriq Harris, who broke out the gate quickly a year ago with a 163-yard rushing performance in one of the Lions’ three victories under then-rookie head coach Jhaleel Oswald.
“We definitely weren’t happy with last season and we have unfinished business,” said Harris, who is projected to lead a backfield that includes sophomore Caleib Corbett. “A bunch of us returned and we’ve connected well with the new guys. The chemistry is good,” he added.
Harris was a little banged up last season, Oswald said, and finished with 353 yards on the ground and one touchdown. Corbett missed a large chunk of 2024 after breaking his hand in the 28-27 season-opening win over Rochester Community.
“Eriq is in tremendous shape and is going to be one of the focal points of the offense,” said Oswald, a former Lions’ captain and key member of their 2013 Toro Bowl-winning team who ran Nassau’s defense/special teams under predecessor Jamel Ramsay for the 2022 and ’23 campaigns. “He’s also taken on a leadership role. With Caleib, we know what those guys can do when healthy.”
Topping the depth chart under center as the opener approaches is southpaw Jayden Taylor, a Walt Whitman High School product who like Harris has shown a great deal of leadership throughout camp. Upping his touchdown-to-interception ratio will be vital to the second-year quarterback and the Lions’ success. “Jayden was thrown into the fire last year as a true freshman and those growing pains are behind him,” Oswlad said. “He looks confident and is doing all the right things to be the guy.” Also in the mix at the position are sophomore Mark Pearson, a transfer from Keystone, and freshman Elijah Outlaw.
Sophomore Nick Paris (Oceanside High School) is a speedy wideout who’ll also make an impact on special teams, Oswald noted, and newcomer JJ Collins is pushing for the starting role on the opposite side. At tight end, Justin Betz could be counted on to provide the offense with a dimension it has lacked.
A beefed up offensive line was one of Oswald’s intentions as last season concluded and the Lions will be counting on some young blood to make an immediate impression. “The line is super revamped and big, but we’re talking about kids 17, 18 and 19 years old. We’re looking to be more physical and I like what I see so far.”
Sophomore Ahmari Gordon, a 6-foot-5, 370-pounder out of St. Anthony’s High School, is the glue of the unit, Oswald explained. Also part of the rotation up front is Romel Agueta (Long Beach High School), Rashawn Halloman, Prince Jackson and Jesse May.
The face of Nassau’s defense is sophomore safety Vincent Spina, described by Oswald, a former safety himself, as “one of the smartest football players I’ve ever been around.” Spina earned Second Team All-Conference honors a year ago. Other key defenders include Luke Shank, Dwayne Schulters, Lucas Chang, and Cedric and Abdul Jean-Pierre.
On special teams, Oswald has been impressed so far with kicker Matias Perez and Kenny Garcia, both newcomers.
“We want to be strong in all three stations,” Oswald said. “We’re excited about the challenge of a difficult schedule. We wouldn’t want it any other way.”
2025 Schedule
Aug. 29 Rochester CC Away 5 p.m.
Sept. 12 Wagner JV Away 12 p.m.
Sept. 20 Hudson CC Away 1 p.m.
Sept. 27 Hocking Home 1 p.m.
Oct. 11 Erie CC Away 12 p.m.
Oct. 18 Navy Prep Home 1 p.m.
Oct. 25 Hudson CC Home 1 p.m.
Nov. 1 Louisburg Away 3 p.m.
Nov. 8 Sussex CC Home 1 p.m.
Nov. 15 Monroe Home 1 p.m.
