Orono, Maine – Head football coach Jordan Stevens announced 12 recruits signed with the University of Maine football program during the early signing period on Dec. 3.

Carlos Diggs, a 5'11", 180-pound defensive back out of Pittsburgh, PA joins the Black Bears after his final season at Gateway High School. He is two-time All-Conference member and a high-honor roll student. He was a two-time 7-on-7 champion who accrued 120 tackles, 30 pass breakups, six interceptions, six forced fumbles and four fumble recovers.

Aamir Dunbar, a 5'10", 200-pound running back out of Mays Landing, N.J. joins the Black Bears after his final season at Cedar Creek High. He is a three-time First Team All-Conference member, a First-Team South Jersey member and a First-Team All-State member. He rushed for 4,624 yards and 47 touchdowns in high school, making him his school's all-time leader and ranking him 13^th all-time for the South New Jersey region. He was also a multi-time honor roll student.

Brandon Esson, a 6'4", 225-pound defensive linemen out of Danbury, CT joins the Black Bears after his final season at Danbury. He is an All-FCIAC West member.

Connor Hepperlen, a 6'4", 225-pound tight end out of Mount Laurel, N.J. joins the Black Bears after his final season at Lenape. He is a two-time First Team All-Conference member and a two-time First Team All-Burlington County member. He was an honor roll student all four years of high school.

Cordell Jones, a 6'2", 195-pound wide receiver out of Portland, Maine joins the Black Bears after his final season at Portland High School. He is a three-time All-Conference member on both offense and defense, the 2025 Conference Player of the Year, the 2024 Gatorade Player of the Year and a two-time All-State member. He totaled 5,456 yards during his career, scoring 73 touchdowns, along with registering 185 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, eight interceptions and recovering two fumbles.

Major Leak, a 6'1", 190-pound wide receiver out of Charlotte, N.C. joins the Black Bears after his final season at Maryland Prep. He is a time-time team MVP, the Friday Night Lights Two-Way Player of the Year, a Receiver of the Year finalist and he topped 1,000 receiving yards in his high school career. He was on the honor roll all four years of high school.

Ty McLeer, a 5'10", 185-pound defensive back out of Mullica Hill, N.J. joins the Black Bears after his final season at St. Augustine Prep. He is a two-time All-South Jersey member and a two-time All Non-Public member. He racked up over 1,400 receiving yards and 167 tackles during his four years as a varsity starter, totaling 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He is a member of the National Honors Society and is a three-time Dean's List member.

Matt Pain, a 6'1", 190-pound quarterback out of Kingston, Ontario joins the Black Bears after his final season at Choate. He led his team to a 26-2 record during his time at Choate, winning three bowl games and becoming a two-time Founder's League champion. He was an All-NEPSAC Class A Honorable Mention, a Second Team All-Founders member and named Team Ontario's Offensive MVP. He was on the dean's list nine times at Choate.

Gavin Richardson, a 6'6", 290-pound offensive linemen out of Burlington, Ontario joins the Black Bears after his final season at Football North. During his final year at Football North, he helped the team to a 6-4 record. He is a three-time East Coast Prep League champion, a four-time honor roll student and an Ontario Academic Scholar.

Jonah Richardson, a 6'1", 190-pound defensive back out of Boxford, MA joins the Black Bears after his final season at Pingree. He is a two-time All-Evergreen member, a team MVP and a two-time All-NEPSAC member. During his time at Pingree, he helped the team to a 20-12 record in his 32 games played, leading them to a bowl game appearance during his sophomore season.

Owen Richardson, a 6'5", 290-pound offensive linemen out of Burlington, Ontario joins the Black Bears after his final season at Football North. During his final year at Football North, he helped the team to a 6-4 record. He is a three-time East Coast Prep League champion, a four-time honor roll student and an Ontario Academic Scholar. He allowed no sacks during his final two seasons on the varsity program.

Aamir Thomas, a 6'2", 195-pound outside linebacker out of Smyrna, DE joins the Black Bears after his final season at Smyrna. During his high school career, he compiled 153 tackles, 19 pass breakups, 17 tackles for loss, four interceptions and forced three fumbles. He helped his team to three district championships and on state title as he was a two-time All-State member and a three-time All-Conference member.

To view each players highlight reel, click their name.
 
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