2023 (JUNIOR): Saw his role expand into a starting inside linebacker spot ... Finished fourth on the team with 4.0 sacks and totaled 25 tackles on the year ... Picked up 2.0 sacks against both Rowan (10/7) and Salisbury (10/28), also posting nine tackles in the latter game to earn NJAC Defensive Player of the Week honors ... Returned a blocked kick for a touchdown in the shutout win at Kean (10/14) ... Had five tackles in the season finale versus Christopher Newport (11/10)
2022 (SOPHOMORE): Saw action in seven games on special teams ... Finished with six total tackles, including a half-tackle for loss against Moravian (9/3), when he posted four stops
2021 (FRESHMAN): Played in four games ... Finished with four tackles, including one for loss ... Had two tackles and forced a fumble in collegiate debut at Nichols (9/25)
BEFORE TCNJ: Played football at Northern Burlington Regional High School ... Member of National Honor Society and SCA ... Also played club volleyball
WHY TCNJ? Opportunity to play football at the next level and get an amazing education in the process.
PERSONAL: Birthday is April 17 ... Parents are Michael and Tiffanie Messinger ... Father played volleyball and mother played soccer at East Stroudsburg University ... Siblings are Landon, Quinn, and Sawyer ... Biggest athletic thrill has been a big hit on Homecoming as a freshman ... Hobbies include volleyball, baking, and attending Broadway musicals ... Favorite athletes include Miles Partain, Jason Kelce, Bryce Harper, and Joel Embiid ... Survived a snow mobile crash senior year of high school that left him with a skull fracture, brain bleeding and a completely torn labrum
AWARDS AND HONORS
- NJAC Defensive Player of the Week (10/30/23)
- NJAC All-Academic Team (2023, 2024)
