Villanova Football Adds Recruit to 2026 Quarterback Room

Villanova Football added another quarterback to their 2026 recruiting class, with Cardinal O’Hara signal caller John Welde announcing his commitment to the Wildcats on Friday, Jan. 23. His sister, Annie, is a senior forward for Villanova Women’s Basketball.

Per Welde’s social media, he stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 200 pounds. He threw for more than 4,000 yards in his career at Cardinal O’Hara, a program record, and set their single-game high for passing yards.

Fellow quarterback Nolan DiLucia signed with Villanova in December, but with the Wildcats set to lose starter Pat McQuaide and longtime No. 2 Tanner Maddocks to graduation (along with reserve quarterback and holder Jack Ryder), it makes sense for them to account for contingencies at the game’s most important position.

Other quarterbacks currently rostered include rising seniors Michael Benincasa and Robert Russo along with rising sophomores Hudson Heineman and Dylan Mills.

Welde’s commitment means the Wildcats have 20 spots to fill on their roster ahead of the 2026 season.