Avery Martin – Contributor
Wide receiver Tylon Papallo leads the NE10 conference in receiving yards, receiving yards per game and receiving touchdowns.
The senior sports management major contributes substantially to the Owls. He has six touchdowns so far this year, as well as 868 yards and 90.6 yards per game.
Papallo, who spent the first two years of his college career at Lackawanna College, transferred to the university as a junior. He said, “It felt like home when I came on a visit here. I came on a visit in my junior year of high school, and after that, they kept in contact with me. Then I came back here and it felt like home so I transferred”.
Head coach Tom Godek is thrilled Papallo chose the university. “He is a dynamic young man and he gets along with everybody. He’s a funny guy but he’s very serious when it comes to playing football. He’s done a good job in school and in the community service events that we are involved with as well,” said Godek.
Godek describes Papallo’s approach to football as “investigative.”. “He’ll watch film, listen intently in meetings, and he’s always working on his craft to become a better blocker and receiver,” said Godek.
Papallo’s teammates praise him as well. Tight end Tim O’Shea, a graduate student, said, “Pap is a great teammate. He’s a guy whose performance always elevates everyone else’s standard. We both came in the same year and it’s been great to see Pap grow not just into one of the best players in the conference, but a tremendous leader and person.”.
Team Captain and linebacker Hasan Dominick, a graduate student, speaks highly of his friend and teammate Papallo on and off the field.
“He’s a fun teammate. He’s quiet, but once you get to know him he’s really funny and he really motivates our players to go out there and give it everything they got,” said Dominick.
Coach Godek agrees that Papallo is not only valuable on the field. “He has been, and still is, one of the premier players in the NE10. He’s brought a lot to the program as a leader. He is someone who has really bought into what we are trying to accomplish here both as a team and as an offense. He is really good with the younger guys and he tries to show them the way and the work habits that are needed to become a successful football player,” said Godek.
Looking forward to his last few games as a collegiate athlete, Papallo aspires to earn All-American status. He made the NE10 Conference First Team Offense in 2022, and the Second team the year before that. In 2022 he became just the 38th player in program history to be named to the NE10 First Team. He also had an 82-yard punt return for a touchdown in a game against Franklin Pierce last year.
Given his previous accolades, Godek believes it is entirely possible for Papallo to become an All-American. “He has done a lot for our program and we are very grateful to have him here,” said Godek.