SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR RETURS FOR 2025 SEASON

The Erie Express are pleased to announce the signing of WR-Ryan Whitman (Saint Vincent College) for the 2025 season. Whitman begins his third year with the Express and returns as one of our wide receivers in the starting rotation and a starter on Special Teams as well.

Ryan did an amazing job for us last season and played a major role in our 2024 TPFL Championship game appearance. We finished the season 11-2 and received an invite to the I-75 Pro Advancement Bowl (3-6 loss against the Sheboygan County Sabercats).

We also accepted the invite on January 18th to compete for a National Championship against the defending National Champion; Indy Bison in the USA Bowl in Daytona, FL. (0-41 Loss) Ryan played a major role in those team accolades as well!

For his efforts during the 2024 season, Ryan had an amazing impact for us on the special teams units and recorded 23 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 touchdown and a pass break up. Offensively Ryan also added 6 receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown. Ryan was named TPFL All-Pro for the 2024 season. This was Ryan's first time being named as an All-Pro Specialist. Ryan was also named the Erie Express Special Teams Player of the Year.

Whitman is a graduate of Harbor Creek High School where he was a 3 sport standout athlete for the Huskies. Ryan earned 3 varsity letters in football and basketball and 4 in track. Ryan was a three year starter and 2x All Region selection at WR for the Huskies. He still holds the record for the longest TD reception (90yds) and was selected to play in the Save an Eye All Star Game.

In basketball he was a 2x All Region selection and was chosen to play in the East West All Star Game.

In Track Ryan was a 4x District qualifier in the 200,400, 4x100 and 4x400 relays. Ryan helped lead the Huskies to the Region 5 championship while earning All-Region accolades as an individual.

Ryan played his college ball at Saint Vincent College. Last season stats: 2022: Caught one pass for 11 yards in the Stevenson game ... in the game at Grove City he caught a career high two passes for 44 yards for the Bearcats ... caught three passes for 28 yards in the loss at Case Western Reserve (10/8) ... recorded two pass catches for 24 yards, including one receiving touchdown in the 41-25 home win against Geneva (10/15) ... caught two passes for 28 yards, including one touchdown in the 52-35 win at Allegheny (10/22) ... caught one touchdown on his lone catch of the game in the loss at Carnegie Mellon (10/29) ... caught two passes for 31 yards, while scoring one touchdown in the home win against Waynesburg (11/5).

"Ryan did an amazing job for us last year at wide receiver and on special teams. He is as unselfish as they get and only wants to see the team succeed. He matured so much last season and realy came into his own. We are blessed to have him back on board and are expecting another breakout season from him in 2025"-Director of Operations Paul Pennington.

Ryan is sponsored by Erie Gymnastics for the 2025 season.

Please visit their Facebook page or website for all your gymnastic needs.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamLightning814

Website: https://eriegymnastics.com/

Welcome back on board the PAINTRAIN Ryan! GO EXPRESS!