Looking Ahead to 2025: Charles Battaglia, LB, Stonehill
As we start to look ahead to the 2025 season in earnest, we’ll be profiling some of the key players to keep an eye on in NEC football this fall. To start with, we’re looking at one of the top defensive players in the NEC, Stonehill sophomore linebacker Charles Battaglia. Battaglia was one of the top freshmen in the league last season. Stonehill is likely to be strong on defense this season and will use that as their springboard towards a more successful 2025.
Battaglia came up big again and again for the Skyhawks, earning NEC Rookie of the Week three times. It’s safe to say that had Christopher Jean not been in the league last season, Battaglia would have easily been the NEC’s best freshman in 2024. As it is, he’s one of the most promising young players in the Northeast this coming season.
Looking back at 2024, his best performance came on the biggest stage, as Stonehill took on eventual champions Central Connecticut State at home in Easton, MA. While CCSU would eventually pull in front with a 4th quarter touchdown to win 21-17, Battaglia was a big part of why the Skyhawks took the Blue Devils down to the wire. He was credited with 13 tackles (5 solo, 8 assisted), 1.5 tackles for loss, and 1 forced fumble. That forced fumble came at the goal line, with CCSU threatening to make it a 21-3 game entering the second half. Instead, Battaglia popped the ball loose, and Stonehill nearly came up with the upset- a rare reversal of CCSU’s well-documented turnover fortunes in 2024, when the Blue Devils were almost always the team taking away the ball. It was all the more impressive that Battaglia punched the ball from NEC MVP Elijah Howard. That game gave him NEC Rookie of the Week honors in his head to head showdown with Christopher Jean.
His first win came after posting 7 tackles against Sacred Heart during Stonehill’s lone victory of the 2024 campaign, with another honor after tallying six tackles and an interception in a loss against Duquesne. He eventually finished tied for 9th in tackles in the league with 70- proof that these were not three blip games. In fact, he tacked on 9 more tackles against LIU and didn’t win the award that week. Battaglia was a consistent force, even as a freshman who had to play his way into the starting lineup during the season itself.
At 6’1” and 225 pounds, Battaglia already has the frame to compete in the NEC, but don’t be surprised if he hits the field in 2025 looking like a new man. The freshman-to-sophomore offseason is often transformative, and Stonehill’s strength and conditioning program could add additional pounds of muscle to his build. That extra bulk would help him shed blocks from bigger offensive linemen. There were plays last season where he’d make the tackle, even in the backfield, but that it would take him some time to get off of his blocker. He’ll be able to improve here this season.
Beyond physical growth, Battaglia’s game is likely to mature. His 2024 tape shows a linebacker with very strong instincts and great vision for a freshman, but another year of film study and practice should sharpen his anticipation even further. Expect him to read plays faster in his sophomore campaign. His anticipation hints at a greater pass-rushing potential, and with coaching from Stonehill’s staff, he could develop into a more effective blitzer.
Statistically, Battaglia is well-positioned to climb the NEC tackle leaderboard. His 70 tackles ranked him tied for 9th in 2024, and with a full season as a starter, 80-90 tackles is a realistic possibility, potentially placing him in the top 5, especially if teams opt to avoid trying to throw downfield against returning DB Moses Seide.
Stonehill’s 2025 schedule doesn’t offer much breathing room, even outside of NEC play. But if they’re going to take a step forward this fall, it’ll start with their defense. And that defense just might start with Charles Battaglia this season.
