CALIFORNIA (Feb. 5) – The California University of Pennsylvania football team will announce its recruiting class on Wednesday, Feb. 6, as the National Letter of Intent from student-athletes will start arriving in the morning.
"I am excited about the 2013 recruiting class. This is my first class as the head coach at Cal U," said head coach
Mike Kellar. "We filled many of our needs with this class, the biggest of which was to get bigger and faster. Our staff worked tirelessly recruiting all over the state of Pennsylvania, as well as Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia."
The Cal U football team will announce its latest commitments from student-athletes in real-time as the NLI are received and verified. Fans can follow
@calvulcans on Twitter for instant National Signing Day updates. Full player information and video highlights on the signees will be posted on this page when available.
In 2012, the Vulcans finished with an 8-3 overall record with three victories against nationally-ranked opponents. Cal U boasted a combined six All-Americans last season, highlighted by senior defensive back
Rontez Miles and junior defensive lineman
BJ Stevens.
The Cal U football program would also like to thank the following individuals in and around the campus community for their tireless efforts in assisting with the recruiting process: Acting President Geraldine M. Jones, Interim Athletic Director
Dr. Karen Hjerpe, Associate Vice President for Athletic Development Frank Bauer, Dean of Admissions Dr. Bill Edmonds, Chuck Bohn, Chelsey Burk, Paul Burns,
Kelly Collins, Beth Ann Conway, Rick Dulaney, Jason Gross,
Ben Hilborn, Chris Johnston, Greg McGranahan,
Tony McGrew, Tracy Neiman,
Bobby Sepesy,
Carolyn Tardd, Eric Tarpley, Tom Taylor, Shawn Urbine,
Phil Vitalbo, Melissa Wazny, Sheleta Webb, Public Safety, Lagerheads and High Point Restaurant.
2013 CAL U FOOTBALL COMMITTED NLI & WALK-ONS
* - indicates walk-on
XAVIER BANEY (DB • 6-0 • 185 • Cedar Cliff HS)
• Second-Team All-Conference, Honor Roll
• Coach Rebholz on Baney: "Xavier is a versatile athlete that has the skill sets to play either side of the ball. He's going to bring great ball skills and athletic ability to the defensive back position."
• Coach Kellar on Baney: "Baney is a very physical, athletic player. He will help in the kicking game right away."
• Why Chose Cal U: It has one of the top education programs in the state and a top NCAA Division II football program
• Other Schools Considered: Robert Morris, Bloomsburg, Kutztown
MITCHELL BAUBLITZ (LS/WR • 6-0 • 200 • Red Lion HS)
• Second-Team All-Conference
• Coach Wilson on Baublitz: "Mitchell has all the intangibles we look for in a long-snapper. He is a great athlete that was a two-way starter in high school."
• Coach Kellar on Baublitz: "Baublitz will help us as a long-snapper and will give us depth at wide receiver."
ALEX BEASLEY (LB • 5-11 • 230 • Woodland Hills HS)
• Big 33, First-Team All-State, Two-time First-Team All-Conference,
Post-Gazette East Fab 22
• Coach Kellar on Beasley: "Beasley will bring a physicality to our program immediately."
• Why Chose Cal U: It was the best fit for me.
• Other Schools Considered: Duquesne, Citadel
ROBERT BELL (RB • 5-10 • 210 • Beaver Falls HS)
• Penn-Ohio All-Star, all-conference (offense), two-time all-conference (defense), Joe Namath Award, team captain, High Honors
• Coach Storino on Bell: "Robert is a big, physical runner with excellent feet."
• Coach Kellar on Bell: "Bell's tape reminded me of former Cal U running back Daine Williams, who is his cousin."
• Why Chose Cal U: The coaches were very personable to me and my family, plus the facilities.
• Other Schools Considered: IUP, Duquesne, Youngstown State, Shippensburg, Alderson-Broaddus, Edinboro, St. Francis (Pa.)
JORDAN BOWMAN (DB • 6-0 • 205 • Central Dauphin HS)
• Third-Team All-State, First-Team All-Conference (offense, defense),
Patriot News All-Star, East-West All-Star
• Coach Rebholz on Bowman: "Jordan has the ability to stop the run with authority while playing the middle of the field with a ball-hawking mentality."
• Coach Kellar on Bowman: "Bowman was a great safety on a state championship team while playing in Harrisburg."
• Why Chose Cal U: I liked the family setting, nice facilities and the good coaches.
• Other Schools Considered: IUP, Mercyhurst
GARRY BROWN (WR • 6-1 • 190 • Westerville South HS)
• All-State, 3-Star Recruit by Rivals.com
• Coach Wilson on Brown: "Garry is an unbelievable talent. He has the speed to run by the defense and go up in the air for the ball."
• Coach Kellar on Brown: "Brown is a big-league talent from the Columbus area. He will be a great wide receiver, but could play on either side of the ball."
• Why Chose Cal U: The program is one of the top NCAA Division II teams in the nation.
• Other Schools Considered: Lake Erie, Notre Dame (Ohio), Saginaw Valley State, Grand Valley State
SHAREEF CLINTON (OL • 6-6 • 270 • Harry S. Truman HS)
• Third-Team All-Conference (defense)
• Coach Evans on Clinton: "Shareef is as athletic a guy as we have recruited up front. He is a prototypical offensive tackle who has the attitude to develop and achieve great things at Cal U."
• Coach Kellar on Clinton: "Clinton is out of the Philadelphia area and fits our philosophy long, lean athletic lineman."
• Why Chose Cal U: I felt like it was home.
AVERY DIBBLE (WR • 6-1 • 170 • Bethel Park HS)
• Second-Team All-Conference
• Coach Wilson on Dibble: "Avery can flat out run and has a ton of upside."
• Coach Kellar on Dibble: "Dibble has good size and could even play both ways for us."
• Why Chose Cal U: I liked the coaches and the campus.
• Other Schools Considered: Slippery Rock, Mercyhurst, Charleston (W.Va.), Notre Dame (Ohio)
JOHN FRANKLIN (RB • 6-0 • 215 • Canal Winchester HS)
• Second-Team All-League, Honorable Mention All-District, 2-Star Recruit by Rivals.com
• Coach Storino on Franklin: "John is a big, fast running back from Ohio that will help fill our needs."
• Coach Kellar on Franklin: "Franklin is a big downhill-type runner in the mold of great Cal U running backs Brandon Lombardy, Windell Brown and Freddie Bacco."
• Why Chose Cal U: I chose Cal U because of the coaching staff and great education system.
• Other Schools Considered: Youngstown State, Duquesne, Notre Dame (Ohio), West Virginia State
RICHIE GOULD (OL • 6-6 • 250 • Lakota East HS)
• Three-time Player of the Week
• Coach Evans on Gould: "Richie is very lean and can run. He has exceptional speed off the ball to go with an outstanding attitude."
• Coach Kellar on Gould: "Gould is a tall kid that will grow into his body. He is a very athletic player with huge upside."
• Why Chose Cal U: I enjoyed the home-like environment and coaching staff.
• Other Schools Considered: Ohio Dominican, Georgetown, Urbana, Seton Hill
TOM GREENE (WR • 6-3 • 195 • Woodland Hills HS)
• First-Team All-Conference,
Post-Gazette East Fab 22,
Tribune-Review Terrific 25, East/West All-Star
• Coach Wilson on Greene: "Tom has great size and is extremely athletic. He is a polished route runner for a high school player."
• Coach Kellar on Greene: "Greene has a long body with great hands. He was a very good route runner at Woodland Hills."
• Why Chose Cal U: It was a nice campus with a friendly staff.
• Other Schools Considered: Buffalo, Rutgers
NICK GRISSOM (RB • 5-10 • 185 • Winton Woods HS)
• First-Team All-City
• Coach Storino on Grissom: "Nick is a threat to score every time he touches the ball and has breakaway speed."
• Coach Kellar on Grissom: "Grissom is an explosive running back who will be great catching the ball out of the backfield."
• Why Chose Cal U: It felt like a good overall fit.
• Other Schools Considered: Alcorn State
KHALIL HARPER (WR/DB • Woodland Hills HS)
• First-Team All-Conference
• Coach Wilson on Harper: "Khalil is a quick playmaker with great ball skills and comes from a great program."
• Coach Kellar on Harper: "Harper is fits our philosophy of getting faster and will help in the return game."
• Why Chose Cal U: It was the best fit for me and I have friends there.
KHARI HICKS, JR. (ATH • 6-0 • 150 • Imani Christian Academy)
• All-Conference, Co-MVP, High Honor Roll
• Coach Wilson on Hicks: "Khari played quarterback in high school, but is a great athlete that can play multiple positions."
• Coach Kellar on Hicks: "Hicks is a great all-around athlete that can play on either side of the ball after playing quarterback in high school."
• Why Chose Cal U: I liked what Cal U can offer both academically and athletically.
• Other Schools Considered: West Virginia Wesleyan
MICHAEL KEIR (QB • 6-2 • 215 • Roman Catholic HS)
• All-City, All-Catholic, No. 41 QB in the country by ESPN.com
• Coach Salisbury on Keir: "Mike is an athletic quarterback with a strong arm who will be a great fit in our offensive system."
• Coach Kellar on Keir: "Keir is a big, physical kid who can make all the throws. He's the sixth-ranked all-time passer in Philadelphia and we are super excited about his future at Cal U."
• Why Chose Cal U: It felt like home.
• Other Schools Considered: Maine, Stony Brook, Kent State, Massachusetts
PATRICK KLINE (OL • 6-4 • 270 • Pine-Richland HS)
• Three-Year Letterman, All-Conference Honorable Mention, Captain
• Coach Evans on Kline: "Pat is a big strong kid who can run and will bring a degree of toughness to our future offensive lines. He wrestles and we've had tons of success with offensive lineman who have wrestling backgrounds."
• Coach Kellar on Kline: "Kline was a tough kid who will compete for a state championship in wrestling."
• Why Chose Cal U: It was a good location and campus with a winning football team and successful coaching staff.
• Other Schools Considered: IUP, Mercyhurst, Gannon, Slippery Rock, Clarion
JORDAN LARDANI (H-B • 6-2 • 210 • Kennett HS)
• Chester County Running Back of the Year ... First-Team All-League ... Second-Team All-Southeast Pennsylvania ... Mini-Maxwell Award
• Coach Baker on Lardani: "Jordan can play multiple positions. He has excellent speed and will be a mismatch for defenses."
• Coach Kellar on Lardani: "Lardani is a running back/outside linebacker who will play H-back for us. He a very good athlete."
• Why Chose Cal U: It was a beautiful campus, along with a great team and people.
• Other Schools Considered: West Chester, Shippensburg
RYAN McCAULEY (H-B • 6-3 • 210 • Seneca Valley HS)
• Pennsylvania East/West All-Star, Honorable Mention All-State, First-Team All-Conference,
Post-Gazette North Feb 22, Butler County Sweet 16
• Coach Baker on McCauley: "Ryan is a work-horse player that has great hands, speed and athleticism. He will play a lot of different positions in the offense."
• Coach Kellar on McCauley: "McCauley could be an outside linebacker, but we him more of a H-back. He is a winner."
• Why Chose Cal U: I valued the academic and football tradition
• Other Schools Considered: Clarion
CRAIG McCORKLE (OL • 6-4 • 280 • Winton Woods HS)
• Two-Time All-State ... Two-Time First-Team All-City ... First-Team All-Conference ... Two-Time Offensive Lineman of the Year
• Coach Evans on McCorkle: Craig is another long and lean kid who can run. He plays with fairly strong technique as a high school player."
• Coach Kellar on McCorkle: "McCorkle is a big offensive lineman from Cincinnati. He is a very long, athletic tackle."
• Why Chose Cal U: I enjoyed the campus and really felt at home.
JORDAN McCRAE (RB • 5-10 • 175 • Connellsville HS)
• Coach Storino on McCrae: "Jordan has an excellent skill set. He possesses all the tools to be a special player."
• Coach Kellar on McCrae: "McCrae is a three-down running back who is very illusive. He reminds me of a bigger Lamont (Smith)."
ZAMEER McDOWELL (TE • 6-6 • 230 • Spring-Ford HS)
• First-Team All-Conference (defense), Second-Team All-Conference (offense), Honorable Mention All-State, PSFCA East/West All-Star
• Coach Baker on McDowell: "Zameer has a big body and can run."
• Coach Kellar on McDowell: "McDowell is very good in the pass game and is also a skilled basketball player."
• Why Chose Cal U: It's a great program.
• Other Schools Considered: Bloomsburg, IUP
JACK MILLER (TE • 6-4 • 245 • Lower Dauphin HS)
• Coach Baker on Miller: "Jack has a great physical body at the line of scrimmage with good hands."
• Coach Kellar on Miller: "Miller gets bigger every time I see him. He was the first commit we had and is a great kid from a great family."
ZACH MOREHEAD (OL • 6-4 • 275 • Canal Winchester HS)
• All-Conference, Team Captain
• Coach Evans on Morehead: "Zach is another wide kid with good feet who was coached well in high school. He may press for playing time sooner rather than later because he is advanced with the X's and O's."
• Coach Kellar on Morehead: "Morehead is a another big athletic offensive lineman from Ohio. We love his passion and knowledge of the game."
• Why Chose Cal U: I loved the overall feeling I had when I was on campus.
• Other Schools Considered: Duquesne, Miami (Ohio), West Virginia
IAN PATTERSON (P/K • 5-11 • 195 • Waynesburg Central HS)
• First-Team All-Conference, All-District, All-County
• Coach Wilson on Patterson: "Ian is a very skilled specialist that excels as a kicker as well as punter."
• Why Chose Cal U: I chose Cal U because of the location, my major, the football program and the campus
• Other Schools Considered: West Virginia, Duquesne, Seton Hill, Slippery Rock
ACANTAY PATTON (DL • 6-3 • 225 • Hopewell HS)
• Two-Year All-Conference, All-WPIAL, captain
• Coach Jacobs on Patton: "Acantay has a long lean frame that can easily put on weight and has long arms. Not only does he play fast and with an edge, but has the ability to lock out offensive lineman and disengage to make plays."
• Coach Kellar on Patton: " Patton is a great pass rusher in the mold of (Darnell) Harding and (B.J.) Stevens. We loved recruiting him and his family."
• Why Chose Cal U: I wanted to win championships while receiving the best education for my future.
• Other Schools Considered: Eastern Kentucky, IUP, Robert Morris
TYLER PEERSON (OL • 6-4 • 255 • Freedom HS)
• Coach Evans on Peerson: "Tyler can play anywhere on the line, including center. He is a tough kid, who can run very well, and drives his feet through contact."
• Coach Kellar on Peerson: " Peerson is in the same mold as the rest of our lineman - big, physical. I love his toughness"
• Why Chose Cal U: The academics are superior and the tradition of the football program.
• Other Schools Considered: Shippensburg, Kutztown, Bloomsburg
COLIN REESE (OL • 6-3 • 285 • Beaver HS)
• Three-Year Starter, Two-Time First-Team All-Section, Honor Roll
• Coach Evans on Reese: "Colin has tremendous shoulder width and surprising athleticism for a big guy. He is very explosive off the ball and has the rare blend of great size and width to along with some pretty good feet."
• Coach Kellar on Reese: " Reese already has a college-type body. He is a physical player who finishes his blocks"
• Why Chose Cal U: It felt like the best fit for me through academic, athletics and socially.
• Other Schools Considered: Slippery Rock, Mercyhurst
LLOYD REID (DL • 6-1 • 230 • Perry Traditional Academy HS)
•
Post-Gazette North Fab 22, All-City
• Coach Jacobs on Reid: "Lloyd has good size and is physically developed for a high school senior. He plays with his hands extremely well and can really run."
• Coach Kellar on Reid: "Reid is a long and lean kid, who can play outside linebacker or defensive end. He is great with his hands and loves to rush the passer."
• Why Chose Cal U: It was the perfect size with a large support system and a great football program.
• Other Schools Considered: IUP, Towson, Slippery Rock
AARON TERRY (WR • 5-11 • 170 • Chesapeake HS)
• Second-Team All-State, Second-Team All-Conference, First-Team All-County, Baltimore All-Star
• Coach Wilson on Terry: "Aaron is a great athlete and is ultra competitive."
• Coach Kellar on Terry: "Terry is a tremendous player that could play both sides of the ball and is the nephew of Coach Cole."
• Why Chose Cal U: It's not to far from home and is has an excellent athletic training program.
• Other Schools Considered: Georgetown, Fordham, Duke, Monmouth
JAWAN TURNER (DL • 6-0 • 230 • Woodland Hills HS)
• First-Team All-State, Two-time All-Conference,
Post-Gazette Fab 22,
Tribune-Review Terrific 25, Team Captain
• Coach Jacobs on Turner: "Jawan has competed at the highest level of high school football and been highly productive. He has great feel for the game and plays with a non-stop motor."
• Coach Kellar on Turner: "Turner was productive in every game at Woodland Hills and is a great leader."
• Why Chose Cal U: It was a good fit for me with a good program.
• Other Schools Considered: Duquesne, Slippery Rock
KAREEN WATSON (WR • 6-3 • 200 • Potomac Falls HS)
• Coach Wilson on Watson: "Kareen is extremely explosive and has all the intangibles you are looking for in a wide receiver."
• Coach Kellar on Watson: "Watson is a true burner at wide receiver and can really run after the catch. He will take the top off the defense."
updated as of 10:55 AM (2/14/13)
