The 2021 Class will be one that every coach will remember forever. As coaches it was all about having to adjust from our normal operations and figure out not just how to evaluate but then how to recruit successfully through a pandemic. This class is a HUGE success in how our staff was able to get that done this year. I have to give them a tremendous amount of credit and respect for how hard they worked to comb through all of the film, and then more importantly, make sure all of our recruits were a good character and culture fit for what we are working to build here on the Hill. I know all football staffs do, but these guys put in a tremendous amount of work and dedication into this class because of how important it was for the future. When you see all of the success on the field in the next few years, I want the Griffin family to know now who to credit for that success, and that's the amazing group of assistant coaches we have here at Seton Hill!
 
The class in general was very small this year. As COVID has altered everyone's plans, it tremendously impacted this recruiting class. I am proud to say that we have 12 out of 19 seniors coming back to play for SHU in the fall of 21 which meant quite simply we had less holes to fill. Now before I move on I think it is very important to note that almost all of those 12 returning seniors will be furthering their education with a master's level degree, but it speaks volumes to how Seton Hill has turned a negative into a positive situation for so many graduates.
 
The focus on this year's class was definitely quality. With only a limited number of roster spots open, it was critical to make sure we brought in a very high-quality class this year. We will only be adding a few more players in addition to today's signees, but this is a group of young men that we are incredibly excited about! As we evaluated each player one of the things we wanted to make sure we brought in this year were some versatile chess pieces to both sides of the ball. With it being a smaller class in terms of volume, it was really important that these guys could fit into a few different roles moving forward. That was something we really targeted and feel like we addressed in a great way. These young men will be great additions to not just our football team, but the Seton Hill Community!
 
 
Mark Bails – 6'3 185lbs
Wide Receiver from Rahway HS, NJ / UMaine
 
Mark was our top wide receiver on the board a year ago. To be able to bring him home now to SHU was a tremendous addition! He is a tall receiver that has a lot of explosion and route running separation. In our offense he will force a lot of teams to have to pick their poison, load the box for the run or leave him 1 on 1. As a receiver there aren't any true weaknesses to speak of, and we feel like he should be a future ALL-PSAC performer at the WR position.
 
Pete Billey – 6'3 230lbs
TE/H-Back from Mt. Pleasant HS, PA
 
Pete is a versatile old school football player. Extremely athletic with quick feet for his size. He fits in as a player that can be an in-line tight end, or a motion H back in our offense. He is great through contact, and also has really good hands as a big man. Pete is an all-around athlete and tremendous competitor.  As we have transition to a heavier personnel-based team, he will fit perfectly into our split zone and play-action offense.
 
Chris Cacace – 6'0 200lbs
Line Backer from East Stroudsburg South HS, PA
 
The emphasis in this class was versatility, and Chris is another example of that. He is another player that truly could excel at the college level on either side of the ball. We will start with him as a linebacker in our system and see how he progresses. True football player in every sense, and someone who really adds some toughness to ANY position room he enters!
 
 
Bryce Dare – 5'10 220lbs
Running Back from Holland Patent HS, NY
 
Bryce is THE definition of a power back. He is an absolute handful to bring down in the open field. Even with that, saying he is a power back doesn't give him enough credit for his speed as well. He brings another element to a strong running back room that will have an opportunity to learn and grow under some great players. With his overwhelming power Bryce is another versatile athlete that could potentially get snaps as an H in our offense or maybe even a linebacker down the road.
 
Alex Davis – 6'2 185lbs
Safety from Mountain View HS, VA
 
Alex is a hard-hitting fumble forcing machine! He played primarily safety in HS, but is strong enough to mix it up in the box as well.  He fits in really well as one of our skilled linebackers that needs to be able to play run in the box, and man coverage in open sets as well. His tenacity and toughness fit perfectly into our defensive structure.
 
 
Dylan Devlin – 6'0 205lbs
Line Backer from Central Columbia HS, PA
 
The Central Columbia Connection continues with a HUGE central PA win. Dylan was a highly recruited linebacker with a wide-ranging skillset. He brings power through contact, but also a ton of explosiveness to be able to play sideline to sideline. He is a perfect fit in the interior of our Griffin defensive front that has been built with a premium on athleticism. We are insanely excited about how this young man can develop as the leader of the defense.
 
Collin Kintner – 6'0 195lbs
Line Backer from Vestal HS, NY
 
Did we mention the importance versatility in this class? Enter Collin Kintner. He led his hometown team in both rushing yards and sacks. He is explosive off the edge which allows him to fit into an outside linebacker roll, but also strong enough to hold down the middle of the defense and be a stout run defender. He is yet another chess piece to the defense that can be a plug and play type of player. He will be joining his cousin Zach Kintner who is a Junior offensive lineman for the Griffins.
 
Jaden Lambert – 6'0 180lbs
Corner Back from Old Mills HS, MD
 
Speed and athleticism are an absolute premium for us on the edges of the defense because of how much man coverage we play. Well, let me introduce you to just that in Jaden Lambert. The true definition of a lockdown corner. He also brings a high level of physicality and nastiness to his game which allows him to even play as that overhang safety to stop the run while matching up against quick and shifty slot receivers. Some of the best DB's in the program's history have come from the DMV and we are really excited to continue that tradition.
 
Benjamin Leparulo – 6'3 310lbs
Defensive Lineman from Henderson HS, PA
 
Ben is a physical RUN STOPPING nose guard. He does a great job of controlling the line of scrimmage with his punch and power. Our nose guards are in charge of displacing the center on every play, and he has shown the ability to do that! Ben also has a strong skill set with his foot speed and strength that would project well into the Griffin front as an offensive lineman. We see him becoming a strong player on either side of the ball.
 
 
Eric Poliquin – 6'0 200lbs
Line Backer from Bethesda-Chevy Chase HS, MD
 
Eric is a perfect and natural fit for our flex linebacker position. He is VERY physical and plays downhill. He will be a handful for opposing guards that will have to combat with Eric's unique combination of power and speed. He also possesses a high level of natural football instincts which will assist him in the quick diagnosis of plays and creating negative yardage situations for opposing offenses.
 
Tre Mason – 5'7 180lbs
Running Back from Life Christian Academy HS, VA
 
I was fortunate enough to be teammates with SHU leading rusher Antwarn Jones, and Tre reminds me a lot of him. Home run ability? Check. Lateral foot speed? Check. Physicality in short yardage situations? Check. What we love about him the most though is that he is a TOUGH football player, and has the ability to be on the field in every offensive situation.
 
Marcus Silva – 6'0 270lbs
Defensive Lineman from East Stroudsburg South HS, PA
 
Marcus is great fit up front in our defense because he lives in the backfield. We predicate our defensive front's recruitment on being able to penetrate the offensive line and change the LOS. When you watch his film, you see that consistently. We are excited to see him continue to grow into every down player, but his pass rush ability will be felt right away.
 
Devin Smith – 5'5 140lbs
Wide Receiver from Smyrna HS, DE
 
We are bringing our own Hill to the Hill! Devin is our version of Tyreek Hill. A lot of people passed on Devin because of his height, but I promise you, this young man can FLAT OUT FLY! He will provide Coach Dutton with another weapon on offense that will provide matchups issues no matter where he aligns. One on one in the slot, he will burn you underneath. One on one outside, than you better have help over the top. Let him around the edge on a jet sweep and it's over. He has big play potential every single time he touches the ball.
 
Jahiem Thomas – 6'3 230lbs
Defensive End from Cocoa HS, FL
 
Absolute game changer on the defensive side of the ball. Jahiem can do it all on defense. He has the get off to be able to rush past any tackle in front of him. He possesses the power to transition that into being a great run defender or power rusher. Perhaps most impressive is his love of the game evident through his pursuit. You won't see this dominant edge rusher from the sunshine state ever stop his relentless pursuit of the football! I would expect Jahiem to become a household name in the homes of every Griffin football fan pretty quickly. He is quite simply, different.
 
Jack Wagner – 5'8 250lbs
Kicker from Wilson HS, PA
 
Jack brings a 99 Madden rating in power to the Hill! This kid can flat out boom the ball. He will be an instant impact on special teams and will be able to neutralize the best returners on any roster. We have some film of Jack hitting some field goals from insane distances, and we are thrilled to see him put points on the board for the Griffins in the future.