Lehighsports.com

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh head football coach Andy Coen has announced the addition of 28 student-athletes to the Mountain Hawks program that comprise the Class of 2013.  The incoming group spans ten states, including California, Minnesota, Colorado and Florida, and includes every positional group, including five wide receivers, and four linebackers, offensive linemen and defensive linemen.  “We continued to move in the right direction by bringing in big, physical kids, especially along both lines,” Coen explained.  “With these last three classes we worked hard to address every position on the football field and I feel comfortable with the depth we have at every position.”
     

Following the graduation of All-American Brian Jackson, as well as Paul Bode, Jon Warren and Keith Johnson along the defensive line, the Lehigh coaching staff made it a point to re-stock that position.  “With the graduation of Brian Jackson and three other seniors, this was a major area that we wanted to address and I feel that we did with a good mix of size and athleticism.”

Also along the front-seven, Lehigh brought in four linebackers, each of which stands at least six-feet tall and weighs 210 pounds.  The Mountain Hawks return a strong group of linebackers for 2009, but must deal with the losses of two players from this group, in All-American Tim Diamond and Ben Pravata.  “The newest group of linebackers have good size to them and are all physical,” explained Coen.

On offense the Mountain Hawks graduate a very talented group of wide receivers that included the likes of Sekou Yansane, Mike Fitzgerald and Nick Johnson.  That trio accounted for 118 receptions, 1,620 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2008.  “The wide receiver position was a major need and I’m very excited about who we’re bringing in there.  We have two bigger receivers in this class, along with a pair of very talented slot receivers.”

Lehigh also brought in a pair of talented running backs that will help to offset the loss of Matt McGowan, the Mountain Hawks leading rusher a season ago.

In addition, there are five defensive backs, two quarterbacks, one tight end and a kicker in the Class of 2013.

As has been the case with each of Coen’s recruiting classes, this newest group of Mountain Hawks spans the entire country, from as far south as Florida all the way out west to California.  “Once again it was a national recruiting effort,” Coen explained.  “We are bringing in kids from nine states, including three from California.  This shows the commitment by our coaching staff to search the country for the best and brightest, both academically and athletically, to fit in at Lehigh.”

The Class of 2013 will arrive on campus just prior to the start of the 2009 fall semester and look to contribute in practice right away.  “At this point, every kid on our team has been recruited by this coaching staff.  I believe we have recruited the right type of players and we are excited about the future of the program.”

The complete list of recruits follows.

Lehigh Football Class of 2013

Zach Barket – RB; 5-9; 200; Schuylkill Haven, Pa./Schuylkill Haven; Business
2008 All State Co-Player of the Year … Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year … Old Spice Player of the Year … WNEP Dream Team Player of the Year … state record holder for single season yards and touchdowns … 2007 First Team All-State … member of the Honor Roll, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Weightlifting Club and Yearbook Club

Tom Bianchi – DL; 6-3; 235; North Caldwell, N.J./West Essex Regional; Business
First Team All-State, All-County and All-Conference … member of the Honor Roll and Art Club

Billy Boyko – LB; 6-2; 210; Northampton, Pa./Northampton; Engineering
All-Area First Team Defensive Line … Lehigh Valley Conference First Team Defensive Line … graduated with Distinguished Honors … NHRA Drag Racing … Power lifting 

Collin Bremer – DL; 6-5; 255; Clarks Summit, Pa./Abington Heights; Business
First Team All-League

Sajjad Chagani – DL; 6-2; 250; Elmont, N.Y./Sewanhaka; Arts and Sciences
All-County selection … Offensive lineman of the year … Defensive lineman of the year…captain of varsity football team

Dan Cintron – WR; 5-10; 180; Barnegat, N.J./Barnegat; Arts and Sciences
All-State Group 2 (two years) … 2nd Team All-Shore (two years) … First Team All-County (two years) … First Team All-Conference (two years) … First Team All-AC Process (two years)

Michael Colvin – QB; 6-3; 215; Morristown, N.J./Morristown; Arts and Sciences
Third Team All-State … two time Fist Team All-Conference … two time First Team All-Group 3… two time First Team All-County…six time Honor Roll Selection…Peer Leadership Program Mentor

James Flynn – WR; 6-0; 180; Canyon Country, Calif./Notre Dame; Business
Golden State Preps All-California First Team … #13 wide receiver in Western US by Scout.com … MaxPreps All-California Team … GSP All-Southern California First Team, All-CIF Southern Section (Pac 5) … Los Angeles Times All-Star Team … Los Angeles Daily News First Team All-Area … Serra League Offensive MVP … Team Offensive MVP … First Team All-League at wide receiver for two years … holds five school receiving records … All-CIF Academic Award … All Serra League Academic Award

Jerard Gordon – LB; 6-0; 210; Browns Mills, N.J./Pemberton; Engineering
First Team All- Conference … First Team All-Division … All-County Academic … Scholar athlete … member of Honor Roll, National Honor Society, and Future Business Leaders of America

Jamel Haggins – TE; 6-3; 225; Philadelphia, Pa./Ben Franklin; Engineering
Member of Honor Roll … Class Valedictorian … Speaker at 2008 Play it Smart Conference in Arlington, Texas … In High School …. Player of the Week by 6 ABC … Honorable mention linebacker … All-Eastern PA Football.com small school Team … Second Team All State linebacker for Class AA … Member of JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) … .Kappa Leadership Development League (mentor group for high school males.)

Mike Hanhauser – DB; 5-11; 190; Perry, Ohio/Perry; Business
First Team All-Ohio running back … Chagrin Valley Conference Player of the Year … AP-Lakes Region Player of the Year … Cleveland Area touchdown record of 40 in 13 games … News Herald All-star and Fisher Award Winner

Jordan Jefferson – LB; 6-3; 230; Palo Alto, Calif./Mercersburg Academy (Pa.); Business
First Team All-League MAPL … two time First Team All-League SCVAL … First Team All-Peninsula … Second Team All-Metro…Second Team CCS … Mathematics Achievement Award … New Global Citizens

Gabe Johnson – DB; 5-10; 180; Lusby, Md./Shilo Christian/Riverdale Baptist; Engineering
2008 – led varsity football team to win National Championship at NACA … 2008 Maryland Crab Bowl All-star … Riverdale Baptist Crusaders 2008 Offensive MVP… Washington Post All-League Team Selection … Washington Post Prince George’s extra, best county quarterback … NACA National Tournament Offensive MVP … NACA National Tournament All-Team Selection … 2007 Riverdale Baptist Crusader Award … NACA National Tournament Best Quarterback Award … Sky Walker Flight School Football Camp Offensive MVP … 2006 Riverdale Baptist Football Offensive MVP… member of the Honor Roll …  Graduating with Honors Diploma

Tony Kablan – RB; 5-11; 185; Roseville, Minn./Roseville; Arts and Sciences
Football and Track Captain … two time Team MVP … All-Conference Rushing Leader … KSTP-TV Athlete of the Week … Star Tribune athlete of the week …10 total varsity letters … member of Honor Roll and Captains Club

Brendan Kelly – WR; 6-1; 180; Annapolis, Md./The Hill School; Business

First-Team All-Conference wide receiver and punter … First-Team All-County punter … 2007 All-Conference Kick Returner … set the school record in the 55-meter dash, the sprint medley relay and the 4x200-meter relay … member of the Big Brother Program

Sam Loughery – LB; 6-1; 220; Glenshaw, Pa./Pittsburgh Central Catholic; Business
Three year All-Conference …Terrific 25… Fab 22 East … 2007 PIAA Quad A State Champs … member of Honor Roll and Honors German Club

Mason Mills – QB; 6-0; 190; Coronado, Calif./Coronado; Business
Second-Team All-State selection … Second-Team All CIF San Diego … First-Team All-City … two time First-Team All-League selection … 2008 Team MVP … First-Team All-County Academic Team … 2008 Team Scholar Athlete ... two time Union Tribune All-Academic Team … National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete

Bari-Boloka Nenbee – DB; 6-0; 175; Lithonia, Ga./Miller Grove High School; Electrical Engineering

Academic Player of the Year (2005-08) … member of B.E.A.U.X. – club for males seeking roles as leaders after graduation

Billy O’Brien – DB; 6-1; 185; Mt. Laurel, N.J./Bishop Eustace; Business
All-Conference … All-Parochial Defensive Back … 2008 Team Captain … 2008 TD Club Player of the Week … three year letter winner

Jacob Peery – K/P; 6-3; 170; Baltimore, Md./Archbishop Curley; Arts and Sciences
Second Honors for Junior Year … All-Conference selection … Second team all-state kicker … All MIAA … Second team All-State punter … All-City … All-metro

Marvin Pierre – WR; 6-3; 195; Lauderdale Lakes, Fla./Pinecrest; Business
Three year letter winner in football and basketball … State Basketball Champions

Devin Pullara – DB; 5-11; 190; Castle Rock, Colo./Araphoe; Engineering
All-Conference Honors in football and lacrosse … MVP of high school football team … National Honor Society … Masonic Achievement Award … Rensselaer Award of Math and Science … Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Award … Academic All-State

Thomas Ruley – OL; 6-4; 275; Baltimore, Md./Parkville; Engineering
Two time First Team All-County Offensive and Defensive Line … two time First Team All-Division Offensive and Defensive Line … two time Team Captain … three year Varsity Starter … Coach’s Award … member of the Honor Roll and National Honor Society … All State All Academic Football Team … Parkville H.S. Scholar Athlete Selection of the Year … Lock Raven Model Congress Debate Team … Volunteer Coach for Adaptive Baseball 

Ryan Spadola – WR; 6-3; 180; Howell, N.J./Freehold Township; Business
Member of the Super 100 Athletes in NJ … Top 170 in the country … Member of the All-Shore Team … School Record Holder for receptions… school record holder in all track events …state finalist in 400 meters … member of Honor Roll, National Honor Society, Peer Leadership and DECA  

Lex Utt – DL; 6-4; 265; Ijamsville, Md./Urbana; Business
Second Team All-Conference …First Team All-Area …First Team Gazette …First Team Academic All-State … Honorable Mention All-State … member of Honor Roll, National Honor Society and Latin Club

Anthony Verderame – DL; 6-4; 235; West Chester, Pa./Bayard-Rustin; Engineering
Recipient of the Maxwell Award … Second-Team All-Southeastern Pennsylvania Defensive End … member of the Honor Roll … played varsity football, basketball and lacrosse

Mike Vuono – OL; 6-3; 275; Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny; Business
All-Conference selection … Team Captain … Scholar Athlete … member of the Honor Roll … Gold Medal on National Latin Exam … Second Place in F.B.L.A. Regional Competition in Business

Ryan Weitz – OL; 6-3; 300; Palm Harbor, Fla./East Lake; Engineering
Three year varsity starter … Pinellas County All-Star … Florida North-South All-Star … All-Conference and All-County … All Sun Coast Honorable Mention … Offensive Lineman Team MVP … member of Honor Roll and National Honor Society … East Lake High School Engineering Academy Member … member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes