Bucknell Football Welcomes Members of Class of 2008
2/20/2004 7:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 20, 2004
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell head football coach Tim Landis introduced 24 members of his incoming recruiting class to a gathering of Bison fans Friday evening at Sojka Pavilion, between games of Bucknell's Patriot League basketball doubleheader.
Including a pair of transfers from St. Mary's College and a handful of walk-ons, Bucknell will have 31 new faces when preseason camp begins this August.
Among the newcomers are 13 who played high school football in the state of Pennsylvania, including six all-state selections. There are also four players from New Jersey, three from Connecticut, two from Florida, and one each from New York, Texas, Illinois, Ohio and Ontario.
"My staff and I are extremely excited about this year's recruiting class," said Landis. "To me, one of the biggest highlights is that we did very well in our own back yard. We were able to bring in 13 young men from our own state of Pennsylvania, including six who earned all-state honors."
The biographies on the members of the Class of 2008 include a long laundry list of all-conference, all-state and all-academic accolades. Of the incoming student-athletes, Landis and his staff project 18 to play on the offensive side of the ball, including six running backs, five linemen and five quarterbacks. The average offensive lineman is 6'2" and weighs 273 pounds.
Of the 12 projected defensive players, seven are linebackers, four are linemen and one plays in the secondary. A walk-on punter will also join the squad.
"I really feel that we were able to fulfill many of our needs, particularly at quarterback and defensive line," said Landis. "While we feel very good about our three returning quarterbacks, they will all be seniors next season. We are very excited to be bringing in our top three quarterback prospects.
"Defensive line is an area that needed immediate help because of depth concerns," Landis said. "The addition of four players who we feel can step right in and compete for playing time will impact our defense right away. Last year's class centered around offensive linemen, and we were able to build on that with some exciting prospects there as well."
BUCKNELL FOOTBALL 2004 NEWCOMERSName Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School Ryan Ahern QB 6-0 185 Palos Heights, Ill./St. Laurence Matt Catalano QB/DB 5-11 178 Plano, Texas/Trinity Christian Academy Stephen Collage DB 6-1 192 McKeesport, Pa./Elizabeth Forward Greg Conti OL 6-1 265 Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland Bryan Czop LB 6-1 205 Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks East Kenny Davis (So.) RB 5-11 210 Fremont, Calif./Washington/St. Mary's College Roosevelt Davis RB 5-9 175 College Park, Md./Milton Hershey (Pa.) Matt DeMartino (So.) P 6-1 190 McLean, Va./Langley Josh DeStefano RB 6-0 205 Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle Corin Erby RB 5-9 200 Long Island City, N.Y./Salisbury School (Conn.) Brandon Friday DL 5-11 235 Cinnaminson, N.J./St. Joseph's Prep (Pa.) Chad Glasser OL 6-2 265 Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park Jonathan Grainger DL 6-4 260 Pittsburgh, Pa./Carrick Andrew Guadagno DB 6-0 205 Short Hills, N.J./Millburn Tyler Hoffman (So.) LB 6-2 220 Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg Area/St. Mary's College Josh Kaehler (So.) QB 6-2 210 Hanover, Pa./Southwestern Craig Kostelic LB 6-0 220 Aliquippa, Pa./Center Doug Mackenzie LB 6-1 190 Stone Ridge, N.Y./Rondout Valley Brian Manning OL 6-3 290 Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville Area Nick Mozal TE/DE 6-1 230 Exeter, Pa./Wyoming Area Mark Oppong DL 6-4 295 Mississauga, Ontario/Meadowvale Secondary Cameron O'Reilly RB 5-10 179 Bexley, Ohio/Bexley Collin Purcell OL 6-0 240 Perkasie, Pa./Pennridge Stephen Rivera OL 6-2 275 Orlando, Fla./Colonial Peter Salvatore LB 5-11 210 Greenwich, Conn./Greenwich Ryan Slater LB 6-0 210 Elysburg, Pa./Southern Columbia Greg Sutton RB 5-10 175 New Haven, Conn./Hamden John Thomson QB/DB 6-1 190 Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips Ryan Walsh DL 6-2 235 Turnersville, N.J./Washington Township Terrance Wilson QB 6-1 175 Trenton, N.J./Hamilton West Jeffrey Wolf TE/DE 6-5 250 Haddonfield, N.J./Haddonfield Memorial
Ryan Ahern QB 6-0 185 Palos Heights, Ill./St. Laurence
Full name is Ryan Matthew Ahern ... born June 2, 1986 in Oaklawn, Ill. ... parents are Mike and Therese Ahern ... youngest of four children (older brother Kevin and sisters Katie and Jenny) ... three-sport athlete at St. Laurence H.S. in Burbank, Ill. ... earned three varsity letters in football and two each in baseball and track ... captained football squad and was team MVP as a junior and senior ... 2003 Chicago Catholic League MVP ... First Team All-Chicago ... two-time Chicago Tribune Athlete of the Week ... Prep Sports TV First-Team Chicago ... rushed for 206 yards in a game ... also captained the baseball squad.
Matt Catalano QB/DB 5-11 178 Plano, Texas/Trinity Christian Academy
First Team Central Texas quarterback in 2003 after earning the same honors as a defensive back in 2002 ... first team all-state DB and first team all-district quarterback in 2002 ... honorable mention all-state QB in 2003 ... two-year captain ... team MVP as a junior and senior ... selected to play in DFA All-Star Game ... also participated in soccer and track and field.
Stephen Collage DB 6-1 192 McKeesport, Pa./Elizabeth Forward
Full name is Stephen Patrick Collage ... born Aug. 12, 1985 in Pittsburgh ... son of Dick and Jean Collage ... father played football at Louisville ... has older brother Jeffrey, younger brother Richard and younger sister Rachel ... played for coach Anthony Ruscitto at Elizabeth Forward H.S. in Elizabeth, Pa. ... First Team All-Big 7 defensive back as a junior and senior ... McKeesport Daily News all-star ... elected team captain ... played in Foothills Classic all-star game ... also lettered twice in basketball.
Greg Conti OL 6-1 265 Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland
Full name is Gregory Daniel Conti ... born Nov. 17, 1985 in Pittsburgh ... son of Anthony and Joy Conti ... has brothers Andrew and Michael ... played for coach Clair Altemus at Pine-Richland H.S. in Gibsonia, Pa. ... Associated Press First Team All-State selection ... also named to all-state team by Football News ... First Team All-WPIAL ... all-conference pick on both offense and defense ... Pittsburgh Post-Gazette all-star ... team captain ... led team to WPIAL title and berth in state championship game ...three-time team MVP in wrestling ... won section championship as a junior ... WPIAL qualifier ... also captained wrestling squad.
Bryan Czop LB 6-1 205 Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks East
Born Dec. 1, 1985 ... son of Stanley and JoAnne Czop ... earned three varsity letters for coach Larry Greene at Central Bucks East H.S. in Doylestown, Pa. ... First Team All-Suburban League linebacker in both 2002 and 2003 ... The Intelligencer First Team All-Star in 2002 and 2003 ... Philadelphia Inquirer Second Team All-Southeastern PA as a senior ... team MVP as a senior and two-time team defensive MVP ... twice led team in tackles ... also played fullback.
Kenny Davis (So.) RB 5-11 210 Fremont, Calif./Washington/St. Mary's College Full name is Kenneth Davis ... 2002 graduate of Washington H.S. in Fremont, Calif. ... rushed for 741 yards and 10 touchdowns in nine games as a senior in high school ... First Team All-Metro Valley Athletic League as a senior ... attended St. Mary's College in Moraga, Calif ... redshirted in 2002 ... last season played in seven games and rushed for 89 yards on 18 carries.
Roosevelt Davis RB 5-9 175 College Park, Md./Milton Hershey (Pa.)
Full name is Roosevelt M. Davis ... born Oct. 21, 1985 in Brooklyn, N.Y. ... son of Roosevelt Davis Sr. ... one of six children ... has sisters Rose and Cheryl and brothers Prince, Rodney and Thaddeus ... cousin of former Bucknell track and field athlete Micah Wright ... lettered four times in track and field and three times in football at Milton Hershey Senior H.S. in Hershey, Pa. ... two-time all-conference running back selection in football under coach Bob Guyer ... conference champion in 100 and 200 meters.
Matt DeMartino (So.) P 6-1 190 McLean, Va./Langley Full name is Matthew Donald DeMartino ... born Apr. 4, 1985 in Washington, D.C. ... son of Ralph and Tamara DeMartino, both 1976 Bucknell graduates ... has sister Kira and brother Andy ... brother wrestled at the University of Virginia.
Josh DeStefano RB 6-0 205 Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle
Born Apr. 12, 1986 in Camp Hill, Pa. ... parents are Ralph and Karen DeStefano ... has one sister, Deanna ... lettered three times in football, twice in basketball and twice in baseball ... rushed for 900 yards and 12 touchdowns last season for coach Tom Irwin ... honorable mention all-state ... also made 75 solo tackles ... Altoona Mirror first team all-star linebacker as junior and senior ... team captain ... two-time Inter-County All-Conference running back.
Corin Erby RB 5-9 200 Long Island City, N.Y./Salisbury School (Conn.)
Born July 16, 1985 in the Bronx, N.Y. ... son of Bonnie Smith ... has a brother, Marc ... graduated in 2003 from Christ The King H.S. in New York and in 2004 from Salisbury School in Salisbury, Conn. ... All-New England running back while playing for coach Bobby Wynne at Salisbury ... team's offensive MVP ... CHSAA and Eastern State Games 55-meter champion.
Brandon Friday DL 5-11 235 Cinnaminson, N.J./St. Joseph's Prep (Pa.)
Born Sept. 8, 1985 ... parents are Don and Nancy Friday ... 2004 graduate of St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia ... voted First Team All-Philadelphia Catholic League (Red Division) at defensive tackle in 2003 ... also a second-team choice in 2002 ... named team's defensive MVP as a senior ... honorable mention all-state selection ... played for coach Gil Brooks.
Chad Glasser OL 6-2 265 Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park
Full name is Chad Albert Glasser ... born May 13, 1986 in Lebanon, Pa. ... son of Thomas and Peggy Glasser ... has older brother Lee, younger brother Aaron and younger sister April ... first-team all-conference selection ... team captain ... helped lead team to second round of 2003 state playoffs ... named to all-academic team ... played for coach Jeff Metheny.
Jonathan Grainger DL 6-4 260 Pittsburgh, Pa./Carrick
Full name is Jonathan James Grainger ... born Aug. 22, 1986 in Pittsburgh ... parents are Doug and Nancy Grainger ... has older brother, Brandon ... lettered four times in football and twice each in track and field and wrestling ... in football, earned the Cass Blair Award as team MVP ... honorable mention all-state ... City League's defensive player of the year ... named team's outstanding lifter ... named freshman of the year in 2000 ... All-City offensive and defensive lineman in 2003 ... All-City offensive lineman in 2002.
Andrew Guadagno DB 6-0 205 Short Hills, N.J./Millburn
Born May 11, 1986 in Summit, N.J. ... son of Michael and Claire Guadagno ... has brother Matthew and sister Maureen ... earned four varsity letters in football and two each in basketball and track and field at Millburn H.S. ... team captain on gridiron for coach Carmen Guarino ... all-conference, all-county and all-area selection ... Essex County Scholar-Athlete ... team captain and all-conference pick in basketball ... also earned all-conference honors in track.
Tyler Hoffman (So.) LB 6-2 220 Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg Area/St. Mary's College Full name is Tyler Daniel Hoffman ... so of Dan and Marcia Hoffman ... has brother Noah and sister Paige ... born Sept. 21, 1984 in Lewisburg ... 2003 graduate of Lewisburg Area H.S. ... lettered in football, track and field, tennis and basketball ... voted football team captain as a senior under head coach Ira Keeperman ... district champion in shot put, 100m dash and 4x100m relay ... attended St. Mary's College in Moraga, Calif., last year and redshirted.
Craig Kostelic LB 6-0 220 Aliquippa, Pa./Center
Full name is Craig Charles Kostelic ... born Sept. 26, 1985 in Sewickley, Pa. ... son of Chuck and Paulette Kostelic ... has older sister, Carla ... lettered four times in football, twice in basketball and once in track and field at Center H.S. in Monaca, Pa. ... all-conference linebacker in 2002 and 2003 ... Beaver County Times Scholar-Athlete in 2002 and 2003 ... also played fullback ... played for coach Larry Taddeo.
Doug Mackenzie LB 6-1 190 Stone Ridge, N.Y./Rondout Valley
Born Sept. 7, 1985 in Suffern, N.Y. ... lettered three times in football and three times in baseball at Rondout Valley H.S. in Accord, N.Y. ... team captain in both sports ... earned Mickey Million Leadership Award ... All-New York State Scholar-Athlete ... in baseball was an all-league catcher ... has brothers, Scott and Jae, and sister, Heather.
Brian Manning OL 6-3 290 Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville Area
Born March 30, 1986 in Reading, Pa. ... parents are George Manning and Gail Wilder ... has older brother Matt and younger sister Alexis ... lettered three times in football and twice in track and field at Pottsville Area H.S. ... honorable mention all-state ... twice named to All-Anthracite First Team as an offensive lineman ... team captain under coach Kevin Keating ... placed eighth in District II in shot put.
Nick Mozal TE/DE 6-1 230 Exeter, Pa./Wyoming Area Born July 23, 1986 in Kingston, Pa. ... son of Nick and Deborah Mozal ... has younger sister Marlena ... 2004 graduate of Wyoming Area H.S. ... lettered three times in football and twice in basketball ... all-conference defensive lineman ... first team WYLN defensive lineman ... led team to district title ... played for head coach Pail Marranca, a Bucknell graduate ... team captain in basketball.
Mark Oppong DL 6-4 295 Mississauga, Ontario/Meadowvale Secondary
Born Nov. 5, 1984 in Ontario ... son of Alex and Doris Oppong ... has older brothers Eddie and Dennis ... 2003 graduate of Meadowvale Secondary School in Mississauga, Ontario ... lettered three times in football and once in basketball ... three-time regional all-star as a defensive tackle ... Toronto All-Star and Greater Toronto Area Top 50 Player ... played for coach Ed Gatavakis.
Cameron O'Reilly RB 5-10 179 Bexley, Ohio/Bexley
Born Aug. 1, 1985 in Columbus, Ohio ... parents are Mike and Diana O'Reilly ... older brothers Colin (Hawaii) and Chad (Miami, Ohio) played college football ... lettered four times in track and field and three times in football at Bexley H.S. ... captained both sports ... all-district selection on the gridiron for coach Steve Podlasiak ... district champion in 100-meter hurdles ... league champion in 110 and 300-meter hurdles.
Stephen Rivera OL 6-2 275 Orlando, Fla./Colonial
Born Aug. 6, 1986 in Orlando ... son of Cynthia Rivera ... second of five children ... has older brother, Larry, and younger sisters, Stephanie, Nicole and Noelle ... earned four letters each in football and wrestling and one each in track and field and weightlifting ... football team captain and MVP under coach Ed Koschewa ... participated in football all-star game ... two time wrestling team MVP ... Metro runner-up as a junior ... led league in takedowns and pins ... placed third in district as a sophomore.
Peter Salvatore LB 5-11 210 Greenwich, Conn./Greenwich
Born Apr. 2, 1986 in White Plains, N.Y. ... son of Tom and Leslie Salvatore ... brother Daniel played football at Colgate and brother Mike plays at Amherst ... lettered three times each in football and baseball at Greenwich H.S. ... captained both sports ... First Team All-FCIAC linebacker ... First Team All-State linebacker ... cited as first team all-star by Hartford Courant and Connecticut Post ... played football for coach Rich Albonizio.
Ryan Slater LB 6-0 210 Elysburg, Pa./Southern Columbia
Born Aug. 18, 1985 in Orangeburg, S.C. ... son of Lawrence and Kathryn Slater ... has brother, Nick ... lettered three times in football, once in basketball and once in track and field at nearby Southern Columbia H.S. ... team captain in football under coach Jim Roth ... first team all-state linebacker ... Pennsylvania Football News Defensive Player of the Year ... CSC Linebacker of the Year ... made 112 tackles in 2003 ... All-Anthracite Defensive Player of the Year.
Greg Sutton RB 5-10 175 New Haven, Conn./Hamden
Born Feb. 19, 1986 in New Haven, Conn. ... parents are Greg and Cynthia Sutton ... has younger brother, Greshawn ... uncle, Lamont Sutton, played football at New Haven ... cousin, Carl Bond, played football at Connecticut ... earned four letters in football and two in basketball at Hamden H.S. ... All-SCC Quinnipiac First Team running back in 2002 and 2003 ... All-Fairchester League running back in 2000 and 2001 ... played for coach Paul Catino.
John Thomson QB/DB 6-1 190 Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips
Full name is John Netane Thomson ... born Aug. 14, 1986 ... son of James and Nia Thomson ... has two older brothers, James and Joseph, and a younger brother Adam ... lettered three times in football and once in track and field at Dr. Phillips H.S., the alma mater of former Bucknell star Jabu Powell ... served as team captain in football for coach Dave Langdon ... led team in rushing in 2003 and set school records for completions in a game and longest pass ... selected to play in Senior Bowl.
Ryan Walsh DL 6-2 235 Turnersville, N.J./Washington Township
Full name is Ryan Matthew Walsh ... born Apr. 24, 1986 in Washington Township, N.J. ... son of Brian and Beth Walsh ... has sister, Lindsay, and brothers, Shane and Colin ... uncle, Kevin Walsh, played football at Marshall ... lettered three times each in football and wrestling at Washington Township H.S. in Sewell, N.J. ... on gridiron was a first team all-state and All-South Jersey selection in 2003 ... two-time all-conference and All-Group IV selection ... Brooks-Irvine Scholar ... Touchdown Club of South Jersey Defensive Lineman of the Year ... Maxwell Football Club Award recipient ... named team captain and team's most dedicated player ... twice listed in Who's Who in Sports ... team won Olympic American Conference titles and was Group IV finalists in 2002 and 2003 ... played for coach Tom Brown.
Terrance Wilson QB 6-1 175 Trenton, N.J./Hamilton West
Born Apr. 11, 1986 in Trenton, N.J. ... parents are Todd and Diana Wilson ... has younger brother, Tyrell ... father played basketball at Delaware State ... lettered three times in basketball and twice each in football and track and field at Hamilton West H.S. in Trenton ... Trenton Times and Trentonian Player of the Year in 2003 ... all-area selection ... team captain and MVP under coach Tom Hoglen ... 2003 All-South Jersey selection.
Jeffrey Wolf TE/DE 6-5 250 Haddonfield, N.J./Haddonfield Memorial Full name is Jeffrey Michael Wolf ... born July 1, 1985 in Strafford, N.J. ... son of George and Jo-Ann Wolf ... has sister Jessica and brother Jonathan ... lettered four times in football and three times in basketball ... missed most of senior season with an injury ... still served as team captain in both sports ... as a junior was an all-conference tight end under coach Frank DeLano.