Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Football Welcomes 32 Members of Class of 2009
2/16/2005 7:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 16, 2005
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell head football coach Tim Landis announced Wednesday the addition of 32 student-athletes who will compete for the Bison this fall. The members of the Class of 2009 will look to help Bucknell continue its ascent in the Patriot League. In two years under Landis the Bison have finished 6-6 and 7-4 with a pair of third-place finishes.
Highlighting the class are 16 recruits who played high school football in the state of Pennsylvania, including local products Zach Allen of Catawissa (Southern Columbia) and Trey Savitski of Kulpmont (Mount Carmel). There are also eight players from the talent-rich Pittsburgh area, along with athletes from Massachusetts, Ohio, Maryland, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Virginia, Georgia and Florida.
"I think our coaching staff did an excellent job in-state," said Landis. "Each coach has a specific area of Pennsylvania to cover, so to be able to get 16 players from your own back yard is a credit to our entire staff. In particular, I think Tim Camp did a great job in the Pittsburgh area. We can build a good nucleus with the Pennsylvania players, but we will always continue to go out of state as well, with the hope that we can capitalize on the strong reputation of Bucknell University. If you look at this year's recruits, there are athletes coming in from Massachusetts to Florida."
There are also three members of the Class of 2009 who are younger brothers of Bison football players, including two who are still members of the squad. Thaddeus Davis is the younger sibling of sophomore-to-be Roosevelt Davis. Ben Watts' older brother, Stephen, is a returning starter on the offensive line, while Chris Wancowicz's older brother, Jason, is a 1999 Bucknell graduate who was a two-time All-Patriot League offensive lineman.
Of the 32 members of the incoming class, 15 are projected to play on the offensive side of the ball, including four running backs, three linemen, three wide receivers, two tight ends and two quarterbacks. There are also 15 defensive players - seven linebackers, five defensive backs and three linemen - and three kickers/punters.
"One major goal that I think we accomplished with this class was strong balance at all positions," said Landis. "Coming in we felt we had a shortage of depth in the defensive secondary, and we addressed that with some promising talent. We were much more balanced in our approach and I think that yielded a very good class. There are some guys in there that will fight for starting positions."
Bucknell's returning players begin spring practice on Saturday, April 2, with the annual spring intrasquad game scheduled for Saturday, April 30 at 3 p.m. at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
BUCKNELL FOOTBALL 2005 RECRUITING CLASS
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School Zach Allen WR 6-3 175 Catawissa, Pa./Southern Columbia Nolan Applegate DB 5-9 175 Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury Phil Azarik P/K 6-3 210 Hatfield, Pa./Germantown Academy Harrison Baker RB 5-9 170 Riverdale, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt Chris Barr DB 5-11 170 Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon Ben Bouffard QB 6-2 195 Newport, Vt./North Country Union Will Carney K 5-10 165 Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional Stephen Cooney OL 6-0 290 Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny Thaddeus Davis LB 5-10 175 College Park, Md./Milton Hershey (Pa.) Stephen Edwards DL 6-6 260 Falmouth, Mass./Taft School (Conn.) Shane Hankinson DL 6-5 240 New Baltimore, Pa./Berlin Brothersvalley Jay Harper DB 5-9 175 Maple Heights, Ohio/Maple Heights Chris Hayes RB 6-0 195 Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk Julius Hopson LB 5-11 185 Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic Steve Hyland WR 6-2 195 Islip, N.Y./Choate (Conn.) Devon Lutz DB 5-10 175 Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin East Todd Manjuck DB 6-2 205 Durham, Conn./Coginchaug Regional Bill Massaro WR 6-3 175 Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland Kevin Mullen LB 5-10 210 Export, Pa./Penn-Trafford Alex Odenbach WR/P/K 6-0 170 Webster, N.Y./McQuaid Jesuit Brian Peters DL 6-2 230 Broomall, Pa./Marple Newtown Taylor Ray RB 6-1 185 Melbourne, Fla./Holy Trinity Episcopal Todd Rinaldo LB 6-0 230 Spring Lake Heights, N.J./Hun School Trey Savitski LB 6-2 190 Kulpmont, Pa./Mount Carmel James Streapy LB 6-1 190 Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown Corey Teitz OL 6-2 285 Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton-LaSalle Chris Wancowicz OL 6-4 285 Baltimore, Md./Perry Hall Kadero Watson RB 5-10 170 Richmond, Va./Monacan Ben Watts TE 6-1 225 LaGrange, Ga./Troup Rich Weiland TE 6-2 225 Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel Sam Williams LB 6-4 240 Orlando, Fla./Maynard Evans Mahdi Woodard QB 6-1 185 East Point, Ga./Westlake
Zach Allen WR 6-3 175 Catawissa, Pa./Southern Columbia
Full name is Zachary Kye Allen ... born Dec. 19, 1986 in New London, Conn. ... parents are Andrew and Diane Secor ... has a younger brother, Wiley ... competed in football, track and basketball at Southern Columbia H.S. ... CSC Wide Receiver of the Year in 2004 ... All-Anthracite WR ... named District 4 First Team All-Star ... Pennsylvania Football News Third Team All-Star ... as a senior had 19 catches for 429 yards and four TDs ... helped lead team to three straight state championships under coach Jim Roth ... reunited with former Southern Columbia teammate Ryan Slater at Bucknell.
Nolan Applegate DB 5-9 175 Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury
Full name is Nolan William Applegate ... born Feb. 14, 1986 in Willingboro, N.J. ... son of Richard and Joyce Applegate ... has an older brother, Ryan, and a younger brother, Richard ... father played football at Kutztown and uncles played at Boston University and East Stroudsburg ... played football and baseball at Pennsbury H.S. ... three-time Trentonian all-star ... Courier Times First Team Golden Team cornerback ... First Team All-Suburban One ... team co-captain ... named team MVP as a senior.
Phil Azarik P/K 6-3 210 Hatfield, Pa./Germantown Academy
Full name is Phillip A. Azarik ... born Nov. 21, 1986 in Sellersville, Pa. ... son of Robert and Barbara Azarik ... has an older brother, Stephen, who played soccer at Franklin & Marshall ... competed in football, baseball and golf at Germantown Academy in Fort Washington, Pa. ... four-year starter on the gridiron ... First Team All-City (K), First Team All-Inter-Academic League (P/K) and Second Team All-Southeast Pennsylvania (K) ... converted all 17 PAT attempts as a senior ... also averaged 43 yards per punt ... played for head coach Mike Turner.
Harrison Baker RB 5-9 170 Riverdale, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt
Full name is Harrison Alexander Baker Jr. ... born Apr. 6, 1987 in Riverdale, Md. ... son of Harrison and Pamela Baker ... has a sister, Zakian ... three-year letterman at Eleanor Roosevelt H.S. ... team captain as a senior under coach Rick Houchens ... played in Prince George's County All-Star Game ... second-team all-county defensive back.
Chris Barr DB 5-11 170 Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon
Born Oct. 7, 1986 in Pittsburgh ... son of Rob and Mardi Barr ... has an older sister, Katie, and younger brothers Tim and Michael ... played both football and lacrosse at Mt. Lebanon H.S. ... two-time all-conference selection in football ... played for coach Chris Haering ... elected team captain in both football and lacrosse.
Ben Bouffard QB 6-2 195 Newport, Vt./North Country Union
Born Dec. 9, 1986 in Newport, Vt ... son of David and Beth Bouffard ... has an older sister, Melissa, and a younger brother, Tom ... played both football and basketball at North Country Union H.S. ... quarterbacked the football team and was named the Vermont Gatorade Player of the Year in 2004 ... Varsity Magazine Vermont Player of the Year ... first-team all-state QB ... two-year team captain under head coach Bob Davis.
Will Carney K 5-10 165 Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional
Full name is William George Carney ... born May 23, 1987 ... son of Van and Kathleen Carney ... has two siblings, Eric and Stephanie ... earned First Team All-South Jersey, All-Group 4 and All-Olympic Conference honors in 2004 ... Second Team All-Group 4 and All-Olympic Conference in 2003 ... voted top kicker at Ray Guy's Delaware Camp ... as a senior made 33 of 36 kicks, with a long field goal of 47 yards ... played for coach Dan Spittal.
Stephen Cooney OL 6-0 290 Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny
Born Oct. 7, 1986 in Pittsburgh ... son of Esther Pellegrini ... has two older siblings, Sean and Jackie ... second team all-state lineman at West Allegheny H.S. ... first-team all-conference pick ... Parkway first team all-star OL/DL ... Pennsylvania Football News third team selection ... elected team captain as a senior ... played for head coach Bob Palko.
Thaddeus Davis LB 5-10 175 College Park, Md./Milton Hershey (Pa.)
Full name is Thaddeus Aaron Davis ... born March 3, 1987 in Newark, N.J. ... son of Roosevelt and Loretta Davis ... brother, Roosevelt, is a Bucknell running back and will be a sophomore in 2005 ... has two other brothers, Rodney and Prince, and two sisters, Cheryl and Rose ... Rodney played football at Mansfield ... lettered in both football and track and field at Milton Hershey School in Hershey, Pa. ... first team all-conference in 2004 ... elected team captain ... played for coach Bob Guyer.
Stephen Edwards DL 6-6 260 Falmouth, Mass./Taft School (Conn.)
Full name is Stephen John Edwards ... born Aug. 9, 1985 in Albuquerque, N.M. ... son of John and Jean Edwards ... has three siblings, Michael, Blake and Katie ... attended Falmouth H.S. before completing a post-graduate year at Taft School in Watertown, Conn. ... in 2004 was named to the Founders League and Erickson League all-star teams as an offensive lineman ... also an All-New England pick ... at Falmouth in 2003 earned the Timothy C. Fuller Award for Dedication and the team's Most Improved Player Award ... played for Dana Almeda at Falmouth and Dave Bonner at Taft.
Shane Hankinson DL 6-5 240 New Baltimore, Pa./Berlin Brothersvalley
Full name is Shane Christopher Hankinson ... born Sept. 12, 1986 in Johnstown, Pa. ... son of Ron and Patricia Hankinson ... has a sister, Lindsay, and a brother, Brett ... earned three letters in football at Berlin Brothersvalley H.S. under head coach Doug Paul ... named team captain ... Associated Press first team all-state defensive tackle ... 2004 Southern Alleghenies Football Coaches Association MVP ... all-conference selection ... Somerset County defensive MVP ... Pennsylvania Football News honorable mention defensive lineman.
Jay Harper DB 5-9 175 Maple Heights, Ohio/Maple Heights
Born Apr. 19, 1987 in Cleveland, Ohio ... son of Jay and Cathy Harper ... has two brothers, Brandon and Kyle ... father played football at Baldwin Wallace and uncle, Larry Harper, played for Miami (Ohio) ... lettered in football and track and field at Maple Heights H.S. ... all-league selection on the gridiron ... voted team's most improved player ... played for head coach Jeff Rotsky ... earned Lake Erie Scholar-Athlete Award for both football and track ... captained track team.
Chris Hayes RB 6-0 195 Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk
Born July 6, 1987 in Beaver Falls, Pa. ... son of Greg Walls and Crystal Hayes ... has three younger siblings, Kristina, Gabriella and Ian ... father played at Wagner ... lettered in both track and football at Blackhawk H.S. ... named team captain under coach Joe Hamilton ... selected to participate for West Team in East-West All-Star Game ... First Team All-Parkway at defensive back and honorable mention at fullback ... Tribune Review All-Star DB ... named team MVP.
Julius Hopson LB 5-11 185 Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic
Full name is Julius Hopson III ... born Apr. 13, 1987 in Pittsburgh ... son of Julius and Michelle Hopson ... has three siblings, Maurice Johnson, Jared Palmer and Marquise Hopson ... father played football at Hampton ... lettered in football and track at Pittsburgh Central Catholic H.S. ... second team all-conference selection ... Quad A honorable mention pick as a junior ... earned Frank Emanual Scholar-Athlete Award ... played for head coach Art Walker.
Steve Hyland WR 6-2 195 Islip, N.Y./Choate (Conn.)
Full name is Steven Joseph Hyland ... born Jan. 8, 1986 in Bayshore, N.Y. ... parents are Steven and Karen Hyland ... has four siblings - Jeff, Jacquie, Katie and Lauren ... father wrestled at SUNY Brockport ... 2004 graduate of Islip H.S., then attended Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Conn. ... lettered four times in wrestling and three times in football at Islip ... 2003 all-conference wide receiver ... named MVP of Long Island championship game ... played under coach Tony Montone at Choate ... also an all-conference wrestler.
Devon Lutz DB 5-10 175 Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin East
Full name is Devon Manes Lutz ... born Nov. 23, 1986 in Harrisburg, Pa. ... parents are Dave and Sue Lutz ... has one sister, Deanna ... competed in both football and track and field at Central Dauphin East H.S. ... named to East squad for 2005 East-West All-Star Classic ... First Team All-Mid-Penn Conference in 2004 ... named team's defensive back of the year as a senior ... voted team captain ... third team all-state in 2003 ... played for head coach Gerry Yonchiuk.
Todd Manjuck DB 6-2 205 Durham, Conn./Coginchaug Regional
Born July 14, 1987 in Middletown, Conn. ... son of Edward and Margaret Manjuck ... has one brother, Kyle ... starred in football, baseball and track and field at Coginchaug Regional H.S. ... All-Nutmeg Conference safety in 2004 ... two-time team captain ... team's defensive player of the year as a senior ... earned Coaches Award in track in 2004 ... played football under coach Bob McNamara.
Bill Massaro WR 6-3 175 Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland
Full name is William Frank Massaro ... born May 16, 1986 in Pittsburgh, Pa. ... son of Frank and Linda Massaro ... has an older brother, David ... father played football at Carnegie Mellon ... played football and basketball at Pine-Richland H.S. ... First Team All-East Allegheny Conference ... Tribune Review AAA All-Star ... Post-Gazette North Fab 22 member ... NAFCA All-Star ... caught 45 passes for 950 yards as a senior ... had 75 catches for 1,380 yards and 13 TDs in his career ... played under head coach Clair Altemus ... attended same high school as current Bison offensive lineman Greg Conti ... elected team captain in basketball.
Kevin Mullen LB 5-10 210 Export, Pa./Penn-Trafford
Born July 15, 1986 in Pittsburgh, Pa. ... parents are James and Kathleen Mullen ... has older siblings Ryan and Kristen ... father played football at Juniata ... earned letters in football, baseball and track and field at Penn-Trafford H.S. in Harrison City, Pa. ... team captain and MVP in football ... first team all-county ... team MVP in baseball ... named best all-around athlete in 2005 ... played football for coach Art Tregesser.
Alex Odenbach WR/P/K 6-0 170 Webster, N.Y./McQuaid Jesuit
Full name is Alex Bolton Odenbach ... born Jan. 14, 1987 in Rochester, N.Y. ... parents are John and Julie Odenbach ... has two brothers, Jack and Kurt ... Kurt plays soccer at Ithaca College ... has numerous cousins in college athletics, including football players at Harvard, Dartmouth and Colgate ... played football, basketball and baseball at McQuaid Jesuit H.S. in Rochester ... football team captain ... three-time Rochester All-City Catholic wide receiver ... twice named All-Greater Rochester at WR ... as a senior had 33 catches for 492 yards and eight TDs, made 25 of 27 PAT attempts and 5 of 7 field goal attempts, including makes of 44 and 53 yards ... also named Rochester All-City Catholic in baseball as a junior ... played football under coach Bill Scharr.
Brian Peters DL 6-2 230 Broomall, Pa./Marple Newtown
Born Jan. 1, 1987 ... son of Alfred and Audrey Peters ... has a sister, Katie ... two-time captain and three-year starting defensive end at Marple Newtown H.S. in Newtown Square, Pa. ... second team all-state selection as a defensive lineman ... First Team All-Delaware County at DE ... First Team All-Central League at both offensive and defensive line in 2004 ... First Team All-News of Delaware County ... team MVP as a senior ... named outstanding offensive lineman as a junior ... played under coach Ray Gionta.
Taylor Ray RB 6-1 185 Melbourne, Fla./Holy Trinity Episcopal
Full name is Michael Taylor Ray ... born Dec. 27, 1987 in Pensacola, Fla. ... son of Jon and Jeana Ray ... has a younger sister, Anna ... father played football at Memphis and grandfather played at Ole Miss ... four-sport athlete at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy ... earned four letters in football and also competed in baseball, basketball and track and field ... team captain in football under head coach John Thomas ... helped lead football team to district titles in 2003 and 2004 ... basketball team MVP.
Todd Rinaldo LB 6-0 230 Spring Lake Heights, N.J./Hun School
Full name is Todd Anthony Rinaldo ... born June 4, 1986 in Edison, N.J. ... son of Matthew and Sherri Rinaldo ... has two siblings, Richard and Christina ... 2004 graduate of Manasquan H.S., followed by a post-graduate year at The Hun School in Princeton, N.J., the alma mater of Bison head coach Tim Landis ... competed in football, wrestling and lacrosse ... first-team all-state pick in 2004 ... Newark Star Ledger and Trenton Times first-team all-star ... First-Team All-Monmouth County in 2003 ... won state wrestling championship in heavyweight division in 2004 ... played football under coach Dave Dudeck.
Trey Savitski LB 6-2 190 Kulpmont, Pa./Mount Carmel
Full name is Anthony Thomas Savitski ... born Apr. 28, 1986 in Ashland, Pa. ... has one sister, Lindsey ... competed in football, basketball and track and field at nearby Mount Carmel Area H.S. ... 2004 football team captain under coach Mike Brennan ... Associated Press all-state linebacker ... All-Anthracite First Team linebacker ... second team all-district selection at both linebacker and fullback ... Press Enterprise first team all-star at LB ... will be reunited at Bucknell with former Mount Carmel teammate Stephen Matzura.
James Streapy LB 6-1 190 Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown
Born March 18, 1987 in Allentown, Pa. ... son of David and Lori Streapy ... has two sisters, Kaitlin and Karly ... competed in football and track and field at Quakertown H.S. ... First Team All-Suburban One (Continental Conference) linebacker ... recipient of Maxwell Football Club's "Mini Max" Award ... Morning Call and Intelligencer all-star selections ... recipient of Quakertown's Wendy's Heisman ... AAAA honorable mention all-state in 2004 ... Pennsylvania Football News All-Academic Team ... played under coach John Donnelly.
Corey Teitz OL 6-2 285 Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton-LaSalle
Full name is Corey Patrick Teitz ... born Feb. 19, 1987 in Pittsburgh, Pa. ... son of William and Leslie Teitz ... has an older brother, Zachary ... competed in football and basketball at Seton-LaSalle H.S. ... first team all-conference pick at both offensive and defensive line as a senior, and was a second team pick as a junior ... Gatorade Defensive Lineman of the Year ... team captain under coach Lou Cerro ... 2004 Almanac All-Star.
Chris Wancowicz OL 6-4 285 Baltimore, Md./Perry Hall
Full name is Christopher John Wancowicz ... born June 5, 1987 in Baltimore, Md. ... son of Thomas and Janet Wancowicz ... has two brothers, Jason and Alex ... Jason is a 1999 Bucknell graduate, was a two-time All-Patriot League offensive lineman and earned the 1998 John Campana Award as the Bison's top OL ... Alex played football at Dickinson ... participated in football and track and field at Perry Hall H.S. ... First Team All-Baltimore County ... county scholar-athlete ... played for head coach Nick Arminio.
Kadero Watson RB 5-10 170 Richmond, Va./Monacan
Full name is Kadero Armenzia Watson ... born June 26, 1987 in East Orange, N.J. ... son of Kendrick and Stacey Watson ... has a sister, Kimina ... starred in football and track and field at Monacan H.S. ... first team all-district and honorable mention all-region in 2004 ... also named honorable mention All-Metro Richmond ... team's offensive and special teams player of the year as a senior ... played football under head coach Danny Parsons.
Ben Watts TE 6-1 225 LaGrange, Ga./Troup
Full name is Benjamin Andrew Watts ... born Feb. 6, 1987 in LaGrange, Ga. ... parents are Greg and Karen Watts ... younger brother of Stephen Watts, a starting offensive lineman for the Bison ... also has a younger brother, Daniel ... father played at Jacksonville State ... three-year letterwinner on the gridiron at Troup County H.S. ... team captain in 2004 under coach Tommy Walburn ... First Team All-Valley and First Team All-Troup County in 2004.
Rich Weiland TE 6-2 225 Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel
Born Feb. 28, 1987 in Pittsburgh, Pa. ... son of Mark and Janet Weiland ... has a younger sister, Erika ... played for head coach Todd Massack at Fox Chapel H.S. ... first team all-conference selection as a senior ... honorable mention all-conference as a junior ... elected team captain ... recipient of Scholar-Athlete Award.
Sam Williams LB 6-4 240 Orlando, Fla./Maynard Evans
Born Aug. 10, 1987 in Orlando, Fla. ... son of Larnce and Vivian Williams ... has three older sisters, April, Leslie and Tameka, and a younger brother, Adam ... played football and basketball at Maynard Evans H.S. ... football team captain under coach Max Purcell ... Class 6A Metro all-league performer ... recipient of Academic Athlete Award.
Mahdi Woodard QB 6-1 185 East Point, Ga./Westlake
Born Oct. 1, 1986 in Griffin, Ga. ... son of Kenda Woodard ... has three siblings, Wasser, Aime and Ali ... two-time team captain under coach Dallas Allen at Westlake H.S. in Atlanta, Ga. ... First Team All-Metro Atlanta ... as a senior passed for 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns while rushing 495 yards and six TDs ... named team MVP.
