Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Football Program to Welcome 32 Newcomers in 2007
3/1/2007 7:00:00 AM | Football
March 1, 2007
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell head football coach Tim Landis has announced that 32 student-athletes will join the Bison program this fall. This diverse recruiting class features athletes from a dozen different states, ranging as far as California, Tennessee and Louisiana, and it includes players from every offensive and defensive position.
Bucknell also continued its tradition of recruiting top in-state talent in football-rich Pennsylvania. A dozen of the 32 newcomers hail from the Keystone State, including two from nearby Mifflinburg in Levi Finsterbush and Tyler Wagner. Cousins Kyle and C.J. Passeri, along with Abington Heights teammates Spencer DePhillips and Shaun Pasternack, give the class a heavy Northeast Pennsylvania flavor.
"Along with the entire coaching staff, I am extremely excited about this year's class," said Landis. "We relied on our freshmen heavily last season, and we finished 6-5 with the best one-season turnaround in the nation. There is no question that this class can have just as big an impact as last year's. The way we finished in the fall, I really feel that the Bucknell football program is carrying a lot of momentum into 2007, and this class will be a big part of that.
"In addition to working hard recruiting here in Pennsylvania, I am pleased that we were able to get into some new areas, particularly the Nashville, Tennessee area," Landis remarked. "Each year we try to broaden our recruiting base, and I am excited that we were able to do that this year."
The biographies on the members of the Class of 2011 include a long laundry list of all-conference, all-state and all-academic accolades. Of the 32 incoming student-athletes, Landis and his staff project 17 to play on offense, 11 on defense, and another handful who excelled on both sides of the ball whose positions have not yet been determined.
"One specific area of need was depth in the defensive secondary, and we certainly addressed that need with five cornerbacks and two safeties," said Landis. "Beyond that, we feel very good about the breadth of talent at a number of positions. We already have a strong nucleus at wide receiver, but I am very excited about the trio of Josh Lovett, C.J. Passeri and Shaun Pasternack. We also have three quarterbacks returning with starting experience, but Greg Hyman will add a lot to that group. He is a big, strong quarterback who throws and runs effectively, which you need in our offense.
"There are also several two-way players who could help on either side of the ball," Landis added. "That determination will be made the first week of camp, but I am very excited about the versatility of the class."
One of the newcomers already has some college experience. Linebacker Marques Morgan was a two-year starter and captain at Sacramento City College in California. Landis feels he could be a candidate to replace graduating All-Patriot League linebacker Dorian Petersen.
Bucknell's returning players begin spring practice on Sunday, March 25, with the annual spring intrasquad game scheduled for Saturday, April 21 at 8 p.m. at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
BUCKNELL FOOTBALL 2007 RECRUITING CLASS Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School Hesham Abdelaal OL 6-1 260 Laurys Station, Pa./Parkland Tyler Anderson LB 6-1 200 Fairport, N.Y./Fairport Isaih Bell RB 5-7 150 Stone Mountain, Ga./Clarkston Kyle Boline TE 6-2 215 Rochester, N.Y./Greece Athena Paul Brazinski OL 6-3 265 Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge Jamal Briggs DB 6-1 175 Maplewood, N.J./Columbia Spencer DePhillips OL 6-0 250 Clarks Summit, Pa./Abington Heights Levi Finsterbush WR/DB 6-2 210 Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg Area Rob Gerlach RB 5-11 175 Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown Greg Hyman QB 6-1 200 Millis, Mass./Xaverian Brothers Chris Ingram DL 6-0 263 High Point, N.C./High Point Central Rod Jackson DB 5-11 170 Charlottesville, Va./Monticello Alex Lair TE 6-4 225 Metairie, La./Brother Martin Josh Lovett WR 5-10 160 Hendersonville, Tenn./Pope John Paul II Luke Massaro LB 5-10 215 Port Matilda, Pa./State College Joe Mazzeo TE/LB 6-2 215 Hammonton, N.J./St. Joseph's Tyler McFarlane DB/WR 6-1 195 Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Brunswick School (Conn.) Nick McLeod OL 6-0 225 Hermitage, Tenn./Pope John Paul II Shantz Medley FB 6-0 200 Pleasant View, Tenn./Goodpasture Christian Marques Morgan LB 6-0 235 Sacramento, Calif./Elk Grove/Sacramento City College Travis Nissley LB 5-11 200 Mount Joy, Pa./Manheim Central C.J. Passeri WR/DB 5-11 165 Scranton, Pa./West Scranton Kyle Passeri RB 5-9 175 Peckville, Pa./Valley View Shaun Pasternak WR 6-2 180 Clarks Summit, Pa./Abington Heights Jerrod Smith DB 5-11 180 Barboursville, Va./Albemarle Ryan Smith RB 5-10 190 Mt. Airy, Md./Urbana Jason Vollmar OL 5-11 260 Lansdale, Pa./North Penn John von Paris DL 6-2 225 Upper Falls, Md./John Carroll Tyler Wagner FB 5-9 200 Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg Area Ahkiel White DB 6-1 185 Somerset, N.J./Franklin Zane Woodard DB 5-11 180 York, Pa./William Penn Marlon Woods RB 5-8 160 Cincinnati, Ohio/Winton Woods
Hesham Abdelaal
Hesham Adel Abdelaal ... born Sept. 17, 1989 in Allentown, Pa. ... mother is Amal Yahya ... has two siblings, Mahmoud and Ihab ... first-team all-conference and second-team all-area selection as an offensive lineman at Parkland H.S. ... helped team win Eastern Football Conference Southern Division AAAA title in 2006 ...played for head coach Jim Morgans.
Tyler Anderson
Tyler Patrick Anderson ... born Apr. 10, 1989 in Overland Park, Kan. ... son of Jeff and Paula Anderson ... has a younger sister, Kelsie ... father played offensive line at Emporia State ... played football and baseball at Fairport H.S. ... co-captained football team ... played both linebacker and running back ... 2006 Section V AAA Defensive Player of the Year ... First Team All-Monroe County and Second Team All-Greater Rochester ... earned team's Red Raider Award ... New York State Scholar-Athlete in both sports ... played for coach Michael Ierlan.
Isaih Bell
Isaih Tramaine Bell ... born Sept. 26, 1988 in Cape Girardeau, Mo. ... son of Martha Bell ... has three older siblings, O'Keith Bell, Tony Egson and Monica Egson ... lettered three times each in football and track and field at Clarkston H.S. ... in football earned the team's Coaches Award and GPA Award ... played for coach Wayne Jones ... MVP of the track team ... state finalist in the 100-meter dash ... part of 4x100-meter relay that placed third in the state.
Kyle Boline
Kyle Christopher Boline ... born Sept. 6, 1988 in Laconia, N.H. ... son of David and Kathy Boline ... has one older brother, Ryan ... played varsity football and basketball at Greece Athena H.S. ... three-year varsity starter on the gridiron ... First Team All-Greater Rochester ... First Team All-County ... team captain under coach Rob Cerone ... led team in tackles (85) as a senior ... tied school record for career receptions ... as a senior had 28 receptions for 352 yards and four touchdowns ... scholar-athlete selection three times ... team captain and two-year starter in basketball.
Paul Brazinski
Paul Anthony Brazinski ... born Nov. 23, 1988 in Morristown, N.J. ... son of Joseph and Mary Anne Brazinski ... has three siblings, Brian, Mark and Andrea ... Brian plays football at Penn, where he will be a senior offensive lineman in 2007 ... mother played college basketball at St. Peter's ... nephew of former Bucknell women's basketball coach and former U.S. Olympic basketball team member Julienne Simpson ... competed in football and track and field at Ridge H.S. ... All-Somerset County, All-Skyland Conference and honorable mention all-area as a senior ... second-team all-league as a junior ... played for coaches Thomas Falato and Anthony Mottola.
Jamal Briggs
Jamal Joshua Briggs ... born Nov. 28, 1989 in Newark, N.J. ... son of Hilliard Edmond and Charlene Briggs ... has six siblings ... father is a former New Jersey light heavyweight boxing champion ... played football and lacrosse at Columbia H.S. ... football team captain ... second-team all-conference ... all-area senior scholar ... team defensive player award as a senior ... played for coach Chuck Keegan.
Spencer DePhillips
Spencer Anthony DePhillips ... born Oct. 20, 1988 in Scranton, Pa. ... parents are Victor and Denise DePhillips ... has one brother, Justin ... lettered in football, wrestling and track and field at Abington Heights H.S. ... in football was a Pennsylvania Football News All-State Honorable Mention ... WNEP Super 16 Dream Team selection ... two-time all-region pick ... two-time all-conference selection ... winner of Hookey Reap Award as the top offensive lineman in the county ... student council president ... comes to Bucknell along with Abington Heights teammate Shaun Pasternak.
Levi Finsterbush
Levi J. Finsterbush ... born Dec. 15, 1988 in Dover, Del. ... son of Larry and Brenda Finsterbush ... has one brother, Logan ... three-sport standout (football, basketball, track and field) at nearby Mifflinburg High School ... team captain in football ... team MVP as a junior ... member of All-Anthracite Team ... First Team All-CSC and Receiver of the Year as a senior ... named Lewisburg Touchdown Club High School Player of the Week on Oct. 18, 2005, after he caught a 61-yard TD pass on the last play of the game in a 33-32 win ... had a 92-yard interception return for a TD at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium against Lewisburg H.S. ... played for coach Mark Reitz ... joins prep teammate Tyler Wagner at Bucknell ... helped lead basketball team to CSC Division I title ... school record-holder in 400-meter dash ... helped 4x400-meter relay to eighth-place finish at state championships.
Rob Gerlach
Robert Gerlach ... born Apr. 17, 1988 ... son of Jim Gerlach and Karen Elrod ... has a sister, Katie, and brother, Jimmy ... participated in football, lacrosse and golf at Downingtown High School ... on the gridiron was named all-area ... selected to play in the Valor Bowl, a county-wide all-star game ... played for coach Mike Milano.
Greg Hyman
Gregory Moran Hyman ... born Sept. 25, 1988 in Newton, Mass. ... son of Richard and Ellen Hyman ... has a brother, Nicholas ... competed in football and track and field at Xaverian Brothers H.S. in Westwood, Mass. ... football team captain under coach Charlie Stevenson ... two-time Catholic Conference All-Star ... Catholic Conference Offensive Player of the Year ... Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic Team member ... threw for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns and ran for 700 yards and eight TDs as a senior ... passed for over 1,500 yards and 16 TDs as a junior.
Chris Ingram
John Christian Ingram ... born Jan. 14, 1989 in High Point, N.C. ... son of Calvin and Dawana Fant ... has four siblings, Asia, Calvin, Madison and McKenzie ... football team captain under coach Todd Staley at High Point Central H.S., whose nickname is also "Bison" ... Metro 4-A all-conference defensive end.
Rod Jackson
Rodrigues Lamar Jackson ... born July 8, 1989 in Charlottesville ... parents are Antonio Jackson and the late Thomasina Bryant ... has one brother, Jacoby ... participated in football, basketball, lacrosse and track at Monticello H.S. ... second-team all-district selection in football ... Honorable Mention All-Central Virginia ... standout shooting guard in basketball, where he was also an Honorable Mention selection ... played for coach Brud Bicknell.
Alex Lair
Alex Michael Lair ... born July 7, 1989 in New Orleans, La. ... son of Kevin and Pam Lair ... brother, Andrew, is a Bucknell quarterback ... other brother, Adam, played a year of football at LSU ... father also played for LSU ... lettered three times in football and twice in basketball at Brother Martin H.S. ... football team captain under coach Jay Pittman.
Josh Lovett
Joshua D'shuah Lovett ... born May 23, 1989 in Chicago, Ill. ... son of Chanya Peters ... has two younger siblings, Justin Lovett and Jordan Adams ... three-sport standout in football, basketball and track and field at Pope John Paul II H.S. ... three-time all-county selection under coach Jeff Brothers ... team's leading receiver in 2006 ... four-time all-county honoree in track ... captain of basketball team ... high school teammate of fellow Bucknell recruit Nick McLeod.
Luke Massaro
Luke Edwin Massaro ... born Apr. 25, 1989 in State College, Pa. ... son of Tom and Ann Massaro ... has one brother, Adam ... two-year football letterman at State College High School ... team captain ... Second Team All-Mid Penn Conference ... Pennsylvania Football News All-Academic Team ... played both linebacker and offensive line as a senior ... led team with 96 tackles (65 solo) ... helped lead team to its first District 3/6 AAAA championship and a berth in the state semifinals ... received Stephen J. Suhey Memorial Award ... played for coach Al Wolski ... joins former State College teammate Josh Eden at Bucknell.
Joe Mazzeo
Joseph M. Mazzeo ... born June 3, 1989 in Voorhees, N.J. ... parents are Joe and Tammy Mazzeo ... has one brother, Michael ... four-year football letterman at St. Joseph's H.S. ... First-Team All-Cape Atlantic League selection ... named First Team All-South Jersey by the Philadelphia Inquirer ... First Team All-Parochial selection ... First Team All-Press ... played for coach Paul Sacco ... had 52 tackles and four sacks while leading team to an 11-0 record and a league title in 2006 ... also had a touchdown reception.
Tyler McFarlane
Tyler Ross McFarlane ... born Apr. 23, 1988 in Westchester, N.Y. ... son of Charles and Vanessa McFarlane ... has a brother, Jason ... played football and basketball at Brunswick School in Greenwich, Conn. ... team captain in both sports ... on gridiron was an All-New England and all-conference selection ... as a wide receiver caught 36 passes for 611 yards and six TDs and rushed for 360 yards and four TDs on 29 carries in 2006 ... on defense had 51 tackles and five interceptions, three coming in one game ... all-conference in both football and basketball as a junior ... played football for coach Sean Brennan.
Nick McLeod
Nicholas Courtney McLeod ... born Nov. 4, 1989 in Queens, N.Y. ... parents are Neville and Rosamond McLeod ... has two siblings, Kayla and Aaron ... lettered four times in track and field and three times in football at Pope John Paul II High School ... joins prep teammate Josh Lovett at Bucknell ... played football for coach Jeff Brothers ... played both offensive and defensive line ... had 57 tackles as a senior.
Shantz Medley
Tekoah "Shantz" Medley ... born Sept. 18, 1988 in Nashville, Tenn. ... parents are John and Lorene Medley ... has one brother, Skyye ... two-time all-region selection and offensive team MVP at Goodpasture Christian H.S. ... school record-holder for touchdowns in a season and career ... named offensive MVP of Clinic Bowl ... team was state runner-up in 2006, finishing 14-1 overall ... team captain ... played for coach David Martin ... was also a team captain and a two-time all-district selection as a soccer goalkeeper as a junior ... as a sophomore tied the school shutouts record ... helped school's 4x200-meter relay to a fourth-place finish in the state championships.
Marques Morgan
Marques L. Morgan ... born Nov. 12, 1986 in Sacramento, Calif. ... son of Rhonda Marshall-Morgan ... has four brothers, Charles, Rodney, T.J. and Marcell ... 2004 graduate of Elk Grove H.S. ... spent last two years at Sacramento City College, where he was a two-year captain and all-conference linebacker ... last season was team's third-leading tackler with 37 in eight games, including three sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss ... in high school was also a two-time captain and earned all-conference honors as both a linebacker and offensive lineman.
Travis Nissley
Travis Andrew Nissley ... born Nov. 11, 1989 in Lancaster, Pa. ... son of Darwin and Deb Nissley ... has one brother, Clark ... lettered three times in football and once in wrestling at Manheim Central H.S. ... first-team all-section linebacker ... twice named second-team all-section as a defensive end ... as a senior served as team captain and was named linebacker of the year as team went 11-2 ... member of Pennsylvania Football News All-Academic Gold Team ... earned Most Cooperative Award as a junior ... had 156 tackles in last two seasons ... also played tight end and had 490 rushing yards and four TDs as a senior.
C.J. Passeri
Charles Joseph Passeri ... born March 21, 1988 in Scranton, Pa. ... son of Joseph and Michelle Keegan ... has two siblings, Christy and Chase ... cousin, Kyle, will also play football at Bucknell ... captained football and track teams at West Scranton H.S. ... all-conference selection in football ... led league in receiving as a senior with 38 catches for 752 yards and six touchdowns ... scored the game-winning TD in the final seconds of the Invaders' District 2 AAA championship game win ... also rushed for 258 yards and four TDs ... threw three TD passes as an emergency replacement at quarterback when the starter was injured ... Scranton Times Player of the Week ... finalist for Fiore Cesare Award ... three-time all-conference and five-time district medalist in track ... school record-holder in 200-meter dash.
Kyle Passeri
Kyle Joseph Passeri ... born Nov. 12, 1988 in Scranton, Pa. ... parents are Joe and Donna Passeri ... has a brother, Corey ... cousin, C.J., is also coming to Bucknell to play football ... competed in football, basketball and track at Valley View H.S. ... first-team all-state in football ... also all-region and all-league honoree under coach Frank Pazzaglia ... state qualifier in track ... received the 15th annual Fiore Cesare Award, recognizing athletic and academic achievement ... as a senior ran for 1,673 yards to earn the Times-Tribune Offensive Player of the Year award ... scored state-high 38 touchdowns in 11 games, including one on a 98-yard interception return ... 3,345 career rushing yards ranked second in school history while his 65 touchdowns were a new record.
Shaun Pasternak
Shaun Michael Pasternak ... born July 25, 1988 in Tunkhannock, Pa. ... son of John Pasternak and Tina Traver ... has a brother, Christopher ... played football and basketball at Abington Heights H.S. ... Associated Press Second Team All-State selection ... first-team all-conference as a wide receiver and cornerback ... all-region receiver ... team's offensive player of the year ... selected to play in East-West All-Star Game ... caught 32 passes for 693 yards and 11 touchdowns ... also had three interceptions ... played for coach Joe Repshis ... at Bucknell will be reunited with former Abington Heights teammate WR Cale Cadman, as well as fellow freshman Spencer DePhillips.
Jerrod Smith
Jerrod Mitchell Smith ... born June 5, 1989 in Charlottesville, Va. ... son of Ernest Jones and the late Odessa Smith ... lettered three times each in football and track and field at Albemarle H.S. ... First Team All-Commonwealth District ... honorable mention all-region ... Second Team All-Central Virginia ... had 1,163 all-purpose yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior ... played for coach Rick Vrhovac.
Ryan Smith
Ryan Matthew Smith ... born Dec. 26, 1988 in Gaithersburg, Md. ... son of Bill and Terry Potterton and Randy Smith ... has two brothers, Kenny and Daniel ... football and track standout at Urbana H.S. ... consensus first-team all-state selection on the gridiron ... Baltimore Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Year ... Maryland's top rusher in 2006 ... Washington Post First Team All-Met ... first-team all-area and all-conference ... MVAL Chesapeake Conference Offensive Player of the Year ... Gazette Player of the Year ... Frederick News-Post Offensive Player of the Year ... team captain ... named to NBC-4's George Michael Golden 11 Team.
Jason Vollmar
Jason Christopher Vollmar ... born March 24, 1989 in Lansdale, Pa. ... parents are Paul and Rosalie Vollmar ... has one sister, Danielle ... football and track and field letterman at North Penn H.S. ... football team captain ... three-year starter on the offensive line ... First Team All-Suburban One League at tackle ... also First Team All-Intelligencer, First Team All-Times Herald and first team all-area ... team's offensive lineman of the year ... also won team's Big Star Award and Academic Award ... team won Suburban One titles in 2004 and 2006 and District I title in 2005 ... played for coach Dick Beck.
John von Paris
John Frederick Geary von Paris ... born May 8, 1989 in Baltimore, Md. ... son of John and Patti von Paris ... has a younger brother, Sammy ... lettered four times each in football and wrestling and twice in lacrosse at John Carroll H.S. ... two-year captain in both football and wrestling ... first-team all-county selection in both sports ... Scholar-Athlete Catholic Review ... named to National Football Foundation All-Academic Team ... member of Baltimore Touchdown Club Super 22 Team and Maryland All-Star Team ... Baltimore Sun "player to watch" ... in wrestling finished No. 2 in the state at heavyweight as a junior and won the state title as a senior ... placed fifth at the National Prep Championships to earn All-America honors ... finished year 48-2 ... earned Harford County Executive's Award and American Legion Boy State Program Leadership Award.
Tyler Wagner
Tyler Roger Wagner ... born July 15, 1989 in Lewisburg, Pa. ... son of Denny and Kim Wagner ... has two siblings, Erica and Michael ... competed in football, baseball and track at nearby Mifflinburg Area H.S. ... had monster senior year, rushing for school-record and state-high 2,236 yards ... scored 34 touchdowns ... Daily Item and Standard-Journal Player of the Year ... First Team All-State running back ... All-Anthracite selection ... CSC Back of the Year and first-team running back ... WNEP-TV Dream Team running back ... Lewisburg Touchdown Club High School Player of the Week three times in 2006 ... team captain under head coach Mark Reitz ... joins Mifflinburg teammate Levi Finsterbush at Bucknell ... state qualifier in 4x100-meter relay.
Ahkiel White
Ankiel Pernell White ... born Aug. 16, 1989 in New Brunswick, N.J. ... son of Attamese Bailey ... has three siblings, Ahmir, Alexis and Ahnaia ... lettered in football and track at Franklin H.S. ... team captain on the gridiron ... first-team all-area and all-conference ... played for coach Louis Solomon.
Zane Woodard
Zane LaMar Woodard ... born July 18, 1989 in York, Pa. ... son of Edward and Daisy Woodard ... has four siblings, Amber, Natesha, Ranika and Darrell Woodard ... lettered in both football and basketball at William Penn Senior H.S. ... captained both sports as a senior ... two-time first-team all-league defensive back ... York Sunday News All-Star DB ... played for coach Matt Ortega.
Marlon Woods
Marlon McDonald Woods ... born Aug. 18, 1988 in Cincinnati, Ohio ... son of Kelvin Woods and Cheryl McDonald ... has two sisters, Amber and Makala ... competed in football, basketball and track at Winton Woods H.S., the alma mater of Bucknell sophomore-to-be Jason Davis ... captained the football and basketball teams ... earned school's Sportsmanship Award ... played football for coach Troy Everhart.
