Bucknell Football Announces 2009 Recruiting Class
3/13/2009 8:00:00 AM | Football
March 13, 2009
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell head football coach Tim Landis has announced that 28 student-athletes, representing 10 states and the District of Columbia, will be joining the Bison program for the 2009 season. Every position on the field is accounted for in this class, which also includes seven in-state players.
"I am excited about this class. We addressed many of the needs we had coming into the process", said Landis, who will enter his seventh season guiding the Bison next fall. "We picked up some guys on the offensive and defensive lines that can compete right away. With five offensive linemen and anywhere from three to five defensive linemen, it is important to reload there every year."
On the offensive side of the ball, the Bison welcome six offensive linemen, a quarterback, a wide receiver and four running backs, including the Pennsylvania all-time leading rusher in Jeremiah Young from Steelton-Highspire near Harrisburg.
On defense, six linemen averaging just under 250 pounds as a group come on board, along with four linebackers and four defensive backs. There is also a punter/kicker in the class.
"We do our best to look at what we have coming back and see what needs we have," said Landis. "Our program is at the point where we need to build depth. We don't need to rely on freshmen coming in and starting. That being said, a number of these guys will have the opportunity to start this year."
Geographically, Bucknell welcomes seven recruits from Pennsylvania and six from New Jersey, with others coming from as far away as Texas, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Florida.
"We did pick up quite a few players from Pennsylvania, but we always go after the best players we can get," said Landis. "We have three coming in from Texas. We look for the best football players who can also excel in Bucknell's challenging academic program. All of these guys fit that mold."
Bucknell is coming off a 5-6 campaign in 2008, and the Bison will return 18 starters - nine on each side of the ball - next season. Among the offensive returnees are record-setting wide receiver Shaun Pasternak, who had 72 catches for 1,083 yards and 12 touchdowns a year ago, all-conference running back A.J. Kizekai, quarterbacks Marcello Trigg and C.J. Hopson, and four starting offensive linemen. Stalwart linebacker Sam Nana-Sinkam returns in 2009 after an injury-shortened 2008 season, as does leading tackler Greg Jones and all four starting defensive backs.
BUCKNELL FOOTBALL 2009 RECRUITING CLASS
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School Amir Afkhami DL 6-3 245 Gaithersburg, Md./Thomas S. Wootton James Carson DL 6-1 235 Columbia, S.C./Irmo Matthew Diles DL 6-5 235 Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Chagrin Falls Terance FitzSimmons RB/DB 5-11 180 Philadelphia, Pa./Haverford School Brian Flynn OL 6-4 270 Hazlet, N.J./Biotechnology/Raritan Joseph Francis DB 5-11 190 Arlington, Texas/Juan Seguin John Gallagher RB 5-11 175 Stewartsville, N.J./Blair Academy Nick Gatto LB 6-2 215 Waxhaw, N.C./Charlotte Catholic Devin Gordon-Hamm DL 6-1 295 Washington, D.C./Our Lady of Good Counsel Josh Haywood OL 6-4 265 Barberton, Ohio/Barberton Greg Herman OL 6-2 265 Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Kyle Hoppy QB 5-11 185 Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park Terna Ityokumbul RB 6-0 220 Boalsburg, Pa./State College Area/Kent School (Conn.) Patrick Joyce LB 6-1 210 San Antonio, Texas/Central Catholic T.J. Kelly DB 5-11 170 Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge Brandon Morris OL 6-2 270 Enola, Pa./Cumberland Valley Robert Owoyele RB 5-9 170 Arlington, Texas/Juan Seguin Samuel Oyekoya DL 6-3 210 Lanham, Md./Gonzaga Brandon Pinnock WR 5-10 175 Plantation, Fla./Northeast Bill Prendeville P/K 6-0 180 Chatham, N.J./Seton Hall Prep Donald Quarles DB 5-8 175 Upper Marlboro, Md./Saint John's Tyler Smith RB 5-9 185 Hatfield, Pa./North Penn Christopher Spahr OL 6-2 275 Oceanport, N.J./Red Bank Catholic Troy Steinhilber OL 6-5 295 Rochester, N.Y./Pittsford Sutherland Beau Traber LB 5-11 235 Norman, Okla./Norman North Jonathan Wagner DL 6-3 250 Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson Colton Weaver LB 5-11 210 Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson Jeremiah Young RB 5-10 200 Steelton, Pa./Steelton-Highspire
Amir Afkhami, DL, 6-3, 245, Gaithersburg, Md./Thomas S. Wootton Afkhami on Video
Amir Habib Afkhami ... born June 17, 1991 in Gaithersburg, Md. ... son of Mansour and Soudabeh Afkhami ... played for head coach Greg Malling at Thomas S. Wootton High School ... helped team to 7-4 record in 2008 ... team captain ... member of leadership council ... named team's defensive MVP as a senior.
James Carson, DL, 6-1, 235, Columbia, S.C./Irmo Carson on Video
James Oyenque Carson ... born Feb. 5, 1990 in Columbus, Ohio ... son of James and Margaret Carson ... has two sisters, Maggie and Grace, and one brother, Billy ... father played football at Ohio State ... earned three varsity letters in football and wrestling at Irmo High School ... helped football team claim three region championships ... squad was the 4A state runner-up in 2006 ... 4A All-Region selection in 2008 ... named all-area by The State newspaper ... had 58 tackles, five tackles for loss and four sacks in seven games as a senior ... in wrestling, named all-area four times by The State ... three-time wrestling state qualifier in heavyweight class ... finished second in state as a junior ... 40-7 record as a senior ... earned second place in South Carolina High School Strength Championships as a junior when he bench pressed 335 pounds and squatted 525 pounds.
Matthew Diles, DL, 6-5, 235, Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Chagrin Falls Diles on Video
Matthew David Diles ... born Sept. 28, 1990 in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. ... son of Dave and Suzanne Diles ... has one brother, Mitchell ... played both football and basketball at Chagrin Falls High School ... Honorable Mention All-Ohio in football as a senior ... First Team All-Northeast District, All-Geauga County, All-News Herald and All-Sun Times in 2008 ... all-conference selection as a senior ... honorable mention all-county as a junior ... McDonald's Scholar-Athlete in 2007 and 2008 ... Geauga County Touchdown Club Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-Chagrin Valley Conference as a senior ... team captain as a senior ... earned team's Scott Award for dedication in leadership in 2008 ... 79 career tackles ... played in 22 straight games on offensive and defensive lines.
Terance FitzSimmons, RB/DB, 5-11, 180, Philadelphia, Pa./Haverford School FitzSimmons on Video
Terance Brandon FitzSimmons ... born Dec. 18, 1990 in Philadelphia, Pa. ... son of Karen FitzSimmons ... has one brother, Christopher ... earned three varsity letters in football at The Haverford School ... also a four-year member of track & field team ... spent one year as a member of the wrestling squad ... named All-Inter AC, All-Main Line and all-city in football in 2008 ... team MVP ... helped football squad to 7-3 record while rushing for 859 yards on 119 carries as a senior ... scored 11 touchdowns in final year ... outdoor track & field team captain ... named MVP of grade each year ... earned Anthony J. Farrel Track & Field Award, given to the athlete who shows dedication to the sport ... All-Main Line and All-Delco in track & field ... helped Haverford to a first-place finish in the 4x100 relay at the Penn Relays.
Brian Flynn, OL, 6-4, 270, Hazlet, N.J./Biotechnology/Raritan Flynn on Video
Brian Patrick Flynn ... born July 12, 1991 in Red Bank, N.J. ... son of Rich and Susan Flynn ... has one younger brother, Connor ... attended Biotechnology High School for academics and Raritan High School for athletics ... earned three letters in football and three in track & field at Raritan ... helped football team to the National Division championship in 2008 ... First Team All-National Division Shore Conference ... two-year team captain of track & field squad ... Monmouth County discus champion as a sophomore.
Joseph Francis, DB, 5-11, 190, Arlington, Texas/Juan Seguin Francis on Video
Joseph Rothschild Francis ... born March 30, 1991 in Fort Worth, Texas ... son of Lajuana Francis ... has three siblings, Ebony Francis, Timothy Rogers and Malcolm Rogers ... lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track at Juan Seguin High School, the same school that produced fellow Bucknell recruit Robert Owoyele ... first-team all-district safety on the gridiron ... named team's defensive MVP ... second-team all-district guard in basketball ... named the most outstanding defensive player on the baseball team.
John Gallagher, RB, 5-11, 175, Stewartsville, N.J./Blair Academy Gallagher on Video
John Hunt Gallagher ... born May 6, 1990 in Livingston, N.J. ... son of John and Victoria Gallagher ... has two brothers, Ryan and Brandon ... father played college football ... four-year letterwinner on both football and baseball teams at Blair Academy ... started on offense and defense for football team all four years ... football team captain as a senior when squad posted an undefeated record and was named the New Jersey Team of the Year ... First Team All-Mid-Atlantic Prep League RB as a senior ... First Team All-New Jersey Prep ... four-year starter on baseball team ... baseball team captain as a senior.
Nick Gatto, LB, 6-2, 215, Waxhaw, N.C./Charlotte Catholic Gatto on Video
Nicholas Mario Gatto ... born Jan. 11, 1991 in Massapequa, N.Y. ... son of Alfredo and Joanne Gatto ... has one brother, Michael ... member of football and basketball teams at Charlotte Catholic High School ... played for coach Jim Oddo ... all-conference selection in football ... helped team to third round of state playoffs.
Devin Gordon-Hamm, DL, 6-1, 295, Washington, D.C./Our Lady of Good Counsel Gordon-Hamm on Video
Devin Thomas Gordon-Hamm ... born Jan. 25, 1991 in Silver Spring, Md. ... son of Demetria Gordon ... has one brother, Nolan ... three-sport star at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, participating in football, wrestling and track & field ... football team captain ... first-team all-state ... first-team WCAC ... second-team all-met ... earned 2008 Our Lady of Good Counsel Football Leadership Award and 2007 Our Lady of Good Counsel Christian Character Award ... DC Sports Fan Second Team All-Met selection ... named to 2008 All-Beltway Football Team.
Josh Haywood, OL, 6-4, 265, Barberton, Ohio/Barberton Haywood on Video
Joshua Paul Haywood ... born June 21, 1991 in Barberton, Ohio ... son of Mark and Julianne Haywood ... has one younger brother, Dylan ... competed in wrestling and football at Barberton High School ... coached in football by Brian Staats ... named the Barberton Outstanding Lineman of the Year as a senior.
Greg Herman, OL, 6-2, 265, Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Herman on Video
Gregory Lewis Herman ... born Nov. 1, 1990 in Montclair, N.J. ... son of Barry and Patty Herman ... has one brother, Paul, who played football at Ithaca College ... uncle, Ed Marinaro, played football at Cornell and spent six seasons in the NFL with the Jets, Vikings and Seahawks ... Marinaro is also an actor, having appeared on a number of television series, including Laverne & Shirley and Hill Street Blues ... cousin, Danny Errico, played football at Rutgers ... named second-team all-state group IV in 2008 ... team captain at Watchung Hills Regional High School ... first-team all-county and all-area.
Kyle Hoppy, QB, 5-11, 185, Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park Hoppy on Video
Kyle Ryan Hoppy ... born May 8, 1991 in Buffalo, N.Y. ... son of Jeanette Hoppy ... has one sister, Danielle, and two brothers, Jake and Luke ... earned three varsity letters in both football and baseball ... football team captain ... First Team All-Western New York ... Western New York Quarterback of the Year in 2008 ... First Team All-State quarterback ... helped Orchard Park High School to large school state championship ... member of Western New York All-Academic Football Team ... MVP Class AA state championship game ... all-state selection in baseball ... All-Western New York in baseball ... expected to play baseball at Bucknell.
Terna Ityokumbul, RB, 6-0, 220, Boalsburg, Pa./State College Area/The Kent School (Conn.) Ityokumbul on Video
Terna Ityokumbul ... born March 9, 1990 in Zaria, Nigeria ... son of Thaddeus and Benedicta Ityokumbul ... has three siblings, Seember, Aundover and Mimi ... earned two varsity letters in football at State College Area High School ... spent postgraduate year at The Kent School in Kent, Conn. ... was team captain of football team at State College ... named Player of the Game on two occasions ... also a member of track and field team ... placed fourth in the shot put in District 6.
Patrick Joyce, LB, 6-1, 210, San Antonio, Texas/Central Catholic Joyce on Video
Patrick Thomas Joyce ... born Sept. 23, 1990 in San Antonio, Texas ... son of Jack and Katherine Joyce ... has one brother, Michael ... played football, basketball and golf at Central Catholic High School ... played linebacker, special teams and punter ... helped team to state semifinals as a junior and senior ... football team captain as a senior ... first-team all-district, all-area and all-state as a linebacker in 2008 ... twice named first-team all-state academic ... first-team all-district and second-team all-state as a junior in 2007 ... member of honor roll every semester ... earned Greg Chavez Linebacker Award in recognition of morality, character and leadership both on and off the field ... coach of AHLL Challenger League for special needs athletes.
T.J. Kelly, DB, 5-11, 170, Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge Kelly on Video
Thomas Michael Kelly Jr. ... born Nov. 24, 1990 in Morristown, N.J. ... son of Tom and Noreen Kelly ... has one brother, Kevin, and one sister, Caitlin ... earned three letters in football and two in lacrosse at Ridge High School ... first-team all-county, all-league and all-area ... third-team all-state selection ... football team captain.
Brandon Morris, OL, 6-2, 270, Enola, Pa./Cumberland Valley Morris on Video
Brandon Isaac Morris ... born Jan. 3, 1991 in Camp Hill, Pa. ... son of Harry and Janice Morris ... has one sibling, Colby ... three-year varsity letterman at Cumberland Valley High School under coach Tim Rimpfel ... team captain ... Mid-Penn All-League selection on both offense and defense ... second-team all-state choice ... named to All-Carlisle Sentinel Team ... participated in East-West All-Star Game.
Robert Owoyele, RB, 5-9, 170, Arlington, Texas/Juan Seguin Owoyele on Video
Robert Ayoola Owoyele Jr. ... born Aug. 8, 1991 in Arlington, Texas ... parents are Robert and Caroline Owoyele ... has three siblings, Joyce, Beverly and Daniel ... Beverly is a member of the track & field team at Texas ... starred in both football and track & field at Juan Seguin High School, where he was teammates with fellow Bison recruit Joseph Francis ... 2008 team captain ... named to the all-district team ... 2008 recipient of the team's Cougar Pride Award ... named team offensive MVP in 2007.
Samuel Oyekoya, DL, 6-3, 210, Lanham, Md./Gonzaga College High School Oyekoya on Video
Samuel O. Oyekoya ... born Aug. 2, 1991 in New Orleans, La. ... son of Wale and Folashade Oyekoya ... has one brother, Adewunmi, and one sister, Sarah ... member of football and track & field teams at Gonzaga College High School ... all-conference and all-city in football ... named team's defensive MVP and captain ... thrower on track & field squad.
Brandon Pinnock, WR, 5-10, 175, Plantation, Fla./Northeast Pinnock on Video
Brandon Steadley Pinnock ... born Sept. 23, 1991 in Lucea, Jamaica ... son of Steadley Pinnock and Colleen Nelson ... has two siblings, Donae Barrett and Donique Pinnock ... born and raised in Jamaica ... moved to United States in 2004 ... has played football for only three years ... team captain at Northeast High School as a senior ... caught two touchowns and ran for another as a senior ... also a member of track & field team at Northeast.
Bill Prendeville, P/K, 6-0, 180, Chatham, N.J./Seton Hall Prep Prendeville on Video
William Joseph Prendeville ... born Sept. 21, 1990 in Summit, N.J. ... son of Michael and Susan Prendeville ... has one brother, Mike, and one sister, Sarah ... earned two varsity letters in football at Seton Hall Prep ... first-team all-conference selection.
Donald Quarles, DB, 5-8, 175, Upper Marlboro, Md./Saint John's College High School Quarles on Video
Donald Patrick Quarles II ... born March 13, 1991 in Silver Spring, Md. ... son of Donald and Michelle Quarles ... has one brother, Zachary ... lettered three times in both football and track & field at Saint John's College High School ... two-time all-conference selection as a defensive back ... earned first-team all-city honors in football ... led team in receptions as a senior ... voted team's most improved two-way player ... named DC Sports Fan Most Outstanding Junior ... seven-time qualifier for track & field AAU National Junior Olympics.
Tyler Smith, RB, 5-9, 185, Hatfield, Pa./North Penn Smith on Video
Tyler John Smith ... born Oct. 7, 1990 in Lansdale, Pa. ... son of Kevin and Sherrie Myers ... has one brother, Chris Smith, and one sister, Jessica Myers ... first-team all-league running back ... team captain as a senior ... Second Team Southeast Pennsylvania linebacker ... First Team Intelligencer running back ... team's offensive MVP in 2007 and 2008 ... 2008 Mini-Maxwell Award ... 2008 Times Herald All-Area Football Team ... selected for 2008 PSFCA East-West All-Star Game as a running back ... rushed for 1,546 yards and 19 touchdowns on 156 carries in 2008 ... caught 25 passes for 303 yards and one touchdown in 2008 ... earned award for highest GPA on football team as a senior ... also a member of track & field team.
Christopher Spahr, OL, 6-2, 275, Oceanport, N.J./Red Bank Catholic Spahr on Video
Christopher Oswald Spahr ... born Nov. 27, 1990 in Long Branch, N.J. ... son of Steven and Patricia Spahr ... has three brothers, Mike, Ryan and Michael Weiss-Spahr ... brother, Mike, played baseball at Quinnipiac ... earned three varsity letters in football and two in wrestling at Red Bank Catholic ... second-team all-state as a senior ... first-team All-Shore and all-division in 2008 ... second-team All-Shore in 2007 ... two-time All-Monmouth County choice ... earned Lombardi Award ... two-time team MVP on offensive line ... two-time team captain ... three-year starter.
Troy Steinhilber, OL, 6-5, 295, Rochester, N.Y./Pittsford Sutherland Steinhilber on Video
Troy Matthew Steinhilber ... born June 15, 1991 in Rochester, N.Y. ... son of Andy and Soraya Steinhilber ... has one sister, Kylie ... second-team all-county selection at Pittsford Sutherland High School.
Beau Traber, LB, 5-11, 235, Norman, Okla./Norman North Traber on Video
Beau Traber ... born Dec. 28, 1990 in Maryland ... son of Joan Traber ... has two siblings, Trabes Traber and Alicia Sampson ... member of football and track & field teams at Norman North High School ... 2008 Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State linebacker ... First Team All-Big City in 2008 ... named First Team All-State in 2007 by Rivals.com and MaxPreps.com ... expected to become the first Oklahoma native on the Bison roster since David Todd in 1994.
Jon Wagner, DL, 6-3, 250, Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson Wagner on Video
Jonathan Mark Wagner ... born Aug. 8, 1991 in Reading, Pa. ... son of Scott and Betsy Wagner ... has two older brothers, Benjamin and Matthew ... Benjamin played soccer at Lebanon Valley College ... father played football and wrestled at Army ... earned two varsity letters in football and three in volleyball at Wilson High School ... First Team All-Lancaster/Lebanon League at defensive end and offensive tackle ... all-county defensive end and offensive tackle ... East-West All-Star Game selection ... helped team to district 3 championship ... high school teammate of fellow Bison recruit Colton Weaver.
Colton Weaver, LB, 5-11, 210, Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson Weaver on Video
Mark Colton Weaver ... born July 13, 1990 in Reading, Pa. ... son of Mark and Sue Weaver ... has one sibling, Lakin ... competed on football and wrestling teams at Wilson High School ... four-year football starter ... set school's career tackles record ... two-time second-team all-state ... section Player of the Year as a senior ... two-time section Linebacker of the Year ... County Linebacker of the Year in 2008 ... three-time first-team all-section and all-county ... two-time team defensive MVP ... helped team to district 3 championship ... high school teammate of fellow Bison recruit Jon Wagner.
Jeremiah Young, RB, 5-10, 200, Steelton, Pa./Steelton-Highspire Young on Video
Jeremiah Cornell Young ... born Jan. 8, 1991 in Harrisburg, Pa. ... son of Stewart and Judy Young ... has seven siblings: Tara, Stewart, Jasmyne, Danielle, Keyion, Malachi and Jai'Lynn, ranging in age from 25 down to 3 ... has earned four letters each in football and basketball and one in track & field at Steelton-Highspire High School ... rushed for 9,027 yards in his career, No. 1 all-time in Pennsylvania high school history and No. 9 all-time nationally ... 2008 Parade High School All-American ... three-time Class A All-State selection ... rushed for 869 yards as a freshman, 2,002 as a sophomore, 3,344 as a junior and 2,812 as a senior ... junior-year total is No. 2 in state history ... broke Pittsburgh star LeSean McCoy's District 3 rushing mark ... ran for more than 100 career touchdowns, including 41 in 2007 ... rushed for 352 yards in a game a as senior ... had 292 yards and four touchdowns in the 2007 state championship game ... led team to back-to-back PIAA Class A state championships in 2007 and 2008 ... also part of a state championship basketball team.
