Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Football Announces Incoming Recruiting Class
6/25/2010 8:00:00 AM | Football
June 25, 2010
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell first-year head football coach Joe Susan on Friday announced the Bison's initial recruiting class under his watch. Twenty-nine student-athletes representing 10 states will be joining the Bucknell program for the 2010 campaign. Pennsylvania is the most common state among the recruits as more than one-third hail from the Keystone State.
"Despite a late recruiting start, we put together a very good class," commented Susan, who took over the Bison program in late January. "We have a lot of position variety with a good mix of skill players as well as big linemen. Our staff is looking forward to working with this class. It is a fine group of student-athletes that will fit well into the Bucknell community and serve as role models."
While 10 newcomers call Pennsylvania home, there are five native Texans in the class. Additionally, three recruits are from Maryland and three more from New Jersey.
On the offensive side of the ball, Bucknell welcomes five new wide receivers, three quarterbacks, three offensive linemen, three tight ends, one running back and one fullback.
On defense, five new defensive backfield team members will don the orange and blue, while three linebackers, two defensive linemen and a pair of defensive ends round out the list.
The Bucknell special teams are also represented in the class with two kickers joining the squad.
In 2009, the Bison finished with a 4-7 record, including a 23-17 upset win over 13th-ranked Holy Cross in the season finale.
| Name | Pos. | Cl. | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown/High School |
| Ian Banson | DE | Fr. | 6-3 | 215 | Silver Spring, Md./Paint Branch |
| Sean Cobelli | P/K | Fr. | 5-9 | 165 | Ridgefield, Conn./Ridgefield |
| Brian Copeland | TE | Fr. | 6-3 | 226 | Dunmore, Pa./Dunmore |
| Derek-London Dierkes | QB | Fr. | 6-3 | 185 | Woodsfield, Ohio/Monroe Central |
| Alex Eckard | P/K | Fr. | 6-1 | 200 | Mount Airy, Md./Linganore |
| Orlando Eureste | DL | Fr. | 6-3 | 255 | Grand Prairie, Texas/South Grand Prairie |
| Jake Flaherty | WR | Fr. | 6-1 | 186 | Oceanport, N.J./Red Bank Catholic |
| Brent Forbes | DE | Fr. | 6-2 | 235 | Coal Township, Pa./Shamokin |
| Travis Friend | FB | Fr. | 6-2 | 230 | Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley |
| Jeff Goyette | LB | Fr. | 5-11 | 205 | Dillsburg, Pa./Trinity |
| Richard Greer | OL | Fr. | 6-3 | 280 | Allen, Texas/Allen |
| Matt Johnson | LB | Fr. | 6-0 | 210 | Highspire, Pa./Steelton-Highspire |
| Austin Kevitch | QB | Fr. | 6-0 | 185 | Fort Washington, Pa./Germantown Academy |
| Teddy Mackenzie | TE | Fr. | 6-3 | 230 | Livingston, Mont./Hotchkiss School (Conn.) |
| Clark Maturo | OL | Jr. | 6-5 | 305 | New Haven, Conn./Hotchkiss School/UConn |
| Ryan Morgan | DB | Fr. | 5-11 | 161 | Monroe, N.Y./Monroe-Woodbury |
| Patryk Najbar | WR | Fr. | 5-11 | 180 | Lodi, N.J./Lodi |
| Derrick Palmer | DB | Fr. | 5-9 | 160 | Roanoke, Va./William Byrd |
| Tom Romanowski | DB | Fr. | 5-11 | 178 | Pittston, Pa./Wyoming Seminary |
| Joe Sangimino | TE | Fr. | 6-3 | 220 | Mars, Pa./Pittsburgh Central Catholic |
| Sean Sellers | LB | Fr. | 6-0 | 215 | Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest |
| Tracey Smith | DL | Fr. | 6-1 | 250 | Allen, Texas/Allen |
| Wayne Stewart | DB | Fr. | 5-10 | 165 | Westbury, N.Y./Westbury |
| Charles Thompson | RB | Fr. | 5-9 | 195 | San Diego, Calif./Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) |
| Tajh Turner | WR | Fr. | 5-10 | 165 | Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Township |
| Sal Vallala | DB | Fr. | 5-10 | 165 | Dallas, Texas/Jesuit Prep |
| Victor Walker | WR | Fr. | 6-0 | 175 | Frederick, Md./Governor Thomas Johnson |
| Andrew Wary | OL | Fr. | 6-1 | 290 | Point Pleasant, N.J./Point Pleasant |
| Brandon Wesley | QB | Fr. | 6-2 | 178 | Plano, Texas/Plano East |
Sean Cobelli, P/K, 5-9, 165, Ridgefield, Conn./Ridgefield
Ridgefield High School: Lettered in football and baseball ... Second Team All-FCAIC in both football and baseball ... scholar-athlete in both sports as well ... tied school record with a 48-yard field goal in 2009.
Personal:
Sean Michael Cobelli ... born April 6, 1992 in Danbury, Conn. ... son of Mike and Jean Cobelli ... has two brothers, Stefano and Dante.
Brian Copeland, TE, 6-3, 226, Dunmore, Pa./Dunmore
Dunmore High School: Lettered four years in basketball and baseball and three years in football ... all-scholastic and all-region in football as a senior ... helped team to three straight district championships ... part of team that advanced to state championship game as a sophomore ... played in the 2010 PFSCA East-West All-Star Game ... baseball all-scholastic selection as a junior and senior ... helped team to District 17 Legion league title last two years ... baseball team captain ... basketball all-scholastic selection as a junior ... helped team to league title as a senior ... basketball team captain.
Personal: Brian William Copeland ... born May 5, 1992 in Dunmore, Pa. ... son of Patty Copeland ... has one brother, Kyle.
Alex Eckard, P/K, 6-1, 200, Mount Airy, Md./Linganore
Linganore High School: Earned letters in football and track & field ... First Team All-State selection in football ... first-team all-area, all-county and all-MVAL ... graduated with four Maryland state kicking records: career extra points (206), career field goals (24), extra points in a game (10) and most points in a season by a kicker (93).
Personal: Kenneth Alexander Eckard ... born March 7, 1992 in Frederick, Md. ... son of Bill and Karianne Eckard ... has five siblings, brothers William, Brian and Chris, and sisters Justine and Nicole ... father played football at Elon.
Orlando Eureste, DL, 6-3, 255, Grand Prairie, Texas/South Grand Prairie
South Grand Prairie High School: Football team captain ... team MVP ... all-district selection on both offensive and defensive lines ... named an academic all-star.
Personal: Orlando Servando Eureste ... born June 7, 1992 in Grand Prairie, Texas ... son of Servando and Patricia Eureste ... has three siblings, Servando III, Saul and Alicia.
Jake Flaherty, WR, 6-1, 186, Oceanport, N.J./Red Bank Catholic
Red Bank Catholic High School: Earned three letters as a member of football team and track and field team ... football team captain as a senior ... Second Team All-Monmouth County in football ... also Second Team Non-Public All-State ... Third Team All-Shore Conference ... Academic All-Shore Conference selection ... named team's Offensive Player of the Year.
Personal: Jacob Francis Flaherty ... born Nov. 18, 1991 in Red Bank, N.J. ... son of Harry and Janine Flaherty ... has two brothers, Harry Jr. and Zach, and one sister, Abigail ... has four relatives that have played professional football ... two other relatives are current college football players ... father, Harry Flaherty, played linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Bandits (USFL) and Dallas Cowboys ... brother, Harry Jr., plays tight end for Princeton ... cousin, Andrew Rodriguez, is a linebacker at Army ... uncle, Jason Garrett, played quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants and is currently the Cowboys' offensive coordinator ... uncle, John Garrett, played wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals and the San Antonio Riders (WFL) ... uncle, Judd Garrett, was a RB for the Dallas Cowboys and London Monarchs (WFL) ... John (tight ends coach) and Judd (director of pro personnel) are currently members of the Cowboys coaching staff.
Brent Forbes, DE, 6-2, 235, Coal Township, Pa./Shamokin
Shamokin Area High School: Lettered four times in football, basketball and baseball ... team captain in all three sports ... News-Item and Daily Item basketball player of the year ... second-team offense, second-team defense and second-team punter in football in the Heartland Athletic Conference ... first-team all-area in basketball ... scored over 1,000 points in basketball.
Personal: Brent Michael Forbes ... born June 18, 1991 in Danville, Pa. ... son of James and Jody Forbes ... has one sister, Kelsey ... uncle, Tom, played basketball at Penn State-Schuylkill.
Travis Friend, FB, 6-2, 230, Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley
Cumberland Valley High School: Four-year member of football and wrestling teams ... team captain of both squads ... First Team Associated Press All-State fullback ... two-time all-league at both fullback and linebacker ... helped football team reach state semifinal after winning a district championship ... finished eighth in state in wrestling ... two-time sectional champion in wrestling.
Personal: Travis Mitchell Friend ... born Aug. 31, 1991 in Harrisburg, Pa. ... son of Mitch and Cindy Friend ... has one borther, Kyle, and a sister, Renae.
Jeff Goyette, LB, 5-11, 205, Dillsburg, Pa./Trinity
Trinity High School: Three-sport star ... earned four letters in both ice hockey and baseball and three in football ... football team captain as a senior ... Associated Press Class AA All-State First Team Defense ... PA Football News All-State Second Team Defense ... EasternPAFootball.com All-State Small School Second Team Defense ... PSFCA West Team Circle of Excellence Award ... Mid-Penn Top 25 All-Area Team ... ranked #30 long snapper in U.S. by ChrisSailerKicking.com ... Carlisle Sentinel All-Area ... First Team All-Patriot Conference ... earned Trinity High School Defensive Hustle Award (2009) and Unsung Hero Award (2008) ... led team with 75 tackles and 11 sacks as a senior ... PA Football News All-Academic Team member ... team captain of baseball team as a senior ... two-time Patriot-News Big 11 All-Area outfielder ... Mid-Penn Conference baseball Player of the Year ... two-time Carlisle Sentinel All-Area First Team outfielder ... First Team All-Capital Conference ... two-time team MVP ... member of Keystone Games Capital Region team in 2009 ... 2009 American Legion All-Star ... hit .540 with 8 home runs, 38 RBIs, 28 runs and nine doubles as a senior ... hit .425 with 15 home runs, 85 RBIs, 23 doubles, 91 runs and a .735 slugging percentage in career.
Personal: Jeffrey Michael Goyette Jr. ... born Jan. 22, 1992 in Harrisburg, Pa. ... son of Jeff and Mickey Goyette ... has one brother, Jack (16), and one sister, Katie (13) ... father, Jeff, played football at Penn from 1982 to 1985 and was team captain in 1985 ... mom, Mickey, played women's basketball at Penn from 1983 to 1987 and was team captain as a senior.
Matt Johnson, LB, 6-0, 210, Highspire, Pa./Steelton-Highspire
Steelton-Highspire High School: Three-year varsity starter on football team and four-year starter on baseball squad ... co-captain of football team as a senior and baseball team as a junior and senior ... helped football team to PIAA District 3 title and PIAA Class A state championship in 2007 and 2008.
Personal: Matthew Jerome Johnson ... born Feb. 26, 1992 in Harrisburg, Pa. ... son of Gary and Barbara Johnson ... has two brothers, Gus and Andy.
Austin Kevitch, QB, 6-0, 185, Fort Washington, Pa./Germantown Academy
Germantown Academy: Three-sport star in football, basketball and track & field ... football team captain and offensive MVP ... two-way starter at both quarterback and defensive back ... Philadelphia Daily News All-City Team ... Times Herald All-Area First Team ... earned Robert E. Lamberton and Mark Nori awards ... selected to play quarterback for USA Team Stars & Stripes in 2010 Global Bowl in France ... ran anchor leg of 4x100 and 4x400 relays at Penn Relays.
Personal: Austin Scott Kevitch ... born July 5, 1991 in Philadelphia, Pa. ... son of Andrew and Lisa Kevitch ... has a sister, Lindsey (17), and a brother, Tristan (13).
Teddy Mackenzie, TE, 6-3, 230, Livingston, Mont./Hotchkiss School (Conn.)
The Hotchkiss School: Earned a total of 10 letters ... earned four letters in football and lacrosse and two more in hockey ... football team captain ... All-New England football player ... first-team all-division selection in lacrosse ... also lacrosse team captain.
Personal: Theodore Lawrence Mackenzie ... born April 3, 1991 in Greenwich, Conn. ... son of Peter and Anne Mackenzie ... has two older brothers, Reed and Scott ... Reed played water polo at Navy ... Scott was a member of the men's lacrosse team at Princeton.
Clark Maturo, OL, 6-5, 3-5, New Haven, Conn./Hotchkiss School/UConn
UConn: Took a redshirt year in 2008 ... did not appear in a game as a redshirt freshman in 2009.
The Hotchkiss School: Two-time all-league pick and earned All-New England honors ... was team MVP senior year and co-captain ... also participated in track and wrestling.
Personal: Clark Alexander Maturo ... born Feb. 10, 1989 in Cleveland, Ohio ... son of John and Cindy Maturo ... has one older brother, Ted (24) ... father played football at Yale ... brother played lacrosse at Wheaton.
Ryan Morgan, DB, 5-11, 161, Monroe, N.Y./Monroe-Woodbury
Monroe-Woodbury High School: Earned two varsity letters in football ... two-time first-team all-section selection ... team Rookie of the Year and Defensive MVP.
Personal: Ryan William Morgan ... born Sept. 10, 1992 in Brooklyn, N.Y. ... son of Anthony and Deborah Morgan ... has one sister, Ashley.
Patryk Najbar, WR, 5-11, 180, Lodi, N.J./Lodi
Lodi High School: Member of football and track and field teams ... first-team all-league in football ... second-team all-county selection as a wide receiver ... also first-team all-league and second-team all-county in the 200-meter dash as a member of track and field squad.
Personal: Patryk Najbar ... born May 7, 1992 in Poland ... son of Jacek and Henryka Najbar ... has one sister, Amanda.
Derrick Palmer, DB, 5-9, 160, Roanoke, Va./William Byrd
William Byrd High School: Participated in four sports, football, basketball, baseball and track and field ... team captain of football squad ... all-district and all-region quarterback, running back, defensive back and kick returner ... District Offensive Back of the Year and Returnman of the Year ... all-state running back ... basketball team captain ... earned team's Best Defensive Player award ... earned fifth place in the district in the high jump and was a member of third-place 4x100 relay team.
Personal: Derrick Randall Palmer ... born June 30, 1992 in Atlanta, Ga. ... son of Randy and Deborah Palmer ... has one sister, Pamella, and one brother, Jason.
Joe Sangimino, TE, 6-3, 220, Mars, Pa./Pittsburgh Central Catholic
Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School: Earned three letters in both football and track and field ... football team captain as a senior ... two-time WPIAL Quad A Team and all-conference selection ... earned school's Special Teams Award as a sophomore ... part of 2007 state championship team ... two-time WPIAL javelin (2008, 2009) and hurdles (2006, 2007) semifinalist.
Personal: Joseph Antonio Sangimino ... born June 29, 1992 in Akron, Ohio ... avid hunter and fisherman ... son of Mark and Laurie Sangimino ... father was a member of the Bucknell basketball team from 1980 to 1984 and is a 1984 Bucknell graduate ... has three sisters, Julianne, Marissa and Meggie.
Sean Sellers, LB, 6-0, 215, Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest
Cedar Crest High School: Three-year football letterwinner ... also one-year track and field letterwinner ... football team captain ... first-team all-county linebacker ... 4A all-league honors as a linebacker and kick returner ... Football Iron Man winner with a 4.42 40-yard dash and a 360-pound bench press ... led Lebanon Lancaster League in tackles with 121 as a senior ... all-star selection for North/South Football Game ... placed second in the county in the 100-meter dash ... helped 4x100 relay team to a first-place showing at county meet ... district qualifier in the 4x100.
Personal: Sean Matthew Sellers ... born Nov. 21, 1991 in Lebanon, Pa. ... son of Gary and Claudia Sellers ... has two sisters, Jennifer Merx and Chelsea Sellers, and one brother, the late Mike Sellers.
Charles Thompson, RB, 5-9, 195, San Diego, Calif./Mercersburg Academy (Pa.)
High School: Attended Christian High School in San Diego and graduated from there in 2009 ... spent post-graduate year at Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania ... earned high school letters in football and track and field ... team offensive MVP at Christian High School ... first-team all-state small schools ... earned Inspirational Player and Walter Jones Awards ... team captain ... member of all-star team and All-East County Team ... Second Team All-San Diego Section ... First Team Coastal League.
Personal: Charles Joseph Thompson ... born Oct. 3, 1991 in San Diego, Calif ... son of Cheryl Scott ... has four siblings ... has two brothers, Keith Taylor (28) and Donavan Scott (10) ... has two sisters, Aisha Wallace (23) and Keisha Wallace (22).
Tajh Turner, WR, 5-10, 165, Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Township
Susquehanna Township High School: Earned three letters in football, four in basketball and one as a member of the track and field team ... two-time first-team all-conference wide receiver and safety ... Honorable Mention All-State ... helped basketball team to a district championship and a second-place finish in the state ... two-time Big-15 member.
Personal: Tajh Christopher Turner ... born Feb. 1, 1992 in Philadelphia, Pa. ... son of Vincent Turner and Monique Williams ... father played football at Pittsburgh ... has three siblings, Takhi, Tanner and Ransome.
Sal Vallala, DB, 5-10, 165, Dallas, Texas/Jesuit Prep
Jesuit College Preparatory High School: Member of football and track and field teams ... named Freshman and Varsity Newcomer of the Year during career ... football team captain as a senior ... all-district selection ... track team captain and MVP.
Personal: Salvatore Johnathon Vallala ... born Nov. 4, 1991 in Dallas, Texas ... son of John and Linda Vallala ... has two siblings, Vedo Vallala and Ashley Mackenzie.
Victor Walker, WR, 6-0, 175, Frederick, Md./Governor Thomas Jefferson
Governor Thomas Jefferson High School: Member of football, basketball and track and field teams ... all-area and all-league in both football and basketball ... basketball team captain as a senior.
Personal: Victor Fritzgerald Walker Jr. ... born Feb. 12, 1992 in Frederick, Md. ... son of Gwen Snowden-Smalley, Victor Walker Sr. and stepfather Andrew Smalley ... has one brother, Kwame.
Andrew Wary, Ol, 6-1, 290, Point Pleasant, N.J./Point Pleasant
Point Pleasant Borough High School: Three-year football letterwinner ... team captain ... All-National Division selection ... all-county choice ... 2009 preseason All-Shore selection.
Personal: Andrew Michael Wary ... born Oct. 23, 1991 in Point Pleasant, N.J. ... son of David and Rose Wary ... has one brother, Robert.
