“This year's recruiting class is potentially one of the strongest in Division II this year and ranks among the tops in Rock football history,” Mihalik said. “This year's class is the largest in terms of the number of recruits we have added on Signing Day.”

“I compliment and recognize Jason Makrinos, our recruiting coordinator, and our entire coaching staff for their efforts,'” Mihalik said. “They really hustled and hit the recruiting trail hard.”

“I also want to thank our administration and the SRU Admissions Office staff for their support and assistance throughout the recruitment process,” Mihalik said. “Today is truly a 'team win' for everyone involved.”

The Rock's 2012 recruiting class includes four defensive backs, four defensive linemen, three offensive linemen, two student-athletes classified as an “athlete,” two running backs, two wide receivers, one linebacker, one quarterback and one tight end/long snapper.

Here are thumbnail profiles of the newest additions to The Rock roster with comments from Makrinos:

Avery Anderson (DT, 6-2, 285, Pittsburgh/Gateway H.S.) – Recorded 46 total tackles and five sacks (-23 yards) in his senior season ... Makrinos says: “Avery is an explosive player who, especially with his 83-inch wingspan, will be disruptive to the other team's running game. He will require a double team. We expect him to contribute early in his career.”

Josh Beverly (RB, 5-9, 215, Monreville/Sto-Rox H.S.) – Rushed for 1,350 yards and 19 TDs in senior season …  Makrinos says: “Josh is a lot like (Rock All-PSAC-West running back) Akeem Satterfield in that he's a big back who has breakaway speed. He will also be extremely valuable as a third-down blocking back.”

Andrew Bridgeforth (WR, 6-2, 175, Nazareth/Nazareth H.S.) – Caught 61 catches for 972 yards and nine TDs as a senior … Had more than 125 yards in pass receptions in four games last fall … Led team to Lebanon Valley Conference and District 11 championships and into the fourth round of the PIAA playoffs … Two-year letterman in football, four-year letterman in track and field and one-year letterman in cross country … Five-time district track and field champion … Plans to major in business … Makrinos says: “Andrew is your prototypical wide receiver, long and rangy, who is a downfield threat, runs good routes and has good hands. He is another recruit who could contribute early for us.”

Cody Conway (DE, 6-4, 215, Pittsburgh/Gateway H.S.) – Recorded 57 total tackles, nine QB sacks (-52 yards), five passes defended, two fumble recoveries and forced one fumble ... Makrinos says: “Cody has a big frame that can carry added weight as he works more in the weight room. He is a good pass rusher who penetrates well and exhibits high energy off the edge.”

Alfon Cook (DB, 5-8, 160, Ringgold H.S.) – Recorded 34 total tackles, averaged 31.5 yards on punt returns and 32.3 yards on kickoff returns in his senior season … Scored four special team TDs … Also rushed for 334 yards and four TDs … Makrinos says: “Alfon is very athletic and did pretty much everything during his high school career. He played offense and defense and was also part of the special teams. He will begin his college career as a cornerback.”

Sal Faieta (ATH, 6-2, 220, Brownsville/Bethlehem Center H.S.) – Recorded 85 total tackles and intercepted four passes in his senior season … Had 90 yards in INT returns … Passed for 1,315 yards and 18 TDs and also rushed for 10 TDs in senior season … Three-time PA Football News honorable mention all-state and All-Tri-County South Conference selection … All-Region Elite Eight selection as a senior … Played in Tri-County Football Coaches Association All-Star Game … Team captain in each of his final three seasons … Led team to Tri-County South championships in 2009 and 2011 … Four-year letterman in both football and track and field … Won WPIAL silver medal in javelin throw as a junior … Plans to major in criminal justice ... Makrinos says: “Sal is an unbelievable athlete for his size. He was a quarterback and linebacker in high school but will start out here as a linebacker. He is very strong and has a 9-6 broad jump.”

Marzett Geter (DB, 5-10, 180, McKees Rock/Sto-Rox H.S.) – Ranked as the 75th-best high school cornerback by scout.com and second among Pennsylvania high school cornerbacks by papreps.com … Originally committed to Pitt in May 2011, but changed his path shortly after new Panthers head coach Paul Chryst came on board … Caught 31 passes for 531 yards and scored 15 TDs and 13 PATs in senior season … Makrinos says: “We are very happy to sign Marzett. He is a 3.5-star recruit, which makes him one of the top prospects in the nation, and he runs a 4.4 40-yard dash. He was a do-it-all player at Sto-Rox and will start out here as a cornerback and return specialist.”

Aaron Gillis (OL, 6-10, 360, Fowler, Ohio/Brookfield H.S.) –  Three-sport athlete … Lettered one season each in football and basketball and two seasons in baseball … Plans to major in athletic training/physical therapy ... Makrinos says: “Aaron is probably the biggest player to ever play at SRU. But he has very good athleticism for a person with such an enormous body. The sky is the limit in terms of what his future holds.”

Will Graham (DB, 5-9, 165, Pittsburgh/Taylor Allderdice H.S.)  – Earned All-City League honors on offense … Three-sport athlete … Lettered four seasons in football and track and field and two seasons in basketball … Earned All-City honors as triple jump champion in track and field … Helped lead basketball team to City League championships in 2010 and 2011 … Honor Roll student … Plans to major in biology … Makrinos says: “Will is extremely self-motivated and a hard worker who has great athleticism. He will potentially be a cornerback and return specialist for us.”

Shamar Greene (RB, 5-8, 175, West Mifflin/West Mifflin H.S.) – On the radar screen of both LSU and Georgia during the recruiting process, according to a Google search … Earned Big 8 Conference Offensive MVP honor as a senior … Led team to conference championships in football and track and field … Rushed for 1,441 yards and 15 TDs in senior season … Lettered three seasons in football and four in track and field … Plans to major in athletic training ... Makrinos says: “Shamar is a playmaker who has the potential to take the ball to the house every time he touches it. He has a great physical, downhill running style.”

Erik Johnson (DE, 6-1, 200, Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic H.S.) – Honorable mention Three Rivers Athletic Conference selection as a senior … Has 30-inch vertical leap and runs 4.79 40-yard dash … Makrinos says: “With his explosiveness and athleticism, Erik can be an impact player for us very soon. He is relentless in his pursuit of the quarterback.”

Kaleb Kingston (OL, 6-6, 315, New Castle/Laurel H.S.) – Class AA Midwestern Athletic Conference selection as a senior offensive lineman …  Makrinos says: “Kaleb is physically mature for a high school player. He has great size and strength and could quickly contribute for us. He has good footwork and agility for a player his size.”

Mike Kope (DT, 6-0, 285, Charleroi/Charleroi H.S.) – First-team All-Interstate Conference and all-county selection as a senior … Also earned Best Team Player award … Honorable mention all-conference selection and team Defensive Line MVP as a junior … Four-year starter and letterman in football … Makrinos says: “Mike has the potential to be a nose guard for us. He has great quickness off the ball, good leverage and can put a lot of pressure on the quarterback.”

Chad Kulka (LB, 6-0, 205, Edinboro/General McLane H.S.) – Earned first-team Class AA All-Region 4 and All-District 10 honors as a linebacker in senior season … Three-sport athlete … Lettered four seasons each in football and basketball and two seasons in baseball … Second-team all-region basketball selection in junior season … Led team to district football championships in 2009 and 2010, Region 7 basketball championship in 2011 and baseball regional championship in 2010 … Member of National Honor Society, Principal's Honor Roll and Principal's Cabinet … Undecided on major … Younger brother of Rock defensive end Kevin Kulka … Makrinos says: “Chad is a very physical player who especially impressed us with his speed as a running back. He broke off some long runs. He has excellent feet and is battle-tested. He will play on the defensive side of the ball.”

Ed Latimer (CB, 5-8, 160, Pittsburgh/Central Catholic H.S.) – Two-time All-Big East Conference performer … Lettered three seasons in football and two in track and field … Earned academic high honors awards … Plans to major in business ... Makrinos says: “Ed will add much needed depth in our secondary and has the potential to develop into a solid player for us.”

Joe LoSchiavo (OL, 6-3, 290, Lakewood, Ohio/St. Edward H.S.) – One of five St. Ed's linemen who signed Letters of Intent … Other four signed with Football Bowl Subdivision schools … Makrinos says: “Joe played at the highest level in Ohio, so he has played against top-caliber competition. He has great feet, is very strong, athletic and physically mature for a high school player. He has the total package you want in a lineman and could contribute early for us.”

Leroy McClain (WR, 5-9, 160, Harrisburg/Susquehanna Township H.S.) – First-team all-conference performer as a senior … Led team to District 3 runner-up finish … Lettered three seasons in football and four in track and field … Member of state and district champion 4x100 relay team in track and field … Plans to major in computer science ... Makrinos says: “Leroy will primarily be a slot receiver for us, but he may also carry the football on occasion. He has big-play potential and will create a speed and quickness mismatch anytime he's in the open field and going against a linebacker or defensive back.”

Zack Newsock (QB, 6-0, 200, Xenia, Ohio/Xenia H.S.) – Earned All-GWOC honors and set four school records as a senior … Lettered three seasons in football and two in baseball … Honorable mention All-GWOC performer in baseball … Member of Renaissance Club and Chemistry Club … Plans to major in sport management ... Makrinos says: ” “Zack is a do-it-all quarterback, a dual threat, who is elusive as a runner and also has a strong arm and is very accurate. He's the son of a coach, so he's got a lot of football intelligence and is a student of the game.”

Dalton Raab (TE-LS, 6-2, 170, Pittsburgh/West Allegheny H.S.) – Makrinos says: “Dalton is very athletic and gets the snap back very quickly. He will be counted on to be the long snapper right away and also develop into a solid tight end or H-Back for us.”

Taishan Tucker (ATH, 5-9, 165, Philadelphia/Roman Catholic H.S.) – One of the top defensive backs in northeastern Pennsylvania … Two-time All-Catholic League selection … Runs 4.6 40-yard dash and … has 32-inch vertical leap … Caught 30 passes for 513 yards and five TDs in senior season … Plans to major in sport management … Makrinos says: “The best word to describe Taishan is 'smooth.' He is a very good athlete and has the ability to be a playmaker in many ways. He will start out here as a cornerback, but could play many other positions.”