2023 Signing Class Roster (PDF)
 
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The nationally-ranked Slippery Rock University football team announced its 2023 recruiting class Wednesday with 24 players joining the program on National Signing Day.
 
Slippery Rock announced four mid-year transfer students that have joined the team for spring practices, two freshmen that will be with the program this spring and 18 incoming high school students that will join the program this summer.
 
The 24 total signees come from three different states and the District of Columbia. A total of 16 signees come from Pennsylvania, while four are from Ohio, three are from Virginia and one is from the District of Columbia.
 
"Overall, we feel like this is one of the best recruiting classes we have had," said SRU head coach Shawn Lutz. "We got the top guy on our board at almost every position. There is a good mix of guys that will need a little time to develop and guys that can make an immediate impact on the field next year."
 
Slippery Rock focused much of its attention on the defensive side of the ball, where the larger number of players were lost to graduation following the 2022 season. The Rock signed 14 total defensive players and 10 offensive players Wednesday.
 
"We had some immediate needs on the defensive side of the ball because we lost some of our top defensive players to graduation," said Lutz. "We brought in two Division I transfer defensive linemen (Sherman Hatton from Marshall and Aeden Holler from Kent State) that can help fill the voids from losing Jeff Marx and D.J. Adediwura and we brought in a Division II All-American (Kyle Kudla from Hillsdale) and a Big Ten transfer (Andrew Vince from Rutgers) as linebackers that will fill the voids from losing Brandon Tuck-Hayden and Brandon Bischof."
 
Slippery Rock will return all but two of its offensive starters from the 2022 season next fall, including all five starting offensive linemen, its starting receivers and entire stable of running backs. The only departures are senior QB Noah Grover and senior TE Max Maciejewski.
 
"We are bringing a lot of talent back on the offensive side of the ball that will another full year under their belts playing together," said Lutz. "We like what we see from Brayden Long, so we expect him to enter the spring as the starting QB. He knows the offense and can immediately move us forward. We also signed a prep academy transfer (Brad Hoffman from Diamond Football Academy) with four years of eligibility that is here this spring and is more of a dual threat guy. We feel good about the QB room and where the offense is heading."
 
Slippery Rock signed a total of six linebackers, four defensive linemen, four defensive backs, four wide receivers, three running backs, two tight ends and one quarterback. There are no offensive linemen in this class after SRU signed eight offensive linemen in 2022.
 
"We're excited to get rolling this spring and to get these incoming freshmen into our strength program this summer," said Lutz. "We'll still be active in the summer transfer portal if the right pieces are available, but we feel really good about where we are right now."
 
Slippery Rock will begin a limited number of spring practices in March that will culminate with the annual Green vs. White Spring Game in late April.
 
A look at the full 2023 signing day class can be found below.
 
POSITION BREAKDOWN
- LB: 6
- DL: 4
- DB: 4
- WR: 4
- DB: 3
- TE: 2
- QB: 1
 
REGIONAL BREAKDOWN
- Pennsylvania: 16
- Ohio: 4
- Virginia: 3
- District of Columbia: 1
 
ELIGIBILITY BREAKDOWN
- Freshman (fall admit): 18
- Freshman (spring 2023 admit): 2
- Sophomore: 3
- Junior: 0
- Senior: 1
 
2023 SRU RECRUITING CLASS
Listed in order NLIs were received

SHERMAN HATTON
• Height: 6-2
• Weight: 285
• Position: DL
• Hometown: Washington, D.C.
• High School: Bishop McNamara
• Transfer from Marshall (3 years remaining)
• Highlight Video
 
QUICK BIO
- Transfer from Marshall University with three years remaining.
- Named Marshall's top defensive scout team athlete for the 2022 season.
- All-Conference honoree at Bishop McNamara High School.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "Sherman will compete for a starting job immediately at the defensive tackle position. He is a big, strong and athletic interior lineman. Moves well for a big guy. Very agile. Will help fill an immediate need at the defensive tackle position."
 

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AEDEN HOLLER
• Height: 6-4
• Weight: 235
• Position: DL
• Hometown: Williamsport, Pa.
• High School: Loyalsock
• Transfer from Kent State (3 years remaining)
• Highlight Video
 
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- Transfer from Kent State with three years of eligibility remaining.
- Earned all-state honors as a senior at Loyalsock.
- Finished seven-game senior season in 2020 with 61 tackles, 18 TFL and 7.0 sacks.
- Selected to play in the Big 33 All-Star game.
- Named Loyalsock Most Outstanding Defensive Player following senior year.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "Played in the Big 33 game out of high school. Was injured at Kent State. Will help to fill an immediate need at defensive end. Big, strong and athletic. We expect him to compete for a starting job."
 

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KYLE KUDLA
• Height: 5-11
• Weight: 230
• Position: LB
• Hometown: Avon, Ohio
• High School: Avon
• Transfer from Hillsdale (1 year remaining)
• Highlight Video
 
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- Graduate transfer from Hillsdale with one year of eligibility remaining.
- Two-year captain at Hillsdale.
- 2022 Don Hansen Honorable Mention All-American and two-time All-GMAC honoree.
- Appeared in 35 games over four seasons as a three-year starter at Hillsdale, recording 221 tackles, 20 TFL, 7.5 sacks and two interceptions.
- Ranked second in the GMAC in total tackles in 2022 with 97. Also had 9.5 TFL last season.
- Was an All-Ohio linebacker at Avon High School where he amassed 238 tackles, 21 TFL, 14 sacks, and 17 quarterback hurries during prep career.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "Our biggest need we had to fill was at linebacker after losing Brandon Tuck-Hayden and Brandon Bischof. Kyle is a two-year captain and was a Division II All-American last year. He is very intelligent both on the field and in the classroom. He will get his master's degree here. We expect him to compete immediately for the starting middle linebacker job."
 

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ANDREW VINCE
• Height: 6-4
• Weight: 230
• Position: LB
• Hometown: Schwenksville, Pa.
• High School: Souderton
• Transfer from Rutgers (3 years remaining)
• Highlight Video
 
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- Transfer from Rutgers with three years of eligibility remaining.
- Appeared in eight games on special teams at Rutgers last season. Had tackles against Iowa and Wagner.
- Was two-year team captain at Souderton as a quarterback and defensive back.
- Totaled more than 200 career tackles, 2,500 passing yards and 25 touchdowns during high school career.
- Recorded 80 tackles, four passes defended and one interception during final high school season in 2019 while passing for 1,198 yards and 10 touchdowns.
- Earned all-state and All-Continental Conference honors as a defensive back as a senior.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "Andrew is a big kid from a small school in Pennsylvania. He played special teams at Rutgers and comes in with three years left. Very physical. Will be one of the biggest linebackers we have had in our program. He could be used in pass rush situations on the line of scrimmage as well, giving us some mismatch options. Should compete for a starting job right away."
 

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BRAD HOFFMAN
• Height: 6-1
• Weight: 215
• Position: QB
• Hometown: Reading, Pa.
• High School: Wilson
• Transfer from Diamond Football Academy (4 years remaining)
• Highlight Video
 
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- Attended Diamond Football Academy prep school in Texas last year after graduating from Wilson High School.
- Ranked as the No. 13 QB in the state of Pennsylvania by PennLive as a senior at Wilson.
- Named MVP of the 2021 Lancaster-Lebanon All-Star Game.
- Threw for 1,887 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for 1,143 yards and 16 touchdowns in final three seasons at Wilson.
- Ran for 1,080 yards and 12 touchdowns while passing for 850 yards and 11 TDs as a senior.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "We wanted to bring a mid-year guy in to compete at the QB position and Brad was a good find for us. He is very athletic and is a dual threat guy that runs very well. He went to prep school for a year to develop after a strong high school career."
 

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ROCCO CICIONE
• Height: 6-1
• Weight: 190
• Position: WR
• Hometown: Akron, Ohio
• High School: Stow-Munroe Falls
• Highlight Video
 
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- Brother of SRU defensive backs coach Anthony CIcione.
- An All-Northeast Inland District selection as a senior in 2021.
- Graduated high school in 2022 and attended junior college for one semester.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "Brother of SRU defensive backs coach Anthony CIcione. Played two ways in high school and we will start him at receiver. Good hands. Will add depth at the receiver position. Has a lot of opportunities to grow."
 

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ISIAH DAVIS
• Height: 5-7
• Weight: 160
• Position: WR
• Hometown: McKees Rocks, Pa.
• High School: Sto-Rox
• Highlight Video
 
QUICK BIO
- Finished high school career with 4,691 all-purpose yards and 53 touchdowns.
- Hauled in 124 receptions for 1,767 yards and 15 touchdowns during prep career as a receiver while running 1,585 yards and racking up 1,339 total return yards.
- Had a career-year as a senior with 39 receptions for 615 yards and six touchdowns.
- Averaged 15.8 yards per catch in 2022. Also ran for 256 yards as a senior.
- Earned first team All-Century Conference honors following senior year.
- A four-year starter.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "Zay is a guy that fits into our slot receiver position really well. Not a big guy, but will make people miss in space when he gets the ball in his hands."
 

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JONNY HUFF
• Height: 6-1
• Weight: 175
• Position: DB
• Hometown: New Castle, Pa.
• High School: Neshannock
• Highlight Video
 
QUICK BIO
-Ranked fifth as a senior in rushing yards among all WPIAL and City League athletes with 1,877 yards on 193 carries.
- Averaged 9.7 yards per rush.
- Also passed for 1,171 yards.
- Accounted for 25 total touchdowns.
- Named the 2022 Midwestern Conference Offensive Player of the Year and a "Top 22"Defense honoree.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "One of the WPIAL leaders in rushing coming from a small school at Neshannock. Physical guy that we think we can move to the defensive side as a safety."
 

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WILL HARTUNG
• Height: 6-2
• Weight: 200
• Position: LB
• Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.
• High School: Mt. Lebanon
• Highlight Video
 
QUICK BIO
- Helped to lead Mt. Lebanon to a state title in 2021.
- First team all-conference inside linebacker.
- A senior captain.
- Recipient of the Mt. Lebanon Mr. Football Award – given to a Mt. Lebanon athlete who excel on the field due to a mix of athleticism, football IQ, & commitment to preparation while also demonstrating honesty, integrity, & humility off the field
 
Coach Lutz Says: "Played on a state championship team at the 6A level his junior year. Comes from a winning program. Sideline to sideline kind of linebacker. Very athletic. Physical player. Really excited to add him to the depth at the LB position."
 

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BENJAMIN LANE
• Height: 5-9
• Weight: 160
• Position: DB
• Hometown: Freeport, Pa.
• High School: Freeport
• Highlight Video
 
QUICK BIO
- Outstanding two-way player at Freeport as a running back and defensive back.
- Led a Freeport team that gave up just 15.2 points per game. Finished senior season with 72 tackles and two interceptions.
- Also ran for more than 1,100 yards while scoring 21 touchdowns during final high school season.
- Named the Allegheny 6 Conference Most Valuable Offensive Player in addition to earning first team all-league honors at defensive back.
- Recipient of the 2022 Butler Eagle Scoring Trophy, given to the high school player who scored the most regular season points in the county.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "Benjamin was the top defensive back we had on our board that attended our camp last summer. We think he is a Division I talent. Explosive speed and could play multiple positions in the secondary."
 

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JOHN SABO
• Height: 6-2
• Weight: 175
• Position: WR
• Hometown: Slippery Rock, Pa.
• High School: Slippery Rock
• Highlight Video
 
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- Father, John Sabo, played for The Rock from 1997-2000.
- Caught 47 passes for 633 yards and eight touchdowns last season in helping the Rockets reach the District 10 championship game.
- Averaged 13.5 yards per reception and 57.5 receiving yards per game.
- Finished high school career with 1,551 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns on 110 catches.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "You want to get the best guys in your backyard and he played right across the street. His dad played here at SRU. Long and fast receiver that high points the ball really well. Also a good basketball player. We think he can be a force when he develops."
 

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XAVIER LEWIS
• Height: 5-11
• Weight: 185
• Position: WR
• Hometown: Chesapeake, Va.
• High School: Oscar Smith
• Highlight Video

QUICK BIO
- Played receiver at Oscar Smith High School in Chesepeake, Virginia.
- Helped Oscar Smith to a 9-2 record in 2022.
- Two-time All-State and two-time All-Region as a receiver.
- Two-time Virginia state champion in football.
- One-time Virginia state champion in wrestling.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "Xavier is a tremendous playmaking receiver. High points the ball really well. Good route runner and has the speed to hit the home run on every play. Really has good hands catching the ball."
 

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TEDDY GREGORY
• Height: 6-0
• Weight: 220
• Position: LB
• Hometown: Stow, Ohio
• High School: Stow-Munroe Falls
• Highlight Video
 
QUICK BIO
- Closed senior season by earning second team All-Ohio, first team all-district and first team all-conference honors.
- Made 102 tackles in 2022 with 11 TFL, seven sacks, five pass break-ups and two forced fumbles.
- Also ran for 418 yards on 87 attempts.
- Selected to play in the Ohio North-South All-Star Game.
- A four-year starter and three-year team captain.
- Held a preferred walk-on offer from Akron.
- A standout wrestler, currently ranked ninth in the state of Ohio at 215 pounds.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "Really excited about his potential. Had a great high school career. Second player from Stow-Munroe Falls for us. One of the top-ranked wrestlers in Ohio right now. We love wrestlers and have had a lot of success with them in the past. High academic kid – going to major in engineering."
 

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KADEN FISHER
• Height: 6-4
• Weight: 210
• Position: TE
• Hometown: New Castle, Pa.
• High School: Union
• Highlight Video
 
QUICK BIO
- A First Team Big Seven All-Star as a tight end and linebacker.
- Helped to lead Union to a 2022 WPIAL championship and a state runner-up finish.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "Reminds me a lot of Max Maciejewski when he was in high school. Played for a state title at Union. Very athletic pass-catching tight end. Great basketball player. We think when he develops a little in our strength program, he could become a huge mismatch."
 

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JOSEPH MAYER
• Height: 5-10
• Weight: 170
• Position: DB
• Hometown: Allison Park, Pa.
• High School: Hampton
• Highlight Video
 
QUICK BIO
- Was Hampton's starting quarterback in addition to being team's top defensive back.
- Played in nine games as a senior according to MaxPreps, throwing for 973 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 357 yards and four TDs on the ground.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "Joseph is a missile as a defensive back. He loves contact. Runs really well. Also played QB and has a good grasp of offensive schemes. He could be a very versatile player for us."
 

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JACOB SNOW
• Height: 6-2
• Weight: 200
• Position: LB
• Hometown: Mentor, Ohio
• High School: Mentor
• Highlight Video
 
QUICK BIO
- Played quarterback, wide receiver, running back, linebacker and defensive back at Mentor.
- An All-Ohio and all-district selection.
- Caught 53 passes for 700 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior.
- Held preferred walk-on offers from Pittsburgh and Ohio.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "We're really excited about Jacob's potential. He started at QB before moving to RB and WR to go along with playing LB in high school. Physical guy that will be one of the hardest hitters on the team from day one. Fast and physical linebacker that is all over the field. We think he has a chance to play immediately."
 

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DANIEL LONG
• Height: 6-2
• Weight: 230
• Position: DL
• Hometown: Sarver, Pa.
• High School: Highlands
• Highlight Video
 
QUICK BIO
- Earned first team All-Greater Allegheny honors as a senior in lone season at Highlands.
- Transferred to Highlands after playing at North Catholic previously.
- Had at least 10 offers from college programs.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "We liked him early on and got to see him at our camp. Very athletic defensive end that really gets after the QB. Has a chance to play immediately because he already has the size. He could fill an immediate need along the defensive line. Had a lot of Division II offers from top programs, especially in our region."
 

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JAKE MURPHY
• Height: 6-1
• Weight: 230
• Position: TE
• Hometown: Cabot, Pa.
• High School: Knoch
• Highlight Video
 
QUICK BIO
- A first team all-conference selection at tight end and outside linebacker during both junior and senior seasons.
- Caught 42 passes for 840 yards and three touchdowns as a senior.
- Averaged 21.5 yards per catch.
- Totaled 70 tackles and one interception on defense in final prep season.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "Local kid that is a workhorse. Pretty athletic for a tight end but his best attribute is his physicality. Also played LB in high school. Definitely a blocking TE in our schemes and we expect him to have a big role in special teams as well."
 

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ERYCK MOORE-WATKINS
• Height: 6-0
• Weight: 190
• Position: RB
• Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.
• High School: Plum
• Highlight Video
 
QUICK BIO
- Ran for 1,493 yards and 19 touchdowns on 183 carries as a senior.
- Averaged 8.2 yards per rush and 149 yards per game.
- A first team All-Big 56 Conference selection as a senior.
- Graduated as Plum's leader for rushing yards in a career (3,392).
- Also set Plum single-game rushing record with 341 yards against Indiana.
- Held preferred walk-on offers from Penn State and Pittsburgh.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "One of our top running backs on our board that had a lot of Division II offers and some Division I interest. He is a bigger version of the kind of back that we like in our offense. Very athletic for a big back. Has a lot of upside."
 

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KYLON WILSON
• Height: 5-9
• Weight: 170
• Position: RB
• Hometown: Farrell, Pa.
• High School: Farrell
• Highlight Video
 
QUICK BIO
- A two-time all-state selection.  
- Totaled 1,667 all-purpose yards and 30 total touchdowns during senior season.
- Ran for 527 yards (8.6 ypc) and 17 touchdowns as a senior while catching 46 passes for 975 yards (21.2 ypr) and 10 touchdowns.
- Was an electric player throughout high school career, with 3,368 all-purpose yards and 57 total touchdowns.
- Also had six interceptions as a defensive back during career at Farrell.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "This guy is a speed demon. He could become the fastest guy on our team right away. Could be used both at the RB position and in the slot. Has home run ability every time he touches the ball. Could be an ex-factor on special teams in the return game as well."
 

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MAX HECKERT
• Height: 6-0
• Weight: 225
• Position: LB
• Hometown: Gibsonia, Pa.
• High School: Pine-Richland
• Highlight Video
 
QUICK BIO
- Earned all-state honors and first team all-conference accolades as a senior.
- Made a single-season Pine-Richland record 162 tackles during senior year.
- Also recorded 13 TFL, three sacks and three forced fumbles in 2022.
- Anchored a defense that led Pine-Richland to a 5A state title in 2022.
- Leaves Pine-Richland as a two-time WIPAL and two-time state champion.
- According to MaxPreps, made over 300 total tackles during varsity career with 33.5 TFL.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "Led the state in tackles and set a Pine-Richland record last year. Played on a two-time state champion team at Pine-Richland. Excellent student off the field. Physical and talented linebacker that we think is one of the best linebackers in the entire state of Pennsylvania. We expect him to make a big impact."
 

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QUENTIN HARRISON
• Height: 5-10
• Weight: 210
• Position: RB
• Hometown: Bristow, Va.
• High School: Patriot
• Highlight Video

QUICK BIO
- Ran for 1,093 yards and 24 touchdowns on 116 attempts during senior year.
- Averaged 9.4 yards per carry.
- Also caught three passes for 94 yards and one touchdown in addition to serving as one of Patriot's starting linebackers.
- A second team all-state choice on defense and first team all-region honoree at both running back and linebacker.
- Led Patriot to regional championship game.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "Quentin was the other top running back on our list. For a big guy, he cuts really well and has great vision. Really athletic for his size."
 

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DEIGO ELLIS
• Height: 5-11
• Weight: 160
• Position: DB
• Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.
• High School: Sto-Rox
• Highlight Video
 
QUICK BIO
- Earned first team All-Century Conference honors as a specialist.
- Two-time first team All-Century Conference as a defensive back.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "One of our top corners on our board. True cover corner guy. Raw and athletic. Played both ways as a receiver as well. We like what he brings to the table as a corner."


 

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BRIAN YOUNG JR.
• Height: 6-1
• Weight: 225
• Position: DL
• Hometown: Chesapeake, Va.
• High School: Grassfield
• Highlight Video
 
QUICK BIO
- Played defensive line at Grassfield High School in Virginia.
- 60 total tackles as a senior.
- Tallied 8.0 sacks as a senior.
 
Coach Lutz Says: "True pass rusher. Very athletic. Has tremendous upside once he adds some weight and develops in our strength program."


 
 

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