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SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University Athletic Communication Office and The Rock football coaching staff will team up Wednesday, Feb. 5 to provide live updates from the 2025 National Signing Day.
 
Prospective student-athletes are expected to be signed beginning around 9 a.m. Wednesday morning. Once the paperwork is verified by the SRU compliance office, this page will be updated with information on each signee, including custom graphics and quotes from The Rock coaching staff for each respective player.
 
Live announcements will take place on the official Slippery Rock Athletics 'X' (formerly Twitter) account (@Rock_Athletics). Fans can follow the hashtag #RockNSD25 for updates throughout the day.
 
A full announcement of the signing class, including reaction from SRU head coach Shawn Lutz, will be posted to the homepage at www.RockAthletics.com Wednesday afternoon once all expected athletes are signed.
 
Slippery Rock is expected to announce the addition of more than 30 total players Wednesday. In addition to current high school seniors that will be signing, SRU will also announce nine mid-year transfers that are already on campus and will suit up for spring practices next month. The transfer signings will be announced before the high school signees.
 
The Rock are looking to reload and continue a recent trend that has seen Slippery Rock become one of the most stable and successful programs in Division II. SRU will enter the 2025 season with the second longest active streak of NCAA Playoff appearances and the ninth longest active winning seasons streak among all Division II programs. The Rock won the 2024 Super Region One title and reached the national semifinals before closing the year ranked No. 3 in the final Division II national rankings. SRU has been ranked in every national poll since the final rankings of 2018.


Updates will be posted below beginning Wednesday morning around 9 a.m. Refresh this page to make sure you get the latest list of signees. Signees will be listed in the order they are received by the football staff. Mid-year transfers will be announced first.
 
CLASS COMPLETE: Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 1:18 p.m.

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TYLER CAIN
• Height: 6-2 
• Weight: 230 
• Position: LB 
• Hometown: Beaver Falls, Pa. 
• High School: Beaver Falls HS 
• Transfer from: West Virginia University

Quick Bio 
• Ranked as the 36th best player in the state in high school
• Ranked as a top 15 linebacker in the state
• 2x first team All-Conference linebacker in high school
• 2023 Academic All-Big 12 Conference at WVU
• Helped lead Beaver Falls to an 11-2 record, the Class 2A Midwestern Athletic Conference championship and the WPIAL finals for three straight years.
• Has three years of eligibility left to play
 
Coach Lutz Says: "Tyler is a big get for us coming in from WVU. He will start at linebacker but could also play on the edge. He can really pressure the quarterback. We think he will be an immediate impact guy for us wherever he plays whether that is at linebacker or at the defensive end."
 

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DOMINIC CLIFFORD
• Height: 6-2 
• Weight: 285 
• Position: OL 
• Hometown: Knoxville, Tenn.
• Transfer from: Pace University  
• High School: Baylor School HS 
• Highlight Video: LINK
 
Quick Bio 
• 2024 NE10 All-Rookie team
• Appeared in four games for Pace at offensive line 
• 2024 All-State selection at Baylor High School in Tennessee
• 2023-24 All-Region honoree
• Zero sacks and zero tackles for loss allowed in senior year of high school 

Coach Lutz Says: "Dominic has starting experience at the college level. He played guard. Has three years left to play. Has a chance to compete for a starting job this spring. He also played center and could fill an immediate need on the offensive line."
 

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MICHAEL DAHN
• Height: 5-9 
• Weight: 170 
• Position: DB 
• Hometown: Waldorf, Md.
• High School: North Point HS 
• Transfer from: Wheeling University  
• Highlight Video: LINK
 
Quick Bio 
• Helped North Point to the 2022 Maryland state championship
• Played in the Maryland vs. Virginia Senior Bowl
• Earned All-Conference honors at Wheeling University
• Ranked fourth in the MEC and 17th in Division II for passes defended (11) 

Coach Lutz Says: "Michael started in the secondary at Wheeling. He will provide immediate depth at the corner position. Very fast and athletic. Has three years left to play."
 

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BRIAN FRASCO
• Height: 6-2 
• Weight: 300 
• Position: OL 
• Hometown: Youngstown, Ohio 
• High School: Ursuline HS 
• Transfer from: Saint Francis (Pa.)
• Highlight Video: LINK

Quick Bio 
• 2022 first team All-State, All-County, All-District  
• Four-time All-Conference
• 3x All-Region
• 2-Star recruit out of high school
• 213th ranked interior OL in the nation  
• Has three years of eligibility left to play

Coach Lutz Says: "Brian is a Youngstown guy. He has played all the positions on the offensive line and has experience at the Division I level. Has a chance to start for us right away. Versatile and can be moved around the line to fill any of our needs."
 

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PRESTIN HAWKINS
• Height: 6-6 
• Weight: 315 
• Position: OL 
• Hometown: Charlotte N.C. 
• High School: Shelby HS 
• Transfer from: Jireh Prep 
• Highlight Video: LINK

Quick Bio 
• 4x All-Conference selection in High School
• 3-star high school and JUCO rating from 247 Sports
• Had 12 Division I offers
• Originally committed to North Carolina State out of high school
• Attended Jireh Prep last year

Coach Lutz Says: "Prestin has three years left to play. He reminds us of a young Joe Cooper lookalike with his size and the way he moves. Massive guy that will play offensive tackle here. Coming in with JUCO experience. Was a heavily recruited three-star offensive tackle coming out of high school."
 

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BRETT KWOKA
• Height: 6-2 
• Weight: 270 
• Position: DL 
• Hometown: Wilmington, Del.
• High School: Ss. Neumann Goretti HS (Pa.) 
• Transfer from: Shepard University, Delaware University  
• Highlight Video: LINK

Quick Bio 
• Earned first team All-PSAC East honors on the DL for Shepherd in 2024
• Tallied 35 tackles, 8.5 TFL and 4.5 sacks at Shepherd in 2024
• Lettered in football, wrestling and lacrosse in high school
• Began college career at Division I Delaware in 2023
• Tallied four tackles and two QB pressures as a freshman at Delaware
• Has two years left to play at SRU

Coach Lutz Says: "We are really excited to get Brett. He is one of our bigger pickups of the midyear guys because he fills an immediate need. Was first team All-PSAC in the East at Shepherd and has high level experience. Fills an immediate need on the interior of the DL with the graduation of Munchie Johnson. Has two years left to play."
 

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DONOVAN RANDLE
• Height: 6-4 
• Weight: 300 
• Position: OL 
• Hometown: Houston, Texas
• High School: Summer Creek HS 
• Transfer from: Blinn College 
• Highlight Video: LINK

Quick Bio 
• Newcomer of the Year in high school
• Originally committed to Division I Stephen F. Austin
• Transferring in from JUCO level at Blinn College
• Has three years of eligibility remaining

Coach Lutz Says: "Donovan is the cousin of our defensive backs coach Cedric Whitaker. Everything you want from an offensive lineman. Put together. Athletic. Big and strong. Standout at the JUCO level. Could compete for a starting job at the tackle position. Originally committed to Division I Stephen F. Austin."
 

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ANTHONY SMITH
• Height: 6-0 
• Weight: 175 
• Position: DB 
• Hometown: Martinsburg, W.Va.
• High School: Martinsburg HS 
• Transfer from: Frostburg State
 
Quick Bio 
• Listed as the top-ranked WR/DB in the state in high school
• Ranked seventh in Division II in interceptions per game in 2023
• Ranked 13th in Division II in pass breakups in 2023
• 2023 Honorable Mention All-MEC honors
• Carl Lee Award Winner (Top DB in State) in 2021 
• Three-time All-State honoree in high school

Coach Lutz Says: "Anthony brings two years of starting experience for a good program in our region at Frosburg State. He is a long corner that can make an immediate impact for us with the graduation of Josh Stokes. Has one year left to play."
 

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ANTHONY VESPO
• Height: 6-3 
• Weight: 215 
• Position: QB 
• Hometown: Bolingbrook, Ill.
• High School: Bolingbrook HS 
• Transfer from: Northern State, Missouri Western State 
• Highlight Video: LINK
 
Quick Bio 
• 4x team captain at the college level
• Served as team captain at both Missouri Western State and Northern State
• Holds the single-game passing record at Missouri Western with 448 yards
• Played the last two seasons at Northern State
• All-State honoree in high school in Illinois

Coach Lutz Says: "Anthony is relentless as a QB. Lots of experience. Coming in from Northern State. Tough and durable kid. Has been a captain everywhere he has been. Will compete for the starting spot and will bring some valuable leadership to our QB room with the departure of Brayden Long."
 

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MARTEL PALMER
• Height: 5-7 
• Weight: 160 
• Position: WR 
• Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa. 
• High School: Penn Hills 
• Highlight Video: LINK

Quick Bio 
• 2x All-Conference at Penn Hills
• 2-year team captain
• Team Offensive MVP and Special Teams MVP
• 3-year letterwinner
• Member of National Honor Society

Coach Lutz Says: "Martel is a very fast and elusive slot receiver that can also be a return man in the special teams game. He is small in stature, but is very shifty in space."
 

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CHRISTIAN WERLING
• Height: 6-4 
• Weight: 215 
• Position: TE
• Hometown: Dublin, Ohio 
• High School: Dublin Coffman HS 
• Highlight Video: LINK

Quick Bio 
• First Team All-OCC honors at Dublin Coffman
• Honorable Mention All-State selection in Ohio
• 3x varsity starter in football
• 2x Varsity starter in tennis
• Played the fullback position in high school

Coach Lutz Says: "Christian comes from a great school in Columbus. He could be a fullback or tight end, but we also think he is a guy that could grow into an offensive lineman, similar to a guy like Nathan Waltman."
 

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AMARI SHIELDS
• Height: 5-10 
• Weight: 195 
• Position: DB 
• Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa. 
• High School: Central Catholic HS 
• Highlight Video: LINK
 
Quick Bio 
• 2023 6A All-Conference honoree from Central Catholic
• Team captain  
• 3-year starter at the varsity level
• Helped Central Catholic to the 6A WPIAL title

Coach Lutz Says: " "Amari will play on all of our special teams right away likely. Loves to play physical. Doesn't shy away from contact. Hard hitting safety. Could potentially play offense as well with his skills."
 

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ETHAN SHAWLEY
• Height: 6-0 
• Weight: 200 
• Position: LB 
• Hometown: Mount Pleasant, Pa. 
• High School: Southmoreland HS
• Highlight Video: LINK

Quick Bio 
• 2x first team All-Conference
• 2x first team All-County
• Team captain 
• 3-year varsity starter at Southmoreland

Coach Lutz Says: "Ethan is a downhill physical linebacker that loves to run to contact. A little undersized, but he will run through a wall for you."

 

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ELLIOT PREMUS
• Height: 6-4 
• Weight: 215 
• Position: LB 
• Hometown: Scottdale, Pa. 
• High School: Southmoreland HS 
• Highlight Video: LINK
 
Quick Bio 
• 2024 first team All-Conference WR and DB 
• 2x first team All-County
• 3x varsity starter   
• Team captain at Southmoreland

Coach Lutz Says: "Comes from a rural place where he was overlooked. Athletic enough to have success anywhere on the field. Will play the linebacker position here. We think he was a Division I talent and he could be one of our top signings on the defensive side of the ball."
 

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CLAYTON NIEVES
• Height: 5-9 
• Weight: 160 
• Position: RB 
• Hometown: New Oxford, Pa. 
• High School: New Oxford HS 
• Highlight Video: LINK
 
Quick Bio 
• First team All-State running back at New Oxford
• First team All-County
• First team All-District
• 2024 York Area Offensive Player of the Year
• FAB 50 nominee

Coach Lutz Says: "Clayton comes from the same high school as Brayden Long. He is extremely fast and has a great burst after he gets through the line. His biggest attribute is definitely his speed. True running back."
 

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JAMEL MITCHELL
• Height: 6-3 
• Weight: 240 
• Position: DL 
• Hometown: New Castle, Pa. 
• High School: Union Area HS 
• Highlight Video: LINK

Quick Bio 
• Team captain 
• 4-year starter 
• First team offense and defense three years in a row
• OL / DL of the Year 
• 2024 WPIAL Midwestern Defensive Player of the Year
• Team MVP 
• 2022 WPIAL Champion 
• Also a member of WPIAL champion baseball team and runner-up basketball team

Coach Lutz Says: "Jamel is a team captain. He could play right away for us at defensive end. Violent football player. Can get to the QB. Physical and strong. Big wing span. Heo could help us right away."
 

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NATHANIEL McKNIGHT
• Height: 6-2 
• Weight: 180 
• Position: WR 
• Hometown: New Castle, Pa. 
• High School: New Castle HS 
• Highlight Video: LINK
 
Quick Bio
• Team Captain  
• 2024 first team All-Conference WR  
• 2024 All-Conference Honorable Mention DB  
• 2x All-Conference track & field athlete
• 3x WPIAL qualifier in long Jump and 200-meter dash
• Also played basketball two years

Coach Lutz Says: "Nathaniel is a typical outside receiver. Tall and athletic and can really jump. He is a great track & field athlete as well and also played basketball for a few years."
 

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WILLIAM LECH
• Height: 6-3 
• Weight: 190 
• Position: K/P 
• Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa. 
• High School: Central Catholic HS 
• Highlight Video: LINK

Quick Bio 
• WPIAL Kicker of the Year  
• 6A first team All-State
• 3-year starter  
• Central Catholic record - Longest FG 54 yards
• Most FGs made in a season (11)
• Kicked 83 touchbacks on kickoffs in 2024

Coach Lutz Says: "One of the best kickers in the state. Made a 54-yard field goal in a game this year. Strong leg and can kick and punt. Has a chance to do everything for us in the kicking game and will compete immediately to be our starter in the fall."
 

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NATHAN GREER
• Height: 6-1 
• Weight: 180 
• Position: WR 
• Hometown: Grove City, Pa. 
• High School: Grove City HS 
• Highlight Video: LINK
 
Quick Bio 
• 3x All-District and 2x All-State
• 3-year starter  
• 7th in Mercer County history in receiving yards  
• 5th in Mercer County history in receptions 
• 7th in history to reach 2,000 career receiving yards in Mercer County  
• Also a regional Player of the Year in basketball
• 2x All-District honoree in basketball
• 27 point shy of becoming Grove City all-time basketball points leader

Coach Lutz Says: "One of the all-time leading scorers in basketball history at Grove City. Very athletic. Can jump out of the gym. Prime time outside receiver that can run and jump. Very raw but has all the tools and upside."
 

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VARRIUS FARRELL
• Height: 6-2 
• Weight: 280 
• Position: OL 
• Hometown: Towanda Pa. 
• High School: Towanda Area HS 
• Highlight Video: LINK
 
Quick Bio 
• 4x varsity starter on both sides of the ball
• 2x first team All-League OL and DL  
• 2x team captain 
• 2024 first team All-Region OL  
• 2023 first team All-Region DL  
• Placed T-8 in shot put in 2A Pennsylvania
• Placed second in shot put in the District IV Championships 
• All-Region track & field athlete

Coach Lutz Says: ""Grinder and mauler. Small town rural guy that was overlooked by a lot of teams. Big and strong. Can really play. Reminds us of a guy like Chris Larsen (former All-American tackle at SRU)."
 

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SPENCER BARNINGER
• Height: 6-0 
• Weight: 215 
• Position: LB 
• Hometown: Mentor, Ohio 
• High School: Mentor HS 
• Highlight Video: LINK
 
Quick Bio 
• Team captain  
• Team Defensive Player of the Year
• Lake County Defensive Player of the Year 
• First Team News Herald
• First Team All-County / District / Conference 
• Second Team All-Ohio Division 1 
• 3x letterman 

Coach Lutz Says: "Spencer was our current linebacker Jacob Snow's teammate in high school at Mentor. He is a downhill physical guy that will hit."
 

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JASON GILLESPIE
• Height: 6-2 
• Weight: 255 
• Position: DL 
• Hometown: Avon, Ohio 
• High School: Avon HS 
• Highlight Video: LINK
 
Quick Bio 
• Team captain  
• State champion at Avon High School
• 2-year varsity starter (30-1 record)  
• Third team All-Ohio 
• First team All-District, Conference, County  
• North South All-Star Game invite  
• Also first team All-Conference and All-County in baseball

Coach Lutz Says: "Had a lot of FCS teams coming after him. Won a state title. Athletic and explosive. Can probably play inside or outside on the defensive line. Could make an impact pretty quickly for us."
 

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JALEN CLINE
• Height: 5-8 
• Weight: 180 
• Position: RB 
• Hometown: Hillside, N.J.
• High School: Malcolm X Shabazz HS 
• Highlight Video: LINK
 
Quick Bio 
• 4-year varsity player 
• 3-year varsity starter 
• 2022 All-State Honorable Mention
• 2024 Sectional Champion  
• 2024 first team All-Conference honoree in the SFC White

Coach Lutz Says: "Four-year varsity player from New Jersey. Quick and elusive. Can make people miss out in space. Small in stature but very quick."
 

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MADDOX THOMPSON
• Height: 6-0 
• Weight: 175 
• Position: DB 
• Hometown: New Castle, Pa. 
• High School: Union Area HS 
• Highlight Video: LINK
 
Quick Bio 
• Team Captain 
• All-Conference DB  
• WPIAL Champion 
• 3x varsity starter 
• 4x letterwinner
 
Coach Lutz Says: "Maddox could be a safety type player for us. He is athletic and comes from a good high school program that won. Will add depth in the defensive secondary."
 

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TROY LUCAS
• Height: 5-11 
• Weight: 210 
• Position: LB 
• Hometown: Chantilly, Va. 
• High School: Westfield HS 
• Highlight Video: LINK
 
Quick Bio 
• All-District and District Defensive Player of the Year 
• All-Region and Region Player of the Year
• 2024 first team All-Conference 
• 2023 second team All-Conference
• All-State All Met
• Played in St. James Senior Bowl
• 3-year varsity starter 
• 2-Year varsity captain

Coach Lutz Says: "Athleticism off the charts. Not the biggest guy but not afraid of contact and being physical. Happy to get a guy from Virginia. Has a nose for the ball. Flies around sideline to sideline."
 

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HAMILTON GATES
• Height: 6-0 
• Weight: 185 
• Position: WR 
• Hometown: Holidaysburg, Pa. 
• High School: Bishop Guilfoyle HS 
• Highlight Video: LINK 
 
Quick Bio 
• 2024 All-State WR  
• 2x All-Conference WR  
• All-Conference at running back and return specialist
• 2x All-Conference DB  
• 2024 Altoona Mirror Co-Player of the Year
• Second all-time PA single-season receiving yards (1,705) 
• All-time school receiving record (2,436) 
• Team captain
• 3-year starter 
• 3x District champion  
• 2x State champion  
• Also plays basketball and baseball

Coach Lutz Says: "Hamilton could play on either side of the ball with his skills. We will start him at the receiver position. Can really high point a ball. Can really run. Has a lot of potential on the outside."
 

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Da'RON GOODWINE
• Height: 6-2 
• Weight: 255 
• Position: DL 
• Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa. 
• High School: Central Catholic HS 
• Highlight Video: LINK
 
Quick Bio 
• 2x 6A All-Conference
• 2-year varsity starter   
• 3x varsity letterwinner
• 2023 6A WPIAL champion 

Coach Lutz Says: "Da'Ron played in the state championship game at Central Catholic. Will start out here at defensive end. Very athletic. Can rush the QB."
 

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JIMMY KERR
• Height: 6-4 
• Weight: 300 
• Position: OL 
• Hometown: Clarion, Pa. 
• High School: Clarion Area HS 
• Highlight Video: LINK
 
Quick Bio 
• 3x first team All-Conference  
• 3x first team All-State  
• 2023 & 2024 Region 1 D9 Lineman of the Year  
• Team captain 
• 3x starter
• Invited to Lezzer Lumber All-State Game
• Invited to Frank Varischetti All-Star Game

Coach Lutz Says: "Had offers from all the FCS and D2 schools in our region. Big and strong. Great athlete. Has a really good chance to compete for a spot right away. We think he will have a really bright future for us."
 

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CHRIS KIRKLAND
• Height: 6-0 
• Weight: 175 
• Position: DB 
• Hometown: Glenwillard, Pa. 
• High School: Lincoln Park Performing Arts HS 
• Highlight Video: LINK  
 
Quick Bio 
• Never played organized football before high school
• 2x honorable mention All-Conference DB
• Team captain 
• Team MVP 
• Nine TDs in last nine games 
• Also a WPIAL and state champion in basketball

Coach Lutz Says: "Never played football until high school. Went to a school with no football so he played at Western Beaver. Very athletic. Diamond on the rough type of kid that has a lot of upside."
 

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KYRELL HARRIS
• Height: 6-0 
• Weight: 170 
• Position: DB 
• Hometown: New Castle, Pa. 
• High School: New Castle HS 
• Highlight Video: LINK  
 
Quick Bio 
• 2x All-Conference
• 3-year starter
• 2x team captain
• 3x qualifier for WPIAL in track & field
• 2x state qualifier in jumps and sprints
• Also plays basketball for state runner-up team

Coach Lutz Says: "Kyrell is a multi-sport athlete that is also a really good hooper. Played QB in high school. Has great athleticism. We think he could be a standout cornerback on the defensive side of the ball."
 

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LUCAS BENSON
• Height: 6-2 
• Weight: 190 
• Position: LS 
• Hometown: Massillon, Ohio 
• High School: Jackson HS
• Highlight Video: LINK

Quick Bio 
• 4.5-star long snapper via Kohls Professional Camps 
• Top long snapper in Ohio
• Top 15 long snappers nationally
• 2x starter
• Invited to National Kohls Underclassman Special 

Coach Lutz Says: "Love to get a guy from my hometown and the same high school I went to. Lucas is a true long snapper. Has a chance to compete to start right away with our long snapper graduating."
 

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TYLER HECKATHORN
• Height: 6-4 
• Weight: 220 
• Position: TE 
• Hometown: Beaver Falls, Pa. 
• High School: Blackhawk HS 
• Highlight Video: LINK
 
Quick Bio 
• 4-year letterwinner
• First team All-Conference WR  
• Team Offensive MVP 
• Also an All-Conference basketball player
• Scored over 900 points in high school basketball career
• Selected as Beaver County Times Player of the Week five times

Coach Lutz Says: "Carson Heckathorn's little brother. Played mostly receiver in high school, but we think he could end up at the tight end spot. Athletic guy. Plays basketball as well. Has a lot of upside."
 

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