Feb. 14, 2007

ERIE, Pa. - Mercyhurst College head football coach Marty Schaetzle announced the commitments of 16 student-athletes to attend Mercyhurst and play football for the Lakers in the fall of 2007.

The class of 2007 features commitments from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio and New York.

"Based on our evaluations, we feel that this is as talented a group as we've recruited." said Schaetzle. " We have a good blend of positions in the class and it addresses some immediate needs that we have,"

The Laker commitments include six on the offensive side of the ball and six defensive players, along with four others who will have their position to be determined. It also includes Aaron Cook and Garrett Kensey, who have verbally committed and will join the program in the Spring 2007 term.

The group should stand out in the classroom, as well as on the field. The incoming freshman had an average grade point average of 3.12 and the average SAT score was a 1010.

The addition of these 16 does not complete the Lakers' recruiting class. Coach Schaetzle and his staff will work to add even more talent to the incoming class through the end of the signing period on April 1.

Mercyhurst finished the 2006 season with a record of 3-7 overall, playing all 10 games in the GLIAC. It was a one-win improvement over the previous season. Eight players were named All-GLIAC, including three returnees.

Neil Apfelbaum	Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair	FB	6-2/220
Coach Schaetzle:  "Neil is a hard-hitting fullback with soft hands.  He possesses the ideal skills of a fullback."
Andrew Butka	Edinburg, Pa/Mohawk	TE/DE	6-2/230
Coach Schaetzle:  "Andrew has a good blend of size, athleticism, and running ability.  He is an excellent two-way performer."
Andre Deal	Cleveland, Ohio/Glen	DB	5-8/185
Coach Schaetzle:  "Andre has explosive, quick feet.  He plays with great passion and always hustles."
Donovan Dula	Lewis Center, Ohio/Oleantangy	DB	5-8/160
Coach Schaetzle:  "Donovan is an athletic corner.  He moves well backward and forward and has excellent agility."
Charlie Gallop	Capitol Heights, Ohio/Fairmont Heights	DL	6-1/260
Coach Schaetzle:  "Charlie is a very good runner - he gets to the football.  He uses his hands very well and has great potential."
Fred Hale	Mentor, Ohio/Mentor	OL/DE	6-3/240
Coach Schaetzle:  "Fred is excellent off the edge.  He has great quickness and is explosive."
Daniel Johnson	Lewis Center, Ohio/Oleantangy	QB	5-11/180
Coach Schaetzle:  "Daniel is an athletic quarterback with a strong and accurate arm."
Ashton Jones	Erie, Pa./Strong Vincent	DB	5-11/170
Coach Schaetzle:  "Ashton is a physical DB.  He plays smart and hard and plays well against the run in addition to his cover skills."
Jim Maxwell	Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville	OL	6-2/270
Coach Schaetzle:  "Jim can play either center or guard.  He has very good feet and quickness.  Jim always plays with intensity."
Garrett McEwen	Bradford, Ohio/Strongsville	LB	6-2/225
Coach Schaetzle:  "Garrett plays linebacker with great passion.  His feet are quick and he accelerates to the ball."
Stewart Myers	Cranberry Twp., Pa./Seneca Valley	DE	6-3/240
Coach Schaetzle:  "Stewart is very athletic and an excellent runner.  He has good size on the D-line."
Buddy O'Leary	Erie, Pa./Mercyhurst Prep	FB/DE	6-3/240
Coach Schaetzle:  "Buddy accelerates well with the ball on offense and to the ball on defense.  His frame is excellent."
Travis Rearick	/Forest Hills	QB/DB	6-2/200
Coach Schaetzle:  "Travis is both an intelligent and athletic quarterback and throws with accuracy."
Clyde H. Robinson	Cincinnati, Ohio/Hughes Center	WR	6-1/185
Coach Schaetzle:  "Clyde is a tall, quick and strong receiver.  He runs good routes and goes up for the ball well."