After graduating 17 seniors this past season, Slippery Rock University football will welcome 20 new recruits for the 2012 season.
Rock head coach George Mihalik sees a lot of potential with the upcoming class.
“I’m very pleased with the overall talent with this year’s class,” Mihalik said. “We got a little bit of everything that we needed. I think this potentially has the chance to be one of the best recruiting classes since I’ve been head coach.”
Headlining the list of recruits is Marzett Getter out of Sto-Rox High School. Geter is a defensive back with deceptive speed, who, before committing to SRU, was committed to the University of Pittsburgh but changed his mind after PaulChryst was named Pitt’s head coach.
“Pitt let him go the weekend before signing day,” Mihalik said. “Someone contacted us and we called him right away and got him up for an official visit. He liked us and we liked him. He committed the Sunday before signing day. He’s a great talent, he can play defensive back and can very easily play wide receiver. He will definitely be a very good returnspecialist.”
Joining Geter at the top of the list is defensive tackle Avery Anderson out of Gateway High School.
“Avery is physically mature for a high school player and he has good athleticism,” Mihalik said. “He has the size already. He weighs 285 pounds and is a very athletic and strong defensive lineman. Our depth at defensive line was a little thin last season and we felt we needed someone that could potentially help out right away. Avery can be that guy. He has a chance to contribute as a true freshman.”
Also with the possibility to contribute as a true freshman is offensive lineman Joe LoSchiavo out of St. Edward High School.
“Joe is another high school lineman that is physically mature,” Mihalik said. “He has very good strength and athleticism and he played at a very high level at St. Edward, which plays high schools all over the country. He also could contribute his first year.”
Speed is something that is highly valuable at any position on a football team and Leroy McClain out of Susquehanna Township High School can provide plenty of it. McClain is a wide receiver that is a state and district champion in the4x100 relay team in track and field.
“He is extremely quick and has the ability to catch a short pass and turn it into a big play,” Mihalik said. “He could also line up at running back at times. “We graduated three seniors at receiver so his opportunity to contribute is going to be there early in his career.”
Mihalik said that the entire class of 20 that is coming in is a solid group.
“From top to bottom it’s a great class,” Mihalik said. “I have to compliment Coach Jason Makrinos as recruiting coordinator he did an outstanding job. Combine that with the great effort the staff gave and it was a successful year. And, something else that needs noted, is when these recruits visit, our players do a great job of being open honest and direct about the program and the parents and the recruits appreciate their honesty.”
Along with Geter, Anderson, LaSchiavo, and McClain are 16 other recruits who look to contribute at the Rock in the next several seasons.
The list includes running back Josh Beverly from Sto-Rox, wide receiver Josh Bridgeforth from Nazareth, defensive end Cody Conway from Gateway, defensive back Alfon Cook from Ringgold, athlete Sal Faleta from Bethlehem Center, offensive lineman Aaron Gillis from Brookfield, defensive back Will Graham from Taylor Allderdice, running backShamar Green from West Mifflin, defensive end Erik Johnson from Central Catholic, offensive lineman Kaleb Kingston from Laurel, defensive tackle Mike Kope from Charleroi, linebacker Chad Kulka from General McLane, cornerback EdLatimer from Central Catholic, quarterback Zack Newsock from Xenia, tight end Dalton Raab from West Allegheny, and athlete Tashian Tucker from Roman Catholic.
The Rock will look to return to the top of the Pennsylvania State Athletic C
