LORETTO, Pa. (Feb. 7, 2013) – The Saint Francis University football team added 22 players to its roster on national signing day and showed the growth of the program signing student-athletes from seven different states.
Marcus Alston – TE – 6-3 – 240 – Mount St. Joseph
Alston joins the Red Flash from Mount St. Joseph High School in Baltimore, Md. Prior to a foot injury that sidelined him the majority of his senior year, Alston recorded 11 catches for 108 yards and snagged two touchdowns. Off the field, Alston was selected to the Big 33 All-Star game. In Alston’s junior season, he accumulated 49 receptions for 497 yards and four touchdowns. In addition, Alston was selected as an All-Conference, All-Metro, Private School All-State and Baltimore Touchdown Club Super 22 performer. He was also selected to the 2011 Maryland Crab Bowl.
Rodriquiz Alexander II – WR – 6-1 – 170 – Everglades
Alexander posted 17 receptions for 456 yards with five touchdown catches and two kickoff returns for touchdowns as well his senior year at Everglades. He was selected to the North South Broward All-Star game as a senior while being selected second team All-Broward.
Mike Boyd – OL - 6-1 - 291 - Farrington
Mitchell Boyd - OL - 6-1 - 303 – Farrington
Mike and Mitchell Boyd join the Red Flash from Farrington High School in Honolulu, Hawaii where the set of twin brothers played for Randall Okimoto. The brothers guided the Governors to a record of 10-3. Mike and Mitchell both play offensive line for the Governors with Michael playing center at 6-1 291 pounds and Mitchell playing guard at 6-1 303. Mitchell Boyd earned the Excellence in Leadership Award at the Junior Rank Hawaii Diamond Flight Camp.
Angelo Broglia – DE – 6-3 – 235 – Canon McMillian
Broglia was a three-year starter on the offensive and defensive line for Canon McMillan High School. He recorded 85 tackles, six sacks and five fumble recoveries his senior season as a defensive end. He earned a selection to the 2012 Southeastern AAAA All-Conference team as well as a chance to play in the Tri-County All Star Game earlier this year. Broglia also picked up honors for being a two-sport athlete in wrestling at Canon Mac.
Michael Brucker – DE – 6-2 – 230 – Bethel Park
Brucker served as varsity team co-captain and was a three-year varsity letterwinner at Bethel Park High School. As a defensive end, he registered 45 tackles, six sacks and eight tackles for losses his senior year. As a tight end Brucker averaged 15 yards a catch. In 2012 he earned WPIAL AAAA All-Conference first team honors as a defensive lineman and was an Almanac Premiere Pigskin Performer.
Cole Bush – RB – 6-2 - 230 – Burrell
Bush comes to Loretto after an incredible high school career. He received PA writers first team All-State linebacker honors, was a first team Allegheny Conference Running Back and Linebacker selection, Allegheny Conference Offensive Player of the Year, WTAE Student Athlete of the Week and is a member of the National Honor Society. Bush was a three-year starter on offense and defense breaking schools records in career yards (3,094) and touchdowns (62). Additionally he won the Allegheny Conference Championship in 2012 while rushing for 1,799 yards and 33 touchdowns. Bush also has excelled in the classroom posting a 3.8 GPA in high school.
Kadarrius Campbell – RB – 5-11 – 210 – St. Mary’s Ryken
A native of Waldorf, Md., Campbell spent two years at St. Mary’s Ryken High School in Leonardtown, Md. In two years he was named captain of the varsity football team while racking up over 2,500 all-purpose yards. In 2012, Campbell led the team with 106 carries for 904 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Zach Drayer - QB – 6-3 - 215 – Hershey
Drayer joins the Red Flash after completing his final season at Hershey High School. Drayer led the Trojans to a 6-5 overall record and he threw for 1,684 yards and 14 touchdowns his senior season. Drayer also ran the ball for over 600 yards and 13 touchdowns.
James Duman – OL/DL – 6-1 – 255 – Padua Franciscan
Co-captain and starter for two seasons, Duman, coached by Tony Shuman, was All-South/Central Ohio by the Sun News and second team All-North Coast League (NCL). Duman also earned an invite to participate in the ESPN Nike Football Training Camp (NFTC).
Kalaii “KC” Griffin – DB – 6-2 – 195 – Walter Johnson High School
A two-sport letterwinner in both football and wrestling, Griffin joins the Red Flash family from Walter Johnson High School. In his senior season, playing both safety positions, Griffin was not only a force in the pass game but also in the run game. He racked up 53 tackles, 17 pass deflections, one interception and one sack. Griffin also proved to be a dangerous kick return threat, earning 325 return yards on the season. Griffin finished with 36 pass deflections in his two years at Walter Johnson.
Brandon Haney – FB – 6-0 – 225 – Berea
Coached by Mike Rice at Berea High School, Haney racked up 2,000 rushing yards, 300 kickoff return yards, 16 touchdowns and over 300 yards receiving for his career. In five games played his senior season he rushed for 400 yards. For his efforts Haney was a two-time all-conference and two-time all-area honoree.
Lorenzo Jerome – DB – 5-11 – 185 - J.P. Taravella
A three-year starter at quarterback and defensive back for coach Dan Marguriet, Jerome led J.P. Taravella to its first section championship since 1982. He finished the 2012 season with 1,025 passing yards and 750 rushing yards. He also recorded five interceptions at cornerback. Lorenzo was named honorable mention Sun Sentinel QB and third team All-Broward County. Jerome played in the North South Broward All-Star game where he was named MVP. He also participated in the Under Armour Dade-Broward All-Star game where he recorded eight tackles and two pass breakups at cornerback.
Jimmy Marks – OL – 6-2 – 275 - Lower Dauphin
Marks comes to Loretto after enjoying a solid high school career on both the offensive and defensive line. Marks recorded 42 tackles and three sacks during his senior season at Lower Dauphin High School.
Wesley Nagaseu – LB – 6-0 – 240 – Waipahu
Nagaseu joins SFU after playing for head coach Shane Mistui in Hawaii. Nagaseu was a 2012 Tom Lemming prep report selection. His junior season he earned all-state third team honors, as well as a All-OIA second team selection. Nagaseu’s Waipahu squad were OIA White Division champions and state runner-ups in 2011.
Marcus Pickens – LB – Potomac – 5-11 – 220
Pickens played two years at Potomac High School where he had a prolific career as a linebacker. In 2012, Pickens racked up a total of 143 tackles, seven and a half sacks, 14 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one interception, a blocked punt, five fumble recoveries and three quarterback hurries.
In addition to his exceptional career on the field, Pickens garnered additional accolades off the field. He was first team All-Prince George’s County and participated in the PG county versus SMAC county all-star game.
Brandon Robinson – DT – 6-2 – 255 – Glenville
Robinson joins the Red Flash out of Cleveland, Ohio where he was a two-year starter on the defensive line for Glenville, coached by Tedd Ginn Sr. Glenville, a perennial power in the Cleveland area, went 9-2 his senior season. On his final go-around with Glenville, the 6-2 defensive tackle recorded 45 tackles, seven sacks, one fumble recovery and a touchdown.
Kinosha Spencer – DE/LB – 6-2 – 230 – Walsh Jesuit
Spencer joins the Flash after receiving seven Player of the Week awards and being named second team all-conference. He posted 68 tackles, two tackles for loss, five sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and 16 hurried throws. During his time at perennial power Walsh Jesuit, he was a duel-sport athlete in football and basketball.
Brandon Taylor – DT – 6-1 – 270 - Montclair
As a team captain his senior year Taylor led the Montclair Mounties to its first ever 12-0 season and its first state championship victory since 2002. As a three-year letterwinner and starter on the offensive and defensive line, Taylor is a two-time first team All-State Group 5, two-time first team Essex County, two-time first team All-Super Essex Conference and three-time first team American Division selection. Taylor concluded his high school career accumulating 18 starts, 56 tackles and five sacks over his junior and senior seasons. Taylor will join the Red Flash defensive line in 2013.
Matt Valenzuela – TE – 6-2 – 225 - Dominion
Valenzuela joins the SFU football squad after serving as team captain and MVP in back-to-back seasons. As an All-Dulles District first team defensive end and wide receiver, Valenzuela set the school record for receptions and receiving yards per game. He was the MVP of the “Battle of Route 7” rivalry game and led his high school team in tackles in 2011 and 2012. For his career he racked up 50 receptions for 745 yards, 76 rushing attempts for 459 yards and reeled in 12 total touchdowns. He was a multi-sport athlete in football, basketball and baseball.
Anthony Watkins – WR – 6-1 – 185 – Fort Meade
The Maryland native will join Saint Francis after a strong career at wide receiver for Fort Meade High School. Watkins finished his senior year with 47 catches for 812 yards and 10 touchdowns.
In addition to his on the field stats, Watkins collected additional recognition by being named to the first team All-Arundel County at wide receiver. He also garnered first team All-Capitol Gazette and Honorable Mention All-State.
Kire Worley – DB – 6-1 – 185 – Fork Union Military Academy
The Richmond, Va. native joins SFU as a mid-year signee after playing most recently at Fork Union Military Academy at the defensive back position. At Hermitage High School, Worley played several positions. His senior year was cut short due to injury, but he still threw for over 400 yards and ran for another 200 yards in just four games. Worley also contributed on the defensive side, posting 20 tackles and an interception. Worley was named second-team All-Conference his senior season in 2011. Worley was ranked in the ESPN 150 in the state of Virginia for the class of 2012. During his junior season, Worley threw for over 1,000 yards and ran for another 789 yards.