DURHAM, N.H.—Sean McDonnell, the
12th-year head football coach at the University of New Hampshire,
announced today that 17 student-athletes have signed letters of
intent to attend UNH and play football for the Wildcat football
program. The list includes players from all areas of the football
field.
“We are very excited about the versatility
and overall athleticism in this recruiting class. Our coaches, in
this recruiting process, addressed many areas of our team on both
sides of the football,” said McDonnell. “This class
will help continue UNH’s strong tradition in the
Colonial Athletic Association.”
Alex Blane
DL/OL 6-4
255 North Andover, Mass./North
Andover
Robert Bowman
OL/DL 6-5
275 Cheshire, Conn./Notre Dame
Brian Ciccone
TE/LB
6-3 215
Manchester, Mass./Manchester-Essex
Mike Coccia
OL/DL 6-3
275 Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom
Malcolm Griggs
LB/WR 6-2
210 Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway
R.J. Harris
WR/DB 6-0
180 Odenton, Md./Arundel
Tim Johnson
OL/DL 6-2
275 Oakdale, Pa./West Alleghaney
Eric Joyner
DB/WR 5-9
195 Bridgeport, Conn./King & Low-Heywood
Thomas
Jimmy Owens
RB/DB 5-8
200 West Deptford, N.J./West Deptford
Alex Park
QB/DB 6-1
190 Upper St. Clair, Pa./Upper St. Clair
Corey Rekasie
DL/OL 6-1
260 Oakdale, Pa./Chartiers Valley
Harold Spears
TE/DE 6-4
210 Perkasie, Pa./Pennington School
Nico Steriti
RB/DB
5-11 205
Toms River, N.J./Toms River East
Steven Thames DB/WR
6-0 170 Fort
Washington, Md./Riverdale Baptist
Chad Wilkes
DB/QB 6-0
175 Cheraw, S.C./Cheraw
Tre Williams
DB/WR 6-3
190 Syracuse, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy
Robbie Zauck
LB/OL 6-2
210 Ocean View, N.J./Ocean City
Alex Blane is a 6-4, 255-pound DL/OL from North
Andover, Mass. He played this past season at North Andover High
School, where he was a big, athletic, offensive and defensive
lineman who proved to have quick feet on the football field. A
two-year starter in football, Blane was named a preseason
All-Massachusetts All-Star by “ESPN Rise Magazine”
heading into his senior season. He was also an All-Cape Ann
selection and was awarded the Coaches Award after the completion of
his senior year. He was a three-sport captain at NAHS where he
lettered in lacrosse and scored 27 goals as a junior earning him
All-Cape Ann league honors and was also a star on the basketball
team. “Alex has a tremendous upside,” said McDonnell.
“He is a big frame kid with the ability to run to the ball.
His athleticism and size will help us on our defensive
line.”
Robert Bowman, a 6-5, 275-pound OL/DL from
Cheshire, Conn., was a two-way starter for Coach Tom Marcucci at
Notre Dame High School in West Haven, Conn. Bowman led the Green
Knights to an 11-1 record and Class L State Championship title
where they finished as the No. 1 team in the state of Connecticut.
Bowman was also named to the SCC All-Conference squad and was named
to the Walter Camp All-Connecticut team. In addition, he was named
first-team all-area on offense and first-team all-state on defense
by “The New Haven Register”. Bowman was also named an
all-state defensive player by The Connecticut High School Head
Coaches Association. “Hearst Connecticut Newspapers”
named him to their all-star squad and he was also selected as an
offensive player on the Levi Jackson Team of New Haven County. He
was the leading defensive line tackler in the SCC Class L Division
with over 73 tackles and was also the No. 1 sack/yards lost leader
in the league with 10 sacks for 46 yards lost. He was also tied for
the league lead in interceptions by a defensive lineman. In
addition, Bowman was a defenseman for the Green Knight lacrosse
team. “Robert is a big offensive tackle prospect for
us,” said McDonnell. “He has a very big wing span that
will help us in pass protection from the tackle position. He
will add great size and strength to our offensive line.”
Brian Ciccone, a 6-3, 215-pound TE/LB from
Manchester, Mass., was a very versatile player at Manchester Essex
High School where he was a three-time All-Commonwealth Conference
selection, including Co-MVP of the league in his senior campaign.
During his high school career Brian accumulated over 3,600 total
yards and 50 touchdowns while playing wide receiver, tight end and
running back. In his senior season, he finished with 887 rushing
yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground, while also compiling 441
receiving yards and catching seven touchdown passes. He is an
outstanding student as evidenced by his 3.5 GPA and was a fixture
on the academic honor roll at MESH. Both of his parents, Tony and
Pam, are UNH alumni, and his father was a first-team all-conference
guard in 1985 for the Wildcats. “Brian is another versatile
athlete who can help us on either side of the football with his
athleticism”said McDonnell. “He can run and catch well
and has great vision for a WR/RB athlete. He has a great frame to
develop size at either the TE or LB positions.”
Mike Coccia, a 6-3, 275-pound OL/DL from
Bethlehem, Pa., was a three-year letterman in football and led the
way in blocking for two all-state running backs. In his junior
year, he was a two-way starter and ended the season with 45 tackles
and 10 sacks leading to him earning second-team all-area honors.
Coccia was a three-time letterwinner in football and basketball.
During his senior campaign, Coccia was named both first-team
all-conference and first-team all-area. In addition, he was
selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game in Pennsylvania as
well as the Big 33 All-Star Game. So far during his senior season
in basketball, he is averaging 11.0 ppg. and 7.0 rpg. Mike’s
sister Kristina is a gymnast at the University of Denver.
“Mike is a big strong athletic lineman who will add size and
strength to the interior of our offensive line, said McDonnell.
“He is an athletic player who can play all three positions in
the trenches. His addition will add to the versatility of our
offensive line.”
Malcolm Griggs, a 6-2, 210-pound LB/WR from
Piscataway, N.J., led Piscataway High School to an 11-1 season as a
junior and helped the team win a New Jersey Group 4 State
Championship. He threw for over 1,500 yards with 20 TDs, while only
committing four interceptions. He also rushed for over 500 yards
and compiled six rushing touchdowns. As a junior safety, he came up
with two interceptions, nine solo tackles and two pass breakups. He
was named a first-team All-Area Greater Middlesex Conference
selection and was first-team all-state at the quarterback position.
He was chosen as one of the top 100 football players in the state
as a junior and ESPN ranked him as the No. 2 quarterback in the
state and among the top 200 in the nation. As a senior, Griggs
started at quarterback, cornerback, free safety and strong safety.
He was responsible for 600 yards of offense and threw the football
for eight passing touchdowns and rushed for over 300 yards, scoring
four times on the ground. At defensive back he had three
interceptions and broke up nine passes, while leading the team in
tackles. He never gave up a TD pass in either his junior or senior
seasons. He was named all-area and second-team all-state for his
efforts and once again was one of the top 100 football players in
the state. ESPN ranked him the No. 2 safety in the state of New
Jersey. He has maintained a GPA of 3.0, earning second honors in
his junior and senior years. He lettered three times in football
and twice in basketball. He is a member of the “Who’s
Who of American Students for the second year. “Malcolm is a
very good two-way performer who has a knack for making big
plays,” said McDonnell. “He has a great frame to work
with and he will add athleticism and depth to the defensive side of
the ball.”
R.J. Harris, a 6-0, 180-pound WR/DB from Odenton,
Md., finished his career at Arundel High School owning five high
school records and two state records. He completed his career with
181 receptions for 2,618 yards, giving him an average of 14.0 yards
per reception, while making 48 career touchdown catches. During his
senior season alone, he averaged 138 yards per game and caught 28
touchdowns to set the Maryland state record. Harris also
returned four punts for a total of 70 yards and two touchdowns and
made 20 catches for 239 yards and three touchdowns in the first
game of the Maryland State playoffs, breaking the state’s
single-game reception record. He is presently a starter for the
Arundel basketball team and is averaging 16.0 points and 8.0
rebounds per game for his 12-1 team. “RJ is an explosive
playmaking wide receiver prospect,” said McDonnell. “He
is a sure-handed receiver who runs excellent routes. He has
good speed and finds the open areas in the field very well. He will
also add depth as a return man.”
Tim Johnson, a 6-2, 275-pound OL/DL from Oakdale,
Pa., helped his team at West Allegheny High School to win a Western
Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics League Championship. The
Indians finished 12-3 and were stopped just short of the
Pennsylvania state championship game. He led an offensive line that
paved the way for a offense that recorded 250 rushing yards per
contest and 375 total yards per game. He was a three-time
first-team All-Parkway Conference honoree as an offensive lineman
and was named to the ‘Pittsburgh Post Gazette” Fabulous
22 team. In addition, he was named to the 2009 Pennsylvania
all-state team as an offensive lineman. Johnson also excels as a
discus thrower and shot-putter for the West Allegheny track and
field team. “Tim is a powerful run-blocking interior
offensive lineman,” said McDonnell. “He has the
athleticism to play either center or guard in the UNH offense. Tim
has great feet and strength and he will add to the depth of our
interior offensive line.”
Eric Joyner, a 5-9, 195-pound DB/WR from
Bridgeport, Conn. was a two-way starter at King & Low
Heywood-Thomas School in Stamford, Conn. where the senior captain
led his team to back-to-back Fairchester Athletic Association
League championships. He was named first-team All-New England for
the second consecutive year, as well as named first-team all-league
for the second consecutive time. Joyner finished his career with
over 180 tackles, eight interceptions, 22 pass breakups and eight
caused fumbles. He was a versatile player on offense competing at
WR, RB and QB throughout his career. Joyner rushed for over 500
yards and six touchdowns, while catching 38 passes for 800 yards
with six touchdown catches. As a senior, Joyner averaged 24.58
yards per kickoff return and 15.0 yards per punt return. A two-time
captain of the baseball team, he was selected all-conference as a
sophomore and junior centerfielder. “Eric is a tough two-way
player that has very good covering and tackling skills,” said
McDonnell. “He has outstanding ball skills and he will
improve our cover corner position in the secondary. Eric is a sure
tackler who will add depth to our special teams as a return
man.”
Jimmy Owens, a 5-9, 200-pound RB/DB from West
Deptford, N.J. comes to UNH after a standout career at West
Deptford High School. A four-year letterwinner in football, Owens
started for the football team as a freshman when he was only 13
years old, rushing for 924 yards and 11 touchdowns. He completed
his career at WDHS with 3,639 yards and 61 touchdowns, including a
1,437 yards, 27 touchdown senior season where he was named the
team’s MVP. He was named a three-time All-Colonial Conference
selection and a two-time All-Group 2 selection. He was also named
the Touchdown Club of South Jersey Running Back of the Year. He
earned 12 varsity letters in four different sports (football,
indoor track, outdoor track and wrestling). “Jimmy is a very
physical runner with great vision,” said McDonnell.
“His size and speed are a great combination for our running
back position.”
Alex Park is a 6-1, 190-pound QB/DB from Upper St.
Clair, Pa. He was a Rivals.com 2 Star Recruit for head coach Jim
Render. A talented athlete with great accuracy, he led the Panthers
to a 6-4 record and an appearance in the Western Pennsylvania
Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association AAAA Playoffs. As a
quarterback, he gained more than 1,200 yards through the air and
another 400 on the ground, while compiling 15 total touchdowns. An
excellent defender, he was utilized as a defensive back in crucial
game situations. He was named first-team All-Great Southern
Conference as a quarterback and was selected as a member of
“The Pittsburgh Post Gazette” South Fabulous 22 Team,
and “The Almanac All-Star Team”. He was invited to the
U.S. Army All-American Combine in San Antonio, Texas. A standout in
the classroom, he will graduate from Upper St. Clair with a 3.7 GPA
and plans to study Business at UNH. “Alex has a great upside
for the quarterback position,” said McDonnell. “He is a
smart accurate passer that has outstanding athletic ability. He has
great vision and instincts and has the ability to throw on the
run.”
Corey Rekasie, a 6-1, 260-pound DL/OL from
Oakdale, Pa., comes to Durham after an impressive career at
Chartiers Valley High School. A rare four-year starter, Corey was a
force on both sides of the line for the Colts as they compiled an
8-2 record in one of the toughest AAA conferences in Pennsylvania.
He was voted to the All-Big 7 Conference team three times in his
career. As a sophomore, he made the second-team at guard. In his
junior campaign he was voted in as an offensive center, and during
his senior year he was voted first-team Big 7 Conference as an
offensive center and defensive lineman. He was also an honorable
mention selection as a punter. A member of “The Pittsburgh
Post Gazette South Fabulous 22” football team, he was also
selected one of “The Pittsburgh Tribune Review Pigskin
Premier Performers”. During a season in which he recorded 50
total tackles, seven sacks and 12 tackles for a loss, he was
rewarded by being named the Big 7 Conference Defensive Player of
the Year. He was also the closer for the Colts’ 2009 state
runner-up baseball team. A fixture on the Dean’s List, he
will graduate with better than a 3.0 GPA. “Corey is a big,
strong, physical, interior defensive line prospect,” said
McDonnell. “He has great leverage and has a high motor that
will give us size and speed on the defensive line. Corey has
a great knack of getting off blocks, and that will make him a great
defensive lineman.”
Harold Spears, a 6-4, 210-pound TE/DE from
Perkasie, Pa. is an outstanding two-sport athlete from the state of
New Jersey. A gifted wide receiver as a senior he caught 41 passes
for 764 yards and nine TDs. He led the greater Mercer area in
receiving touchdowns. He was a first-team all-area, all-county and
All-Independence League All-Star. The “Newark Star
Ledger” named him All-Prep, All-State wide receiver. A
four-year starter in basketball, Spears was named the Mercer county
player of the year as a junior. He is a 1,000-point scorer and
averages 19 points, eight rebounds, and three steals per game this
year. On defense this year, he was an outstanding pass rushing
defensive end player. “Harold is another versatile athlete
who can play on either side of the football,” said McDonnell.
“He is a long and rangy receiver who has outstanding athletic
ability and a frame that will get bigger.”
Nico Steriti, a 5-11, 205-pound RB/DB from Toms
River, N.J., comes to UNH after a highly-decorated football career
at Toms River East High School. He was a Rivals.com 2 Star Recruit
for head coach Charlie Diskin and his list of honors includes being
named: a “Star Ledger” first-team all-state pick,
“Ocean County Player of the Year”, the Shore Conference
Player of the Year, the All-Shore Media All-County Player of the
Year and he was also named one of “USA Today’s Top 50
High School Football Players”. He was also a two-time member
of the Super 100 All-State squad. A senior captain, he finished his
final season with 1,623 yards on 223 carries and scored 23
touchdowns. He completed his career with a school record 46
touchdowns and 2,800 career rushing yards. He also posted 665
receiving yards and had 13 career interceptions. “Nico is an
outstanding running back prospect who has great speed and
vision,” said McDonnell. “He is an explosive
player with the ball in his hands. Nico’s athleticism will
also add depth on special teams as a return man.”
Steven Thames, a 6-0, 170-pound DB/WR from Fort
Washington, Md., started all 11 games for the Crusaders as a senior
and finished the season with 15 pass breakups, one interception and
22 tackles from the corner position at Riverdale Baptist High
School. The Prince George County All-Star and Maryland Crab Bowl
participant also had two receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown
last season at RBHS. “Steven is a very long and rangy corner
prospect that has very good cover skills,” said McDonnell.
“He has great ball skills for a defensive back and
has a knack for getting his hands in passing lanes. He has very
good athletic ability and will add great depth to the secondary
here.”
Chad Wilkes, a 6-0, 175-pound DB/QB from Cheraw,
S.C., was a four-year letterwinner in football at Cheraw High
School. He comes to UNH as an outstanding athlete on both sides of
the football. As a senior QB, he ran for 1,365 yards with 20
touchdowns and a 9.3 yard average per carry while guiding his team
to a 9-4 record. On defense this year, he had 60 tackles and three
forced fumbles. During his four seasons at CHS, the team won 46
football games. Cheraw was the South Carolina State Champion in his
freshman and sophomore seasons, with an impressive 15-0 record in
his freshman year. He was named all-region as a defensive back in
his junior year and all-region this past year in the Athlete
category. He lettered three times in baseball and was a
letterwinner in track and basketball as well. “Chad is a very
versatile athlete that can help us in multiple positions,”
said McDonnell. “He has very good speed and great
instincts for the safety position. On offense he is a very skilled
runner and has great pass catching ability. He will add great depth
to our skill positions here at UNH.”
Tre Williams, a 6-3, 190-pound DB/WR from
Syracuse, N.Y., who comes to UNH from Section 3 powerhouse
Christian Brothers Academy. He was a two-way starter for head Coach
Joe Casamento. Williams possesses great size and speed along with
outstanding athletic ability. He was a big, physical presence who
played saftety, linebacker and wide receiver for CBA. Williams was
in on 150 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, and seven sacks during
his high school career. His very good ball skills enabled him to
come up with seven interceptions and15 pass breakups over his
career. During his senior season he was voted a Section 3 AA
All-Star. He was also voted first-team All-Central New York.
“Tre is an explosive downhill hitting safety prospect who has
a nose for the football.” said McDonnell. “He will add
speed and size and will have a sure tackling ability on all phases
of the defensive side of the ball. His versatility will also be
felt on all special teams.”
Robbie Zauck, a 6-2, 210-pound LB/DL from Ocean
View, N.J. comes to UNH after an outstanding career at Ocean City
High School where he was named first-team All-Cape Atlantic,
first-team All-South Jersey Group 3 and also first-team All-Press
Atlantic. He was named the Air Force National Player of the Week
for Nov. 1-7 after his strong performance against Atlantic City
High School where he had 16 tackles and two sacks. Robbie was also
one of only 50 student-athletes in the Tri-State area to receive a
Mini Mazwell Award given by the Downtown Athletic Club of New York.
During his senior season, Zauck was captain of the team and
compiled 129 tackles, including 21.5 tackles for a loss and 6.5
sacks. He is also an outstanding outfielder for the OCHS baseball
team. “Robbie is a very active defensive football player with
a great nose for the football, “said McDonnell. “He has
a great frame and has great growth potential for a linebacker
defensive end prospect.”
