Feb. 4, 2015
Stony Brook, N.Y. -
Stony Brook head football coach Chuck Priore announced the Seawolves' 2015 recruiting class on Wednesday. The class consists of 19 student-athletes, including 14 high school players who signed National Letters of Intent, four junior college transfers who signed grant-in-aid agreements and a mid-year post-graduate transfer.
"One of the goals of our 2015 recruiting class was to yield as many quality student-athletes from New York, which we were able to accomplish with the signing of seven local kids," Priore said. "As we continue to compete in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA Football), continuing to become more athletic is of the utmost importance and I think we've accomplished that as well.
"From the defensive perspective, we've recruited players who will add to our schemes athletically and possess the ability to contribute immediately," Priore said.
"Offensively, with the addition of two wide receivers and two running backs, we've added explosive players. The signing of a junior college tight end will help us in our ability to run the football," Priore said.
"I'm very optimistic regarding our 2015 recruiting class. We were able to meet our needs and still possess scholarships to evaluate and use after spring football," Priore said.
Fans can now place a $25 per seat deposit for 2015 season tickets. Please call (631) 632-WOLF to make your deposit.
2015 RECRUITING CLASS |
Name |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Hometown / High School / Previous School |
High School Coach |
Olan Abner * |
DB |
5-10 |
200 |
Boston, Mass. / Bedford / Fork Union Military Academy |
Jack Belcher |
Nick Anderson |
WR |
6-2 |
176 |
Lakewood, Calif. / Lakewood |
Kenric Jameison |
Sam Awrabi |
DL |
6-3 |
235 |
Clovis, Calif. / East / Fresno City College |
Ryan Reynolds |
Ray Bolden * |
WR |
5-10 |
180 |
Euless, Texas / Trinity / Moorpark College |
Steve Lineweaver |
Chris Cooper |
DB |
5-11 |
185 |
Mount Vernon, N.Y. / Iona Prep / ASA College |
Victor Quirolo |
Joe Detorie |
OL |
6-4 |
290 |
Fallston, Md. / Fallston |
Dave Cesky |
Odean Gilzene |
DL |
6-2 |
243 |
Bronx, N.Y. / Mount St. Michael |
Mario Valentini |
Keegan Henderson |
LB |
6-3 |
215 |
Merritt Island, Fla. / Merritt Island |
Jeff McLean |
Gavin Heslop |
DB |
6-2 |
180 |
Yonkers, N.Y. / Archbishop Stepinac |
Mike O'Donnell |
Ryan Hovan |
OL |
6-5 |
250 |
West Haven, Conn. / Ansonia / Choate Rosemary Hall |
Tom Brockett |
DeAngelo Hubert |
LB |
6-0 |
203 |
Grand Prairie, Texas / South Grand Prairie |
Brent Whitson |
Travis Liburd |
RB |
5-8 |
175 |
Sunrise, Fla. / Piper |
Roger Mitchell |
Alex Lucansky |
K/P |
6-0 |
194 |
Orange Park, Fla. / The Bolles School |
Corky Rogers |
Synceir Malone |
DB |
6-2 |
185 |
Bronx, N.Y. / Iona Prep |
Victor Quirolo |
Bradley Meeks |
DB |
6-2 |
170 |
Temecula, Calif. / Chaparral |
Ryan Tukua |
Damarcus Miller |
DB |
6-0 |
180 |
New Rochelle, N.Y. / Archbishop Stepinac |
Mike O'Donnell |
Jackson Miller |
TE |
6-5 |
255 |
Elizabethtown, Pa. / Lower Dauphin / Lackawanna College |
Rob Klock |
Jaelen Vazquez |
OL |
6-4 |
258 |
Bronx, N.Y. / Cardinal Hayes |
C.J. O'Neil |
Isaiah White |
RB |
5-11 |
205 |
Medford, N.Y. / Longwood |
Jeff Cipp |
* Enrolled in 2015 spring semester
PLAYERS BY STATE
California (3): Anderson, Awrabi, Meeks
Connecticut (1): Hovan
Florida (3): Henderson, Liburd, Lucansky
Maryland (1): Detorie
Massachusetts (1): Abner
New York (7): Cooper, Gilzene, Heslop, Malone, D. Miller, Vazquez, White
Pennsylvania (1): J. Miller
Texas (2): Bolden, Hubert
PLAYERS BY POSITION
Defensive Back (6): Abner, Cooper, Heslop, Malone, Meeks, D. Miller
Defensive Line (2): Awrabi, Gilzene
Kicker/Punter (1): Lucansky
Linebacker (2): Henderson, Hubert
Offensive Line (3): Detorie, Hovan, Vazquez
Running Back (2): Liburd, White
Tight End (1): J. Miller
Wide Receiver (2): Anderson, Bolden
Student-Athlete Profiles
Olan Abner
DB • 5-10 • 200
Boston, Mass. / Bedford / Fork Union Military Academy
Before Stony Brook: Spent a post-graduate year at Fork Union Military Academy.
High School: A 2014 graduate of Bedford High School ... ESPNBoston.com first team All-Massachusetts ... Boston Herald All-Scholastic Team ... two-time Dual County League All-Star ... Dual County League MVP ... two-time Lowell Sun All-Star ... two-year captain ... led team to Division 4 North Championship ... rushed for 1,825 yards and 17 TDs ... rushed for more than 3,000 yards in career ... 105 tackles, four FFs and an INT ... four-year starter at inside linebacker.
Priore on Abner: "Olan is a physical athlete who will add depth to our secondary after a spending a year at Fork Union."
Abner's Highlights
Nick Anderson
WR • 6-2 • 176
Lakewood, Calif. / Lakewood
High School: Attends Lakewood High School ... 24 catches for 445 yards and two touchdowns ... caught a 53-yard touchdown pass against Cabrillo ... co-Fastest Award winner among class of 2015 at Los Angeles National Underclassmen Camp ... Gridiron Academy 7-on-7 All-Tournament Team.
Priore on Anderson: "Nick is a tall, rangy receiver with incredible big-play potential."
Anderson's Highlights
Sam Awrabi
DL • 6-3 • 235
Clovis, Calif. / East / Fresno City College
Before Stony Brook: Played last season at Fresno City College ... finished with 26 tackles, 6.5 for loss, and 3.5 sacks ... spent two years at the University of Wyoming ... redshirted in 2012 and didn't play due to injuries in 2013.
High School: A 2012 graduate of Clovis East High School ... ranked as the No. 81 outside linebacker by Scout.com ... Rivals.com No. 66 recruit in the state of California ... Central Valley Defensive Player of the Year and first team All-Valley ... accounted for 105 tackles, 33 for loss, six sacks and four forced fumbles as a senior ... record 94 tackles, 30 for loss, and eight sacks as a junior.
Priore on Awrabi: "Sam brings the experience we need along the defensive line. He has a great motor and should help us continue our defensive efficiency on third down."
Awrabi's Highlights
Ray Bolden
WR • 5-10 • 180
Euless, Texas / Trinity / Moorpark College
Before Stony Brook: A transfer from Moorpark College ... did not play in 2014 ... 2013 first team All-Northern Conference ... third in Northern Conference and ninth in Southern California Football Association (802) ... had 60 catches and five touchdowns.
High School: A 2013 graduate of Euless Trinity High School ... led team with 410 receiving yards ... second team All-District 6-5A
Priore on Bolden: "Ray had a terrific junior college season and has the route-running ability and physical characteristics that remind our staff of Kevin Norrell."
Bolden's Highlights
Chris Cooper
DB • 5-11 • 185
Mount Vernon, N.Y. / Iona Prep / ASA College
Before Stony Brook: A transfer from ASA College ... fourth on team with 27 tackles ... added three pass breakups.
High School: A 2013 graduate of Iona Prep ... Daily News All-Borough (Bronx/Manhattan/Westchester) ... Journal News Super 11 ... NYSSWA first team All-New York State ... first team All-Catholic High School Football League ... called the most electric athlete in Hudson Valley by MSGVarsity.com ... had 179 yards and 4 TDs in win over Xaverian.
Priore on Cooper: "Chris is a junior college transfer who will help us solidify our secondary. He has excellent instincts and is a solid tackler."
Cooper's Highlights
Joe Detorie
OL • 6-4 • 290
Fallston, Md. / Fallston
High School: Attends Fallston High School ... 2A/1A first team All-Maryland ... Baltimore Sun All-Metro second-team offense ... invited to Big 33 Classic (Maryland vs. Pennsylvania) ... Maryland Crab Bowl All-Star Game ... plays basketball and competes in discus and shot put.
Priore on Detorie: "Joe is an athletic offensive lineman who we think fits well into our pulling schemes."
Detorie's Highlights
Odean Gilzene
DL • 6-2 • 243
Bronx, N.Y. / Mount St. Michael Academy
High School: Attends Mount St. Michael Academy ... four-year starter ... 48 tackles, 22 for loss, and three sacks as a senior ... Class of 2015 MVP among LBs at South Jersey National Underclassmen Camp ... had three tackles, a sack and an 87-yard INT against Kellenberg as a junior ... completes in the discus.
Priore on Gilzene: "I'm impressed with Odean's physical attributes and athleticism. I'm excited about his potential as he continues to develop his frame."
Gilzene's Highlights
Keegan Henderson
LB • 6-3 • 215
Merritt Island, Fla. / Merritt Island
High School: Attends Merritt Island High School ... accounted for 53 tackles, two for loss, three sacks and a pass breakup and interception ... posted more than 700 yards of total offense and 11 touchdowns at quarterback.
Priore on Henderson: "I'm excited about Keegan's athleticism which coincides with his frame. I love his leadership qualities and expect him to fit in well into our defensive schemes."
Henderson's Highlights
Gavin Heslop
DB • 6-2 • 180
Yonkers, N.Y. / Archbishop Stepinac
High School: Attends Archbishop Stepinac High School ... NYSSWA first team All-New York State ... USA Today All-New York ... first team All-Catholic High School Football League ... member of CHSFL AAA Championship team (school's first since 1955) ... championship game's offensive MVP ... Journal News first team All-Westchester County ... Journal News Super 11 ... 68-yard INT return to help Stepinac beat St. Anthony's for the first time in 31 years ... 60 tackles, three INTs and three sacks ... also rushed for 440 yards and six touchdowns.
Priore on Heslop: "Gavin is a very athletic football player who has the ability to play any of our positions in the secondary. As his body matures, I feel he's going to be an outstanding football player."
Heslop's Highlights
Ryan Hovan
OL • 6-5 • 250
West Haven, Conn. / Ansonia / Choate Rosemary Hall
Before Stony Brook: Spending a post-graduate year at Choate Rosemary Hall ... part of undefeated team that won New England Class A title.
High School: A 2014 graduate of Ansonia High School ... Walter Camp and Coaches first team All-Connecticut ... New Haven Register All-Area Team ... All-Naugatuck Valley League ... helped Chargers to a 15-0 record, Naugatuck Valley League title, Class S state championship and No. 1 ranking in final New Haven Register poll ... blocked for a rushing attack that rushed for more than 7,000 yards and 95 touchdowns.
Priore on Hovan: "Ryan brings the type of athleticism of a defensive lineman to our offensive line. I really love his toughness that he brings to the field."
Hovan's Highlights
DeAngelo Hubert
LB • 6-0 • 203
Grand Prairie, Texas / South Grand Prairie
High School: Attends South Grand Prairie High School ... led team with 95 tackles, 73 solo and 22 assisted ... three tackles for loss and two sacks ... second team All-District at inside linebacker.
Priore on Hubert: "DeAngelo is an extremely athletic football player who played against some of the best competition in Texas. He's got great ability to tackle in space."
Hubert's Highlights
Travis Liburd
RB • 5-8 • 175
Sunrise, Fla. / Piper
High School: Attends Piper High School ... two-time All-Florida ... Miami Herald and Sun Sentinel first team All-Broward County ... led Broward in rushing as a junior and senior ... 1,865 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior ... 294 yards and three touchdowns against Coral Glades ... returned a 65-yard blocked field goal for a touchdown in Broward-Miami Dade All-Star Game ... totaled more than 4,100 yards and 36 touchdowns in three season ... ran back eight kicks for touchdowns as a junior.
Priore on Liburd: "Travis is incredibly exciting to watch on film. As one of the top backs in Broward County, I feel he can have an immediate impact in our backfield and as a kick returner."
Liburd's Highlights
Alex Lucansky
K/P • 6-0 • 194
Orange Park, Fla. / The Bolles School
High School: Attends The Bolles School ... No. 9 punter and No. 17 kicker/punter by Ray Guy's ProKicking.com ... Ray Guy ProKicking.com preseason All-American ... won longest kickoff (63 yards) and best hang time for a punt (4.27) at Jacksonville kicking combine ... team advanced to Florida 4A State Championship game ... posted three shutouts in goal for soccer team.
Priore on Lucansky: "Alex has the ability to be a solid kicker and punter for us. He will have a chance to make an immediate impact on field goals and kickoffs."
Lucansky's Highlights
Synceir Malone
DB • 6-2 • 185
Bronx, N.Y. / Iona Prep
High School: Attends Iona Prep ... NYSSWA honorable mention All-New York State ... Journal News first team All-Westchester County ... first team All-Catholic High School Football League ... 2 INTs against St. Joseph By The Sea.
Priore on Malone: "Synceir has the ability to play anywhere in the defensive backfield. As he continues to mature, I have no doubt he'll make a huge impact in our program."
Malone's Highlights
Bradley Meeks
DB • 6-2 • 170
Temecula, Calif. / Chaparral
High School: Attends Chaparral High School ... first team All-Southwestern League at defensive back ... team captain and Defensive MVP ... two-year varsity starter ... team MVP as a senior ... 32 tackles and an INT as a senior ... second team All-Southwestern League as a junior.
Priore on Meeks: "Bradley is a tall, athletic corner who also has the ability to play safety. As with the other defensive backs we've signed, Bradley's versatility will help us."
Meeks' Highlights
Damarcus Miller
DB • 6-0 • 180
New Rochelle, N.Y. / Archbishop Stepinac
High School: Attends Archbishop Stepinac High School ... NYSSWA first team All-New York State ... two-time first team All-Catholic High School Football League ... member of CHSFL AAA Championship team (school's first since 1955) ... championship game's Defensive MVP with two INTs, one for a touchdown, in victory over Iona Prep ... 68 tackles and four INTs as a senior ... Journal New first team All-Westchester County ... Journal News Super 11 ... three INTs and three FFs as a junior.
Priore on Miller: "Damarcus has tremendous athleticism and can play multiple positions in the secondary. I feel he has the potential for outstanding leadership skills."
Miller's Highlights
Jackson Miller
TE • 6-5 • 255
Elizabethtown, Pa. / Lower Dauphin / Lackawanna College
Before Stony Brook: A transfer from Lackawanna College ... caught four passes for 20 yards as a sophomore.
High School: A 2013 graduate of Lower Dauphin High School ... one of the top 100 players in Pennsylvania ... second team All-Eastern Pennsylvania ... first team Mid-Penn Keystone on offense and defense ... 38 catches for 581 yards as a senior ... PSFCA East-West All-Star Game.
Priore on Miller: "Jackson should have an immediate impact in our program with the graduation of two starters. His frame should help us in our run game and his athleticism will aid us in the passing game."
Miller's Highlights
Jaelen Vazquez
OL • 6-4 • 258
Bronx, N.Y. / Cardinal Hayes
High School: Attends Cardinal Hayes High School ... NYSSWA honorable mention All-New York State ... MSGVarsity.com second team All-City ... ESPN's No. 13 player in New York ... first team All-CHSFL ... three-year starter.
Priore on Vazquez: "Jaelen combines great athleticism and quickness on the offensive line. He possesses the toughness we need to be great on the offensive line."
Vazquez's Highlights
Isaiah White
RB • 5-11 • 205
Medford, N.Y. / Longwood
High School: Attends Longwood High School ... NYSSWA first team All-New York State ... USA Today New York State Player of the Year ... Hansen Award winner (Suffolk County's top player) ... rushed for 1,948 yards and 28 touchdowns ... averaged 12 yards per carry ... 11 runs of at least 50 yards ... 200 yards in six games ... accounted for 44 tackles, 12 for loss, three INTs and two FRs ... scored six TDs against William Floyd and five against Sachem North.
Priore on White: "Isaiah joins the legacy of some of our previous Hansen Award winners. He has the physical strength and athleticism to compete for playing time as a freshman."
White's Highlights
2015 Football Schedule
Sept. 3 - at Toledo
Sept. 12 - Central Connecticut
Sept. 19 - New Hampshire *
Sept. 26 - at William & Mary *
Oct. 3 - at James Madison *
Oct. 17 - Towson *
Oct. 24 - at Maine *
Oct. 31 - Elon *
Nov. 7 - Howard
Nov. 14 - at Rhode Island *
Nov. 21 - Albany *
* CAA Football games