WEST CHESTER, Pa. Heading into his fifth year as head coach, Bill Zwaan has once again put together a recruiting class that promises to carry on the rich tradition established by its predecessors. Zwaan announced the 27-member class Tuesday morning as the coaching staff prepares to open spring practice later this month.
We are excited about this special group of young men, who have committed to West Chester University, Zwaan commented. We needed to address the depth at a few positions, and I think we did that. (The coaching staff) also believes that there are a few players with the potential to step in and help us right away.
The Class of 2007 hails from four different states and consists of 17 players on the offensive side of the ball, including two quarterbacks and one halfback, and 10 defensive players. Seven future Golden Rams were team captains and four are members of the National Honor Society, while six players were recognized as all-state performers. One player was a first team all-state selection, one a second team pick and three a third team honoree. The final all-state player was an honorable mention.
Offensively, six linemen make up the bulk of the recruiting class. Five wide receivers, who will be expected to fight for playing time with the special teams units as well, were also in abundance. Two tight ends and one fullback were also invited into West Chesters family.
Defensively, the recruiting effort was equally distributed among linemen, linebackers and defensive backs. Three down linemen, three linebackers and four secondary players make up the defenses recruiting class.
We tried to focus on the offensive line and to improve our overall team speed, Zwaan said. I think we have done that. From there, we tried to improve our numbers on the depth chart in certain areas.
We targeted these 27 individuals right from the start, and it says a lot about our dedicated staff that we were able to sign each and every one of them. This years class carries with it an outstanding academic resume as well. The coaching staff is particularly proud of that fact.
West Chester (9-4 in 2006) is coming off its third straight NCAA Division II playoff appearance and second Lambert Trophy over the past three seasons as the ECACs Division II Team of the Year.
WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL CLASS OF 2007
JED BELL (Houston, Del./Milford) 6-3 235 TE
First team all-conference pick at tight end and defensive end third team all-state selected to participate in the Blue-Gold all-star game in Delaware team captain National Honor Society tremendous asset to the offensive line as well as the passing game versatile athlete, who will lend his talents to the offense in many different areas.
DARRELL BROWN (Philadelphia, Pa./Dobbins) 6-2 180 WR
First team all-city first team all-public league talented wide receiver with great speed and good hands could make an immediate impact in the fall of 2007 may see time on special teams unit as well athleticism will be a welcomed addition to Golden Rams.
CORY COULTER (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown West) 6-2 285 OL
Two-time first team All-Chesmont first team All-Chester County Chesmont offensive lineman of the year (2006) selected to participate in Valor Bowl all-star game highly recruited offensive lineman excellent size and technique.
WILL DAVIS (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown East) 6-0 220 FB
First team All-Chesmont rushed 35 times for 411 yards his senior season caught 30 passes for 510 yards and five touchdowns dangerous threat out of the backfield in the passing game can also gain the tough yards inside durable blocking back.
TODD EAGLES (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown East) 6-0 165 WR
First team All-Chesmont first team all-area at wide receiver and defensive back all-league performer in basketball selected team MVP on the hardwood athletic fast possesses ability to make a play on the ball many talents lend themselves to West Chesters style.
JARRETT EATON (Roslyn, Pa./Abington) 6-3 175 DB
First team all-league at wide receiver second team all-league as defensive back leading receiver in Suburban One first team all-league performer on high schools track & field squad fourth in the state in 110m high hurdles and 330 intermediate hurdles holds the school record in 110 HH and 300 IH NAACP Athletic Male Award spring track MVP.
JACKSON FAGAN (Morrisville, Pa./Pennsbury) 5-11 175 RB
First team all-league first team All-Southeast Pa. first team Bucks County Courier Times Golden Team Trentonian offensive player of the year selected to East-West and Bucks County all-star teams rushed for 2,270 yards and 27 touchdowns.
CHRIS FAIX (Ivyland, Pa./Council Rock South) 6-3 255 OL
First team all-league first team Bucks County Courier Times Golden Team another of the talented offensive lineman brought in to bolster that unit up front good footwork and technique gifted run blocker and pass protector.
WILL GARDNER (Allentown, Pa./Allen) 6-3 180 WR
First team all-league first team all-area caught 43 passes for 566 yards his senior season tall wide receiver able to go up and get the ball difficult match up for any defensive back speed is certainly an asset.
CRAIG GEIBERT (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks East) 6-3 255 OL
First team all-league selected the teams lineman of the year team captain good size and mobility for an offensive lineman one of six lineman up front recruited with the Class of 2007.
CHAD HALTERMAN (Dillsburg, Pa./Northern) 6-1 235 TE
First team Mid-Penn all-star as a quarterback and return specialist two-time Mid-State Top 100 as a wide receiver and return specialist posted 78 carries for 375 yards in his high school career caught 24 career passes for 405 yards threw for 1,376 yards in high school posted 29 returns for 652 yards scored 26 touchdowns in his high school career.
ERIC HAWTHORNE (Newton, Pa./Council Rock South) 6-3 280 OL
First team all-league second team Bucks County Courier Times Golden Team one of two offensive linemen from Council Rock South recruited to West Chester one of three high school teammates altogether to join the Golden Rams squad in the fall strong offensive lineman.
COLIN HEFFERNAN (Claymont, Del./Concord) 6-3 215 DE
Two-time first team all-state three-year starter set both a school and state record with 24 sacks his senior year selected to participate in Blue-Gold all-star game extremely talented defensive lineman gifted pass rusher very difficult to block one-on-one quickness and explosiveness off the ball difficult for opponents to handle.
BRAD HERR (Lancester, Pa./Conestoga Valley) 6-0 220 LB
First team all-league Lancaster-Lebanon Section 2 linebacker of the year led Section 2 in sacks selected to Tri-County all-star game possesses good size for a linebacker anticipates the play very well quick to the ball fills the gaps aggressive nature relates well to his position.
BRIAN HINDERER (Landesburg, Pa./St. Marks [Del.]) 6-2 180 DB
Second team all-conference good size for a defensive back able to mark tall wide receivers possesses ability to make a play on the ball in the air excellent marking skills one-on-one.
STEVE HORSELY (Atco, N.J./Hammonton) 6-2 185 DB
First team All-South Jersey third team all-state first team All-Cape Atlantic first team Atlantic City Press talented defensive back with ability to read a play and jump the route anticipates well excellent marking skills.
VICTOR ITURBIDES (Yardley, Pa./PENNSBURY) 6-0 200 DB
First team all-area at quarterback third team all-area at defensive back quarterbacked high school squad to 13-2 record and spot in state semifinals selected to the Bucks County all-star game National Honor Society.
ROB JOHNSON (Norwood, Pa./Interboro) 6-5 290 OL
First team all-league first team All-Delaware County second team all-state selected to participate in the Hero Bowl team captain National Honor Society excellent size and speed for an offensive lineman leadership qualities will serve him well in college talented lineman with an exciting future.
JARED JORGENSEN (Eldersburg, Md./McDonough) 6-2 185 QB
First team all-metro All-MIAA honorable mention all-state Baltimore TD Club all-star team captain threw for 2,084 yards and 20 touchdowns in high school gifted passer strong arm ability to read the defense and find the open receiver mature beyond his years natural leader in the huddle.
BRIAN McDERMOTT (Bryn Mawr, Pa./Harriton) 5-10 205 LB
First team All-SCCL first team all-main line voted team MVP in high school selected to MONTCO all-star game team captain quick linebacker with ability to plug the hole carries an aggressive attitude with him everywhere he goes on the football field.
KYLE ONEILL (Aston, Pa./Sun Valley) 6-2 285 OL
First team All-SCCL on both offense and defense first team All-Delaware County third team all-state second team All-Southeast Pa. selected to participate in the Hero Bowl National Honor Society big, strong offensive lineman physical run-blocker.
GERRY PENROSE (Springfield, Pa./Cardinal OHara) 6-1 270 OL
First team all-catholic first team All-Delaware County third team all-city selected to participate in the Hero Bowl named as an alternate for the East-West all-star game part of West Chesters focus on the offensive line excellent size and ability.
TROY RICHARDS (Maguire, N.J./Northern Burlington) 6-0 175 WR
First team All-Burlington County second team all-area NJFCA Super 100 all-state team caught 20 passes for 270 yards his senior year carried the ball 155 times for 915 yards runs a 4.5 40-yard dash time athletic and very fast wide receiver talented in many areas excels at yards after the catch.
CLARENCE ROBINSON (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) 6-3 220 DE
First team All-Lancester-Lebanon first team All-Lebanon County quick off the ball agile and difficult to get your hands on when blocking gifted pass rusher able to stop the run as well.
RYAN RUFFING (Holland, Pa./Council Rock South) 6-2 190 WR
Honorable mention all-league as a quarterback played under center his senior season athleticism and speed make him a threat on the perimeter playmaking ability also a dangerous commodity versatile athlete who presents many different options in West Chesters offense.
ANDREW SHEEHAN (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn) 6-0 220 LB
First team all-league first team all-area first team All-Intelligencer defensive team MVP his senior year of high school team captain excellent size and speed for a linebacker aggressive with the ability to anticipate the play can stop the run or play the pass versatility is an asset.
MARSHALL VOGEL (Hatboro, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) 6-3 210 QB
First team all-league selected to participate in Montgomery County all-star game set school record with 1,916 passing yards team captain big, strong-armed quarterback excellent size for a signal-caller possesses ability to make quick reads and get the ball in an open receivers hands several qualities made him such a sought-after recruit.
