SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University football coach Shawn Lutz felt like his team had some immediate needs.

So he and his coaches set out to immediately meet them.

The Rock announced a 33-player recruiting class Wednesday, including a number of players who could impact the program on the field right away.

“We signed 13 WPIAL kids, a few first team all-staters, some guys from state championship teams ... I really like what we've put together here,” Lutz said.

At the top of the list might be running back Wes Hills, a transfer from Delaware who has one year of eligibility remaining.

Hills had 88 carries for 728 yards for the Blue Hens in 2016. He was a two-time captain in an injury-plagued career at Delaware and is 6-foot-2, 225 pounds.

“Our running game wasn't where we wanted it last year and Hills brings a combination of speed and power,” Lutz said. “He was considered a potential late-round NFL draft choice two years ago. The talent is there and he's healthy.

“He could have a big year for us.”

While SRU struggled defensively last year in finishing 8-3, the program has 16 recruits on that side of the ball.

Topping that list are defensive end Andrew Seymour of Quaker Valley, transfer defensive lineman Jeff Marx from Navy Prep and Jones County Junior College transfer linebacker Brad Zaffram.

“Our transfers are in school here now, so they'll be involved in spring ball with us,” Lutz said. “Seymour has a motor that never stops and he could be a big pass rush guy.

“Marx is a big kid (6-1, 295) who should compete for a starting job right away and Zaffram is a run stopper we can plug in the middle at linebacker.”

Slippery Rock High School senior Rod Williams is a defensive end signed by The Rock. Williams had 77 tackles, nine tackles for loss and four sacks last season.

“He's like 6-4, 225, and anchored their defense last year,” Lutz said. “Rod is a strong, physical guy ... very raw, with a lot of potential.”

Williams took some time away from football and did not join the Rockets until Week 2 of his junior season. He didn't start until late that year.

“It's been his dream and desire for quite some time to play over there,” SRHS coach Larry Wendereusz said. “He turned into a pretty explosive player for us.

“I can see Rod developing and having a special career at SRU.”

Another Butler County product, Knoch graduate Mac Christy, has transferred from West Virginia to SRU and will be in the mix at tight end.

The 6-5, 250-pound Christy red-shirted with the Mountaineers last season. They were working him in as a H-back, a fullback in their offense.

“That just didn't suit me,” Christy said. “I prefer to play tight end and I've got a chance to compete for playing time at Slippery Rock. Being there for spring ball will help me learn the system and get to know the players.

“They recruited me hard out of high school and they still wanted me. I was looking at IUP, South Carolina-Charleston and a couple of other schools, but this is the best fit for me.”

Lutz described Christy as “a big boy, very athletic, who could make plays in the passing game and be a good blocker for us.”

Christy, who plans to major in the business field, has all four years of eligibility remaining.

“My goals are to win championships and get a good education,” he said.

Besides Hills, one of the top offensive recruits for The Rock is Pine-Richland running back Jordan Crawford. He will likely play slotback at SRU.

Crawford rolled up 1,815 all-purpose yards and scored 30 touchdowns for the Rams his senior year. He was a first team all-state player, as was Bradford running back John Eakin (1,518 yards, 23 TDs), another Rock recruit.

“Next to that quarterback (Notre Dame recruit Phil Jurkovec), Jordan was the best offensive player on a team that won the state championship,” Lutz said. “We're thrilled to get him.

“He's not a big kid (5-8), but neither was Milly Raye and he had a great career as our slot receiver.”

Matthew Carr (6-3, 290) and Jeremiah Gutierrez (6-3, 310) are the biggest offensive linemen on the Rock recruiting list.

“We're graduating three starters from up front, so there will be competition there,” Lutz said. “We're counting on some of our younger linemen to step in to some of those spots, too.”

Three quarterbacks were signed, including 6-4, 230-pound transfer Taylor King from Butte College. He threw for 2,084 yards last year and could challenge for the starting job.

Tyler Pergine threw for 4,374 yards and 47 touchdowns over the past two years at Spring-Ford. Isaac Clarke threw for 2,267 yards and 30 touchdowns for Farrell last season.

SRU signed kicker-punter Jackson Gildea from Plum and long snapper Jacob George from the Mustangs as well. Current Rock kicker-punter Jake Chapla is also a Plum graduate.

“George snapped for Chapla when he was there. Gildea could follow Chapla and be our kicker for three years. I like the way this whole thing worked out.”