BUTLER TWP — Slippery Rock University football coach Shawn Lutz completed a 27-player recruiting class Wednesday.

Many of those players may step in and help The Rock right away.

Sam Enslen isn't one of them.

But the Butler senior offensive lineman — and lone 2019 Rock recruit from Butler County — could prove to be a steal down the road.

“We're thrilled to get him,” Lutz said. “He's a big kid, very physical, and his footwork is incredible for someone who's been playing football for only two years.

“We'll red-shirt him, get him in the weight room, have him drop some pounds and he could really be something.”

The 6-foot-4, 325-pound Enslen played guard, center and tackle for the Golden Tornado this season. He was a two-year starter for Butler despite never playing organized football before his junior year.

He had been a soccer goalkeeper through his freshman year at Butler.

“I started playing soccer when I was 4,” Enslen said. “I gave it up when I did because I realized I wasn't going to be good enough to start for the varsity.

“I took a year off to just work out in the weight room. After a while, a buddy of mine (football player) Nathan Hall) talked me into doing weight room work with the football team and I've been into that sport ever since.”

Enslen added that he “fully expects them to want me top drop weight. I'll get down to my playing weight of 305 or so without too much trouble.

“I love the weight room,” he said.

Butler football coach Eric Christy said that years of soccer “clearly helped Sam's footwork and speed. That was a big asset for him.

“All he has to do is gain more experience, work on technique. A red-shirt year would be perfect for him.

“You can't teach size and that kid's got it,” Christy added. “And the kid is a weight room freak. I had to kick him out of there at times.”

Fellow Butler linemen Jake Kradel and Nick Stazer are both playing football at Pitt now. Stazer made the Panthers as a walk-on after playing just one year of football at Butler.

“Honestly, I never thought this could happen for me,” Enslen said of college football. “But coaches were coming in and out of here looking at Jake and Nick ... It helped they got to see a few of us other guys play, too.”

Enslen plans to major in finance and sports management at SRU. He also considered California (Pa.), Gannon, Dayton, Maine and Robert Morris before selecting The Rock.

“It's close to home and one of the best Division II programs in the country,” Enslen said. “I met (SRU offensive line coach) Chris Conrad and he's a fantastic guy.

“It will feel like I'm being coached by a fatherly figure and a friend when I'm up there.”

Christy said many of the PSAC football programs were interested in Enslen.

“He fit in best for us at tackle,” the Butler coach said.“Sam is a versatile player. He can snap the ball if they want him there.”

Lutz projects Enslen to be a guard at The Rock.

“We think he can play against the run,” Lutz said.

The Rock coach said his team's biggest needs this recruiting season were at offensive line, receiver and defensive back due to upcoming graduations “and we addressed all of those needs.”

SRU signed six offensive linemen, eight receivers and eight defensive backs. Two running backs, two defensive linemen and a tight end are also among the 2019 recruits.

The tight end is 6-4, 230-pound Colin Kadlick of Deer Lakes. He has 44 catches for 565 yards and five TDs last fall.

“We lost both of our tight ends and Colin has the size to step in and play right away,” Lutz said.

Among the receivers coming in are Aliquippa product Deoveon Crute (37-523-7 TDs,), Norwin's Billy Kerston (56-793-8), South Fayette's Rayquin Glover (30-476-4) and State College's Cohen Russell (38-846-11).

Russell was a Class 3A all-state selection who also placed second in the 100 meters last spring at the PIAA Track and Field Championships.

Add to that group a transfer from Penn State, 6-4 Brandon Clark, son of former NFL great Bruce Clark.

“Brandon has four years of eligibility still,” Lutz said. “He tore his ACL last summer and just wants a change of scenery. He was an all-state player in high school.”

SRU helped its running back depth by bringing in Cinque Sweeting, a transfer from Seton Hill, who rushed for 672 yards for the Griffins last year. Aliquippa running back Avante McKenzie is also coming to The Rock.

McKenzie rushed for 4,500 yards in three years for the Quips, including 198 yards and four TDs in last year's state championship game.

“Avante has tremendous speed and could make an immediate impact with us,” Lutz said.

Sweeting is one of five transfers coming to SRU. Among them are defensive backs Nazir James, a transfer from Indiana (Pa.), and Sam Fairley from Erie Community College.

Other top recruits include offensive lineman Yuriy Hryckowian from Central Bucks West “who has a chance to see the field right away,” said Lutz, and defensive lineman Jevon Lang.

Lang comes from Harpers Ferry, W.Va.

“He is our top recruit on defense,” Lutz said. “We think he can be an impact guy right away. He's put together, gets off the ball fast and is a very physical playmaker.

“He looks like a young version of Marcus Martin and that's saying something.”

SRU is coming off an 11-3 season and an appearance in the Division II quarterfinals.

TransfersBrandon Clark, wide receiver, 56-4, 195, Penn State UniversitySam Fairley, def. back, 6-1, 170, Erie Community CollegeEric Festa, off. line, 6-1, 295, Concord UniversityNazir James, def. back, 6-1, 175, Indiana (Pa.) UniversityCinque Sweeting, running back, 6-0, 180, Seton Hill UniversityIncoming FreshmenDeoveon Crute, wide receiver, 6-0, 195, AliquippaJalen Dangerdfield,. def. back, 5-9, 190, Harford TechSam Enslen, off. line, 6-4, 310, ButlerDante Flati, wide receiver, 5-10, 180, West AlleghenyRayquin Glover, wide receiver, 5-7, 160, South FayetteSelvin Haynes, def. back, 5-10, 170, Upper DublinYuriy Hryckowian, off. line, 6-3, 275, Central Bucks SouthColin Kadlick, tight end, 6-4, 230, Deer LakesBilly Kerston, wide receiver, 6-0, 165, NorwinJevon Lang, def. line, 6-2, 255, Jefferson (Harpers Ferry, W.Va.)Cameron Marett, wide receiver, 5-8, 160, WilmingtonAvante McKenzie, running back, 5-8, 187, AliquippaChris Mohra, linebacker, 6-0, 170, FairviewEric Oblak, def. line, 6-3, 23, Belle VernonAnthony Rebar, off. line, 6-3, 275, Belle VernonCody Ross, linebacker, 5-11, 215, FreedomCohen Russell, wide receiver, 5-7, 165, State CollegeKyle Sheets, wide receiver, 6-3, 208, ConneautDevin Sims, def. back, 5-9, 175, McKeesportAustin Swink, off. line, 6-3, 270, Lake Norman, N.C.Dylan Vaniel, off. line, 6-3, 265, McKeesportDashaun Wright, def. back, 5-10, 165, Imani Christian