George Mihalik already is smiling.

If Slippery Rock University's recruiting continues to go like it did Wednesday, SRU's football coach will be grinning from ear to ear.

"We targeted some needs and we filled them," Mihalik said.

Those needs were running back, safety, outside linebacker and offensive line. Those needs were filled by players who might play as early as this fall.

Coming in at running back is Ringgold product Robert Heller, who rushed for 1,600 yards and 17 touchdowns for the 4-6 Rams last season, averaging 7.1 yards per carry in the process.

Heller received first team all-state honors in Class AAAA last fall.

"He didn't have a whole lot of help at Ringgold," Mihalik said. "He got a lot of yardage on his own. He's a speed back who also has some power.

"Heller is like a ghost of Josh Kniess. He's got the same stocky build, he returns punts and kickoffs — and he's 20 pounds heavier than Josh was as a freshman."

With Kniess now graduated and redshirt freshman Nate Sipes undergoing knee surgery in November, "this kid may get on the field right away," Mihalik said.

Another recruit who could play as a freshman is Tyler Henderson, a safety from Burrell and a second team Class AA all-state selection.

Henderson rushed for 3,400 yards in high school, but The Rock likes him on defense.

"Tyler will provide the physical presence our secondary has been missing," Mihalik said. "He's the hardest-hitting high school safety I've ever seen on film."

SRU recruiting coordinator Shawn Lutz agreed.

"He just lights people up," Lutz said. "He's also the son of a football coach, and we like that intangible."

Andrew Pianetti, an outside linebacker from PIAA Triple-A champion Franklin Regional, will provide immediate depth behind veteran Seth Randall at that position.

Mihalik said Pianetti might be redshirted, but he will be given the chance to play a lot of football.

"He's got great chasing speed and has a good feel for the game," the coach said. "He only visited last Saturday, so he grew comfortable here really quick."

Two offensive linemen — Seneca Valley senior Brandon Fusco and St. Edwards (Ohio) center Frank Ruggierio — are on The Rock's recruiting list as well.

Most offensive linemen are redshirted at SRU, but Fusco might buck that trend.

"He's a big kid with excellent athletic skills," Mihalik said. "Because of Brandon's athletic skills, he may surprise a lot of people right away."

Ruggierio is 6-foot-1, 280 pounds and is physically ready to play right now. With Ryan Travis returning as a starter, he'll likely have to wait his turn.

"The center is the quarterback of the offensive line," Mihalik said. "Mentally, that takes some time.

"But, trust me, this kid is gonna have a long and outstanding career at Slippery Rock."

East Allegheny product Nicholas Marts, 6-3, 275, will provide immediate depth on the defensive line.

"We had to replace Robert Minnie and this kid may do the trick," Mihalik said. "We like agile defensive linemen who run well and we lack depth inside right now."

The Rock's bonus signee is North Hills quarterback-safety Ryan Lehmeier, who is simply listed as an athlete on SRU's recruiting list.

H-back, wide receiver or safety are all possible destinations for the versatile leader of the Indians. Lehmeier was a three-year starter at North Hills.

"He can help us at any of those three positions," Mihalik said. "But we're not looking at him as a quarterback for next year."

Lehmeier threw for 1,400 yards and rushed for 1,000 last season. He threw nine touchdown passes last year and rushed for 28 touchdowns in his prep career.

Nate Crookshank will return for his third year as SRU's starting quarterback in 2006.

"Ryan will settle into one position eventually," Mihalik said. "That may very well be quarterback, but we're looking to put him in the position where he can most help us next year. He's such a versatile player."

Mihalik said he expects a few more recruits to sign letters of intent later in the week.

"We still have a lot of work to do," Lutz said. "We have other needs to fill, but we have a lot of things in the works, too."

SRU finished 5-5 last season, winning five of its final seven games.