SLIPPERY ROCK— Slippery Rock University's depleted offensive line received an unexpected boost late Wednesday night.

Austin Fedell, a senior guard at North Allegheny and a first-team all-state performer in 2007, signed a letter of intent with The Rock.

The 6-foot-1, 270-pound Fedell anchored an offensive line that led the Tigers to an 11-1 record and a second consecutive trip to the WPIALClass AAAA semifinals.

"We watched the tape on Austin and saw he was a Division I guy,"SRU coach George Mihalik said. "But he had interest in our school, so we figured we'd recruit him anyway.

"You never know what might happen."

Fedell was recruited by numerous Division I-AAschools, including Duquesne, but pared his final choices to SRUand California (Pa.).

He potentially bolsters an offensive line that is graduating two first-team all-PSAC players in Mike Butterworth and Bron Clouser, and a third starter in Dave Mulvihill.

"The big thing with Austin is he's been a great weight room guy, so the physical strength is there to go with his size,"Mihalik said. "He's got good feet, too.

"He will definitely have the opportunity to compete for a starting job in his first year. That type of opportunity appeals to any young man. I'm sure it played a factor in his decision to join us, but he was attracted to our school to begin with."

North Allegheny rushed for 2,881 yards in 207 — an average of 240 yards per game — and the Tigers averaged 31 points per game.

Fedell is a two-time first- team all-Northern Five lineman and was one of only two linemen to make the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Fabulous 22. The other was Thomas Jefferson lineman Lucas Nix, a University of Pittsburgh recruit.

Fedell, who was a three-year starter at North Allegheny, was selected to play in the Big 33 Game this spring.

"Division II schools don't get many Big 33 players,"Mihalik said.

The last Big 33 player to sign with The Rock was kicker Morgan Anderson from Quaker Valley in 1997. Anderson ranks third on SRU's career scoring list with 266 points.

"He's an athletic lineman, an impact type of guy," Mihalik said. "He was honored as Player of the Game on Fox Sports' "High School Game of the Week" against Upper St. Clair. It's unique for an offensive lineman to get that type of recognition.

"If this kid turns out to be one of our five best offensive linemen next year, we'll find a spot for him."