SLIPPERY ROCK— For the first time in a long time, Slippery Rock University's football program is ahead in the recruiting game.

The Rock signed 18 players to national letters of intent Wednesday.

"This is the most we've ever gotten on national signing day," SRUcoach George Mihalik said. "We really hit it hard this year.

"We still may add another linebacker or quarterback, but we're not expecting to bring in too many more."

Six offensive linemen are among the recruits, including Butler County products Rick Gladd of Butler, Chad Nelson of Mars and Tony Papley of Slippery Rock.

Gladd and Nelson were all-conference selections while Papley named to the first team of the all-region squad.

"It usually takes an offensive lineman a year to adjust to the physicality of college football and to mature physically,"Mihalik said. "Papley and Nelson may have an edge there because of their size right now.

"What we like about Gladd is he can play multiple positions up front. Papley can play defense as well as offense."

Two of the other offensive linemen already have played at a higher level. Stiles O'Brien, 6-feet-5, 280 pounds, is a former starter at Youngstown State and Jordan Tuttel, 6-7, 310, played at Cornell University and 2006 New York high school state champion Sidney Central.

"We felt we needed to get bigger up front and we've done that,"Mihalik said.

SRUis coming off a 5-6 season in which it struggled at the quarterback position. Two players recruited as athletes — Josh Brown at Neshannock and Kellen O'Neil at 2007 state champion General McLane — played quarterback in high school.

O'Neil rushed for 1,672 yards and 21 touchdowns while being named regional player of the year. Brown rushed for 1,000 yards and threw for 550 last season. He also had six interceptions as a defensive back.

"Both of those guys were option quarterbacks in high school and would need time to develop here if we use them at that position,"Mihalik said.

One recruit who immediately joins SRU's quarterback mix is Ryan O'Rourke, 6-2, 210, a four-year starter at Avon (Ohio) who led his team to a 12-1 record and the regional finals.

O'Rourke threw for 2,374 yards and 33 touchdowns his senior year. He had 5,700 career passing yards in high school and will be playing in the Ohio North-South game.

"A pro style quarterback with a rocket arm,"Mihalik said about O'Rourke. "He will compete with (returnee)Brandon Frohnapple and (redshirt freshman)Ryan Sabo for the job in summer camp.

"I'm looking forward to seeing how that competition plays out."

Notes on other Rock recruits include:

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Ken Amos, Euclid (Ohio): 27 catches for 473 yards and three touchdowns as a senior. Considered a deep threat.•

Andre Freeman, Penn Hills: A defensive back who started a few games at Hofstra last year. "He'll be an impact player on defense,"Mihalik said.•

Jerry Harris, Jeannette: A defensive back who played for the Jayhawks' 2007 state championship team. Was all-conference and a team captain.•

Jeff Jackson, Kiski Area: WPIALchampion in the 300-meter hurdles last season and compiled 1,174 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns last fall. "He's a burner and a dangerous return man, too,"Mihalik said.•

Robert Joyce, Erie Strong Vincent: Had 22 catches for 369 yards and six touchdowns offensively, 79 tackles and five sacks defensively for District 10 championship team.•

David Spence, Clairton: A defensive end and outstanding edge rusher who was first-team all-state last fall.

Here are the 18 high school football players who signed national letters of intent with Slippery Rock University Wednesday:<B>Name Ht. Wt. Pos. School</B>Ken Amos 6-0 175 WR Euclid (Ohio)Josh Brown 6-1 205 Ath. NeshannockAndre Freeman 6-1 190 DB Penn HillsRick Gladd 6-2 250 OL ButlerJerry Harris 6-0 180 DB JeannetteJeff Jackson 6-1 185 WR Kiski AreaRobert Joyce 6-2 195 Ath. Erie Strong VincentDavid Martin 6-7 255 OL Fox ChapelMike McConville 6-3 275 DL Seton-LaSalleAhman Milot 6-1 295 DL AliquippaChad Nelson 6-5 275 OL MarsStiles O'Brien 6-5 280 OL Ellwood CityKellen O'Neil 6-1 180 Ath. General McLaneTony Papley 6-1 270 OL Slippery RockRyan O'Rourke 6-2 210 QB Avon (Ohio)David Spence 6-2 235 DE ClairtonJordan Tuttel 6-7 310 OL Sidney Central (N.Y.)Bob Westerlund 6-2 215 LB Penn-Trafford