SLIPPERY ROCK — Winning can pay dividends.

And as a result of his team’s success last fall, Slippery Rock University football coach George Mihalik believes he has cashed in with his 2014 recruiting class.

“This is the best defensive class we’ve ever recruited,” Mihalik said of the five linebackers, three defensive backs, two defensive ends and one defensive tackle who signed letters-of-intent with The Rock Wednesday.

“All 15 of our recruits are good enough to help contribute to our run at a championship next season,” Mihalik beamed.

The defensive tackle is Steven Gaviglia, a Seneca Valley product who compiled 39 tackles, five quarterback sacks and two fumble recoveries for the Raiders last season.

SRU was 9-3 last year, winning the PSAC West and qualifying for the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time since 1999.

“Steve gets off the ball extremely quick and he uses his hands well,” Mihalik said. “Most high school linemen don’t use their hands as well as he does.

“He’s quick off the ball and he continues our good relationship with Seneca Valley High School.”

SV graduate Brandon Fusco, now with the Minnesota Vikings, was an all-conference player for The Rock and SV grad Dean Ketterer will be a sophomore offensive lineman at SRU next season.

Four of this year’s Rock recruits were all-state performers last fall. One of those — linebacker JT Joint — joins Cathedral Prep teammate and DB Will Monono, linebacker Alexander Beards of Paramus Catholic, N.J., and middle linebacker Reilly Sullivan of North Alleghheny as coming from state championship high school teams.

“These kids are used to winning, know how to win, and will being that mentality to The Rock,” Mihalik said.

“We’re graduating six of seven all-conference players on defense this spring. You have to replace talent like that — all three of our starting linebackers will be gone — and we feel we’ve done that.”

Beards had five sacks from his linebacker spot last year. Carlos Hudson of McKeesport had 88 tackles and six sacks in helping the Tigers post a 10-1 record. Joint was a second team all-state player.

Monono had 45 tackles and three interceptions at Cathedral Prep. Fellow DB Steven Hill of Dumfries, Va., had 34 tackles, two interceptions and is a dangerous kick returner.

“Monono is a tall corner who runs a sub 4.5 40-yard dash,” Mihalik said. “We don’t get many of those.”

Two receivers joining The Rock are Marcus Carter of New Castle and Dakota Clanagan of Perkiomen Valley in Collegeville. Carter had 96 catches for 1,481 yards and 18 touchdowns in his career at New Castle.

“Marcus is a wideout who will stretch the field for us,” Mihalik said. “Dakota is a slotback with ties to The Rock. (Current SRU players) Shamar Greene and Jaimire Dutrieuille are related to him and he had an uncle, Tim Kelly, who played here.”

Carter is a junior college transfer who enrolled at SRU in January. He will participate in spring practice.

Another quarterback from Cambria County, Matt Shaffer of Richland High School, is joining The Rock. Past SRU starting signal-callers Mihalik, Randy McKavish and Nate Crookshank came from Cambria County schools.

Shaffer threw for 5,871 yards and 70 touchdowns in three years as a high school starter. He threw for 2,238 yards, 27 touchdowns and only six interceptions last year. He also rushed for 570 yards and 11 TDs.

“He’s a dual threat quarterback who will have the opportunity to compete for playing time,” Mihalik said. “That’s the toughest position to compete in right away because of all the terminology a kid has to learn.”

Holdovers Zack Newsock and Jared Buck will compete for the No. 1 quarterback job in spring camp.

The average grade point average among SRU’s recruiting class is 3.0.

“We want to continue our high academic tradition as well,” Mihalik said.

2014 SRU Football Recruits

Alexander Beards, 5-11, 210, LB, Paramus Catholic, N.J.

Marcus Carter, 6-1, 175, wide receiver, New Castle

Dakota Clanagan, 5-10, 175, slot receiver, Perkiomen Valley

Steven Gaviglia, 6-2, 265, defensive tackle, Seneca Valley

Stevon Hill, 5-8, 165, DB, Potomac High School, Virginia

Carlos Hudson, 6-0, 190, LB, McKeesport

JT Joint, 6-1, 205, LB, Erie Cathedral Prep

Nick Little, 6-2, 225, defensive end, Bishop Guilfoyle

Markquis Martin, 6-1, 185, LB, Taylor Allderdice

Will Monono, 6-0, 204, DB, Erie Cathedral Prep

Robert Plummer Jr., 6-0, 235, defensive end, Upper St. Clair

Matt Shaffer, 6-2, 200, quarterback, Johnstown Richland

Reilly Sullivan, 6-0, 200, LB, North Allegheny

Anthony Williams, 5-11, 185, DB, Central Valley

Stephen Wood, 6-3, 270, offensive lineman, Central Catholic