SLIPPERY ROCK — For Nick Stazer, it was all about finances and opportunity.

The 6-foot-3, 305-pound offensive lineman and Butler graduate spent his red-shirt freshman football season at the University of Pittsburgh.

With four years of eligibility still remaining, Stazer is now a member of the Slippery Rock University football team.

Stazer is one of the final six transfers to join The Rock's roster. The other five are running backs Charles Snorweah (Rutgers) and De'Sean Dinkins (Itawamba), wide receivers Victor Talley (Tiffin) and Reginald Mays Jr. (Lincoln), and kicker-punter Jordan Wambacher (Penn State).

“For me, it's all about getting my education,” said Stazer, a secondary education/social studies major. “It would cost a lot more money for me to go to Pitt this year.

“Now I'm closer to home and I'm hoping to get on the field this year. I know I'm going to have to earn it.”

SRU head coach Shawn Lutz believes Stazer has a chance to be a four-year starter at tackle for The Rock.

Stazer only played one year of varsity football — his senior season — after playing the sport through eighth grade.

“He's got the size and ability,” Lutz said. “The question is how long it takes him to put it together as a football player.

“For Nick, it's about understanding the game of football at this level. He just hasn't played much. But I know he'll help us. It's only a matter of time.

“I can see him starting for us at tackle this year,” Lutz added.

By coming to SRU, “my grandparents will be able to see all the games. They may have missed some in Pittsburgh,” Stazer said. “I'm glad it's working out that way.”

Stazer will be reunited with former Butler teammate Sam Enslen, recruited by SRU out of high school this year.

“They are best of friends and I'm sure that helped us in getting him,” Lutz said of Stazer. “We've been trying to get Nick since his senior year at Butler. We've always liked him.”

Stazer admitted it adds to the comfort zone having a former teammate on the roster.

“I had Jake (Butler graduate Kradel) at Pitt and now Sam at SRU,” Stazer said. “I'm fortunate to have it that way.”

Stazer is also looking forward to playing for long-time SRU offensive line coach Chris Conrad, a former Pittsburgh Steeler lineman.

“He's a great coach who had a lot of success playing the game,” Stazer said. “I see why all of the other linemen love the guy. I can't wait to play for and learn from him.”

While Stazer plans to become a teacher and coach for a career, he has other goals to accomplish in the near future.

“Graduate, of course. That's No. 1,” he said. “In terms of football, I want to win. Since I was 6 years old, I've hated to lose. Win PSAC championships, win a national championship ... That's why I'm here.”

Looking at The Rock's other late transfers, Snorweah never started at Rutgers, but had 11 carries for 134 yards and two touchdowns in the Scarlet Knights' spring game earlier this year.

While Snorweah is a speed back, Dinkins is a bruiser. He had 86 carries for 481 yards and eight TDs at Itawamba College last year.

“These two guys complement each other perfectly,” Lutz said. “Snorweah is a blazer. We haven't had a running back as fast as him in a long time.”

Dinkins has two years of eligibility left, Snorweah one.

The coach added that Talley and Mays “will be productive in our wide receiver mix right away.”

Wombacker, a kicker-punter, has two years of eligibility remaining. Current SRU kicker Jake Chapla is entering his senior season.

“Wombacker will have a chance to punt for us this year if he beats out Jake,” Lutz said. “He can replace him at punter and place-kicker next season.”