Rock football adds 25 players to fold

February 08, 2024 Last Updated: February 07, 2024 10:54 PM Sports

2024 recruiting class consists of 15 high school seniors, 10 transfers

SLIPPERY ROCK — “We are living in the transfer portal era.”

Such are the words of Slippery Rock University football coach Shawn Lutz — he and his staff using that portal to address needs for the coming season.

The Rock is bringing in 10 transfers, including four offensive linemen and two wide receivers. Fifteen high school players have signed with SRU as well, including five more offensive linemen.

“We’re graduating four starters from up front,” Lutz said. “Joe Cooper is the only starter we have coming back. We’ve got five defensive linemen in this recruiting class, too, to build some depth there.

“If you want to go deep into the national playoffs, you have to be able to control the line of scrimmage.”

Six of the 10 transfers have more than one year of football eligibility remaining. Lutz said Todd Hill, a 240-pound defensive lineman who was a three-time All-NEC player at Duquesne, may be the best of the transfer group.

“We plan on using him at defensive end. He can be a great edge rusher because he explodes off the ball,” Lutz said. “He’s definitely got a shot at starting for us.

“I have to emphasize, though, none of these guys, regardless of what they may have done elsewhere, has done a thing at Slippery Rock yet. They all start at the bottom of the depth chart and have to work their way up.”

Marshall Futrell and Anthony Jackson are 6-foot-4 and 6-5, 320-pound offensive linemen coming from UNC-Charlotte and Gannon, respectively. Julian Sams is a 300-pound offensive lineman who is coming from Kent State, where he started 25 games. All are expected to challenge for starting spots up front, along with Jeff Bonnette, a 6-4, 295-pound transfer from California (Pa.).

Nassir Jones, a tight end from Bloomsburg, caught 33 passes for 469 yards with the Huskies last year. He was named All-PSAC East. Current SRU tight end Kam Kruzelyak was All-PSAC West last season.

“We can use a lot of effective two tight end sets with these guys,” Lutz enthused.

A pair of 6-3 wide receivers in Mike Solomon (Notre Dame College) and Latrell Sutton (Virginia Tech) are among the incoming transfers, as is running back Josiah Jordan (Wilkes University). Solomon caught 55 passes for 724 yards over the past two seasons and Jordan rushed for 549 yards and added 748 yards in kick returns as a starter at Wilkes.

“Sutton didn’t play at Virginia Tech, but all of those guys have speed and those receivers are lanky,” Lutz said. “Again, we’re graduating some great receivers in Kyle Sheets and Cohen Russell ... We have to reload here, not rebuild.”

Lutz’s son, Gavin, a Grove City High School senior, is among the prep recruits at defensive back. He had nine interceptions in high school and owns the school record of 202 career pass receptions. Julius Vicari, from Seton Hall Prep, had 52 catches for 864 yards last season.

The only quarterback in the recruiting class is DaOne Owens, who guided Massillon to its first Ohio state championship since 1980. Owens threw for 1,566 yards and 18 touchdowns, ran for 1,302 yards and 15 scores last year.

“Owens is the first dual threat quarterback we’ve had since Nigel Barksdale,” Lutz said. “He’ll play behind Brayden (Long) this season, but we can get him in three games and still redshirt him. Vicari has a chance to play as a true freshman.

“Every coach loves to say this year’s recruiting class is his best ever. What I like about it is we filled our immediate needs. I’m excited about what this group can offer.”

SRU was 12-2 in 2023, advancing to the national quarterfinals. The Rock has qualified for the Division II playoffs three straight years and five times since 2018. It has won 10 PSAC West titles since 2000.

The annual Green and White spring game is April 19. The Rock opens the 2024 season at home against New Haven on Sept. 7.

SRU FOOTBALL RECRUITING CLASS

Transfers

Jeff Bonnette (Shaler/California, Pa.), OL, 6-4, 295

Davion Daniels (Hubbard (Ohio)/Bowling Green) DB, 6-0, 190

Marshall Futrell (Iona Prep/UNC Charlotte) OL, 6-4, 320

Anthony Jackson (Farrell/Gannon) OL, 6-5, 320

Nassir Jones (Williamsport/Bloomsburg) TE, 6-3, 230

Josiah Jordan (Berks Catholic/Wilkes) RB, 5-10, 170

Julian Sams (Liberty, Va./Kent State) OL, 6-3, 300

Mike Solomon (Huntingtown, Md./Notre Dame College) WR, 6-3, 195

Todd Hill (Steel Valley/Duquesne, Pitt) DL, 5-10, 240