SLIPPERY ROCK— Slippery Rock University's football team keeps getting faster.

Along with kicker C.J. Bahr, SRU added Woodland Hills defensive back Lamar Mason, Mercyhurst Prep running back-defensive back Jayson Nickson and receiver-defensive back Harold Tardy to its recruiting list Friday.

Two linemen — 6-foot-1, 260-pound Quintin Johnson of McKeesport and 6-5, 275-pound Andre Weston of Peabody — round out The Rock's latest additions.

"We've definitely improved our team speed with this class,"SRUcoach George Mihalik said.

Among SRU's signings on letter of intent day were speedy running back Leo Cheaton from Delaware and Woodland Hills defensive back Brandon Watters.

"We were very fortunate to get Mason,"Mihalik said "Kent State offered him last week, but he felt more comfortable coming here.

"He's an outstanding blitzer, coming very hard off the corner. Anytime you can get a Division Iprospect to come to a Division IIschool, you feel good about it."

Mason is the cousin of 2006 SRUco-captain Jerome Whiting.

Nickson rushed for a school-record 1,581 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior at Mercyhurst Prep. He had 1,277 rushing yards as a junior and 3,360 yards his high school career.

Nickson will get his first college look as a safety, however.

"He's very productive on both sides of the ball,"Mihalik said. "We've got a lot of running backs and we fell in love with the force and impact with which he makes tackles.

"He expressed an interest in playing defense, too. You love an outstanding running back who prefers to deliver hits rather than take them."

The 6-1, 185-pound Tardy had three catches for 90 yards in the Pittsburgh Area All-Star Game

"Watching tapes on him, Tardy can play on either side of the ball for us,"Mihalik said. "Offense won out and he'll get his first look at receiver."

Mihalik said Johnson will be looked at as an interior defensive lineman, though he has potential as a center as well.

Johnson was a three-year letterman at McKeesport and helped the team win the PIAA Quad-A state championship in 2005.

Weston was a first team all-Pittsburgh City League performer in high school and is being looked at as an offensive lineman. His older brother played at Pitt.

"He's got the frame to add weight,"Mihalik said. "We don't like to recruit linemen who are already 300 pounds. We like them to be able to grow into the position while they're here.

"We're losing two safeties, so Nickson and Mason have a chance to get on the field there. Tardy's good enough to play right away and so is Johnson.

"Our recruiting class should have an immediate impact, which is good because we're not losing a whole lot."

The Rock is coming off a 7-4 season and loses only nine seniors from that squad. Mihalik will be entering his 20th season next fall.