SLIPPERY ROCK — As good as he's been, Darius Frantz is only going to get better.

That's why Slippery Rock University football coach George Mihalik is thrilled to have the Freeport linebacker included among the 15 recruits SRU signed Wednesday.

"We went after him hard," Mihalik said. "He's such an outstanding athlete. Darius will fill out his frame and be quite a player for us."

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Frantz was the Allegheny Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2009. He had 72 tackles, 61 assists, five sacks and averaged 13.3 tackles per game.

Mihalik listed him as one of seven players on his recruiting list "who could see time for us next fall.

"We wanted to get stronger and with that strength comes physicality," the coach said. "We picked up a few linebackers we just couldn't pass up."

One of those linebackers is Bishop Canevin product Jeff Dobbins, ranked No. 102 nationally at his position by Scout.com and No. 5 in Pennsylvania.

The four linebackers rated ahead of him signed with Penn State, Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Temple.

"He has a great combination of speed and power, along with a tenacious physical attitude," Mihalik said.

Other recruits who could play this year are linebacker Gary Allen of North Allegheny, 6-5, 325-pound offensive lineman Bill Whitaker of Mount Lebanon, defensive tackle Max Kielbasa of Keystone Oaks, athlete Admire Carter of Beaver Falls and running back E'vander Wright of McKeesport.

Allen had 109 tackles last year and is the son of former SRU standout Rick Allen. Carter recorded 30 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, and was a first-team, all-state player as a return specialist for Beaver Falls. Wright averaged 13.9 yards per carry last fall.

"We needed offensive linemen and picked up three of them," Mihalik said. "Whitaker has the size to help us now. Of course, any incoming freshman has to be able to pick up on our system mentally to get on the field.

"You can never have too many good linebackers or running backs because you develop your special teams and a lot of flexibility through those players."

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the best, Mihalik rated his 2010 recruiting class a 2.5.

"We got what we were looking for and we'll probably add a couple more over the next few days," Mihalik said.

<B>Name Ht. Wt. Pos. School</B>Gary Allen 6-0 21- LB North AlleghenyRyan Allen 6-0 205 RB PlumAdmire Carter 5-10 170 Athlete Beaver FallsIsaiah Coleman 6-2 215 DB Lawrence (N.J.)Jeff Dobbins 6-1 230 LB CanevinAkeem Fields 6-2 230 DE HickoryDarius Frantz 6-4 215 LB FreeportMax Kielbasa 6-3 265 DT Keystone OaksSean Kincaid 6-4 265 OL AmbridgeKevin Kulka 6-2 230 DE General McLaneKirk Nypaver 6-2 265 OL CanevinLee Provencher 6-2 275 OL General McLaneAaron Serrano 6-1 210 LB Lorain Southview (Ohio)Bill Whitaker 6-5 325 OL Mount LebanonE'Vander Wright 5-10 195 RB McKeesport