(The following is courtesy of the Lafayette College athletic department)
Lafayette head football coach John Garrett has secured the commitments of 17 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent as part of National Signing Day on Wednesday.
Garrett and the Leopards’ coaching staff recruited 10 offensive players, five defensive players and one special teams contributor in the Class of 2021, the fifth scholarship class in the Patriot League era.
Offensively, there are five linemen, three quarterbacks, a running back and a wide receiver. On defense, the Leopards added three linebackers, two defensive backs and one lineman.
The members of the Class of 2021 come to College Hill from nine states, including four each from Pennsylvania and New Jersey and once each from Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas.
“It’s a great day for the Lafayette Leopards’ football program as we add an impressive group of student-athletes to our team as members of the 2017 recruiting class,” said Garrett, the Fred M. Kirby ’42 Head Football Coach. “It’s a group of smart, tough, dependable and talented players who love football and who will be great ambassadors for Lafayette College. The 2017 class will be a great addition to our team as we continue to build a program that everyone will proud of on and off the field.”
Lafayette begins the 2017 schedule on Sept. 2 at Monmouth. The Leopards open at home a week later, hosting Sacred Heart. The regular season concludes Nov. 18 at Lehigh in the 153rd meeting of college’s football’s most-played and longest continuous rivalry.
LAFAYETTE RECRUITS
QB Reed Aichholz, 6-5, 225, Cincinnati, Ohio/Indian Hill
OL Gavin Barclay, 6-5, 295, York, Pa./York Suburban
OL John Burk, 6-4, 315, Lake Hiawatha, N.J./Parsippany
LB Ryan Dickens, 6-2, 220, Hazlet, N.J./Raritan
OL Trey Fallon, 6-4, 300, Falmouth, Maine/Falmouth
OL Taron Hampton, 6-3, 305, Palmyra, N.J./St. Joseph’s Prep
LB Major Jordan, 6-0, 205, Frackville, Pa./North Schuylkill
K/P Jeffrey Kordenbrock, 5-10, 160, Glenelg, Md./Calvert Hall
5-10 Mike Murdock, DB, 195, Rumson, N.J./Rumson Fair-Haven
QB Brycen Mussina, 6-4, 185, Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville
QB Cole Northrup, 6-0, 200, St. Augustine, Fla./St. Augustine
OL Austin Pyne, 6-4, 290, Milford, Mass./Cushing Academy/Lawrence Academy
WR Quinn Revere, 6-0, 185, McKinney, Texas/McKinney Christian Academy
RB Selwyn Simpson, 6-2, 205, Phoenixville, Pa./Spring-Ford
LB Evan Smith, 6-1, 215, Memphis, Tenn./Memphis University School
DE Jake Taggart, 6-4, 215, Bath, N.Y./Haverling
DB Otis Thrasher, 6-2, 175, Decatur, Ga./Luella/Wyoming Seminary
REED AICHHOLZ
Quarterback, 6-5, 225, Cincinnati, Ohio/Indian Hill
GAVIN BARCLAY
Offensive Line, 6-5, 295, York, Pa./York Suburban
AT YORK SUBURBAN: All-State honorable mention selection at tackle from EasternPaFootball.com…garnered YAIAA Division 2 First-Team honors at offensive tackle (2015 and 2016) and defensive tackle (2016)…selected as a first-team all-star by GameTimePa.com in 2016 and as an honorable mention in 2015…team captain in his senior campaign when he also won the Joseph Beck Offensive Lineman Award…team won consecutive conference titles, going undefeated in YAIAA play in 2015 and 2016…three-sport athlete who was a two-year starter on defense in lacrosse and a thrower for the track and field team…honor roll student. Personal: Son of Pete and Kathryn Barclay…father played football at Princeton where his mom was on the rowing team…has an older sister, Hannah and a younger brother, Garth …has yet to decide on a major…born 10/8/98.
JOHN BURK
Offensive Line, 6-4, 315, Lake Hiawatha, N.J./Parsippany
AT PARSIPPANY: All-State honorable mention selection…all-conference and all-county first-team honoree…selected to the NJFCA Super 100…named team MVP and team’s top lineman…three-year varsity starter, playing offensive line, defensive line and kicker…school record holder in the shotput and discus…named the 2016 team MVP of the track and field team while being selected all-county and all-conference…member of the National Honor Society and French National Honor Society…maintains a 4.2 GPA…member of the Lakeland Youth Symphony. Personal: Son of Frederic and Stephanie Burk…has an older brother, Stephen, who competed in track and field at Michigan…grandfather, Stephen Unger played football at Wake Forest while great uncles, John Unger and Thomas Unger ’68 played at Rutgers and Lafayette, respectively…plans to major in Engineering…born 9/25/98.
RYAN DICKENS
Linebacker, 6-2, 220, Hazlet, N.J./Raritan
AT RARITAN: All-Division and All-Shore First-Team selection who played linebacker, fullback and long snapper…graduated as the career (342) and single-season (127) record holder for tackles…member of the 2015 Central Jersey Group 2 state championship team…Maxwell Football Club Mini Maxwell Award winner…served as captain of football and wrestling teams…District 2 region medalist in wrestling…honor roll student…worked as a board member of the RAINE Foundation and co-founder of Drops of RAINE…executive council member of the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide…selected as the winner of the Monmouth County Caring Award. Personal: Son of Matt and Patricia Dickens…has an older brother, Robert, and an older sister, Morgan…plans to major in Economics…born 1/21/99.
TREY FALLON
Offensive Lineman, 6-4, 300, Falmouth, Maine/Falmouth
AT FALMOUTH: All-USA Maine Football First-Team selection who was the team’s Lineman of the Year…semifinalist for the Maine State Frank Gaziano Offensive Lineman Award…was selected to the Campbell Conference All-Star Team as a senior and was an honorable mention pick as a junior…named by the Sunday Telegram on the “12 Players to Watch” list…varsity teams were 23-7 with him as a starter, advancing to the Western Maine finals in 2015…was the Maine State boys doubles champion in tennis in his sophomore and junior seasons, earning first-team all-star recognition…honor roll student who is pursuing a STEM Diploma Endorsement…served as a middle school coach and a volunteer for a soup kitchen…member of several Robotics teams which compete at a state and district level. Personal: Son of John and Patrice Fallon…has a younger sister, Sara…plans to major in Mechanical Engineering…born 9/1/98.
TARON HAMPTON
Offensive Line, 6-3, 305, Palmyra, N.J./St. Joseph’s Prep
AT ST. JOSEPH’S PREP: All-Catholic Second-Team selection in the Philadelphia Catholic League while also garnering All-City Private School Second-Team honors…part of a program that finished 44-9 over four varsity seasons and advanced to the state playoffs in 2013, 2014 and 2016…finished senior season with 90 tackles, three sacks and four fumble recoveries…added 32 “pancake” blocks while playing on the offensive line…competed in track and field…took service trips to Michigan, Georgia and Pennsylvania…volunteered at the St. Charles carnival. Personal: Son of Rochelle Little…cousins, David and Billy Griggs, played football at Virginia and later in the NFL…has a younger brother, Darryle…plans to major in Government & Law or Psychology…born 1/26/99.
MAJOR JORDAN
Linebacker, 6-0, 205, Frackville, Pa./North Schuylkill
AT NORTH SCHUYLKILL: Three-time all-state selection on defense…graduated with a school-record 483 tackles (50 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 8 interceptions) while accumulating 2,179 rushing yards, 332 receiving yards and 33 touchdowns…named All-State First-Team defensive selection for Class AAA by the Pennsylvania Football Sports Writers and Pennsylvania Football News in 2016 when he made 150 tackles in 12 games…named one of the four best linebackers in the state by Pennsylvania Football News and tagged as an All-Eastern Pa./Western Pa. “Super 25” Class 3A linebacker…named the Schuylkill Football League Defensive Player of the Year while also earning the honor from the Pottsville Republican and the Hazleton Standard Speaker…garnered conference first-team honors at linebacker and fullback as a senior when he rushed 203 times for 851 yards…won the Ron Jaworski Mini Maxwell Football Club Award…added Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association North First-Team Offense and First-Team Defense laurels…as a junior, collected Class AA All-State honors from the Pennsylvania Football Sports Writers and Pennsylvania Football News…Anthracite Football League First-Team selection at linebacker in 2015 while also being picked to the all-area team by three newspapers…helped lead squad to a 2014 Anthracite Football championship and three District 11 playoff appearances…also played baseball, earning all-area honors as a sophomore and junior…high honor roll student who was a member of the National Honor Society along with the Science, German, Math, English and Social Studies Honor Societies…served as the Student Council president and as a class vice president. Personal: Son of Ronald and Robyn Jordan…has an older brother, Daniel, and a younger sister Averi…cousin, Mike Malinowski, played football at Penn State…plans to major in Engineering…born 12/30/97.
JEFFREY KORDENBROCK
Kicker/Punter, 5-10, 160, Glenelg, Md./Calvert Hall
AT CALVERT HALL: All-MIAA “A” Conference selection…named a Maryland Crab Bowl All-Star…in 2016, converted 5-of-6 field goals and 36-of-38 PATs…landed 32 percent of his punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line and averaged 36 yards per punt…served as a team captain for the football and lacrosse teams…honor roll student who maintains a 4.0 GPA…National Honor Society member who was also part of the Spanish and Science National Honor Societies…member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and a class representative…served as a National Honor Society tutor…attending Lafayette on a four-year ROTC scholarship. Personal: Son of Jeff and Suzy Kordenbrock…has older sisters, Alexandra and Amanda…plans to major in Mechanical Engineering…born 8/1/98.
MICHAEL “MIKEY” MURDOCK
Defensive Back, 5-10, 195, Rumson, N.J./Rumson-Fair Haven
AT RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN: All-State Group III selection who twice earned All-Shore honors…garnered All-Metro Honorable Mention status from MSG Varsity…member of three state championship teams…named MVP of 2015 state title game. Personal: Son of Thomas and Ann Murdock…father played football at Muhlenberg College…has an older brother, Dan…plans to major in Physics…born 6/19/98.
BRYCEN MUSSINA
Quarterback, 6-4, 185, Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville
AT MONTOURSVILLE: All-State selection at quarterback, throwing for 6,956 yards and 69 touchdowns (both district records)…finished as the two-time district champion in football…four-sport athlete who was an all-conference selection in basketball and finished fifth in the triple jump (41’11”) at the district track and field meet…two-time PHAC All-Conference selection at pitcher while also hitting for a career .350 average…National Honor Society member who was on the school’s distinguished honor roll…member of Mu Alpha Theta. Personal: Son of Michael and Jana Mussina…father had an 18-year career in Major League Baseball, playing for the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees…has an older sister, Kyra, and a younger brother, Peyton…plans to major in Engineering…born 9/3/98.
COLE NORTHRUP
Quarterback, 6-0, 200, St. Augustine, Fla./St Augustine
AT ST. AUGUSTINE: Threw for more than 7,000 yards and 72 touchdowns during his playing career, helping lead his squad to three district championships…named All-State Honorable Mention in the 6A division in 2016 while also garnering All-St. John’s County Second-Team and All-First Coast Third-Team honors (honorable mention in those categories in 2013-15)…one of just three quarterbacks to throw for 7,000-plus yards in St. John’s County, joining Tim Tebow and Nick Tronti…was the first-ever four-year starting quarterback at his alma mater…played power forward on the basketball team…National Honor Society member who maintains a 4.05 grade-point average…volunteered for PAL football camps and other youth sports organizations. Personal: Son of Tod Northrup and Karen Haseltine…father wrestled at St. Lawrence University…has Sultanbet yet to decide on a major…born 11/17/98.
AUSTIN PYNE
Offensive Line, 6-4, 290, Milford, Mass./Cushing Academy/Lawrence Academy
AT LAWRENCE ACADEMY: Earned All-Independent School League honors in 2016 while helping lead Lawrence Academy team to a title…secured All-NEPSAC and All-State honors…holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Ireland…served as a Special Olympics volunteer…avid electric guitar player. Personal: Son of David ’94 and Kristin Pyne…father was an All-Patriot League First-Team offensive lineman who started all 44 games in his career and played in the 1994 Hula Bowl…has an older brother David who attends Tufts, and a younger brother, Kevin…plans to major in Economics…born 10/8/97.
QUINN REVERE
Wide Receiver, 5-11, 185, McKinney, Texas/ McKinney Christian Academy
AT MCKINNEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY: All-State and All-District First-Team selection at wide receiver, reeling in more than 900 yards each season…earned the All-District Athlete Award and was named the MCA team MVP…honor roll student and scholar-athlete award winner…also competed in track and field for which he was a 100m and 200m regional finalist…served as the president of the Young Men’s Service League for one year and was also the vice president and head chairman…community service volunteer who took a mission trip to Guatemala. Personal: Son of Brian and Marie Revere…has an older brother, Taylor, and younger sisters, Rachael and Javiera…plans to major in Economics…born 3/8/99.
SELWYN SIMPSON
Running Back, 6-2, 205, Phoenixville, Pa./Spring-Ford
AT SPRING-FORD: Pioneer Athletic Conference First-Team selection…named Mercury All-Area while also garnering Pennsylvania Football News honorable mention status…ran for 1,945 yards and 43 touchdowns in his career…finished with 2,000 career all-purpose yards and 100 points scored…named team offensive MVP as a senior…two-sport athlete who played outfield and pitcher for a league title team…volunteered at a retirement home in his hometown. Personal: Son of Selwyn and Claudette Simpson…plans to major in Economics…born 12/13/98.
EVAN SMITH
Linebacker, 6-1, 215, Memphis, Tenn./Memphis University School
JAKE TAGGART
Defensive Line, 6-4, 215, Bath, N.Y./Haverling
AT HAVERLING: All-State Second-Team selection at tight end…earned All-Livingston County honors in three seasons, helping lead his squad to county Division I championships in 2014 and 2015…part of a 2015 team which was the Far West regional champion before advancing to the New York State Class C Final Four…made 46 tackles in his senior season at middle linebacker and reeled in 11 catches for 219 yards and two touchdowns at tight end…in 2015, made 71 tackles with two forced fumbles while also catching 18 balls for 251 yards and five touchdowns…played defensive end/tight end in his freshman and sophomore campaigns…three-sport athlete who was an all-star center in basketball and also played lacrosse…high honor roll student and National Honor Society member…service volunteer who helped feed community’s less fortunate. Personal: Son of John and Alicia Taggart…mother was a swimmer at SUNY Fredonia…has an older sister, Samantha, and younger sisters, MacKenna and Cadin…plans to major in Biology…born 2/28/99.
OTIS THRASHER
Defensive Back, 6-2, 175, Rex, Ga./Luella/Wyoming Seminary
AT LUELLA: All-Region honors at defensive back…selected to the Georgia Southwest Bowl All-Star Game…two-time letterwinner who earned most-improved and top defensive back awards…finished with 47 total tackles (5.2 per game), seven pass breakups and an interception for touchdown…also competed in track in the 4×100 relay (42.61), placing second in the Region 4-5A Championships, sixth in the sectional meet and 11th in the state of Georgia in the 5A class. Personal: Son of James and Bonita Thrasher…has an older brother, Donte, and an older sister, Kenya…plans to major in Neuroscience…born 9/7/97.
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