Lycoming News

Lock Haven University Athletics issued the following announcement on May 23.

The Lock Haven University football team has announced its 2022 recruiting class. The class marks the first under-newly appointed head coach Dan Mulrooney.

 

Mulrooney's debut class features 46 incoming freshmen and 12 transfers for an enormous 58-player total. Each of the new Bald Eagles have signed a National Letter of Intent, have been accepted and/or have enrolled at Lock Haven University.

 

"I believe you win with people and I'm so proud of my staff for putting together this class under all the circumstances," said head coach Dan Mulrooney. "We started work at Lock Haven University just three months ago and our main focus has been recruiting. We worked tirelessly to find players who believed in our vision. We are not officially done, but I'm extremely excited to announce these student-athletes. They choose Lock Haven University for the right reasons and they are now a part of our special community. We are "Locked In" and excited for the future."

The Bald Eagles open the 2022 season and a new era of LHU football on Saturday, September 3 with a road trip to Waterbury, Connecticut to face off against Post University, and this talented class of 2022 will look to make an immediate impact. The full 2022 schedule is available at GoLHU.com.

Meet the newest Bald Eagles:

 

Freshmen:

 

Rodney Acquah

Linebacker – Sayreville War Memorial High School, New Jersey

Acquah was a three-year starter as well as a senior captain at Sayreville War Memorial High School. He was also named First Team All-Division.

 

Phillip Arpano Jr.

Quarterback – Lunenburg High School, Massachusetts

Arpano was named his team's Offensive MVP after breaking the single-season passing record. He was also named to the area All-Conference team and tabbed as a Central Massachusetts All-Star.

 

Delvon Beam

Defensive Back – Bowie High School, Maryland

Beam was a team captain at Bowie High School and named to the Second Team All-County team.

 

Zamir Beck

Wide Receiver – Northeast High School, Pennsylvania

Beck helped his team to a 6A Public League Championship.

 

Andrew Blockus

Defensive Line – Berwick Area High School, Pennsylvania

Blockus was named Berwick Area High School's Defensive Player of the Year where he lettered for three years. He was also a team captain that achieved All-Conference status while attaining NPF Defensive Lineman of the year and leading his team in tackles-for-loss with 21.

 

Colin Burdian

Wide Receiver – East Stroudsburg South High School, Pennsylvania

Burdian was a key element to his team's offense. His big play ability after the catch made him a dangerous threat to change the game at any moment.

 

Nathan Cammack

Defensive Line – Palmyra High School, New Jersey

Cammack was a team captain who was placed on the Super 100 All-State list as well as the All-State Academic Team.

 

Angel Cardona

Offensive Line – Archbishop Ryan High School, Pennsylvania

Cardona made a huge impact on the Archbishop Ryan offense as a reliable offensive lineman, showcasing his consistency executing run plays and protecting the quarterback.

 

Anthony Day

Linebacker – Harrisburg High School, Pennsylvania

Day was a team captain and amassed a ton of defensive stats. He logged 150 tackles (88 solos, 17 TFL's, 6 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, 1 FF, 1 Sack, and 1 defensive TD). His tackle-count led all of 6A and was ranked ninth in the entire state. Anthony was named First Team All-Conference and on the PennLive All-Star team. He was also named a MaxPreps player of the game twice.

 

Ethan Fike

Linebacker – California High School, Pennsylvania

Fike was a captain and three-time letter winner at California (Pa.) High School where he racked up many different accolades. He was name to the First Team All-Conference team twice, the Mon Valley Independent Finest 30 list twice, the Cover 3 Athletics Team twice, the All-WPIAL team, and the All-Backyard team. He was also named his team's Defensive Player of the Year and scored the longest pick-six in school history (91 yards).

 

Matt Fredrick

Offensive Line – Dumont High School, New Jersey

Frederick was a captain for both the football and baseball team where he was a First Team All-League offensive lineman and a Second Team All-League baseball player.

 

Hakim Gantz

Defensive Line – Olney Charter High School, Pennsylvania

Gantz was named his school's Male Student-Athlete of the Year. He was also selected to play in both the NUC All-Star and Dream All-American games.

 

Blake Griesemer

Defensive Line – Quakertown High School, Pennsylvania

Griesemer was an impact player on both offense and defense for his team. His versatility and knowledge gained from his experience made him a very savvy and reliable defender as he racked up big plays.

 

Kylie Harper

Wide Receiver – Chester High School, Pennsylvania

Harper made both the All-Delco and All-Del Val teams as an honorable mention. He also participated in the 2022 Hero Bowl.

 

Ashan Harris

Running Back – Union High School, New Jersey

Harris comes from Union High School, which is one of the strongest programs in New Jersey. He was a game changing spark for them at the running back position. His vision and ability to make people miss made him a tough challenge for opposing defenses around the state.

 

Bryan Helenski

Linebacker – Perkiomen Valley High School, Pennsylvania

Helenski was named to the First Team All-League and All-Area teams and was also named his team's Defensive Player of the Year.

 

Raymell Hester

Wide Receiver – Bedford High School, Ohio

Hester is a four-year varsity letter winner and was named the Lake Erie League Player of the Year. He also holds the school record for most passing yards in a playoff game.

 

Jaiman Holden

Offensive Line – Farrell High School, Pennsylvania

Holden was an integral component of the offense at Farrell High School as an offensive lineman. His ability to finish blocks and play disciplined in pass protection made him an ultra-valuable member of his team.

 

Victor Hunt

Defensive Back – Northampton High School, Pennsylvania

Hunt was named a First Team All-Conference cornerback as he helped his team complete the first undefeated season in school history. He is tied for the most interceptions in one season. He is also a district and league qualifier in track and helped break the record for fastest 4x100-meter relay time.

 

Dillion Hynes

Linebacker – South Allegheny High School, Pennsylvania

Hynes was a senior captain, three-year letter winner, and two-time All-Conference linebacker. He was also in the National Honor Society.

 

Avery Jenkins

Linebacker – Hudson Catholic High School, New Jersey

Jenkins was a three-year starter and capped off his career with a pick-6 on senior night.

 

Donovan Jones

Offensive Line – East Stroudsburg South, Pennsylvania

Jones was a team captain, was selected as an area All-Star, and was named to the All-District, All-League, and All-Area teams.

 

Dylan Lease

Linebacker – Dallastown High School, Pennsylvania

Lease was a team captain and three-year letter winner as he was named to All-County 6A and All-County all-star teams.

 

Amari Macklin

Linebacker – North Brunswick High School, New Jersey

Macklin was a huge piece of the North Brunswick defense as he finished top-10 in tackles for the state of New Jersey.

 

Raheim Mciver

Wide Receiver – Chester High School, Pennsylvania

Mciver was a dependable possession receiver at Chester High School, helping his offense move the chains on a consistent basis.

 

Nadir Mitchell

Wide Receiver – Frankford High School, Pennsylvania

Mitchell was a two-time team captain and two-time member of the All-Public League team. A major highlight of his career was scoring three TDs in the first game of his senior season.

 

Frankie Morrone

Quarterback – Williamsport High School, Pennsylvania

Morrone was named to the All-Conference team as he surpassed 3,000 career passing yards. He was also a team captain and three-year letter winner.

 

Patrick Mulligan

Linebacker – Chartiers Valley High School, Pennsylvania

Mulligan was named an All-Conference linebacker and running back. He was also a three-time letter winner.

 

Justin Nketia

Linebacker – Howard High School, Maryland

Nketia was a team captain and two-year letter winner. He was named a Top Howard County Returning Linebacker in 2021. A highlight of his career was logging 11 tackles and two tackles-for-loss in a playoff game.

 

Dylan Osorio

Linebacker – East Stroudsburg South High School, Pennsylvania

Osorio was a three-year starter and was named his team's Defensive MVP tallying 56 tackles in his senior season. He was tabbed as a Second Team All-EPC and All-Area linebacker, as well as a 1st team All-EPC and All-Area tight end.

 

Robert Papaleo

Running Back– Pleasant Valley High School, Pennsylvania

Papaleo flourished in a run-heavy offense at Pleasant Valley High School as he proved himself to have excellent vision and acceleration that found himself regularly scoring TDs and making big-time plays.

 

Marquis Perry

Wide Receiver – North Brunswick High School, New Jersey

Perry was an electric offensive threat for North Brunswick High School. He regularly made game-changing plays both as a wide receiver and kick-returner on special teams.

 

Sean Petzold

Offensive Line – Farmingdale High School, New York

Petzold was an irreplaceable cog for the offensive line at Farmingdale High School. His quickness and strength was made evident quickly as he dominated many opponents that lined up across from him. He was named All-Conference and was a three-year starter.

 

Jelel Phillips

Defensive Line – Hudson Catholic High School, New Jersey

Phillips was a two-time All-Conference defensive player for Hudson Catholic High School.

 

Anthony Roige

Wide Receiver - St. Joseph High School, New Jersey

Roige was a team captain and an All-Division and All-County selection.

 

Abdullah Sargeant

Defensive Back – Dundalk High School, Maryland

Sargeant was a big-time defensive playmaker for Dundalk High School. His awareness and intelligent play led him to always being around the ball as he capitalized on his opportunities to impact the game.

 

Izaiah Scott

Offensive Line – Central Dauphin East High School, Pennsylvania

Scott was a team captain and three-year letter winner. He was also named a PennLive All-Star.

 

Matt Stanton

Quarterback – Woodbridge High School, New Jersey

Stanton lettered for all four years of high school and earned All-District and All-Conference honors.

 

Evan Sylstra

Tight End – Norwich High School, New York

Sylstra was a team captain and lettered for four years. During his time, he was named an All-District and All-Conference player. He was also named on the Elite 24 list and was an All-State linebacker. One of his career highlights was rushing for 180 yards against the sixth ranked team in the state.

 

John Tatum

Wide Receiver – Oakland Mills, Maryland

Tatum started on varsity for four years and was a team captain. He was named First Team All-County and participated in the BTC All-Star game.

 

Cole Transue

Quarterback – Easton High School, Pennsylvania

Transue was the signal-caller for Easton High School, which is known for being a consistently successful program and developing some of the state's best talent on a yearly basis. Cole's presence and big arm made him a prolific passer against some of the state's toughest competition.

 

Isaiah Turner

Defensive Back – Haddon Heights High School, New Jersey

Turner was a rare defensive talent for Haddon Heights High School. His range and versatility made him a very effective player in the defensive secondary that was able to maximize his talents against both the run and pass.

 

Davien Vernon

Defensive Back – Bergen Catholic High School. New Jersey

Vernon lettered for 4 years and earned All-County honors on the No. 1 ranked team in the state. He was a team captain and also rushed for over 1,000 yards on offense.

 

Jaedon Waterman

Wide Receiver – Kennett High School, Pennsylvania

Waterman played an important role for the passing offense at Kennett High School where he flourished as a wide receiver. His run-after-catch and the way he finished runs made him a very hard ball carrier for opponents to bring down.

 

Lajear Whaley

Linebacker – Williamsport High School, Pennsylvania

Whaley was a terror on the edge of the Williamsport High School defense, making many big plays in the backfield. He was also a team captain.

 

Jadarius Wright

Defensive Back – Booker T. Washington High School (Pensacola), Florida

Wright was a hardnosed and versatile defensive back who was a crucial part of the defensive secondary at Booker T. Washington High School. His abilities ranged from his physicality against the run game and a consistent clutch factor making plays on the ball in the air against the passing game.

 

Transfers:

 

Matt Barna – R-Fr.

Defensive Line – Shippensburg University, Pennsylvania

Barna played his high school football at Phillipsburg High School in New Jersey where he was a dominant pass rusher and run stopper. In 2021, Barna took a redshirt while a member of the Shippensburg football program.

 

Thomas Burdian – So.

Wide Receiver – Fullerton College, California

Burdian played his high school football at Brookwood High School in Snellville, GA. He proved himself to be a big play waiting to happen with his explosiveness and route-running ability. Burdian played in six games for Fullerton College in 2021.

 

Tyron Carey – So.

Linebacker – Itasca Community College, Minnesota

Carey is originally from Key West, Florida where he starred for Key West High School. His play forced offenses around south Florida to take caution in their gameplan as he proved to be an explosive threat. Carey played in five games for Ithaca in 2021 and made nine tackles.

 

Alex Derico – R-Jr.

Linebacker – Rochester Community and Technical College, Minnesota

Derico was named to the MCAC First Team All-Defense as well as being named a NJCAA Region XIII All-American. Alex is originally from Sharpsburg, Georgia where he attended East Cowetta High School. In 2021, Derico made 49 tackles, good for second on the team, for Rochester in seven games played.

 

Daylin Gooden – R-Fr.

Running Back– Morgan State University, Maryland

Gooden will play running back after his time as a defensive back at Morgan State University. He is originally from Norristown, Pennsylvania where he played running back at Pope John Paull II High School. Gooden took a redshirt in 2021 as a member of Morgan State University.

 

Kasir Henry – So.

Defensive Back – Anna Maria College, Massachusetts

Henry comes from Anna Maria College where he played in every game as a freshman. He logged 54 total tackles and one interception to help propel the team to its first ever conference championship and NCAA playoff appearance.

 

Jaderian Johnson – Jr.

Linebacker – North Dakota State College of Science, North Dakota

Johnson is originally from Pensacola, Florida where he shined at Tate High School and was named 3rd-team All-State. He then went on to NDSCS and became a JUCO All-American and played in 10 games in 2021.

 

Idrissa Nikiema – Jr.

Wide Receiver – Monroe College, New York

At Monroe College, Nikiema logged nearly 500 yards receiving and five TDs while earning 12.7yds per catch. He also kicked at Monroe, going 12/15 in field goals with a long of 44 yards and made 14 touchbacks on the kick-off team. He is originally from the Bronx, New York and played for Kennedy High School.

 

Davin Roy – Jr.

Offensive Line – University of New Haven, Connecticut

Roy is originally from Colchester, CT where he lettered twice for Bacon Academy. He was also named a two-time Offense-Defense All-American.

 

Danny Sanchez – Gr.

Quarterback – Stony Brook University, New York

Sanchez comes to Lock Haven as a graduate student after gaining valuable experience at Division I FCS Stony Brook University. He is originally from the Bronx, New York and played for Lehman High School where he led his team to an undefeated senior season.

 

Easton Turner – Gr.

Quarterback – Assumption College, Massachusetts

Turner comes to Lock Haven as a graduate student after playing for Assumption College where he played in 25 games and passed for over 1000 yards in the 2021 season. He is originally from Ashburn, Virginia and played for Stone Bridge High School.

 

Brett Zachman – R-Jr.

Kicker – Dordt University, Iowa

Zachman was a two-time Second Team All-Conference kicker and holds the school record for longest field goal at 51 yards. He is originally from Leesburg, Florida and attended Eustis High School. In 2021, while playing for the NAIA Dordt University he played in 10 games and went 8-12 on field goals.

Original source can be found here.