RECRUITING CLASS (PDF) I VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS I

COACH HOUGHTALING DISCUSSES THE CLASS

Staten Island, NY - Seventeen student-athletes have signed national letters of intent and will continue their education, while pursuing a football career, at Wagner College for head coach Jason Houghtaling.
 
The fax machine was whirring all day in the offices at the Spiro Sports Center as the future Seahawks pledged their commitment to Wagner, and a Seahawk football program that last fall claimed its second Northeast Conference (NEC) title in the last three years. Wagner went 7-4 overall in 2014, its last under head coach Walt Hameline, who announced in December that he was stepping down as head coach after 34 years but will remain as athletic director.
 
The 6-1 league mark gave the Green & White, who won the 2012 NEC championship and ensuing NCAA Division I FCS Playoff first-round game over Colgate, a share of the 2014 NEC crown, though Sacred Heart  represented the conference in the NCAA Playoffs by virtue of its victory over the Seahawks.

Of the 17-person class,  four are mid-year enrollees who transferred in from other academic institutions and are already Wagner students, 12 are high school seniors who will be freshmen in the fall, while one is a transfer student who will enroll as a sophomore in the fall.
 
"We're very excited to have attracted a group of high-quality student-athletes who we look forward to blending with our returning core," said Houghtaling. "This class includes a number of quality players who will address specific needs that we have and who I believe bring a strong academic foundation that will allow them to to succeed in the classroom here at Wagner.
 
Broken down by geography, this class includes nine student-athletes who hail from New Jersey, five from New York and one each from California, Florida and Texas. Of the 17 student-athletes announced today, six are listed as offensive linemen and four are defensive backs, while three come in as linebackers, along with one defensive line, quarterback, one wide receiver and one tight end. It should be noted that two offensive linemen are listed as defensive linemen as well while several of the defensive line and linebacker prospects were also top ball carriers in high school.
 
Additional student-athletes are expected to be announced at later dates as they become cleared for release through the athletic department's compliance office.

Class Breakdown By State
New Jersey – 9
New York – 5
California – 1
Florida - 1
Texas - 1

Class Breakdown By Position
Offensive Line - 6
Defensive Back - 4
Linebacker – 3
Defensive Line - 1
Quarterback – 1
Wide Receiver – 1
Tight End – 1
 
2015 RECRUITING CLASS



 





















2015 SIGNEES
(Mid-Year Enrollees)
Kevin Foulds               Fr.        OL       6-4       260     
Sparta, NJ/Sparta/Worcester Academy
*Physical run-blocker, also active from defensive tackle spot
*Had five fist-half sacks at MetLife Stadium to help Spartans defeat River Dell to win first state football title in 10 years.
*Three-sport standout at Sparta HS in Football, Basketball and Baseball before prepping at Worcester Academy
 WATCH VIDEO













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Tim Hayes                   Jr.        DB       5-10     190     
Los Angeles, CA/Crespi Carmelite/Univ. of Wyoming
*Brings 19 games of college football experience at the University of Wyoming
*Had 36 tackles as a true freshman in 2013 and 10 stops as sophomore in 2014
*First Team All-Sierra League RB his senior season of HS
*Led Crespi to an 8-2 record in 2012, while being named his team's Most Valuable Player.
*32 carries for 485 yards and scored five touchdowns his senior season
*On defense, as a senior, credited with 45 tackles, intercepted four passes and had six pass breakups
 WATCH VIDEO













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Sterling Lowry             Fr.        DB       5-11     180     
Syracuse, NY/Nottingham/Milford Academy
*Dynamic, explosive, big-play performer
*Led the Nottingham Bulldogs to Class A Sectional Title as a junior quarterback/cornerback
*Missed senior season with preseason leg injury but returned to health in 2014 season in prep year at Milford Academy
*Credited with 12 tackles, 10 pass breakups, two caused fumbles at Milford Academy
 WATCH VIDEO













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Andrew Oberg             R-Sr.    OL       6-8       300     
Islip, NY/Islip/UNLV
*Massive-framed blocker who was a two-year starter at right tackle for the Runnin' Rebels at UNLV
*Two-time member of the Academic All-Mountain West team
*Earned a spot on the UNLV Dean's Honor List in five of his six semesters on campus
*Standout All-County two-way tackle at Islip HS


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INCOMING FRESHMEN

Corey Alberti             Fr.       OL/DL    6-1       260       
 Endicott, NY/Union Endicott
*Tough, sturdy two-way lineman
*Has experience at multiple positions along the offensive line, including center
*Has excellent balance and agility
 WATCH VIDEO


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 Vincent Aranda          Fr.       QB       6-2, 200
Staten Island, NY/Monsignor Farrell/Milford Academy
*Mobile, left-handed local QB who prepped a semester at Milford Academy
*Has ability to both pressure defenses with his running ability as well as hurt defenses with his arm
*Selected to the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, TX
*Directed a read-option attack at Farrell similar to the offense employed at Wagner
*As a senior, completed 79 of 153 passes for 1,047 yards and six touchdowns
WATCH VIDEO













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Daniel Clifford                        Fr.        OL       6-4, 285
Hoboken, NJ/Hoboken
*Highly-recruited North Jersey prospect who had multiple FBS offers
*Explosive athlete who plays with high level of energy
*Earned First-Team All-Group 1 and First Team All-Hudson County honors
*Led the Red Wings to consecutive North 2, Group 1 sectional championships
 WATCH VIDEO













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Willie Dale                  Fr.       WR    6-2, 205  
Staten Island, NY/St. Peter's
*High profile, local athlete who was widely-recruited
*Two-time Staten Island Advance All-Star
*Named 2014 First-Team All-CHSFL
*Physical, big-play wide receiver who snared 33 receptions for 641 yards, which computes to 19.4 yards per catch
*Caught seven TD passes and ran for another two as a senior
WATCH VIDEO

 











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Darryl Gamble      Fr.       DB    6-1       185       
Tinton Falls, NJ/Monmouth Regional
*Physically-gifted, big-play performer with great speed and quickness
*Rangy and athletic with a big upside
*Named Defensive Back MVP at the Chris Melvin One Day Elite Camp in June
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Tevaughn Grant               Fr.        LB   6-4       220          
Paterson, NJ/Eastside
*Impact player with a high motor and uncanny ability to rush the passer
*Excellent student who had multiple offers
*First-Team Big North All-Liberty Division selection
*Versatile athlete who excelled as a stand-up defensive lineman as well as a down lineman in high school
 WATCH VIDEO













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Naesean Howard        So.*       DB    6-0       190
Syracuse, NY/ West Genesee/Syracuse University *Transfer
*Standout two-way high school performer who starred at running back and cornerback
*Rushed for 861 yards as a senior, with a high output of 229 yards vs. Fayetteville-Manlius HS
*Originally attended Syracuse University
WATCH VIDEO













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Brady Hudik                Fr.        OL     6-5       275
Bordentown, NJ/Bordentown Regional
*Sturdy, physical and mobile two-way lineman for the Scotties
*Earned First-Team All-County honors The Burlington County Times
*Widely-recruited prospect who held a number of offers
 WATCH VIDEO













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Ryan Jensen               Fr.       TE    6-3       245  
Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood
*Versatile performer with excellent size and agility
*Former quarterback who has also played H-Back as well as defensive end and middle linebacker
*Smart, heady player whose father is a longtime high school coach
WATCH VIDEO













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Grant Ludgar             Fr.       LB     5-10     215
Dallas, TX/Bishop Lynch
*Was a physical middle linebacker/fullback for the Friars
*Tough, heady and smart performer
*Selected to play in the USA vs. Canada U18 Game
WATCH VIDEO













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Julian McCleod            Fr.       DL    6-2        255
Miramar, FL/St. Thomas Aquinas
*Widely-recruited student-athlete who hails from a traditional prep powerhouse
*One of a host of St. Thomas Aquinas players who will be furthering their careers at FBS and FCS institutions
*Helped lead the Raiders to a 15-1 record in 2014 and to the Class 7A State Championship
*Earned Miami Herald Honorable Mention All-Broward County honors in one of the nation's most talent-rich regions
 
WATCH VIDEO












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Josh Mercado             Fr.       LB    6-0       210
Hoboken, NJ/Hoboken
*Extremely productive and durable two-way performer
*Registered 72 tackles for the Red Wings, highlighted by 12-tackle games vs. Dickinson and Dunellen
*As a senior, rushed for 1,075 yards and 9 TDs and had another 226 receiving yards and two TDs
*Gained 239 yards on 16 carries with four TDs vs. Memorial
WATCH VIDEO













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Jake Vogel                   Fr.        OL/DL    6-4       275
Sparta, NJ/Sparta
*First-Team All County, First-Team All Conference and Morris/Sussex All Unruly Team selection as a senior
*Standout on a 2014 Spartan team that became NJ Group 1, Section III back-to-back state champions
*Spatans were also also conference champs and named New Jersey Herald Team of the Year
*Versatile performer who also excelled as a long-snapper
*Three-sport athlete who competed in Football, Wrestling and Track & Field
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