Football program signs...

Mercyhurst College head football coach Marty Schaetzle is pleased to announce 15 student-athletes who have signed National Letters of Intent and will be joining the program for the upcoming 2012 season. The announcement was made on Thursday afternoon.

Wednesday afternoon marked the first official day that high school students were allowed to commit to college football programs per NCAA rules.

Since joining the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, Mercyhurst has compiled a 25-21 record over the course of four seasons, including the program's first-ever conference title and NCAA Tournament berth in 2010. Mercyhurst went 10-3 in 2010, but saw its record fall to 4-7 in 2011 thanks in large part to injuries and late-game opponent comebacks.

These 15 incoming players will help offset the 12 players the Lakers will be losing to graduation, inclduing wide receiver Trevor Kennedy, who was the school's first-ever AFCA All-American and candidate for the Harlon Hill Trophy, and linebacker Ian Wild, who has been awarded numerous times both athletically and academically and is the reigning Division II Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Geographically, eight players competed at the high school level in the state of Ohio, while the other seven come from Pennsylvania. Also, included in the 15 is a Division I transfer from Bowling Green University.

Mercyhurst is scheduled to open PSAC play on Saturday, September 8 at Millersville before opening PSAC West play at home on September 15 against Clarion.

The complete list of today's signees can be found below. Additional information, recruits, and bios will be released upon the completion of this year's recruiting class.

2012 Mercyhurst University Football Recruiting Class (As of 2/2/2012)
Alphabetical Order

Albert Black, 5-11, 210, Fullback
(Cleveland Heights, Ohio / Glenville)

Dylan Bongiorni, 6-1, 185, Quarterback/Athlete
(McDonald, Pa. / West Allegheny)

Aunre Davis, 6-0, 180, Defensive Back
(Warren, Ohio / Harding / Bowling Green State University)

Joe Dever, 6-4, 210, Defensive Back
(Cleveland, Ohio / St. Edward)

Zach Emerick, 6-2, 190, Quarterback/Athlete
(Trafford, Pa. / Penn-Trafford)

Jordan Farrow, 6-4, 270, Offensive Lineman
(Monica, Pa. / Central Valley)

Matt Hoyer, 6-4, 195, Quarterback/Athlete
(North Olmsted, Ohio / St. Ignatius)

John Matarazzo, 6-4, 215, Quarterback/Athlete
(New Castle, Pa. / New Castle)

Andrew Miller, 6-3, 225, Tight End
(Pittsburgh, Pa. / North Hills)

Bruno Natter, 6-3, 215, Tight End/Linebacker
(Jefferson Hills, Pa. / Thomas Jefferson)

Matt Sarosy, 6-3, 250, Offensive Lineman
(Walton Hills, Ohio / St. Peter Chanel)

Thomas Scarberry, 6-2, 280, Offensive Lineman
(Madison, Ohio / Madison)

Nic Slonac, 6-3, 230, Defensive Lineman
(Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Trinity)

Trae Williams, 6-1, 205, Linebacker
(Beachwood, Ohio / Orange)

Isiah Wilson, 5-10, 180, Quarterback/Athlete
(South Euclid, Ohio / Charles F. Brush)