WALTHAM, Mass. - First-year Bentley University football coach Thom Boerman has announced his 2009 recruiting class, a group that includes 36 incoming freshmen and three transfers, Ryan Crowley (Assumption), Nick DiBella (Iona) and Victor Howell (College of Staten Island).
Twenty-five of the newcomers hail from Massachusetts, and the Bentley football staff also attracted student-athletes from California, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas.
"We are excited about this year's class of football recruits," said Boerman, a long-time Falcon assistant who was promoted to the head coaching position in December. "We had no specific targeted positions, we needed quality at all positions this year. We also have a number of QBs coming in, and which they were all very good quarterbacks in high school, we realize that they are also exceptionally good athletes and will be expected to play somewhere, and not just sit on the bench waiting for a turn.
"We are pleased that the quality of this class is represented by the number that are playing in All-Star and Charity games this summer. I believe we have 14 kids on rosters of Shriners and All-Star games in four starts," continued Boerman. "I am looking forward to getting these young men into our preseason camp (which starts Aug. 8), and see what we have as far as immediate impact talent. I know that the other programs in our conference had solid recruiting efforts as well, so I am glad that we got the type of recruits we did, academic, athletic and hard-nosed."
Bentley, 5-6 a year ago, will open its season Aug. 29 at Ohio Dominican University and will play the home-opener a week later against Curry College.
Here's a rundown of newcomers who have committed to play for the Bentley Falcons:
Jeff Agnew (DB, Milford, N.H., Milford HS): A jack of all trades, Agnew was a three-year All-State athlete, and played multiple positions at Milford HS, including QB, DB, and punter. He will look to add his athleticism to the defensive backfield this year after he takes the New Hampshire Shrine team onto the field against Vermont this summer.
John Aminti (LB, Sandy Hook, Conn., Newtown HS): One of Connecticut's top linebackers (All-Conference and All-State amongst his numerous honors), Aminti brings an ability to run sideline to sideline, and is a big hitter. He will be a contributor on special teams and look to compete for time at linebacker, after he plays in the Governor's Cup for Connecticut.
RJ Barden (DL, Quincy, Mass., North Quincy HS): As a defensive tackle, Barden recorded 75 tackles, 4 1/2 sacks and an interception for a TD, and was a first-team Patriot League all-star. Though undersized, his motor will make him an interesting addition to the Bentley defensive line.
Chase Bartrum (C, Tewksbury, Mass., Tewksbury HS): Bartrum brings excellent technique, football intelligence, and leadership to the offensive line. He is a polished center, and former captain at Tewksbury High. A 2008 All-Conference player, he will add immediate depth for Bentley at the center position in the new offense.
Dillon Boos (QB, West Sayville, N.Y., Sayville HS): An incredibly intelligent and savvy quarterback, Boos led Long Island with just under 2400 yards passing and 24 TDs his senior season. He became second all-time in passing yards, and fourth all-time in TDs for Long Island in his career. He received multiple All-Area, Conference, Division, and County accolades, and was also named to the 2008 All-Long Island Team.
Matt Campo (DL, Dedham, Mass., Catholic Memorial HS): Campo, a Catholic Conference All-Star, will add depth and challenge for playing time on the defensive line.
Sean Cross (QB, Duxbury, Mass., Duxbury HS): Cross comes to Bentley after being a team captain at Duxbury High School, where he earned Boston Globe All-Scholastic honors. In the Division 2A Super Bowl, Cross passed for 334 yards and four touchdowns in Duxbury's win over Gloucester, which completed a 13-0 season. After 25 touchdown passes in 2008 (and 46 in his career), he will lead the South Squad in the Shriners All-Star Classic before joining Bentley's QB unit.
Ryan Crowley (DB, Norfolk, Mass., transfer from Assumption College): Crowley is a 2007 Xaverian High graduate who spent the last two years at Assumption. He missed the 2007 season due to injury, but returned to appear in nine games last fall, with 24 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. In high school, he helped Xaverian to three conference titles.
Anthony Curto (LB/H-Back, Clifton Park, N.Y., Shenendehowa HS): A 2009 O-D All American, Curto has a good combination of strength and speed as well as a nose for the football. His list of honors included 2006 Team Defensive MVP, "Mr.Everything" by Time Warner Sports for Week 4, first-team Section II All Star, first-team All Empire League Linebacker, and first-team All Area linebacker by both the Albany Times Union and the Schenectady Gazette.
Colby Dalton (Ath/LS, North Eastham, Mass., Nauset Regional HS): Dalton is a olid athlete who can play multiple positions as well as long snap for special teams. A hard-working athlete who was an offensive and defensive lineman for Nauset HS, Dalton will look to make an impact on special teams right out of the gate.
Nick DiBella (DL, Revere, Mass., transfer from Iona): DiBella will be transferring in from Iona after they discontinued their football program. A Boston College High product, he will look to contribute along the Bentley defensive line.
John DiBetto (DB, Haverhill, Mass., Central Catholic HS): One of two Central Catholic products to decide to continue their football careers at Bentley, DiBetto will look for time in the Falcon secondary after earning first-team All-Merrimack Valley Conference honors.
Shane Donnelly (LB, Fitchburg, Mass., St. Bernard's CC HS): Donnelly will look to continue his career at Bentley after he participates in the Central Massachusetts Shrine Chowder Bowl Classic. He will add athleticism to the linebacking unit.
Sean Driscoll (OL/DL, Walpole, Mass./Walpole HS): A 2009 Bay State All-League player and team captain for Walpole High School, Driscoll will look to develop into a starter on the offensive line, or have an immediate impact on the defensive line.
Mike Fafara (DL, Westwood, Mass., Westwood HS): A Tri-Valley All-Conference selection, along with being a Division III Eastern Mass All-Star award winner, Fafara will look to make an immediate impact on the defensive line after he represents Westwood in the 2009 Shriners Game.
Walter Gillis (OL, Andover, Mass., Central Catholic HS): Gillis is a great athlete who was also captain of the lacrosse and track teams at Central Catholic. The two-time Merrimack Valley conference award winner can contribute to either side of the line, but will look to provide early on offense.
Doug Goodhile (TE, Jefferson, Mass., Wachusett Reg. HS): Goodhile will be a much needed addition to the tight end unit. His height and athleticism will make him a great blocker on the edge for the new Falcon offense. A captain at Wachusett Regional HS, he garnered multiple post-season honors for his work at tight end and on the defensive line.
Sean Goodwin (OL, Marlborough, Conn., RHAM HS): Goodwin is a tough and gritty lineman who earned All-Conference honors in high school. His greatest attribute might be his overall strength (350 bench, 500lb + squat) and explosiveness (5.0 40 yard dash). He is quick off the ball and will look to challenge at offensive guard or tackle.
Chris Grammel (QB/Athlete, Fitchburg, Mass./Lunenburg HS): Grammel was a Mid-Wach All-Star and Sentinel & Enterprise All-Star after throwing for 2,058 yards. Included was more than 400 yards, and five TD passes, in an OT victory vs. Narragansett. Before donning the Bentley uniform, he'll complete in the 2009 Massachusetts Shrine Chowder Bowl Classic.
Matt Guay (DB/RB, North Attleboro, Mass., Xaverian Bros. HS): Guay was a force on both sides of the ball, adding explosiveness to the Xaverian Brothers football team. He will look to continue this for Bentley on either side of the ball.
Max Hollander (LB, San Rafael, Calif., Terra Linda, HS): Hollander is a six-foot, 240-pound linebacker who is expected to compete at either strongside or middle linebacker.
Victor Howell (DL, Staten Island, N.Y., Lawrence Academy): Howell will transfer into Bentley from the College of Staten Island a year removed from the game. He played at Lawrence Academy, where he was a solid lineman on both sides of the ball, a captain, and a blocker for current Falcon Chris Lane.
Alex Jalbert (LB, Shrewsbury, Mass., Shrewsbury HS): A Central Mass All-Star and Division I All-Star, Jalbert is another great addition to the class of 2013 linebacking recruits. He will compete immediately at either OLB position.
Dan Kennedy (WR, Wakefield, Mass., Bishop Fenwick HS): Kennedy can add his talents to either side of the ball at Bentley. A great all-around athlete who showed off his playmaking abilities at Bishop Fenwick, he earned all-Catholic Central League and Eastern Mass All-Star honors while scoring nine touchdowns.
Bill Kiley (ATH/QB/DB, Quincy, Mass., Boston College HS): Named to the Eastern Mass Division 1 All-Star squad, Kiley was an excellent quarterback and defensive back for Boston College High School. After competing in the Shriners All-Star game, he'll bring his talent to Bentley, where the coaches feel he can be an impact player on either side of the ball and special teams.
Jared LeBon (FB, Highland Village, Texas, Edward Marcus HS): LeBon was the lead blocker for one of Texas' top 5A football teams. An All-District and Academic All-State honoree, he has very good technique and a great work ethic.
Willie Lockwood (K, Menlo Park, Calif., Sacred Heart Prep HS): Lockwood will be a weapon on the special teams units as he had 19 touchbacks last year for Sacred Heart Prep and averaged 53.4 yards per kickoff.
Oisein O'Donnelly (OL/DL, Hingham, Mass., Hingham HS): O'Donnelly was a two-way player in high school, and with a combination of great technique and tenacity, he should be a great addition to the 2013 offensive line recruiting class. His success as a wrestler for Hingham should translate well with continued physical development at Bentley.
Jack Pizzoti (RB, Melrose, Mass., Melrose HS): Pizzotti led Melrose High School with 21 rushing touchdowns and 1,350 yards on the ground. He finished his career with 34 touchdowns, earning him a spot on the Division 2 Eastern Mass All-Star squad and All-Scholastic honors from the Boston Globe. Before he joins a potent RB unit at Bentley, he will play in the Shriners All-Star Game.
Alex Rusate (OL, Southbury, Conn., Pomperaug HS): An All-State offensive lineman, All-Area, and invited to compete in numerous All-star games (including the Governor's Cup), Rusate was one of Connecticut's "Top 8" for offensive linemen and will challenge for playing time.
Andrew Sklar (LB, Ivyland, Pa., Perkiomen HS): Sklar is an All-Area, All-League, and All-County linebacker who will bring size (6'4", 230) and a nose for the ball to the linebacking corps. He is a very tough ballplayer who led Perkiomen in tackles and also saw action at tight end.
Travis Stanley (DB, Arlington, Mass./Arlington Catholic HS): Stanley was a vital part of the 2008 Arlington Catholic run to the Super Bowl. He was named to the All-Catholic Central (Large) and will look to contribute to the Bentley secondary.
Steve Stewart (QB/ATH, Wilmington, Mass., Wilmington HS): Stewart ran, threw, and did whatever else was needed at Wilmington High on the way to a Division 2A All-Star and All-League season. He will look to do the same for Bentley after he joins multiple future Bentley teammates in the 2009 Shriners Game.
Mike Sumrell (WR, Belmont, Mass., Belmont HS): Another Eastern Massachusetts All-Star at wide receiver, Sumrell captured a Division 2 Player of the Week award for his performance against Lexington (156 yards receiving, 52 yards rushing, 3 TD, 2 interceptions). While he can be a weapon on either side, he will be used in the slot for Bentley. He rounds out the list of Bentley freshman playing in the 2009 Shriners Game.
Paul Tizzano (RB/CB, Shrewsbury, Mass., Shrewsbury HS): A 2-time Worcester Telegram and Gazette Super Team and East League All-Star, Tizzano finished off his career as the 2009 D1-East Offensive MVP. A receiving and rushing threat, Tizzano will look to continue his career at Bentley after he plays in the Central Massachusetts Shrine Chowder Bowl Classic.
Brian Tobia (DL, Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove HS): Tobia is an all-conference, all-county, and second team All-New Jersey pass rusher who will immediately add depth to the defensive line and will develop as a freshman. He had 46 tackles last year while playing all over the defensive front. He also will play in a postseason All-Star game, the North vs. South Jersey All-Star game.
Tom Wayda (OL/DL/TE, Levittown, Pa., The George School): Wayda is a 6'7", 270-pound lineman who will bring size and athleticism to either side of the ball. He was named an All-Tri State Prep defensive end and an All-County offensive tackle. In addition to football, he was a basketball team captain for The George School.
Justin Young (WR, Lynn, Mass., Lynn English HS): A former QB, Young lit up the record books at Lynn English after moving to wide receiver. He brings speed and a raw natural ability to Bentley's receiving corps, and will immediately challenge for time at the slot position for the Falcons.
Luke Zahradka (QB, Franklin Square, N.Y., H. Frank Carey HS): Possessing great size and pocket presence, along with a strong arm, Zahradka threw for 1200 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior. He'll compete for a spot at quarterback, but is athletic enough to see time at receiver if he does not crack the starting lineup.
