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Fightin’ Blue Hens sign 10 football recruits 3:46 p.m., Feb. 2, 2005--The University of Delaware football program has announced the signing of NCAA national letters of intent by 10 high school players. UD Head Coach K.C. Keeler, who has led the Fightin’ Blue Hens to a national championship and a record of 30-11 in his three seasons at the helm, announced the signings in a press conference held Wednesday at the Bob Carpenter Sports/Convocation Center. “We are excited and feel really good about this incoming class,” Keeler said. “We filled a need on the offensive line with three great young prospects, and we added some outstanding speed and athleticism on both sides of the ball.” Keeler said the coaching staff knew it had to fill a void left by the graduation of kicker Brad Shushman and feels that has been accomplished with the addition of Zach Hobby from Oldsmar, Fla. “We knew we needed to add a kicker, and we looked at someone who would have the best chance of playing right away, and we have that in Zach Hobby,” he said. Another need was on the offensive line, where UD is graduating Chris Edwards, Trip DelCampo and Paul Thompson. “We will need one or two of the offensive linemen to step in and be ready to play this year,” Keeler said. “We had to fight off some good schools this year, but we feel that we can go head to head with any NCAA Division I-AA school and with some I-A schools in recruiting,” Keeler said. “Our staff enjoys recruiting, and it is a passion with us. We are proud of the job we did. When we recruit, we challenge the kids right away. We demand a lot. We want to make sure this is the place they want to come.” Following are biographies of the incoming freshmen: Josh Baker, tight end, 6-3, 235, Chesapeake, Va. Baker played tight end and linebacker at Western Branch High School for coach Lewis Johnson. A three-year standout, he was selected second team All-Virginia at tight end as a senior. He also was named second team All-Region honors at tight end, first team All-Tidewater Area at tight end and first team All-District at both linebacker and tight end. The son of Gary and Selena Misco, he plans to major in criminal justice. Brian Brown, linebacker, 6-0, 210, Fayetteville, Ga. Baker played linebacker and fullback, and also punted, for coach Rodney Walker at Sandy Creek High School. He was selected first team All-County and first team All-Region as a punter and linebacker in 2004, and also was named first team All-Area by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is the son of James and Valerie Brown and plans to major in business marketing. Mark Duncan, wide receiver, 5-11, 175, Rockville, Md. Duncan is a versatile athlete who played wide receiver and defensive back, and also returned kicks, for coach Nick Lynch at Suitland High School. He led the 2004 team to a 13-1 record and the Maryland AAAA championship. He was selected first team All-Maryland as a defensive back and was named to the Maryland High School All-Star Game. He also is an accomplished track star. Duncan is the son of Cheryl Germany and plans to major in criminal justice. Jon Herrman, offensive line, 6-3, 285, McKees Rocks, Pa. Herrman was a center, punter and kicker for coach Art Walker at Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School. He was selected first team Associated Press AAAA All-Pennsylvania and also the first team All-Pennsylvania center by the Pennsylvania Football News. He led Central Catholic to a state championship in 2004. He is the son of Jeffrey and Diana Herrman and plans to major in accounting. Matt Hesseltine, offensive line, 6-6, 340, Smyrna. Hesseltine played offensive and defensive line at Smyrna High School for coach Jeff Weiner. He was selected first team All-Delaware at offensive tackle and third team All-Delaware at defensive line in 2004. The son of Leigh and Cindy Hesseltine, he plans to major in exercise physiology. Aaron Hicks, defensive back, 6-0, 170, Accokeek, Md. Hicks played cornerback and wide receiver for coach Danny Hayes at Gwynn Park High School. As a senior, he was selected All-League, All-Metro and All-Maryland. A standout in track, he has been timed at 4.38 in the 40-yard dash. He is the son of Bobby and Tyonnie Hicks and plans to major in sport management. Zach Hobby, kicker, 6-0, 205, Oldsmar, Fla. Hobby played at Countryside High School for coach Bobby Johns and is UD’s first scholarship kicker to sign out of high school since Ryan Bleiler in 1998. He connected on 77 of 80 extra points and 19 of 22 field goals the last two seasons and has kicked eight field goals of 43 yards or longer with a career-long of 49 yards in the district championship game. He is the son of Phil and Jacqui Hobby and plans to major in accounting or business. Rob Mahler, defensive end, 6-5, 245, Brick, N.J. Mahler was a tight end, defensive end and offensive guard at Brick Township High School for coach Warren Wolf. He was selected second team All-New Jersey in 2004, when he also was named All-Division and All-County and was named the division player of the year. He is the son of Robert and Susan Mahler. Matt Marcorelle, linebacker and defensive end, 6-3, 205, Fort Pierce, Fla. Marcorelle played defensive end, linebacker, tight end and wide receiver at John Carroll High School under coach Lenny Jankowski. He is a two-time Treasure Coast All-Star on both offense and defense, and caught the winning touchdown in his team’s 7-0 upset overtime win over eventual state champion Fort Meade High School last fall. He is an outstanding basketball player who earned All-Florida honors as a junior. He is the son of Michele Marcorelle. Corey Nicholson, offensive line, 6-3, 245, Frederick, Md. Nicholson played offensive and defensive line at Linganore High School for coach Rick Conner. He was selected first team All-Maryland as both a junior and a senior and led Linganore to the 2003 state AAA title. He is the son of Tim and Donna Nicholson. To learn how to subscribe to UDaily, click here. |
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