ERIE, Pa. - Gannon head football coach Jim Kiernan announced the addition of nine student-athletes to the program Wednesday afternoon during the first official day high school student-athletes are allowed to commit to college football programs per NCAA rules. All nine have agreed to continue their academic and athletic careers at Gannon in the fall of 2010.
The newcomers are expected to join an experienced group of student-athletes as the Gannon football program lost only eight graduating seniors from last year’s 6-5 team. In all, 50 letterwinners and 17 players who started at least six games return in 2010. The program will feature 22 seniors during the upcoming season.
“We are excited about this first wave of recruits,” said Kiernan. “They come from programs with winning traditions and have great potential. We are looking to build a championship program with the type of character and student-athlete represented in this group.”
Today’s signees include four from Pennsylvania, two from New York, one from Ohio, one from Maryland and one from Florida. The position breakdown includes six offensive players, two defensive players and one punter.
Gannon finished the 2009 season with four consecutive victories, recording its first winning season since 2003 by knocking off 19th-ranked Bloomsburg in the season finale.
The complete list of today’s signees can be found below. Complete biographies of each recruit are expected to be released within the next seven days.
Gannon is tentatively scheduled to open the 2010 season Saturday, September 4 against Lake Erie at Gannon University Field. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) schedule begins Saturday, September 11 at Shippensburg. Gannon opens the PSAC schedule with three road games, before hosting rival Mercyhurst October 2.
2010 Gannon Football Signing Day Announcements
(Alphabetically)
Benjamin Balzer
Wexford, Pa. / North Allegheny / Offensive Lineman / 6-2, 300
Cody Crosby
Warren, Pa. / Eisenhower / Punter & Quarterback / 6-4, 190
Alex Davis
Erie, Pa. / Strong Vincent - Collegiate Academy / Offensive Lineman / 6-3, 275
Kasey Gallagher
Erie, Pa. / McDowell / Linebacker & Defensive End / 6-0, 230
Kevin Gerlach
Williamsville, N.Y. / Williamsville South / Offensive Lineman / 6-1, 275
David Harding
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / Fort Lauderdale / Multiple / 5-9, 170
Luke Rankie
Lockport, N.Y. / Lockport / Linebacker / 6-3, 210
Daniel Tapscott
Hyattsville, Md. / DeMatha Catholic / Quarterback / 6-2, 190
Ty Watson
Aurora, Ohio / Aurora / Quarterback / 6-2, 205