CLARION, Pa. - The Clarion football team enjoyed perhaps the best National Signing Day in program history on Wednesday, with the Golden Eagles welcoming 16 freshmen and one midyear transfer to the program for the 2016 season. Â
Head coach
Chris Weibel and his staff leaned heavily on defense in this year's recruiting class, with 12 of the 16 first-year players entering the program come in on that side of the ball. Â Of the four offensive recruits, three of them came at the wide receiver position and the other along the offensive line. Â The midyear transfer - Jacob Good from Gibsonia, Pa. - is also an offensive lineman.
Geographically, the class represents four different states - Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and New Jersey. Â Eight of the newcomers hail from the Keystone State, with Maryland coming in a close second with seven new Golden Eagles. Â One recruit each comes from the other two states.
Below are the student-athletes to join the Golden Eagles on Feb. 3.
Ryan Adams | FS | 6-0 | 190
Hollidaysburg, Pa. / Hollidaysburg
Highlight Film- Two-time First Team All-Purpose - Greater Allegheny Conference
- Second Team Safety - Greater Allegheny Conference
- First Team All-Area
- First Team All-Blair County
Coach Weibel's Take: "Ryan is a very athletic safety, but he also possesses a high football IQ and great instincts."
Kevin Allen | LB | 6-0 | 220
Lorton, Va. / South County
Highlight Film- Patriot Conference Defensive Player of the Year
- First Team All-State
- First Team All-Northern Region
- Virginia Preps First Team All-State
- First Team All-Met
Coach Weibel's Take: "Kevin combines world-class strength with also being a talented linebacker. Â He's known as a big hitter."
Josh Bailey | WR | 6-1 | 165
Bel Air, Md. / C. Milton Wright
Highlight Film- First Team All-UCBA Conference
- Voted Team's Offensive MVP
Coach Weibel's Take:Â "Josh's greatest strength lies in his ability to go over the top of the defender and attack the football."
ShyQuan Barnes | LB | 6-0 | 210
Baltimore, Md. / Dundalk
Highlight Film- Ranked in Maryland Top 145 high school players
- Played on state runner-up team
Coach Weibel's Take:Â "ShyQuan is a strong, athletic linebacker that can provide a big, game-changing hit ."
Brendon Carlson | LB | 6-1 | 215
Ijamsville, Md. / Oakdale
Highlight Film- First Team All-State
- All-Area Defensive Player of the Year
- First Team All-CMC
- BTC All-Star
Coach Weibel's Take: "Brendon is an athletic, high-motor linebacker with great instincts."
Tyrone Cromwell | CB | 5-11 | 175
Baltimore, Md. / Dundalk
Highlight Film- Played on Maryland state-runner up team
- High school teammate of ShyQuan Barnes
Coach Weibel's Take: "Tyrone is a shutdown type of corner, especially in man coverage, but he's also aggressive in run support."
Sam Fareri | SS | 6-0 | 180
South Park, Pa. / South Park
Highlight Film- First Team All-Conference Defensive Back
Coach Weibel's Take:Â "Sam has great ball skills and a knack for creating takeaways, and he's good in run support."
Brad Gable | FS | 6-2 | 205
Allison Park, Pa. / Hampton
Highlight Film- First Team LB - Greater Allegheny Conference
- Voted Team Defensive MVP
- Helped team to 2014 section championship
Coach Weibel's Take:Â "Brad is a well-rounded player that covers ground well and uses his size to his advantage."
Chris Gildea | CB | 5-11 | 180
Hollidaysburg, Pa. / Hollidaysburg
Highlight Film- First Team Greater Allegheny Conference
- First Team DB - Altoona All-Area
- First Team DB - All-Blair County
Coach Weibel's Take: "Chris is an aggressive, athletic player that will fit in well on our defense."
Jacob Good | OL | 6-3 | 240
Gibsonia, Pa. / Pine-Richland (Pittsburgh)- Mid-year transfer from Pittsburgh
Coach Weibel's Take: "Jacob is a solid offensive lineman that can play any position up front."
Spencer La'Sure | WR | 6-0 | 180
Egg Harbor Township, N.J. / Egg Harbor
Highlight Film- First Team All-Cal Conference
- NJ.com First Team All-American Conference
Coach Weibel's Take:Â "Spencer is dangerous with the ball in his hands and is a difference-maker in the return game."
Greg Leonard | WR | 5-8 | 175
Lusby, Md. / Patuxent
Highlight Film- Member of Class 2A state championship
- First Team All-State - Small Schools
- Second Team All-Met
- Two-time First Team All-SMAC
- Two-time First Team All-County
- Member of two regional championship teams
Coach Weibel's Take:Â "Greg is an elite route runner with great speed."
Jared Massengill | FS | 6-2 | 185
Lusby, Md. / Patuxent
Highlight Film- 2A State Champion
- Honorable Mention All-State
- Honorable Mention All-Met Defensive Back
- Two-time First Team All-SMAC
- Two-time First Team All-County
Coach Weibel's Take:Â "Jared is a strong, tall safety that displays great ball skills."
Dante Paul | DE | 6-2 | 225
Berlin, Pa. / Berlin Brothersvalley
Highlight Film- Johnstown Tribune-Democrat Defensive Player of the Year
- Led team to Class A State Semifinals
Coach Weibel's Take:Â "Dante is a technician-type defensive lineman with a high motor."
Steven Rickard | OL | 6-6 | 275
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Woodland Hills
Highlight Film- Marines Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award Winner
Coach Weibel's Take: "Steven is big offensive tackle with good footwork who is also capable of longsnapping."
Adam Staudt | LB | 5-10 | 215
Jefferson Hills, Pa. / Thomas Jefferson
Highlight Film- Part of 2015 WPIAL Class AAA Championship team
Coach Weibel's Take: "Adam is a sideline-to-sideline player with tremendous closing speed and great hitting ability."
Wade Stieren | FS | 6-2 | 205
Frederick, Md. / Linganore
Highlight Film- Two-time All-State Honorable Mention
- Two-time First Team All-Frederick County
- Two-time First Team All-Conference
- Honorable Mention All-DMV
- BTC All-Star
Coach Weibel's Take:Â "Wade is a tall safety that will come down to the line and make big hits."
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