Moon Township, Pa. - Head Coach Joe Walton of the Robert Morris University football program has announced that 18 players have agreed to continue their careers for the Colonials in 2009. Among the new additions to the RMU roster are 13 players that have signed National Letters of Intent, a mid-year transfer and four non-NLI signees. 

The 2009 football recruiting class includes players from three states, Washington, D.C., and Canada and includes nine players that could play either offensive or defensive line.

A total of 13 of RMU's 18 recruits hail from Pennsylvania, including 11 from the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL). The Colonials will also bring in two products from West Virginia, one from Ohio, one from Washington, D.C., and one from British Columbia.

"We are very excited to announce this year's recruiting class," Walton said. "We feel that we have made some great additions to our football program with this group of outstanding young men. They will make us better as a team and should be able to compete right away. Competition breeds success, and I feel that these additions, as well as our returning group, will provide competition once we enter training camp. Our staff did a tremendous job bringing in a quality class. They worked hard to put together a solid recruiting class, and because of that I'm excited about the future of Colonial football."   

Six of RMU's incoming recruits play on the offensive line, while three play defensive line and another pair could play on either the offensive or defensive line. The Colonials also welcome a quarterback, two running backs, two linebackers, a tight end and a defensive back. 

"It's an exciting day for all of us at Robert Morris," defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator Scott Farison said. "We are not only adding good football players, but solid student-athletes to our program. This group is extremely important for the program, because they'll not only push the already talented group that we currently have, but they'll push for playing time. They all come from highly regarded programs, and the entire staff is pleased with the potential of this class. Our coaching staff worked hard to land these student-athletes, and I would like to congratulate them on a job well done."

Spring practice for Robert Morris begins Monday, March 23, and will continue for three weeks. The date for the annual spring game is to be announced.

2009 National Letter of Intent Signees (13)

Monte Ashby (RB) - The WPIAL's leading rusher in 2008 who compiled 1,545 yards on 178 attempts for East Allegheny, an average of 8.7 yards a carry ... Scored 22 touchdowns as a senior ... Finished his career with 4,699 rushing yards on 608 attempts, an average of 7.7 yards per rush ... Was a two-time member of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 ... Earned first team all-conference honors in 2007 and 2008.

Jon Corey (OT) - Two-year letterwinner on the offensive line at Canon-McMillan ... Started on both the offensive and defensive lines ... Paced Canon-McMillan with five sacks as a senior on the defensive line and earned first team all-conference honors on the offensive line.

Tyler Digby (TE) - Will play both football and lacrosse at Robert Morris ... Established career record at New Westminster for touchdown receptions with 12 ... As a senior in 2008 compiled 21 receptions for 302 yards and six scores ... Earned first team all-conference honors in 2007 and 2008 ... As a senior named the Hyack Football Most Outstanding Lineman for his play on the defensive line.

Teighler Doak (LB) - Three-year letterwinner for Selinsgrove who was a captain as a senior in 2008 ... Compiled 62 tackles, a forced fumble, fumble recovery, three interceptions and one sack in 2008 ... As a wide receiver on offense finished with 37 catches for 348 yards and three touchdowns ... Named first team all-conference and all-district at linebacker ... Named to the Associated Press All-State Second Team and was a second team all-state selection according to the Pennsylvania Sports Network.

Dan Gordon (LB) - Member of three-time state champion Wheeling Central Catholic squad ... Earned first team all-state honors in 2007 and 2008 and was a second team all-state selection in 2006 as a sophomore ... In 2008 as a senior finished with 133 tackles and for those efforts earned first team all-conference and first all-valley honors as well as being named team MVP ... As a junior in 2007 named first team all-conference and all-valley and was awarded defensive player of the year ... Also lettered in track, basketball and lacrosse ... Class President who has been on the academic honor roll eight consecutive semesters.

Nate Hargraves (OT) - Two-year starter on the offensive line for a Highlands club that advanced to the WPIAL Class AAA semifinals in 2008 ... Anchored an offensive line that compiled over 3,000 yards rushing last season ... Named to the 2008 Greater Allegheny Conference First Team and was selected to the play in the Pittsburgh North-South All-Star Game ... Earned all-conference honors as a junior in 2007.

Dustin Laughlin (OL) - Two-year starter on the offensive line that earned All-City League honors in both 2007 and 2008 ... Selected to play in the Pittsburgh All-Star Game vs. Pittsburgh North ... Also competes in track and field and wrestling.

Eric Lowry (DB) - Three-year letterwinner and is one of the best players in Bishop McCort history ... Played both running back and defensive back ... During his three years as a starter, Bishop McCort posted a record of 35-5 ... Tied single-season school record for touchdowns as a senior in 2008 with 26 ... Finished just one score shy of program's career touchdown record with 48 ... Compiled 1,617 yards rushing and receiving in 2008 and 3,412 yards total for his career ... Earned Associated Press First Team All-State honors as well as first team all-state honors from the Pennsylvania Football News as a defensive back in 2008 ... In 2007 and 2008 earned first team all-conference and all-area honors ... Nominated to play in the Ken Lantzy All-Star Game.

Nathan Lojek (OL) - Two-year starter on the offensive line for Trinity and earned Associated Press Second Team All-State honors in 2008 ... A back-to-back All-Big Seven Conference First Team selection in 2007 and 2008 ... Could play either guard or tackle for Robert Morris ... Also ranked sixth in the state in the shot put for the track and field team.

Kyle McGraw (OL/DL) - Three-year starter and four-year letterwinner for Wyoming East High School ... Earned all-state honorable mention accolades as a senior in 2008 ... Finished with 103 tackles, including 55 solo and three sacks, in 2008 ... A two-time all-conference selection on both the offensive and defensive lines ... Served as team captain in 2008.

Ethan Mengle (OL) - Two-year starter and letterwinner at Cumberland Valley ... As a senior in 2008 earned first team all-conference honors and was an All-Sentinel League selection ... Plays center on the offensive line.

Steve Mitchell (DE) - Three-year letterwinner who was a member of a Quad A state championship team in 2007 at Pittsburgh Central Catholic ... Two-year starter on the defensive line and earned all-conference first team accolades in 2008 ... Earned all-conference second team honors as a sophomore in 2006 ... Picked to play in the Pittsburgh North-South All-Star Game after his senior season in 2008.

Nolan Nearhoof (DL) - Two-year starter at Mars Area who finished with 95 tackles as a senior in 2008, including 20 tackles for a loss and eight sacks ... Also recorded two forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries ... Named the team's defensive MVP ... Also played on the offensive line as a center ... Earned first team all-conference honors on both the offensive and defensive lines ... Selected to player in the Pittsburgh North-South All-Star Game and the Pennsylvania East-West All-Star Game ... His brother, Ryan, will be a junior linebacker for RMU in 2009.

Cory Noton (OL/DL) - Three-year letterwinner and two-year starter at Baldwin ... Named a first team all-conference selection in 2008 as a senior on the offensive line, where he played center ... Finished with 65 tackles, including 15 tackles for a loss and five sacks, as a member of the defensive line in 2008 ... Voted Team MVP on defense.

Jordan Schankweiler (RB/DB) - Three-year letterwinner who served as team captain as a senior in 2008 ... Compiled 1,081 yards rushing and eight touchdowns as a senior ... Also averaged 23.5 yards on kickoff returns, including one touchdown ... As a safety in 2008 recorded 48 tackles, two forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions.

Jeff Sinclair (QB) - Led Highlands to the 2008 WPIAL Class AAA semifinals by rushing for 1,222 yards on 194 attempts while completing 89 of his 168 passes for 1,262 yards ... Scored 23 touchdowns and was also a starter in the secondary for the Golden Rams ... Finished his career with 54 touchdowns and over 4,700 yards rushing and passing ... Compiled 164 career tackles and 12 interceptions ... Named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 in 2007 and 2008 ... Named to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25 in 2008 ... Named the North Player of the Year by the Post-Gazette and was also the Valley News Dispatch Offensive Player of the Year in 2008 ... Earned all-state honors as a safety from both the Associated Press and the Pennsylvania Football News.

Connor Sullivan (DE) - Two-way starter for St. John's High School, playing both defensive end and tight end ... Finished his career with 10 sacks ... Earned first team all-district and All-D.C. Sports Fan honors on the defensive line in 2008 ... An all-conference tight end in 2008 who finished with 15 catches for 236 yards and four touchdowns ... Currently enrolled at RMU and will participate in 2009 spring practice.

Dion Wiegand (RB) - Two-year starter at Keystone Oaks ... As a senior in 2008 compiled 1,297 yards rushing and established a single-season school record for touchdowns with 23 ... Also a dynamic return man that compiled over 600 yards in kickoff and punt returns, including a pair of touchdowns ... Served as team captain in 2008 ... Earned first team all-conference honors and was named team's MVP ... Named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette South Fabulous 22 Team.