Moon Township, Pa. - Head Coach Joe Walton of the Robert Morris University football program has announced that 22 players have agreed to continue their careers for the Colonials in 2010.

Among the new additions to the RMU roster are nine players who have signed National Letters of Intent, two mid-year transfers and 11 other non-NLI signees.

The 2010 football recruiting class includes players from 11 states and includes 10 players on offense, nine on defense and three that could play on either side of the ball.

Of RMU's seven recruits from the state of Pennsylvania, five hail from the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) and one from Pittsburgh's City League. The Colonials have also recruited multiple student-athletes from the states of Georgia, Michigan, New York and Ohio.

"Our latest recruiting class is both deep and talented, and that's exciting," Walton said. "We've recruited a number of quality student-athletes that will provide immediate competition and are a great compliment to the core group of players we have returning. I look forward to seeing how our latest class develops once training camp begins in August."

Four of RMU's incoming recruits play on the defensive line, while three play wide receiver. The Colonials also welcome three quarterbacks, three offensive lineman and three linebackers.

"Recruiting is the lifeblood of any college football program, and we feel we've addressed important areas of need with our latest recruiting class," recruiting and defensive coordinator Scott Farison said. "It was important to add depth to our already talented group of returning players, but we think a number of these recruits will step up and pay immediate dividends in 2010."

Spring practice for Robert Morris begins Monday, March 22, and will continue for three weeks. The date for the annual spring game is to be announced.

Robert Morris 2010 Football Recruiting Class

National Letter of Intent Signees (9)

Mid-Year Transfers (2)

Additional Commitments (11)

Micale Allen (DL) - Three-year starter on the defensive line, compiling 143 career tackles … Tabbed as one of the top prospects in the city of Philadelphia by the Philadelphia Daily News prior to the 2009 season while also earning Great Eight Super Senior honors by the newspaper … Named to the 2009 All-Catholic Coaches Team … Named a Top South Eastern Pennsylvania League All-Star by the Philadelphia Inquirer … Named to the Philadelphia Daily News Second Team in 2009 … Played in the Catholic vs. Public All-Star Game.

Bryant Ausperk (OT) - Three-year starter at right tackle for St. Mary-St. Vincent High School in Akron, Ohio … Named All-Ohio Honorable Mention as a senior in 2009 … Two time all-conference performer … Named Northeast Ohio Preseason MVP on the offensive line by the Cleveland Plain Dealer prior to 2009 campaign … Also played defensive tackle in 2008 and 2009.

Jordan Batts (WR) - Transfer from Northeastern who will have three years of eligibility with Robert Morris … Will participate in 2010 spring practice … Does not have to sit out the 2010 season due to Northeastern dropping its football program … As a freshman led the Huskies in receptions (45), receiving yards (432) and touchdown catches (5) … Ranked seventh in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) in receptions per game (4.49) … Established a Northeastern single-game school record with 13 catches for 104 yards and two touchdowns against Holy Cross (10/3) … Three-year starter at North Broward Prep … Earned all-county and all-state honors as a senior in 2008 … Named Team MVP as a senior in 2008.

Brandon Boswell (DL) - Finished his career with 85 tackles … Posted nine and-a-half career tackles for loss, including three sacks … Led Plymouth High School to back-to-back undefeated seasons and a pair of NLC championships … Named all-state second team in 2009 … All-area performer in both 2008 and 2009 … Named to the Indiana Dream Team as a senior in 2009.

A.J. Dalton (OT) - Four-year letterwinner and starter at Carrollton High School … Two-time All-Northeastern Buckeye Conference (2008, 2009) honoree and two-time All-Eastern District Division III (2008, 2009) performer … Two-year captain … Voted as team's Offensive MVP in 2008 and 2009 … Finalist for the Belmont Savings Block of Granite Top Lineman.

Cullen DeSantis (DB) - Four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at Indian Creek … Finished his career with 198 tackles, including 74 solo stops … Posted 17 career tackles for loss, including 15 sacks, while also producing three fumble recoveries and 29 pass breakups … On offense finished with 85 career carries for 521 yards and seven touchdowns and 10 receptions for 106 yards … Earned All-OVAC Honorable Mention accolades as a senior in 2009.

Tyler Forbes (QB) - Three-year starter at Laurel High School for head coach Jerry Holzhauser … All-conference selection in 2007, 2008 and 2009 … As a sophomore in 2007 established a career-high with 1,312 passing yards … Over his junior and senior seasons in 2008 and 2009 combined to throw for over 2,000 yards and 36 touchdowns … As a defensive back posted 17 career interceptions.

Adam Forster (LB) - Three-year starter at linebacker for Divine Child High School … Captain as a senior in 2009 … Posted 183 career tackles … earned All-Detroit Catholic League and All-City honors in both 2008 and 2009 … As a running back rushed for 834 career yards and 10 touchdowns.

Matthew Fox (LB) - Three-year starter at Maple Grove High School … Earned All-Western New York First Team accolades in 2009 … Tabbed defensive MVP for Section Class D West … Compiled 147 career tackles, including 64 solo stops.

John Hill (DE) - Three-year letterwinner and starter at Lake Orion under head coach Chris Bell … Also a three-year letterwinner in lacrosse … As a senior in 2009 posted 47 tackles, including 11 sacks, and 37 quarterback hurries … Posted 164 tackles on his career … Voted to the All-Oakland County First Team as a senior in 2009.

Brad Hilovsky (WR) - Transfer from Hofstra University who will have two years of eligibility with Robert Morris … Will participate in 2010 spring practice … Does not have to sit out the 2010 season due to Hofstra dropping its football program … Named to the 2008 and 2009 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Academic Honor Roll … Four-year letterwinner at Sussex Central High School … Two-time all-conference selection and an all-state selection as a senior in 2006.

Deontae Howard (RB) - Four-year letterwinner and starter at Clairton High School … Compiled a Clairton school record 4,415 career rushing yards and 73 touchdowns … As a senior in 2009 rushed for 2,234 yards and 35 touchdowns … Named the Class A Player of the Year in the state of Pennsylvania … As a senior in 2009 was garnered the Black Hills Conference Offensive MVP and was named to the All-Black Hills Conference First Team … Named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette South Fabulous 22 in both 2008 and 2009 … Named to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25 in 2009 … Earned Offensive Player of the Year honors from the McKeesport Daily News and was tabbed to the McKeesport Daily News Dynamic 33 in both 2008 and 2009 … An all-state first team selection by both the Pennsylvania Sports Writers and the Pennsylvania Football News … Named the 2009 Western Pennsylvania Small School Player of the Year … Played in the East/West All-Star Game.

Donte Jeter (DB/QB) - A pure athlete that was a three-year letterwinner and starter at Oliver … Played both quarterback and defensive back … Earned all-city honorable mention honors at quarterback in 2009 … Passed for 791 yards and five touchdowns as a senior … Named to the all-city second team at defensive back … Tallied 38 tackles, including 13 solo.

Bart Lindsey (WR) - Three-year letterwinner and starter at Newton High School under head coach Nick Collins … Played both wide receiver and safety … As a senior in 2009 posted 22 catches for 480 yards, an average of 21.8 yards per catch, and four touchdowns … Also returned punts for the Rams … As a safety named to the All-Region 2-AAAAA First Team after compiling 46 tackles, six interceptions and 10 pass breakups … Finished with 12 career interceptions.

Khalil Priddie (CB) - Three-year letterwinner for head coach Bob Ingram at Riverwood Charter … Over his career played quarterback, running back and cornerback … Named team's Outstanding Defensive Player in 2009 after compiling 43 tackles, three interceptions and five pass breakups … On offense in 2009 rushed for 302 yards, passed for 204 yards and recorded six catches for 165 yards … Named to the 2009 Rotary Bowl All-Star Game, which featured the best players from North Fulton and Forsyth counties in Georgia.

William Ruiz (OL) - Three-year starter on the offensive line for head coach Brandon Harris at Canisius High School … Earned All-Western New York Second Team honors as a senior in 2009 … Two-time all-league selection (2008, 2009) … Nominee for the Trench Trophy.

Jimmy Schneider (LB) - Four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at linebacker for Calvert Hall College High School in Maryland … As a senior in 2009 finished with 55 tackles, three pass breakups and two interceptions … Returned one of his interceptions back for a touchdown … Posted four tackles for a loss, including a pair of sacks … All-MIAA selection as a senior in 2009.

Ryan Simpson (QB) - Three-year starter at quarterback for Pinkerton Academy … All-conference first team selection in 2008 and 2009 … All-state honoree in 2009 … As a senior passed for 1,784 yards and 27 touchdowns … Played in the 2010 New Hampshire All-Star Shrine Game … Named to the Northeast Ultimate 100 Team.

Andrew Smith (TE) - Three-year letterwinner for head coach Don Hall at Seneca Valley … In 2009 led Seneca Valley in receptions (21) and receiving yards (255) while catching three touchdowns … Two-year starter on both offense and defense … Unanimous selection to the all-conference first team at defensive tackles after recording 51 tackles and two forced fumbles … Posted eight tackles for loss, including four sacks.

Luke Sweeney (DE/TE) - Versatile athlete who played six different positions at Hampton High School … On defense in 2009 recorded 50 tackles, including two sacks, and a pair of fumble recoveries … Caught three passes for 60 yards and a touchdown in 2009 … Honorable mention all-conference selection on both offense and defense in 2009.

Evan Taylor (DB/RB) - Played both running back and safety at Shasta High School for head coach Aaron Gingery … Posted career rushing totals of 4,596 yards on 765 carries, an average of 6.0 yards per rush … Scored 53 career touchdowns, including 16 on kickoff and punt returns … Named MVP of the Northern Section of the Eastern Athletic League (E.A.L.) in both 2007 and 2008 … Posted career highs in rushing attempts (304) and rushing yards (1,961) as a junior in 2008 … As a senior carried 197 times for 1,419 yards and 21 touchdowns, an average of 7.2 yards per rush … Finished his senior year with 24 touchdowns.

Ryan Weiss (DT) - Three-year starter on both offense and defense under Rochester head coach Gene Matsook … Finished with 42 tackles as a senior, including four sacks, and one interception … Earned all-conference first team honors in 2009 … Posted career totals of 89 tackles, 10 sacks and four fumble recoveries … Earned all-conference first team accolades on the offensive line in both 2008 and 2009.