ERIE, Pa. - The 2011 Gannon football recruiting class has increased to 27 student-athletes following the signing of additional recruits over the last few weeks.

A complete list of bios for the 27 student-athletes who have committed to the Gannon football program can be found below. The newcomers will join a program that is on the rise after posting back-to-back winning campaigns for the first time since 1995. This year's recruiting class will help offset the graduation of 20 seniors. In all, 38 letterwinners and 11 players who started at least five games return in 2011. The program will feature 17 seniors during the upcoming season.

Gannon finished the 2010 campaign with a 6-5 record for the second consecutive season. The Golden Knights produced noteworthy victories against rival Mercyhurst (14-10), 2010 PSAC champion Shippensburg (22-19), traditional conference power Indiana (Pa.) (45-17) and Slippery Rock (24-20).

Head coach Jim Kiernan's program is scheduled to open the 2011 season Thursday, September 1 at Lake Erie. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) schedule begins Saturday, September 10 against Shippensburg at Gannon University Field. Gannon opens the PSAC schedule with three home games, before traveling to rival Mercyhurst October 1.

2011 Gannon Football Recruiting Class (As of 4/25/11)
Alphabetical Order

Matt Andry
(OL, 6-5, 280)
Metairie, La. / Jesuit High School

~ Played for head coach Wayde Keiser at Jesuit (La.) High School
~ Was a two-time letterwinner
~ Named to the all-district second team as a senior
~ Selected to the Clarion Herald Elite Football Team
~ Served as a team captain

Ta'Von Bailey
(DB, 6-0, 175)
Lanham, Md. / DeMatha Catholic (Md.) High School

~ Played for head coach Bill McGregor at DeMatha Catholic (Md.) High School
~ Was a three-year letterwinner
~ Helped DeMatha Catholic post a 30-6 record during his varsity career
~ Played in three WCAC Championships
~ Was a member of the 2008 WCAC championship team
~ Named to the All-WCAC third team as a senior
~ Helped DeMatha Catholic be ranked sixth in the state of Maryland in 2010
~ Was the starting cornerback on a team that had 18 student-athletes sign with NCAA Division I or II programs

Jason Blose
(LB, 6-0, 200)
Emporium, Pa. / Cameron County High School

~ Played for head coach Mark Morelli at Cameron County (Pa.) High School
~ Named to the Big 30 All-Star Team twice
~ Was a three-time Allegheny Mountain League All-Star Team selection
~ Named Cameron County's Offensive Player of the Year and MVP as a senior
~ Landed a spot on the TCS/CR District 9 All-Star Team
~ Helped Cameron County win four consecutive AML North titles
~ Was a two-sport athlete, participating in football and basketball
~ Named team MVP in basketball as a senior
~ Selected to the NTL and TCS/CE All-Star teams in basketball
~ Was a member of the National Honor Society
~ Named to the high honor roll
~ Was a member of the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society
~ Served on the student council
~ Named a Government Outreach Outstanding Student
~ Was part of the Future Business Leaders of America

Malik Burks
(RB, 5-9, 190)
Syracuse, N.Y. / C.W. Baker High School

~ Played for head coach Carl Sanfilippo at C.W. Baker (N.Y.) High School
~ Was a three-time all-league honoree
~ Named CNY and News 10 Now Player of the Year as a senior
~ Landed a spot on the All-State first team as a senior and second team as a junior
~ Was a three-time All-CNY selection, being named to the first team twice and the third team as a sophomore
~ Was the top-ranked running back in New York and the third-ranked running back in the country as a senior according to MaxPreps
~ Was a three-year varsity starter
~ Career statistics include 6,117 rushing yards, 53 touchdowns and 318 points
~ Scored 210 points during his senior campaign

Justin Caliste
(Return Specialist/Offense, 5-5, 155)
Roseville, Calif. / Oakmont High School

~ Played for head coach Tim Moore at Oakmont (Calif.) High School
~ Earned all-conference honors as a defensive back and an all-purpose player
~ Led Oakmont in scoring, receiving and interceptions (5)
~ Named team MVP as a senior
~ Averaged 25 yards per punt return and 27 yards per kickoff return

Kyle Copeland
(QB, 6-1, 205)
Bethesda, Ohio / Union Local High School

~ Played for head coach Mark Cisar at Union Local (Ohio) High School
~ Was a three-year letterwinner
~ Earned All-Ohio, all-conference, all-district and All-Times Leader honors
~ Named Big 22 Player of the Year
~ Was on the cover of the Pigskin Preview
~ Named to the All-Valley and All-Buckeye 8 teams
~ Ranked second in Ohio in passing yards and total offense as a senior
~ Broke school records for passing yards in a game (415), pass completions in a game (35), pass attempts in a game (55) and passing yards in a season (2,878)
~ Helped Union Local make its first-ever playoff appearance while setting the school record for most victories in a season
~ Was a three-sport athlete, lettering in baseball, track and football
~ Was a member of the honor roll

Michael D'Avanzo
(S, 5-9, 185)
Wellington, Fla. / Palm Beach Central High School

~ Played for head coach Rod Harris at Palm Beach Central (Fla.) High School
~ Served as a team captain during his senior season
~ Received the “Commitment Award” as a senior
~ Named Defensive Player of the Year as a junior
~ Selected Most Improved Player as a freshman
~ Named Athlete of the Month in October of 2010

Brent Fox
(DL, 6-2, 225)
Homer, N.Y. / Homer Central High School

~ Played for head coach Gary Podsiedlik at Homer Central (N.Y.) High School
~ Named to the all-league first team as a senior
~ Earned All-CNY third-team honors as a senior
~ Named Homer Central's Defensive MVP

Michael Frendak
(WR, 6-2, 180)
Warrington, Pa. / Archbishop Wood High School

~ Played for head coach Steve Devlin at Warrington (Pa.) High School
~ Helped Warrington win three Philadelphia Catholic Championships, three District XII Championships and an Eastern State Final Championship
~ Was a member of the honor roll all four years

Jesstin Hamm
(WR, 6-4, 185)
Elkridge, Md. / DeMatha Catholic High School

~ Played for head coach Bill McGregor at DeMatha Catholic (Md.) High School
~ Was a three-year varsity letterwinner
~ Named to the All-WCAC honorable-mention team
~ Helped DeMatha Catholic win the conference championship as a sophomore

Nate Jackson
(OL, 6-0, 280)
Derby, N.Y. / Lake Shore Central High School

~ Played for head coach Chuck Kowalski at Lake Shore Center (N.Y.) High School
~ Was a two-year starter
~ Served as a team captain during his senior campaign
~ Named to the All-Class A/South first team
~ Was a member of the merit and honor rolls

Luka Markulin
(OL, 6-5, 260)
Youngstown, Ohio / Liberty High School

~ Played for head coach Jeff Whittaker at Liberty (Ohio) High School
~ Was a three-year letterwinner
~ Named Liberty's Best Defensive Lineman as a senior
~ Earned all-conference honorable-mention accolades
~ Received the “Best Attitude” award as a junior
~ Helped Liberty advance to the post-season as a sophomore
~ Received several academic and band awards
~ Was a member of the honor roll
~ Received the scholastic award twice
~ Was a member of the National Honor Society
~ Received the President's Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence
~ Was a member of the honors program

LaRelle Mudrow
(DB, 5-11, 165)
San Jose, Calif. / Pittsburg High School

~ Played for head coach Victor Gallie at Pittsburg (Calif.) High School
~ Earned all-league second-team honors
~ Named Pittsburg's Defensive MVP
~ Intercepted two passes during his senior season
~ Transferred from San Jose City (Calif.) College
~ Played for head coach Carlton Conner at San Jose City College
~ Named Defensive MVP of the Holiday Bowl
~ Has two years of eligibility remaining

Liam Nadler
(QB, 6-6, 210)
Leipsic, Ohio / Leipsic Local High School

~ Played for head coach Joe Kirkendall at Leipsic Local (Ohio) High School
~ Named to the all-district and all-conference first teams
~ Selected 2-Sports Live Player of the Year
~ Named a Lima News Scholar-Athlete
~ Helped Leipsic Local qualify for the state playoffs as a junior and senior
~ Played on a league championship team as a junior
~ Was a two-sport athlete, lettering four times in basketball
~ Earned all-district and all-league honors in basketball
~ Was a member of the National Honor Society
~ Named a Leipsic Local Student of the Month
~ Was a “Voice of Democracy” Winner

Luke Nickerson
(LB, 5-11, 230)
Mayville, N.Y. / Maple Grove High School

~ Played for head coach Curt Fischer at Maple Grove (N.Y.) High School
~ Was a four-year varsity starter, playing two years at Chautauqua Lake and two years at Maple Grove
~ Helped lead Maple Grove to a division championship and an appearance in the NYS Section 6 championship game as a junior
~ Received the Coach's, the Most Improved, the Most Versatile Player and the Unsung Hero team awards
~ Named to the All-Section 6 second team twice
~ Selected team defensive MVP as a sophomore
~ Named to the All-Class D honorable-mention team as a sophomore
~ Had 223 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss, and six sacks during his career
~ Was a two-sport athlete, being undefeated in the shot put as a senior
~ Was a two-time track and field champion
~ Qualified for sectionals in track and field

Abraham “Tarik” Ocasio
(WR, 6-1, 190)
Bronx, N.Y. / Cardinal Hayes High School

~ Played for head coach C.J. O'Neil at Cardinal Hayes (N.Y.) High School
~ Served as a team captain
~ Earned all-state second-team, all-city, all-league and All-Bronx honors
~ Named team offensive MVP
~ Earned All-NY Post and All-Daily News All-Star honors
~ Was a two-sport athlete, participating in track and field
~ Placed second in the 55-meter dash
~ Was a member of the 4X200 relay championship team
~ Graduated with second and third honors

Alex O'Donnell
(TE, 6-4, 245)
Toronto, Ontario / Riverside Military (Ga.) Academy

~ Played for head coach Chris Cotter at Riverside Military (Ga.) Academy
~ Earned all-region honorable-mention accolades as a tight end and quarterback
~ Produced over 500 passing yards, over 400 receiving yards and over 350 rushing yards as a senior
~ Recorded 16 solo tackles as a senior
~ Received the coach's award as a senior
~ Served as a team captain three consecutive seasons
~ Named North Georgia Productions Game MVP
~ Graduated second out of 85 students in his senior class
~ Finished with a 4.0 grade-point average
~ Received the U.S. Army Scholar-Athlete Award
~ Was the top foreign language student

Alex Papson
(RB, 5-9, 185)
Wexford, Pa. / North Allegheny High School

~ Played for head coach Art Walker at North Allegheny (Pa.) High School
~ Served as a team captain during his senior season
~ Was a three-time all-conference selection
~ Named to the all-state team as a senior
~ Selected to the Fab 22 team
~ Was a Mercury Award finalist
~ Helped North Allegheny win the WPIAL and State championships as a senior
~ Was a member of the honor roll

Tim Petro
(LB, 6-2, 215)
North Huntingdon, Pa. / Norwin High School

~ Played for head coach Art Tragesser at Norwin (Pa.) High School
~ Led Norwin to first playoff appearance since 2007 as a senior
~ Had 1,322 passing yards, 380 rushing yards, 14 passing touchdowns and seven rushing touchdowns as a senior
~ Led the team in sacks as a senior
~ Named team MVP
~ Earned WPIAL Quad-A Foothills All-Section honors
~ Named to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette Fab 22, the Tribune Review Terrific 25 and the McKeesport Daily News Dynamic 33
~ Received the KDKA Extra Effort award
~ Named MVP at the Next Level Prospect Combine as a quarterback
~ Received the Knight Pride award
~ Named Pittsburgh Post Gazette Offensive Player of the Year Runner-Up
~ Was a member of the National Honor Society
~ Received the Norwin School District Excellence in Education award

Mike Phillips
(CB, 5-10, 175)
Bowie, Md. / Bowie High School

~ Played for head coach Lionel Macklin at Bowie (Md.) High School
~ Attended Hargrave Military Academy after high school

Chris Pike
(CB, 5-10, 160)
Oswego, N.Y. / Oswego High School

~ Played for head coaches Tom Czarnecki and Patrick Bond at Oswego (N.Y.) High School
~ Was a two-time all-league selection, being named to the first team as a senior and honorable-mention squad as a junior
~ Named Most Outstanding Player as a senior
~ Received the Wendy's High School Heisman Award as a senior
~ Was a three-sport athlete, also participating in baseball and hockey
~ Earned all-league honorable-mention honors in hockey
~ Named a NYS Scholar-Athlete in football, baseball and hockey
~ Received the Clarkson Leadership award
~ Named a National Football Foundation and College HOF Scholar-Athlete

Tashawn Sneed
(CB, 6-0, 195)
Brooklyn, N.Y. / Campus Magnet High School

~ Played for head coach Eric Barnett at Campus Magnet (N.Y.) High School
~ Named to the all-borough first team
~ Earned all-city second-team honors
~ Returned two punts and one kickoff for touchdowns as a senior, averaging 48 yards per punt return
~ Had 30 tackles and two interceptions as a senior
~ Led Campus Magnet to a 7-2 record as a senior
~ Transferred from New Mexico Military Institute where he played for head coach Joe Fanckner
~ Has two years of eligibility left

Joe Sobucki
(WR, 5-11, 165)
Girard, Pa. / Girard High School

~ Played for head coach Jim Funk at Girard (Pa.) High School
~ Served as a team captain during his senior season
~ Earned all-district first-team honors as a wide receiver
~ Named Region 4 Player of the Year
~ Received the Chad Vogt award
~ Named to the all-region first team for offense and defense
~ Was a two-sport athlete, breaking the school record in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.6 seconds
~ Qualified for indoor states in the 60-meter dash and the 200-meter dash
~ Was a member of the honor roll
~ Graduated with a 3.25 grade-point average

Brent Strickland
(DE, 6-3, 212)
Manlius, N.Y. / Fayetteville-Manlius High School

~ Played for head coach Paul Muench at Fayetteville-Manlius (N.Y.) High School
~ Named Fayetteville-Manlius Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and senior
~ Was a two-time all-league first-team selection
~ Named to the all-city first team as a senior
~ Earned all-state fourth-team accolades
~ Played in the CNY Section III All-Star Game
~ Selected to play in the NYS All-Star Game as a senior
~ Started every game at defensive end his last two years
~ Helped Fayetteville-Manlius make back-to-back Section III, Division I-AA playoff appearances
~ Was a senior on a Fayetteville-Manlius team that posted an undefeated regular
season, defeated Liverpool 31-7 in the first round of the Section III, Division I-AA playoffs and lost a semifinal game against Baldwinsville 21-14 on the last play of the game
~ Was a member of the National Honor Society

Zach Taylor
(DL, 6-3, 225)
Wrightsville, Pa. / York Catholic High School

~ Played for head coach J.D. Martin at York Catholic (Pa.) High School
~ Was a two-year letterwinner
~ Named to the all-league second team as a senior defensive end and the all-league honorable-mention squad as a junior tight end
~ Led the league in sacks (9) as a senior
~ Helped York Catholic make back-to-back district semifinal appearances
~ Was a member of the honor roll

Randy Toth
(OL, 6-5, 265)
Auburn Township, Ohio / Kenston High School

~ Played for head coach Roger Vasey at Kenston (Ohio) High School
~ Named to the All-CVC and Geauga County Touchdown Club first teams
~ Earned All-District Lake Region second-team honors
~ Named to the All-CVC honorable-mention team as a junior
~ Helped Kenston win the conference championship and qualify for the Region 5 playoffs as a senior
~ Named to the conference all-academic team
~ Received the Excel Academic Achievement award three consecutive years
~ Named Geauga County Touchdown Club Outstanding Student-Athlete
~ Was a four-year member of the honor roll

Josh Wiechelt
(LB, 6-0, 220)
Depew, N.Y. / Depew High School

~ Played for head coach Dan McGrath at Depew (N.Y.) High School
~ Named Section B Player of the Year
~ Earned All-WNY second-team honors
~ Named to the all-star first team
~ Received the Frank Consitino football award
~ Earned the Section 6 Pitbull award
~ Was a member of the merit roll
~ Received the attendance award