KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Champion Kutztown University football team signed 31 players as part of its 2017 recruiting class.
 
Each of the 31 players signed either a National Letter of Intent or an institutional letter with their commitment to attend and play for Kutztown University.
 
Head Coach Jim Clements and his staff focused highly on the offensive and defensive lines. KU graduated three starting players on the offensive line and two on the defensive line, which is why nearly half of this year's recruiting class (15-of-31) is offensive or defensive linemen.
 
"Going in, we definitely wanted to get some depth on our offensive and defensive lines," Clements said. "We have to replace some pretty big guys on both lines – guys who have played a long time for Kutztown. As a whole, we feel this group can come in and compete right away to help us win another PSAC East Championship.
 
"We feel like we brought in a very good offensive line group – one of the best since I've been here," Clements noted on the offensive line. "We have a lot of good guys currently in the program that are getting better, but these guys will add immediate depth and push for some of these open positions we have."
 
The recruiting class consists of 14 offensive players, 16 defensive players and one special teamer. 23-of-31 commits are from Pennsylvania while the remaining eight hail from New Jersey.
 
"On the defensive line, we have to replace our two interior lineman," Clements said. "We return three seniors at the defensive ends that will eventually have to be replaced, and we feel very good about the group we brought in to add to our depth and challenge for playing time.
 
"At the skill positions, we brought in six defensive backs – three corners and three safeties. We graduated a safety and a corner, and we need to get better depth at those positions. We brought in three wide receivers to make up for our two we lost. We brought in one running back and one linebacker despite graduating two backs and one all-conference linebacker, but we feel pretty good about the group we have in the program moving forward at both positions."
 
Information on Kutztown's signees can be found below in alphabetical order.

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NAME	POS.	HT.	WT.	HOMETOWN / HIGH SCHOOL
AJ Akins	DE	6-1	225	Somerville, N.J. / Somerville
Amadou Barry	WR	5-11	175	Upper Darby, Pa. / West Catholic Prep
Garrett Blesi	OL	6-3	274	Shamong, N.J. / Seneca
Tyler Boger	LB	6-0	220	Harrisburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin East
Justin Carter	CB	6-0	160	Harrisburg, Pa. / Sci Tech
Chad Gaudino	WR	5-11	175	Lancaster, Pa. / Lampeter-Strasburg
Justin Gies	WR	6-0	163	Philadelphia, Pa. / Father Judge
Jadan Hudson	WR	5-11	185	Coatesville, Pa. / Coatesville
Nate Jones	RB	5-7	185	West Grove, Pa. / Avon Grove
Corey Justave	OL	6-4	275	Clarks Simmit, Pa. / Abington Heights
Tyler Kelly	OL	6-3	270	Elk Township, N.J. / Delsea Regional
Andrew Knight	DL	6-0	255	Whitehouse Station, N.J. / Hunterdon Central
Brian Lloyd	OL	6-3	285	Whitehall, Pa. / Allentown Central Catholic
Luke Lozowicki	OL	6-4	315	Marple Newtown, Pa. / Marple Newtown
Ian McCardle	LS	6-3	215	Zionsville, Pa. / Emmaus
Mason McElroy	WR	5-11	170	Reading, Pa. / Wilson
Ryan Meyers	DL	6-2	260	Hellertown, Pa. / Saucon Valley
Blake Morgan	OL	6-4	285	Philadelphia, Pa. / Bensalem
Erick Negro	DE	6-3	220	Perth Amboy, N.J. / Perth Amboy
Nick Palmer	DB	5-10	170	Montville, N.J. / Bergen Catholic
Joshua Parson	DL	6-3	255	Port Royal, Pa. / Juniata
Togba Porte	DE	6-0	217	Collingdale, Pa. / Academy Park
John Prato	DB	5-11	175	Brick, N.J. / Brick Township
David Saulino	LB	6-0	190	Lansdale, Pa. / Lansdale Catholic
Alexander Smith	OL	6-3	290	Philadelphia, Pa. / Roman Catholic
Chase Stephensen	DB	6-0	200	Lacey Township, N.J. / Lacey Township
Justin Telemaque	DB	5-8	180	Norristown, Pa. / Chestnut Hill Academy
Chris Thomas	LB	6-1	210	Norwood, Pa. / Interboro
Nick Vasger	DE	6-0	220	Hatfield, Pa. / North Penn
Earl Volz	DL	6-1	260	Philadelphia, Pa. / Father Judge
Pierson White	CB	5-9	170	Northumberland, Pa. / Shikellamy

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AJ Akins
Defensive End | 6-1 | 225 lbs.
Somerville, N.J. / Somerville
Highlight Video
 
2x All-Conference, All-Division, All-Group 3 and All-Area…3x letter-winner in football, one year in wrestling…second all-time in school history in sacks…Team won conference championship, who he led in tackles, sacks and TFL…Student Rep on District Board of Education…intends to major in leisure and sport studies at KU.
 
From the Coach: "AJ loves football and loves the team. A great addition for our program."
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Amadou Barry
Wide Receiver | 5-11 | 175 lbs.
Upper Darby, Pa. / West Catholic Prep
Highlight Video
 
All-State...All-Catholic...All-City First Team…intends to major in criminal justice at KU.
 
From the Coach: "Explosive WR with great ball skills."
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Garrett Blesi
Offensive Line | 6-3 | 274 lbs.
Shamong, N.J. / Seneca
Highlight Video
 
First Team All-County…Third Team All-South Jersey…First Team All-Conference…Four-Year Honor Roll recipient…Intends to major in criminal justice at KU.
 
From the Coach: "Athletic lineman who we believe could play all five spots up front for us."
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Tyler Boger
Linebacker | 6-0 | 220 lbs.
Harrisburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin East
Highlight Video
 
All-State Honorable Mention...2x All-Conference Second Team...In senior season, 141 tackles, five sacks, one safety...4.0 GPA...National Honors Society...Honor Roll...intends to major in business administration at KU.
 
From the Coach: "Tyler is a very instinctual and solid linebacker."
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Justin Carter
Cornerback | 6-0 | 160 lbs.
Harrisburg, Pa. / Sci Tech
Highlight Video
 
5A District 3 Champion…intends to major in leisure and sport studies.
 
From the Coach: "A competitor with a great feel for the game."
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Chad Gaudino
Wide Receiver | 5-11 | 175 lbs.
Lancaster, Pa. / Lampeter-Strasburg
Highlight Video
 
Second Team All-State wide receiver…First Team All-Lancaster-Lebanon League…Second Team All-L-L League for kick returns…finished with 69 receptions, 1,205 receiving yards, 17 touchdowns (14 receiving, 1 rushing, 1 punt return, 1 interception), eight interceptions and 37 tackles…3x varsity letter-winner…2x Section 2 Champions…Honor Roll…intends to major in business administration at KU.
 
From the Coach: "One of the most productive receivers in Pennsylvania over the last two years. He exhibits good balance and body control after the catch. He has excellent ball skills and adjust well to the ball in the air."
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Justin Gies
Wide Receiver | 6-0 | 163 lbs.
Philadelphia, Pa. / Father Judge
Highlight Video
 
Northeast Times Player of the Year…All-Southeastern PA…2x All-City…2x All-Catholic…School-Record-Holder for touchdowns in a season (10)…intends to major in leisure and sport studies at KU.
 
From the Coach: "A relentless worker always looking to evolve. He plays much taller than his height. Attacks the ball well in the air and has shown the ability to be a physical perimeter blocker."
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Jadan Hudson
Wide Receiver | 5-11 | 185 lbs.
Coatesville, Pa. / Coatesville
Highlight Video
 
2015 First Team All-Ches-Mont…2016 Second Team All-Ches-Mont…Ches-Mont League Champions…4x Honor Roll…intends to major in business administration and leisure and sport studies.
 
From the Coach: "Tough, gritty athlete. Plays hard every snap with or without the ball."
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Nate Jones
Running Back | 5-7 | 185 lbs.
West Grove, Pa. / Avon Grove
Highlight Video
 
2x All-Ches-Mont…3x varsity starter.
 
From the Coach: "Explosive player with great vision. A guy we love to have in our program."
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Corey Justave
Offensive Line | 6-4 | 275 lbs.
Clarks Summit, Pa. / Abington Heights
Highlight Video
 
NPF All-League…Abington Heights Offensive Lineman of the Year…Three-year letter-winner…PIAA 5A District 2 Champions…intends to major in leisure and sport studies at KU.
 
From the Coach: "Corey has a great frame and is a competitor both on and off the field."
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Tyler Kelly
Offensive Line | 6-3 | 270 lbs.
Elk Township, N.J. / Delsea Regional
Highlight Video
 
3x State Champion…3x varsity letter-winner…First Team All-South Jersey…First Team All-State Group 3…First Team All-Area…First Team All-Conference…intends to major in criminal justice at KU.
 
From the Coach: "An interior lineman with athleticism and an edge. Great addition for our team."
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Andrew Knight
Defensive Line | 6-0 | 255 lbs.
Whitehouse Station, N.J. / Hunterdon Central
Highlight Video
 
First Team All-Area, All-County and All-Conference...4x varsity letter-winner...intends to major in business administration at KU.
 
From the Coach: "Andrew is a disruptive defensive player who plays with a high motor."
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Brian Lloyd
Offensive Line | 6-3 | 285 lbs.
Whitehall, Pa. / Allentown Central Catholic
Highlight Video
 
EPC North Champions…All-Area Honorable Mention in wrestling…intends to major in business administration at KU.
 
From the Coach: "Local guy who loves Kutztown – we're happy to have him. He will help us with what we want to do, and that's run the football."
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Luke Lozowicki
Offensive Line | 6-4 | 315 lbs.
Marple Newtown, Pa. / Marple Newtown
Highlight Video
 
First Team All-League…Second Team All-Delco…Part of the most winning class in Marple Newtown history…Honor Roll.
 
From the Coach: "Huge addition for our offensive line. He moves very well for a big man."
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Ian McCardle
Long Snapper | 6-3 | 215 lbs.
Zionsville, Pa. / Emmaus
Highlight Video
 
Three-year varsity long snapper…2016 EPC South Champions…intends to major in secondary education at KU.
 
From the Coach: "Smart kid who does a great job that doesn't get recognized."
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Mason McElroy
Wide Receiver | 5-11 | 170 lbs.
Reading, Pa. / Wilson
Highlight Video
 
First Team All-Lancaster-Lebanon League for kick return…Second Team All-L-L for defensive back…more than 1,500 career return yards…2x District Champion…2x Honor Roll…intends to major in communication studies at KU.
 
From the Coach: "He is a dynamic and versatile playmaker who stood out in all three phases of the game for one of the top programs in the state. He is a dangerous punt and kick return threat and is an athletic slot receiver who can puncture the secondary."
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Ryan Meyers
Defensive Line | 6-2 | 260 lbs.
Hellertown, Pa. / Saucon Valley
Highlight Video
 
First Team All-League at offensive guard…Second Team All-League at defensive end…Honor Roll…intends to major in business administration at KU.
 
From the Coach: "A physical player who will fit right in with the group we have up front."
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Blake Morgan
Offensive Line | 6-4 | 285 lbs.
Philadelphia, Pa. / Bensalem
Highlight Video
 
All-State and All-League right guard.
 
From the Coach: "Tough, physical lineman who has a boatload of potential at offensive tackle."
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Erick Negro
Defensive End | 6-3 | 220 lbs.
Perth Amboy, N.J. / Perth Amboy
Highlight Video
 
Three-year varsity letter-winner…2016 Coaches Award…Team Captain…Led team in sacks in 2016…Honor Roll…intends to major in criminal justice at KU.
 
From the Coach: "Long, athletic pass-rusher who can disrupt the game for us defensively."
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Nick Palmer
Defensive Back | 5-10 | 170 lbs.
Montville, N.J. / Bergen Catholic
Highlight Video
 
3x letter-winner…Team Captain.
 
From the Coach: "Student of the game who comes from a great program at Bergen Catholic."
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Joshua Parson
Defensive Line | 6-3 | 255 lbs.
Port Royal, Pa. / Juniata
Highlight Video
 
All-State...All-Western PA First Team...All Western-Eastern PA Super 25 First Team...4x varsity starter...3x First Team All-Conference...4x basketball letter-winner...First Team All-Conference for basketball.
 
From the Coach: "An explosive and athletic interior defensive lineman."
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Togba Porte
Defensive End | 6-0 | 217 lbs.
Collingdale, Pa. / Academy Park
Highlight Video
 
2x First Team All-Del-Val…2x First Team All-Delco…All-State Honorable Mention…Team Captain…196 tackles in final two years…23 sacks, 84 TFL…Honor Roll…intends to major in communication studies at KU.
 
From the Coach: "Talented pass-rusher with a motor who loves the game."
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John Prato
Defensive Back | 5-11 | 175 lbs.
Brick, N.J. / Brick Township
Highlight Video
 
First Team All-Conference (A-South)…Second Team All-Shore Conference…2013 State Champions…2014, 2015 Class A-South Champions…Three-sport player…National Honor Society…All-Shore Academic Team…4.0 GPA…intends to major in biology at KU.
 
From the Coach: "Was used all over the field in high school. We are extremely excited about John's potential."
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David Saulino
Linebacker | 6-0 | 190 lbs.
Lansdale, Pa. / Lansdale Catholic
Highlight Video
 
3x All-Catholic League...2x Team Captain...4x varsity letter-winner.
 
From the Coach: "Very active defender who is always around the ball."
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Alexander Smith
Offensive Line | 6-3 | 290 lbs.
Philadelphia, Pa. / Roman Catholic
Highlight Video
 
2x varsity letter-winner…intends to major in biology at KU.
 
From the Coach: "A big, strong lineman who can move people out of the way for our running backs."
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Chase Stephensen
Defensive Back | 6-0 | 200 lbs.
Lacey Township, N.J. / Lacey Township
Highlight Video
 
All-conference receiver…All-Shore defensive back…3x varsity letterman.
 
From the Coach: "All-around player in high school who will be a great addition for our defense."
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Justin Telemaque
Defensive Back | 5-8 | 180 lbs.
Norristown, Pa. / Chestnut Hill Academy
Highlight Video
 
2x All-Conference Second Team…intends to major in business administration at KU.
 
From the Coach: "Explosive athlete with the ability to change a game."
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Chris Thomas
Linebacker | 6-1 | 210 lbs.
Norwood, Pa. / Interboro
Highlight Video
 
Second Team All-State…Two-way player at Interboro (RB)…Mini-Max Award Winner…First Team All-Delco (offense)…First Team All-DelVal (offense)…Del Val Championship…school-record for most touchdowns in a season (25)…First Team All-Academic…Honor Roll…intends to major in biology at KU.
 
From the Coach: "A two-way player in high school. We're excited to see him making plays for us at linebacker."
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Nick Vasger
Defensive End | 6-0 | 220 lbs.
Hatfield, Pa. / North Penn
Highlight Video
 
First Team All-Conference…3x varsity letter-winner…Conference Champions…6A District I Champions…Honor Roll…intends to major in marine biology at KU.
 
From the Coach: "One of the best players in his area. Can be a huge addition for us on offense, defense and special teams."
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Earl Volz
Defensive Line | 6-1 | 260 lbs.
Philadelphia, Pa. / Father Judge
Highlight Video
 
Two-time All-Catholic selection…Intends to major in secondary education at KU.
 
From the Coach: "Can do exactly what we want from our defensive lineman, and that's make plays in the backfield."
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Pierson White
Cornerback | 5-9 | 170 lbs.
Northumberland, Pa. / Shikellamy
Highlight Video
 
All-Conference…Honor Roll.
 
From the Coach: "Instinctual defensive back with playmaking ability."