Moon Township, Pa. - Head Coach Joe Walton of the Robert Morris University football program announced today that 16 student-athletes have agreed to continue their careers for the Colonials in 2008. The latest group of incoming recruits join the 23 student-athletes that will play their first season for the Colonials in 2008 and were announced by the program in March.  

The additional 16 recruits include players from Pennsylvania, Ohio and Maryland and include 10 defensive players, four players on the offensive side of the ball and a pair of kickers. A total of 11 of the 16 recruits hail from Pennsylvania, including six from the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL).

"These additional recruits are important, because they will provide competition as well as depth in training camp as we prepare for the 2008 season," Walton said. "It's always exciting early in training camp to see how they'll fit in and what roles they'll play, and I have no doubt all our recruits will provide a spark in all three phases of the game."

The Colonials have added four more players on the defensive line, a trio of linebackers and three more defensive backs. On offense RMU has added another wide receivers and three more running backs.

"Typically we pick up quality players in the late stages, and this year is no exception," assistant recruiting coordinator Scott Benzel said. "We think these additional players should add depth to the overall freshman class and we look forward to seeing them compete in training camp."

Robert Morris opens its 2008 season Saturday, Sept. 6, when it welcomes Morehead State to Joe Walton Stadium for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.

Joe Brice (FB) - Four-year starter at linebacker for Wyomissing, compiling 353 career tackles ... Played in all 50 games over his career ... In 2006 Wyomissing finished 15-1 and advanced to the PIAA AA state quarterfinals ... Named the 2007 Inter-County Section 2 Linebacker of the Year and earned section first team honors at both linebacker and running back ... As a senior at fullback accumulated 675 yards rushing, 102 yards receiving on eight receptions and 12 touchdowns.

Anthony Caperelli (LB) - Three-year letterwinner and two-way starter for Bishop McCort ... Recorded 116 tackles as a senior in 2007 ... Named to the All-Area First Team by the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat ... Nominated to play in the Ken Lantzy Finest 40 All-Star Game.

Garrett Clawson (PK) - Transfer from Temple who will have three years of eligibility with Robert Morris ... As a senior at Hollidaysburg in 2005 earned Quad A First Team honors from the Associated Press, the PIAA and Pennsylvania Football News ... In the same game hit a 49-yard field goal and added a pair of 47-yarders ... Finished 8-for-10 in field goal attempts ... Named to the Altoona Mirror Dream Team and averaged 35.9 yards on 41 punts.

Anthony Coleman (CB) - Two-way player at St. John's College High School, who as a senior in 2007 paced the club in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches ... On defense paced St. John's in tackles, forced fumbles and interceptions ... Earned three varsity letters ... Earned the Mush Dubofsky Award, which is awarded to the individual who has made the largest contribution to the St. John's football program over his career.

Erik Frund (TB) - Over his four-year career compiled 2,644 yards and 26 touchdowns on 519 carries, averaging of 5.1 yards per rush ... As a senior finished with 1,281 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns ... Is the all-time leading rusher for Southmoreland and earned all-conference honors after both his junior and senior seasons ... Also added 85 tackles on defense as a senior.

Jeff Gallagher (DE) - As a senior in 2007 earned All-Parkway Conference Honorable Mention accolades ... Two-year starter who in 2007 recorded 62 tackles, 11 pass breakups and seven fumble recoveries.

Cody Godding (DE) - Three-year letterwinner for Bradford High School, serving as varsity captain as senior in 2007 ... Finished fourth on the team in tackles with 65, including 22 solo stops, in 2007 ... Recorded a team-high five sacks and also recorded two fumble recoveries and an interception ... Named a Big 30 All-Star Player and was a member of Pennsylvania's All-Academic Team.

Jeremy Kettering (TE/FB) - Will see action at either tight end or fullback for the Colonials ... Two-year letterwinner for Hempfield who played his first season at running back as a senior in 2007, rushing for 178 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries, an average of 6.4 yards per rush ... As a middle linebacker recorded 84 tackles, including 60 solo and five sacks, three forced fumbles and a pass breakup ... Named to the WPIAL Quad A All-Conference Second Team at linebacker.

Tyler Lanciotti (DT) - Three-year letterwinner at Greenville High School that averaged 10.3 tackles per game while recording 10 sacks as a senior ... Earned all-region honors on both the offensive and defensive lines in 2006 and 2007 ... Earned all-state honors on the defensive line as a senior in 2007.

John Murphy (PK) - Two-year letterwinner at Trinity who averaged 54.5 yards on kickoffs in 2007 as a senior ... Booted 22 kickoffs into the end zone in 2007, including four in one game ... Finished a perfect 3-for-3 in field goals, including a 42-yarder ... On his career finished 60-for-68 in point after attempts.

Chad Pepper (LB) - Three-year letterwinner at Olentagy Lewis Center High School at linebacker ... Recorded 96 tackles as a senior and over his four-year career led the team with 249 career stops ... Earned all-conference honors as a junior in 2006 and a senior in 2007.

Rocco Perciavalle (WR) - Senior captain at Paint Branch High School in 2007 ... Led Montgomery County in receptions during the regular season, posting 26 catches for 521 yards and 10 touchdowns ... Earned All-Montgomery County First Team honors ... Named to the All-Metropolitan Offensive Team for Montgomery County by The Washington Post ... Earned all-state honorable mention accolades.

Ricky Smith (DT) - Three-year starter at four-year letterwinner at Trotwood Madison ... As a senior in 2007 posted 58 tackles, including 35 solo stops ... Also recorded six and-a-half sacks, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

Alex Tarr (DB) - Three-year letterwinner for Bethel Park at cornerback ... Earned all-conference first team honors at cornerback in 2006 and 2007 ... Recorded 13 career interceptions and 73 career tackles ... Led Quad A in interceptions in back-to-back seasons.

Trevor Wildman (CB) - Two-year starter on both offense and defense ... Helped guide Thomas Jefferson to WPIAL titles in 2006 and 2007 as well as a PIAA championship in 2007 with a perfect 16-0 record ... Earned Big 7 All-Conference honors on defense in 2006 and 2007 ... Named to the South Fabulous 22 Team by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in 2007 ... Recorded 23 tackles and six interceptions while catching 45 passes for 792 yards and nine touchdowns at wide receiver as a senior.

Mike Wilson (LB) - Three-year letterwinner for Indian Creek ... Recorded career totals of 175 tackles, 12 sacks and six interceptions ... Earned All-Quad County First Team honors at linebacker in 2006 and 2007 ... In 2007 also earned All-OVAC, All-Buckeye 8 and All-Eastern District First Team accolades ... Tabbed an all-state honorable mention selection in 2007.