Moon Township, Pa. - Head Coach Joe Walton of the Robert Morris University football program has announced that 15 players have agreed to continue their careers with the Colonials in 2012.

Among the new additions are 12 players that have signed National Letters of Intent, a pair of mid-year transfers and one additional commitment.

The 2012 RMU recruiting class includes student-athletes from six different states, nine players on offense, five on defense and one on special teams. Four of RMU's five recruits from the state of Pennsylvania hail from the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL), while the Colonials have also recruited multiple student-athletes from Florida and Ohio.

"Our coaching staff did a fantastic job and worked really hard in bringing in a collection of student-athletes that we're excited about," Walton said. "I'm confident that the mixture of our returning players and our latest recruiting class will provide us with a springboard for an exciting 2012 season."

Four of RMU's incoming recruits play on the offensive line, while the Colonials also welcome a trio of defensive backs and four student-athletes that can play wide receiver.

"We've become a better football team with our 2012 recruiting class," recruiting coordinator Scott Farison said. "A lot of the student-athletes that we've recruited will compete in both practice and in game-day situations and will contribute immediately."

Spring practice for Robert Morris begins Monday, March 26, and will continue for three weeks. The date for the annual spring game is to be announced.

Robert Morris 2012 Football Recruiting Class

National Letters of Intent (12)

Marcelis Branch (DB) - (YouTube Highlights) - Coached by Patrick Burrows at Miami Southridge ... As a senior in 2011 compiled 77 tackles, nine pass breakups and three interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns ... Also forced two fumbles and blocked a punt ... Earned Nike All-Dade County First Team accolades in 2011 ... Selected to attend the Ray Lewis Defensive Camp and ESPN's Top 100 camp after senior season.

Kenneth Davis (RB) - (Video Highlights) - Coached by George Kontsis at Walnut Hills High School ... In nine games in 2011 rushed for 1,519 yards and 20 touchdowns, eclipsing the 200-yard plateau in four games ... Led Walnut Hills to their first postseason berth in school history ... Named the 2011 FAVC Cardinal Co-Offensive Player of the Year ... Earned 2011 All-Ohio Honorable Mention accolades and was also an all-district first team honoree ... In two seasons as a return specialist returned seven kickoff or punt returns for a touchdown ... An all-state performer in track & field, finishing third in the state of Ohio in the 200-meter dash in 2011

Warren Fields (WR/RS) - (YouTube Highlights) - Coached by Cory Johnson at Killian High School ... Earned all-conference first team honors as a senior in 2011 ... Finished 2011 campaign with four receptions for 205 yards and three touchdowns ... Posted 27 kickoff returns for 638 yards and one touchdown and 13 punt returns for 258 yards as a senior in 2011 ... Also played lacrosse for Killian

Sean Guy (OL) - (Video Highlights) - Coached by Ryan Smith at Deland High School ... Two-time All-FAAC District 9 First Team selection (2010, 2011) ... Helped anchor an offensive line that allowed Deland to post a record of 10-2 in 2011 ... Will play either guard or tackle

Brian Jones (DB) - (YouTube Highlights) - A three-year starter for head coach Terry Smith at Gateway High School ... Finished with 53 tackles, five pass breakups and two fumble recoveries as a senior in 2011 ... A two-time All-Foothills Conference First Team (2010, 2011) selection ... On offense as a senior in 2011 rushed for two touchdowns and passed for another

Zach Keaton (PK) - Coached by Jeff Williams at Giles High School ... Holds the Virginia state record for consecutive point after attempts made (85) ... In both 2010 and 2011 earned all-district honors ... As a senior in 2011 earned All-Timesland and all-region first team accolades ... Also played soccer at Giles, earning all-state second team honors as a senior in 2011

Justin Kempka (WR/TE) - (YouTube Highlights) - Coached by Muzzy Colosimo at Greensburg Central Catholic ... A hybrid player on offense for the Centurions, appearing at wide receiver, tight end and running back ... As a senior in 2011 caught 27 passes for 567 yards and eight touchdowns ... Member of both the 2011 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25 ... In 2011 earned All-Western Pennsylvania and all-conference first team honors at wide receiver

Kyler Kenyon (Athlete) - (YouTube Highlights) - Played for head coach Mike King at Knoch High School ... Played quarterback throughout his career and accounted for 53 touchdowns (35 passing, 18 rushing) and 4,615 yards of total offense ... An all-conference first team selection at quarterback in 2011, Kenyon was tabbed the 2011 Valley News Dispatch Offensive Player of the Year ... Named McDonald's Player of the Game at Knoch's WPIAL finals game at Heinz Field ... Will play on offense for the Colonials

Anthony Lucian (OL) - (YouTube Highlights) - At Linganore High School was coached by Rick Conner ... Three-year starter who helped Linganore win the 3A state championship as a sophomore in 2009 ... Started at both guard and center as a junior in 2010 before starting each game of his senior campaign in 2011 at center ... As a senior in 2011 earned all-conference and all-area first team honors ... Twin brother, Nick, plays for Seton Hill ... Older brother, Mike, played at Penn State

D.J. Pearson (WR/TE) - A mid-year transfer who is eligible to participate in 2012 spring drills ... Attended Seton Hill and Akron before enrolling at Robert Morris ... Can play either wide receiver or tight end ... As a senior at New Brighton High School finished with 30 receptions for 536 yards and three touchdowns ... Also a standout basketball player, scoring over 1,200 career points

Adrian Perez (LB) - (YouTube Highlights) - A junior college transfer with two seasons of eligibility remaining at Robert Morris ... Eligible to participate in 2012 spring drills ... Played both linebacker and defensive end for head coach Marguet Miller at West Los Angeles Junior College ... Named to the 2010 All-Southern Conference JUCO Team ... Played high school football at Santee High School, earning all-league honors in 2008

Maxwell Robertson (OL) - (Video Highlights) - Led by head coach Ryan Smith at Deland High School ... Two-year starter at tackle, earning all-area first team accolades as a senior in 2011 ... Finished with 15 pancake blocks in 2011 ... Second player from the offensive line from Deland to attend Robert Morris, joining Sean Guy

Kimani Smith (LB) - (YouTube Highlights) - Two-year starter for head coach Mike Mischler at Erie Cathedral Prep at both linebacker and wide receiver ... Finished third in 2011 for Erie Cathedral Prep in tackles with 49, including 10 for loss and four sacks ... As a wide receiver finished with 20 receptions for 288 yards and four touchdowns ... Earned all-conference honors at both linebacker and wide receiver in 2011

David Taylor (DB) - (Video Highlights) - A pure playmaker for head coach Ryan Smith at Deland High School ... In 2011 as a senior compiled 35 tackles, 17 pass breakups and five interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns ... Earned 2011 All-FAAC District 9 First Team accolades and was an all-state second team honoree ... Also a standout track & field athlete, posting a time of 10.9 seconds in the 100-meter dash while running a 4.39 in the 40 at the Nike Combine in Orlando, Fla.

Josh Thiel (OL) - (Video Highlights) - Earned four letters and started three years for head coach Eric Taylor at Cincinnati Hills Christian ... Earned All-Miami Valley Conference First Team honors in both 2010 and 2011 and was also an all-city, all-district and all-state performer in each of those seasons ... Honored as the divisional winner of the Offensive Lineman of the Year by the Anthony Munoz Foundation ... A finalist for the 45th annual National Football Foundation "That's My Boy" Award.