Moon Township, Pa. – The RMU football team announced it has signed 14 student-athletes as part of the early signing period, including 12 that have signed National Letters of Intent (NLI).
Included among the group of signees for the Colonials are eight that play defense and six on offense. The defensive recruits include four in the defensive backfield, three on the defensive line and one linebacker. On offense, RMU signed three offensive linemen and a quarterback, running back and wide receiver.
"It's been an interesting recruiting cycle given the global pandemic, but we're excited to welcome the latest class of Colonials," RMU Head Coach
Bernard Clark, Jr., said. "Our staff did a great job of identifying and recruiting student-athletes on both sides of the ball that have the opportunity to leave an impact on this program. It's a balanced class, and one that I know my staff and I can't wait to coach."
A closer look at each of the new student-athletes …
Luke Beltavski
OL / 6'2" / 290
Cleveland, Ohio / Benedictine
Notes: Named to the 2020 Ohio Prep Sports Writers Association (OPSWA) Division II All-Ohio Second Team … Earned an honorable mention spot in 2020 at center according to Cleveland.com.
Jaylon Brown
WR / 6'2" / 175
Kennesaw, Ga. / Carlton Kell
Notes: Played both wide receiver and cornerback for Carlton Kell High School … Posted a touchdown catch against Allatoona (11/6) … Hauled in two touchdowns in a 38-31 victory over Sprayberry (11/13) … Teammate of RMU recruit Corbin LaFrance, who also played at Carlton Kell.
Nathan Carabatsakis
DE / 6'3" / 230
Winnipeg, Manitoba / Clearwater Academy (Fla.)
Notes: One of three student-athletes in latest RMU recruiting class that hail from Canada and played at Clearwater Academy in Florida … Played in Canadian Football Chat (CFC) Prospect game … Made headlines in prospect game with eight tackles, including three for a loss.
Donnie Cullen
CB / 6'0" / 170
Palm Bay, Fla. / Bayside
Notes: Saw action at wide receiver for Bayside, hauling in a 76-yard touchdown pass against Southeast … One of 19 seniors from Brevard County in Florida to sign an NCAA Division I scholarship.
Marqwan Fluitt
DE / 6'1" / 225
Buffalo, N.Y. / South Park
Notes: Named to the 2019 All-Western New York First Team at defensive end … Also earned New York Class A First Team All-State accolades in 2019 … Also saw action at running back for South Park … As a junior in 2019 finished with 136 tackles, including 25 for losses, and 20 sacks.
Marsyas Fox
CB / 5'11" / 168
Loganville, Ga. / Grayson
Notes: Posted a pick six in second game of 2020 season for Grayson … Finished the season with 51 tackles and four interceptions.
Ryan Iiams
OL / 6'3" / 280
Springboro, Ohio / Springboro
Notes: Named to the 2020 Ohio Southwest District All-Star Second Team … Considered one of top performers at the 2020 Best of the Midwest Combine … Earned a spot on the 2019 Cox Media Group Ohio All-Area First Team.
Corbin LaFrance
QB / 6'0" / 185
Acworth, Ga. / Carlton Kell
Notes: Tossed five touchdown passes in a 43-13 win over South Cobb … Also accounted for five touchdowns in another game during his senior season, throwing four scores and running for another … Teammate of RMU recruit Jaylon Brown, who also played at Carlton Kell.
Shakespeare Louis
DB / 6'1" / 205
Ottawa, Ontario / Clearwater Academy (Fla.)
Notes: One of three student-athletes in latest RMU recruiting class that hail from Canada and played at Clearwater Academy in Florida … Spent two years at Clearwater Academy, registering 53 tackles in 2020 … Finished with four interceptions in 2020, including one he returned for a touchdown … Saw action at both cornerback and safety in the defensive backfield and also moonlighted at linebacker.
Tristan Marois
DE / 6'6" / 210
Saint-Bruno, Quebec / Clearwater Academy (Fla.)
Notes: One of three student-athletes in latest RMU recruiting class that hail from Canada and played at Clearwater Academy in Florida … Earned 2019 All-New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) honorable mention accolades for Williston Northampton.
Shamaur McDowell
DB / 5'11" / 185
Bradenton, Fla. / IMG Academy
Notes: Finished with 38 tackles and three interceptions at IMG Academy … Played for Wiregrass Ranch High School before transferring to IMG Academy … Named to the 2019 All-Tampa Bay Football Second Team at defensive back for Wiregrass Ranch.
Paul Newton
LB / 5'10" / 190
Imperial, Pa. / West Allegheny
Notes: Lone RMU recruit in early signing period that hails from the WPIAL … One of 12 NCAA FCS recruits from the WPIAL … Posted 43 tackles in 2020, including 11 for a loss.
Dante Thompson
OL / 6'1" / 280
Germantown, Md. / Quince Orchard
Notes: One of seven Cougars to sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI) with an NCAA Division I program during the early signed period for Quince Orchard … Three-year starter on the offensive line, blocking for two 1,000-yard rushers.
De'Mere White
RB / 5'7" / 175
Bloomfield, N.J. / DePaul Catholic
Notes: Earned all-division honors at return specialist in 2020 for the Super Football Conference (SFC) … Averaged 5.3 yards per carry in 2020, scoring one touchdown … Helped lead DePaul Catholic to a 49-22 win over Ocean City, as his one-yard touchdown plunged opened up a stretch of 28 consecutive points.
Led by Clark, RMU finished with an overall record of 7-5 (.583) in 2019, including a mark of 6-1 (.857) in the Northeast Conference (NEC). The Colonials won seven of their final nine games, which helped Clark earn
2019 NEC Co-Coach of the Year honors.
RMU announced its
2021 spring schedule in November, which begins Saturday, Feb. 27, with a non-conference road game at James Madison. The Colonials will also play four games in their first season as an
associate member in the Big South, which includes home tilts against Monmouth (3/13) and Gardner-Webb (4/10).
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