Recruit Biographies

NEWARK, Del. -- University of Delaware football head coach K.C. Keeler (at right) announced one of the largest recruiting class of his seven-year tenure with the Blue Hens Wednesday as a total of 20 high school standouts signed NCAA National Letters of Intent to attend UD on an athletic scholarship this fall.

In addition to the recruits, Keeler also announced that Pat Devlin, the top backup quarterback at Penn State the last two seasons and a former high school All-American out of Downingtown (Pa.) East High School, has transferred to Delaware and will begin classes next week. He will take part in spring drills and have two years of eligibility beginning this fall.

The list of 20 recruits includes four defensive linemen, four offensive linemen, three defensive backs, three linebackers, two running backs, two wide receivers, one quarterback, and one tight end.

The recruits hail from seven states, including five from Pennsylvania, four each from New Jersey and Florida, three from Maryland, two from Virginia, and one each from Delaware and New York. This year’s class matched the all-time high total of 20 signed by Keeler in 2006.

The class includes defensive linemen Thomas Huff of Olney, Md. (Sherwood HS), Bobby Kennedy of Newark, Del. (Caravel Academy), Lance Miller of Somers Point, N.J. (Mainland Regional HS), and Irvin Titre of Riviera Beach, Fla. (Dwyer HS); offensive linemen Nick Cattolico of Delran, N.J. (Delran HS)., Adam Citko of Southampton, Pa. (Archbishop Wood HS), Brandon Heath of West Chester, Pa. (Henderson HS), and Erle Ladson of Bronx, N.Y (Cardinal Hayes HS); defensive backs Tim Breaker (Glassboro HS) and Ricky Tunstall of Glassboro, N.J. (Glassboro HS), and Kasseim Everett of Philadelphia, Pa. (Roman Catholic HS); linebackers Michael Hirt of Pittsburgh, Pa. (North Hills HS), Cazavious Ray of Sarasota, Fla. (Booker HS), and Carl Smith of Richmond, Va. (Highland Springs HS); running backs Walter Davis of Virginia Beach, Va. (Ocean Lakes HS) and Leon Jackson of Jacksonville, Fla. (Edward White HS); wide receivers Mike Milburn of Bowie, Md. (DeMatha HS) and Rob Jones of Thonotosassa, Fla. (Armwood HS); quarterback Trevor Sasek of Limerick, Pa. (Spring-Ford HS); and tight end Cody Magill of Darnestown, Md. (Quince Orchard HS).

“This is an exciting day for us at Delaware as it is for everyone around the country,” said Keeler, who will enter his eighth season at the helm of the Blue Hens this fall. “This class is one our biggest but also one of our most efficient. We had 24 student-athletes visit campus and we ended up signing 20 of them. We had the chance to get a lot of players on campus and they liked what they saw. We got the players that we truly wanted and I give our coaching staff a lot of credit for managing such a large class, identifying the athletes we needed, and getting them signed. I think we’ve put together a great class, one that will help us not only this coming season but in the future.

“When we were looking at our offense, we really started with the offensive line and went from there,” continued Keeler. “We were fortunate to sign four outstanding offensive linemen and two or three of them could provide depth for us next season. We were also able to sign a quarterback with great potential in Trevor Sasek, two outstanding backs in Walter Davis and Leon Jackson, and two receivers. Defensively, I love what we did at defensive back where we got three outstanding, dynamic players who fill a lot of our needs. At linebacker, we signed three tough, athletic kids who will add depth to a position where we had a lot of injuries, and up front, we have several players who could add depth to that unit this fall.”

Devlin, an honor student as a finance major at Penn State, appeared in 10 games as a backup to starter Daryll Clark during the 2008 season, helping lead the Nittany Lions to a record of 11-2, a No. 3 national ranking, and a berth in the Rose Bowl. He left the team following the regular season and did not accompany the team to the Rose Bowl.

During the 2008 season, the 6-4, 220 lb. Downingtown, Pa. native completed 25 of 47 passes for 459 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions and also ran for two touchdowns on the season. He played a pivotal role in a mid-season 13-6 win over Ohio State when he took over for an injured Clark and led the Lions to two scores. As a redshirt freshman in 2007, he appeared in four games and attempted just one pass as Penn State went 9-4 and defeated Texas A&M. He sat out the 2006 campaign as true freshman.

While at Downingtown East High School, Devlin was named the 2005 Pennsylvania Class AAA Player of the Year and the Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year and earned a No. 4 ranking among prep quarterbacks nationally by Scout.com under head coach Michael Matta. He also was a named a Parade Magazine All-American and played in the prestigious Big 33 All-Star Game.

A three-year starter, he threw for 3,300 yards and 35 touchdowns as a senior in 2005 when he led his team to the state playoffs and for 2,100 yards and 21 touchdown as a junior in 2004. He finished his career as the state’s all-time leading passer with 8,162 yards.

“Pat is probably the most proven quarterback we’ve brought into our program,” said Keeler, who has used primarily transfers at the position during his tenure at Delaware, including current NFL starter Joe Flacco with the Baltimore Ravens and former Philadelphia Eagles draft pick Andy Hall. “He has such great pedigree, coming from an outstanding high school program and playing in key situations in the Big 10 while at Penn State. I know our receivers are walking around with big smiles on their faces. With Pat we are getting a leader, a guy who wants to be challenged, and someone who was almost born to do this. If you spend time with him, you see his drive.

"I’m confident he will do a great job for us at Delaware," continued Keeler. "We’ve challenged him to be a leader and he is very excited. We are fortunate to have him. Some people told me that last year they thought we were poor quarterback play away from being a playoff team. We certainly had some shortcomings there last year and we are looking for big improvements. Pat is such a huge plus for us and I’m glad we didn’t let him get away. I think he and his family were attracted to Delaware by our great tradition, fan support, and our business school. Pat is a high academic kid and I think he was impressed by what he saw here.”

Delaware, the 2003 NCAA I-AA national champions and 2007 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision national runners-up, will be trying to bounce back from a disappointing 4-8 record a year ago when the Hens lost eight games for the first time in school history and suffered only their fourth sub .500 season since 1984. A total of 25 players with starting experience will return, including 14 from a defense that ranked among the better units in the Colonial Athletic Association.

Delaware will open spring practice March 20 with the annual Blue-White Spring Game set for Apr. 24 at 6 p.m. at Delaware Stadium. The Hens will open the 2009 season Sept. 5 at home vs. West Chester and will open CAA play the following week at home vs. defending NCAA Division I FCS national champion Richmond at Delaware Stadium.

Below are biographies of the 20 incoming recruits:

TIM BREAKER - DB - 6-0 - 185 - Glassboro, N.J. (Glassboro HS)
Two-year standout in football at Glassboro High School for head coach Herb Neilio...played cornerback and quarterback...played his sophomore season at Schalick High School...led Glassboro to a two-year record of 24-0 and consecutive state titles in 2007 and 2008...teams won three straight conference titles...as a senior, was named All-State all-county, All-Group I, and All-South Jersey at defensive back and first team all-conference at defensive back and quarterback....three-time all-county and all-conference pick and two-time All-Group I pick...passed for 1,257 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior...also had six rushing touchdowns and one punt return touchdown...on defense, had 65 tackles, three interceptions and four forced fumbles, one of which he recovered and returned for another score...as a junior, made 56 tackles and intercepted five passes and also had nine touchdowns on offense...had 181 tackles and 11 interceptions in career...teammate of fellow UD recruit Ricky Tunstall...four-year standout in basketball and a 1,000-career point scorer...all-county, all-conference, and All-Group I selection in basketball.

NICK CATTOLICO - OL - 6-4 - 300 - Delran, N.J. (Delran HS)
Standout two-way lineman at Delran High School for head coach Pete Miles...one of the top offensive guards in South Jersey...led team to three straight state playoff appearances...led team to an 8-3 record and a playoff berth as a senior in 2008...set school record for consecutive starts for Delran with 35 and also holds several school weight lifting records...earned first team All-State, first team All-Burlington County, first team All-South Jersey, and first team all-league honors as a senior in 2008...also earned first team All-State honors by the Newark Star-Ledger as a senior...letterwinner in basketball...last name pronounced “catta-lee-co”.

ADAM CITKO - OL - 6-5 - 320 - Southampton, Pa. (Archbishop Wood HS)
Played offensive tackle for head coach Steve Devlin at Archbishop Wood High School...team went 12-3 this past fall, captured the Philadelphia Catholic League title, the District 12 title, and won the state AAA Eastern state championship...first team All-Catholic, all-area, all-city, and All-State as a senior...selected to play in Pennsylvania East-West All-Start Game...two-year captain...two-time All-Area and three-time All-Catholic League pick....2008 Offensive Lineman of the Year...also played basketball as a sophomore.

WALTER DAVIS - RB - 5-8 - 175 - Virginia Beach, Va. (Ocean Lakes HS)
Speedy running back and kick returner who starred at Ocean Lakes High School for head coach Chris Scott...led team to 12-1 record and Beach District title as a senior in 2008....team was runner-up for regional title...was among the top rushers in South Hampton Roads area as a senior in 2008 with over 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns...returned a kick 98 yards for a touchdown...earned first team All-Beach District honors as a senior...team offensive Most Valuable Player as a senior...has run a 4.38 40-yard dash...standout sprinter in track and field...led team to Beach District title and was an All-State pick as part of the 4 x 100 meter and 4 x 400 meter relay teams...has long jumped 22-feet...plans to major in African-American history or sociology.

KASSEIM EVERETT - DB/RB - 5-11 - 175 - Philadelphia, Pa. (Roman Catholic HS)
Standout two-way back at Roman Catholic High School for coach Joe McCourt...earned second team All-Southeastern Pennsylvania honors as a defensive back by the Philadelphia Inquirer...first team All-Catholic League selection...earned Maxwell Club Player of the Week honors and was named to the Maxwell Club Top 50...rushed for over 2,000 yards and scored 19 touchdowns on offense and posted 45 tackles along with two interceptions as a defensive back as a senior in 2008....Most Valuable Player of track and field team in 2008...plans to major psychology at Delaware...could play either running back or cornerback for Blue Hens.

BRANDON HEATH - OL - 6-6 - 305 - West Chester, Pa. (Henderson HS)
Offensive tackle for head coach Joe Walsh at Henderson High School...led 2007 team to a 12-2 record, a second place district finish, and the Ches-Mont League title...team amassed over 3,500 yards for the season...three-year letterwinner who started 36 career games...selected No. 1 offensive lineman in southeastern Pennsylvania by the Philadelphia Inquirer in 2008...two-time All-Southeastern Pennsylvania, two-time All-Area, and two-time All-Ches-Mont League pick...selected to play in Big 33 state all-star game...plans to major in history at Delaware.

MICHAEL HIRT - LB - 6-1 - 215 - Pittsburgh, Pa. (North Hills HS)
Standout linebacker and full back at North Hills High School for head coach Jack McCurry...led team to 9-2 record and Northern Six Conference title as a senior in 2008...collected 320 career tackles, the fourth highest mark in school history and had 126 as a senior when he also posted three sacks and an interception...led North Hills in tackles each of his final three seasons...had 22 in his final high school game...three-year starter and two-year captain...three-time first team all-conference selection...two-time Fabulous 22 North pick...team Most Valuable Player as a senior and team’s Most Valuable Linebacker three times...plans to major in business and economics at Delaware.

THOMAS HUFF - DL - 6-3 - 245 - Olney, Md. (Sherwood HS)
Played defensive end, linebacker, tight end, and offensive line at Sherwood High School for head coach Al Thomas...2008 team went undefeated and captured the state AAAA title...as a senior posted 129 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 20.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and blocked a punt...earned second team All-State, second team All-Metro, first team all-county, and first team all-league as a senior...also plays basketball and competes in track and field...plans to major in education at Delaware.

LEON JACKSON - RB - 6-1 - 185 - Jacksonville, Fla. (Edward H. White HS)
Played running back for head coach Terry Gilliam at Edward H. White High School...team Most Valuable Player as a junior and senior...ran for 1,350 yards and 13 touchdowns this past season, including a 267-yard effort and two touchdowns and a 77-yard kickoff return in one game...named to the Florida Times-Union Super 24 team as one of the top players in northern Florida and south Georgia.

ROB JONES - WR - 5-10 - 170 - Thonotosassa, Fla. (Armwood HS)
Played wide receiver, quarterback, and also returned kicks and punts at Armwood High School for head coach Sean Callahan....played for a team that had several NCAA Division I FBS signings and was ranked among the nation’s top teams during the season...team went 12-1 and advanced to the third round of the state playoffs...dynamic player with great speed who could be an outstanding kick returner at Delaware...led team in receiving as both a junior and senior...earned first team All-Western Conference honors as a senior as both a receiver and kick returner.

BOBBY KENNEDY - DL - 6-4 - 285 - Newark, Del. (Caravel Academy)
Outstanding two-way tackle at Caravel Academy for head coach Mike Aruanno...led team to four-year record of 42-8 which included a state title in 2005, runner-up finishes in 2006 and 2007, and a quarterfinal appearance in 2008...posted 168 career tackles, including 18 for loss and four sacks....had 81 tackles, including six for loss, as a senior in 2008...earned second team All-State honors in 2008...standout in track and field...earned first team All-State honors in indoor shot put and in outdoor shot put and discus during 2007-08 season...four-time high school USATF All-American and eight in nation in indoor weight throw...son of former Delaware standout kicker and Keeler teammate Brandt Kennedy...sister, Brianna, will attend LSU on a track scholarship as a weight thrower...plans to major in business at Delaware.

ERLE LADSON - OL - 6-6 - 275 - Bronx, N.Y. (Cardinal Hayes HS)
Outstanding two-way lineman at Cardinal Hayes High School for head coach C.J. O’Neil...team was “A” Division finalists in 2008...team won annual Turkey Bowl championship for the first time in 28 years...served as team captain as a senior...earned All-Borough, all-city, and all-league honors as a senior....also serves as captain of the basketball team...plans to major in computer engineering at Delaware.

CODY MAGILL - TE - 6-4 - 250 - Darnestown, Md. (Quince Orchard HS)
Played tight end for head coach Dave Mencarini at Quince Orchard High School...led team to a two-year record of 26-2, including a perfect 14-0 mark in 2007 when he led the team to the state title as a junior...caught 11 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown in 2008...earned All-State, All-Metro, and all-league honors as a senior...two-time All-Gazette all-county selection...also plays lacrosse...plans to study law, sport management, and communications at Delaware.

MIKE MILBURN - WR - 6-4 - 200 - Bowie, Md. (DeMatha HS)
Played wide receiver for head coach Bill McGregor at DeMatha Catholic High School...led team to a three-year record of 32-4, including three straight WCAC conference titles...team was ranked No. 10 in the country and No. 1 in the Maryland-DC area by USA Today in 2006...team was ranked No. 2 in area in 2007 and No. 3 in 2008 by the Washington Post...caught 25 passes for 400 yards and three touchdowns as a senior in 2008...earned third team All-WCAC honors as a senior...was team’s Unsung Hero Award winner...also a standout in basketball...National Honor Society student and senior class president...plans to major in business at Delaware.

LANCE MILLER - DL - 5-10 - 315 - Somers Point, N.J. (Mainland Regional HS)
Played defensive tackle at Mainland Regional High School...led team to a 12-0 record and the South Jersey (Group 4) state title as a senior...three-year starter who finished with 196 tackles, 13.5 sacks, and one interception during his standout career...earned first team All-State honors as a senior when he also was named first team All-South Jersey and first team All-Group 4....also a four-year letterwinner in track and field as a shot putter.

CAZAVIOUS RAY - LB - 6-1 - 210 - Sarasota, Fla. (Booker HS)
Standout linebacker at Booker High School for head coach Fred Gilmore....led teams to a three-year record of 28-10, including a 13-2 mark in 2006 and an 11-2 record inn 2007...team was state AAA state runner-up in 2006 and was district champion and regional finalist in 2007...as a senior recorded 124 tackles, eight sacks, nine tackles for loss, three interceptions, and three fumble recoveries...first team All-State AAA selection as a senior...was named team defensive Most Valuable Player as a senior...first team all-area pick by the Sarasota Herald Tribune in 2008....plans to major in engineering...first name pronounced “kuh-say-vee-us”.

TREVOR SASEK - QB - 6-6 - 205 - Limerick, Pa. (Spring-Ford HS)
Three-year starter at quarterback and punter for head coach Gary Rhodenbaugh at Spring-Ford High School...team went 13-23 during his career...first team all-conference punter and second team quarterback as a senior...honorable mention all-league quarterback as a junior...threw for 4,717 yards and 39 touchdowns for his career...threw for 1,692 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior, 1,692 yards and 18 touchdowns with just four interceptions as a junior, and for 1,333 yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore...also played pitcher, outfield, and first base in baseball....baseball team finished second at the state championships in 2008...plans to major in psychology at Delaware...last name pronounced “say-sick”.

CARL SMITH - LB - 6-1 - 205 - Richmond, Va. (Highland Springs HS)
Played linebacker and tight end at Highland Springs High School for head coach Loren Johnson...led team to a three-year record of 24-7, including a 10-1 mark and a district title as a junior in 2007...team also advanced to the playoffs in 2006...posted 200 tackles, 10 sacks, six forced fumbles, and two interceptions for his career...had 65 tackles and five sacks as a junior...two-time all-district selection at linebacker in 2007 and 2008...named to all-academic team...also competes as a sprinter in track and field...plans to major in business or communications.

IRVIN TITRE - DL - 6-0 - 300 - Riviera Beach, Fla. (Dwyer HS)
Standout defensive tackle at William T. Dwyer High School...led team to a 12-2 record in 2008 when the squad was a semifinalist in the state AAAA playoffs...posted 61 solo tackles along with eight sacks and four forced fumbles...earned first team All-State AAAA honors and was a first team all-county selection...earned team’s defensive Most Valuable Player Award...also a standout in track and field...plans to major in business or criminal justice at Delaware...last name pronounced “tee-tree”.

RICKY TUNSTALL - DB - 5-11 - 190 - Glassboro, N.J. (Glassboro HS)
Played wide receiver, defensive back, punt returner, kicker, and punter at Glassboro High School for head coach Herb Neilio...led Glassboro to a two-year record of 24-0 and consecutive state titles in 2007 and 2008...teams won three straight conference titles...teammate of fellow UD recruit Tim Breaker...caught 38 passes for 601 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior...also had 54 tackles, five interceptions, and three punt returns for a touchdown...for his career, caught 72 passes for 1,168 yards and 18 touchdowns and had 83 tackles and 15 interceptions...earned All-South Jersey and All-Group honors as a wide receiver and defensive back in 2008...named Wide Receiver of the Year as a junior and senior.

2009 University of Delaware Football Recruiting/Transfer Class

*=Transfer from Penn State (will have junior eligibility beginning with 2009 season)