Recruit Release in PDF format
ITHACA, N.Y. – Head coach Jim Knowles '87 and his coaching staff have assembled a 31-person recruiting class for the upcoming 2009 season that will join the Cornell football program to continue both their academic and football careers at Cornell University, it was announced today. The group will help the Big Red as it prepares to claim its first Ivy League title on the gridiron since 1990.
"Fifteen players in this year's class went Early Decision, which is a record for our program and a definite advantage," Knowles said. "We focused on increasing our size and depth in the offensive line, tight end, defensive line and linebacker positions with this class and as a coaching staff, we believe that our past two recruiting classes have been our best."
The Class of 2013 hails from 14 states and the District of Columbia, and features nine all-state selections. A class-high four recruits will attend Cornell from California and Ohio, while three hail from Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and the home state of New York. Texas, Connecticut, Illinois and Tennessee each will provide two student-athletes, while five other states will send one player each to Cornell. In all, 13 of the players will join the defense and 18 will aid the offense.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Big Red brings in two defensive backs, three safeties and four linebackers. Cornell will also add four defensive linemen averaging a sizable 6-3 and 245 pounds. Cornell went for plenty of skill players on the offense, bringing in five wide receivers, two running backs and three quarterbacks along with four tight ends. The offensive line will also be bolstered with the addition of four players who average 6-4 and 278 pounds.
This is the fifth recruiting class for Knowles, who brought in 40 players prior to the 2005 campaign, 24 in 2006 and 30 in both 2007 and 2008.
The 2009 Big Red returns 26 letter winners and 11 total starters (five offense, three defense, three special teams) from last year's 4-6 squad. Included are returning All-Ivy selections Bryan Walters (wide receiver) and Quentin Bernhard (left tackle) on the offensive side of the ball, as well as preseason All-America linebacker Chris Costello.
Cornell will put the Class of 2013 to the test when Fall practice begins in mid-August. The Big Red opens the 2009 season on Saturday, Sept. 19 against Bucknell at Schoellkopf Field.
CLASS OF 2013 BIG RED PLAYER ROSTER
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/Last School
Albitar, Adam DB 6-1 195 Cota De Caza, Calif./Tesoro HS
Allyn, Jake TE 6-3 220 Dallas, Texas/Jesuit College Prep
Amrhein, Chris QB 6-3 200 Hingham, Mass./Milton Academy
Balman, Sydney S 6-2 195 Washington, D.C./Woodrow Wilson HS
Begley, John OL 6-4 300 Shelton, Conn./Shelton HS
Boyle, John LB 6-2 225 New Hartford, N.Y./New Hartford HS
Brown, Andrew S 6-1 187 Cincinnati, Ohio/Saint Xavier HS
Bullington, Bob OL 6-3 260 Chicago, Ill./Marist HS
Crim, Caleb LB 6-0 225 Fruitland, Idaho/Fruitland HS
Crowder, Matt TE 6-4 225 Piney Flats, Tenn./Sullivan Central HS
Cunningham, Dylan TE 6-4 245 Memphis, Tenn./Memphis University School
Dichiara, Mike QB 6-3 210 Saugus, Mass./Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Drumheller, Matt WR 6-3 190 Hazleton, Pa./Hazleton HS
Edelson, Ian OL 6-3 285 Basking Ridge, N.J./Delbarton HS
Hawley, Houston QB 6-4 205 Apex, N.C./Apex HS
Hernandez, Michael S 6-0 185 Castiac, Calif./Valencia HS
Lycette, Nick OL 6-4 265 San Carlos, Calif./Menlo School
Martinez, Max WR 5-10 190 Miami, Fla./Belen Jesuit HS
McHugh, Thomas DL 6-3 220 Marshfield, Mass./Marshfield HS
Mlady, Nick RB 6-1 210 Naperville, Ill./Naperville North HS
Moody, Ben RB 6-4 190 Cortland, Ohio/Lakeview HS
Moulton, DeMarr CB 5-11 175 Bridgeport, Ohio/The Linsly School
Ondash, Kurt WR 6-0 180 New Canaan, Conn./New Canaan HS
Roberts, Cody LB 6-2 215 Westfield Center, Ohio/Cloverleaf HS
Silverman, Richie LB 6-1 225 Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel HS
Stewart, Hugh DL 6-5 245 Sugarland, Texas/Strake Jesuit HS
Tasker, Luke WR 5-11 175 East Aurora, N.Y./St. Francis HS
Tenney, Graham WR 6-0 170 San Clemente, Calif./San Clemente HS
Terrell, Emmitt DL 6-2 238 Port Matilda, Pa./State College Area HS
Tretter, Joseph TE 6-4 245 Akron, N.Y./Akron Central HS
Watkins, Ian DL 6-2 280 Arena, Wis./Edgewood HS
CLASS OF 2013 BIG RED PLAYER BIOGRAPHIES
DB Adam Albitar – 6-1/195 — Cota De Caza, Calif. (Tesoro HS)
Albitar was named team most valuable player as a senior at Tesoro HS. He also earned the award for most valuable offensive back while serving as team captain. He was listed as a two-star prospect by Sout.com recruiting service.
TE Jake Allyn – 6-3/220 — Dallas, Texas (Jesuit College Preparatory School)
A two-time letter-winner at tight end and team captain while at Jesuit College Prep, Allyn was named first-team all-district as a senior by Texas Prep Insider and first-team All-Greater Dallas by Vype Magazine. Allyn was also a two-time conference player of the week as a senior and was named as a "player to watch" by 5A Texas Football.com. His junior season, Allyn was named to the District 7-5A second team. He was also a letter winner as a member of the basketball team.
QB Chris Amrhein – 6-3/200 — Hingham, Mass. (Milton Academy)
A two-year starter and three-time letter winner at Milton Academy, Amrhein was named to the All-Independent School League team in both his junior and senior seasons. During his senior season, he helped lead Milton to the New England Prep School Athletic Council Samson Lorden Bowl title and was named an All-New England Prep all-star. Amrhein will also play baseball at Cornell. At Milton, he earned three varsity letters as a member of the baseball team and was an All-Independent School League selection.
S Sidney Balman – 6-2/195 — Washington, D.C. (Woodrow Wilson HS)
A four year letter-winner and three year starter at Woodrow Wilson HS, Ballman was named all-conference in both his junior and senior seasons. As a senior captain, Ballman recorded 109 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions on defense, while also pulling in 16 receptions for 317 yards and a touchdown as a tight end. For his efforts, he was named all-city first team and all-Metro D.C. honorable mention. Balman also was a four-time letter-winner as a member of the baseball team.
OL John Begley – 6-4/300 — Shelton, Conn. (Shelton HS)
An all-state and all-league selection as a senior at Shelton HS, Begley was a three-year letter winner on the offensive line. He was part of two conference championship teams and helped lead his team to a state runner-up finish in 2007. The team captain of both his football and track and field teams, Begley saw action on both the offensive and defensive lines.
LB John Boyle – 6-2/225 — New Hartford, N.Y. (New Hartford HS)
A three year letter-winner at New Hartford HS, Boyle captained the squad to a section championship while earning first-team all-league honors his senior season. He was named the 2008 New York State High School Football Coaches Class A Scholar-Athlete of the Year and the National Football Hall of Fame-Central New York Chapter 2008 Top Scholar-Athlete. During his senior year, Boyle played both ways, hauling in 33 receptions for 493 yards and nine touchdowns, while also recording 75 tackles and six sacks. Boyle earned all-league honorable mention as a sophomore and a junior. In addition, he was also a two-time letter winner as a member of the basketball team and received one letter for track.
S Andrew Brown – 6-1/187— Cincinatti, Ohio. (St. Xavier HS)
A member of the 2007 Division I state championship team at St. Xavier HS, Brown was a two-time letter winner at strong safety. He was named to the 2009 Cincinnati West All-Star team as a senior when he recorded 47 tackles, 12 pass breakups and an interception. Brown was also a member of the 2008 Ohio Division I City Championship lacrosse team.
OL Robert Bullington – 6-3/260 — Chicago, Ill. (Marist HS)
A three-year varsity starter and letter-winner at tackle and guard for Marist HS, Bullington was named all-area and all-conference his senior year. He also served as a team captain his senior year, and helped Marist reach the quarterfinals of the Class 8A state playoffs. For his performance on and off the field, Bullington was named to the All-State Academic Team his senior year by the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association. He also was a three-time letter-winner as a member of the varsity wrestling squad.
LB Caleb Crim – 6-0/225 — Fruitland, Idaho (Fruitland HS)
The Idaho Statesman Player of the Year and the state's Wendy's High School Heisman honoree as a senior at Fruitland HS, Crim was a two-time first-team all-state selection at running back/linebacker. The conference player of the year as a senior, he was also a first-team all-conference pick as a junior. As a senior, Crim posted 52 unassisted tackles, six sacks and 22 quarterback hurries on defense, and ran for 1,213 yards on 111 carries (10.9 yards per carry). Crim posted 860 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns at running back as a junior, including scoring seven touchdowns in a state semifinal game and averaging 10.7 yards per carry for the season. Defensively, he had 60 tackles, 21 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, five fumble recoveries, two interceptions and three defensive scores in 2007. He was also a member of the 2006 state championship team and two state runner-up squads as part of a career that saw him start all four seasons. He also is a four-year starter in baseball and lettered once in wrestling.
TE Matt Crowder – 6-4/225 — Piney Flats, Tenn. (Sullivan Central HS)
A first-team All-East Tennesse selection as a senior at Sullivan Central HS, Crowder was a two-time all-league selection, including earning first-team honors as a senior. He was named one of the five best tight ends in the state by Tennessee Football, and was ranked among the top 40 recruits in Tennessee by the PrepTennessee.com, Scout.com and Coach Scout recruiting services. Crowder hauled in 10 passes for 127 yards as a senior. The team's most valuable offensive and defensive lineman, he was selected to the All-Northeast Tennessee team at tight end by TriCitiesSports.com. A team captain in his final season, he was a three-year varsity starter at tight end and linebacker, while also seeing time at wide receiver and defensive end throughout his career. Crowder also lettered in basketball. His older brother, Michael, plays on the offensive line at Princeton, while his father, Mike, played football at Ottawa University.
TE Dylan Cunningham – 6-4/245 — Memphis, Tenn. (Memphis University School)
Cunningham was a two year starter at Memphis University School and was named first-team all-region his senior year. He helped lead the team to a perfect 13-0 record, a Tennessee Division II Class AA state championship,and a No. 25 national ranking by MaxPreps.com. He was a two-time Mercury Player of the Week and was also invited to participate in the Memphis City All-Star Game. Cunningham earned three letters as a member of the basketball team, which won a Tennessee state title in 2007, and two letters as a member of the trap shooting team.
QB Michael DiChiara – 6-3/210 — Saugus, Mass. (Buckingham, Browne & Nichols)
A team captain as a senior, DiChiara helped lead Buckingham, Browne & Nichols to the Independent School League and New England Preparatory School Athletic Council titles. DiChiara was named ISL MVP in 2008 and also received the New England Class B Player of the Year Award, when he lead the eastern Massachusetts region with 28 touchdown passes. He made both the All-ISL and All-New England Prep School teams in his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. DiChiara was also a five-time letter winner in both baseball and basketball. As a senior, he was named to the All-ISL honorable mention team as a forward and was a team captain.
WR Matt Drumheller – 6-3/190 — Hazleton, Pa. (Hazleton HS)
Drumheller, a four-time letter-winner and captain his senior year, was a member of three district championship teams while at Hazleton HS. He was named first-team all-area in 2007 and 2008, and was also named to the Reading Eagle All-Anthracite team in both his junior season, as a tight end, and his senior season, as a quarterback. As a tight end, Drumheller caught 14 passes for 220 yards and five touchdowns, and after converting to quarterback, threw for 1,007 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also earned two letters as a member of the school's baseball team.
OL Ian Edelson – 6-3/285 — Basking Ridge, N.J. (Delbarton HS)
A first-team all-league selection as a senior at Delbarton HS, he was invited to play in the New Jersey North-South All-Star Football Classic. He was an honorable mention all-league pick as a junior by the Daily Record.
QB Houston Hawley – 6-4/205 — Apex, N.C. (Apex HS)
As a three year starter and letter-winner, Hawley passed for over 5,000 yards in his career and led Apex HS to the 4AA state playoffs each year, including a third-round appearance his senior season, a first in school history. He was named the Apex's Offensive Player of the Year and was a member of the all-conference team his senior season after passing for 2,562 yards and scoring 20 total touchdowns. Hawley was a three-time academic all-conference selection. He also excelled at baseball, earning two all-conference and all-county selections as a pitcher and first baseman while helping lead his team to three straight state tournaments, and played one year of varsity basketball.
S Michael Hernandez – 6-0/185 — Castiac, Ca. (Valencia HS)
Hernandez posted 47 tackles, three sacks and an interception as a senior at Valencia HS, helping lead his team to a 10-3 record. Offensively, he caught 17 passes for 260 yards and three scores as a senior. Hernandez played wide receiver, defensive back and linebacker during his four year prep career and also lettered twice as the team's point guard on the basketball team.
OL Nick Lycette – 6-4/265 — San Carlos, Calif. (Menlo School)
As a senior captain, Lycette was named ESPN second-team all-state and first-team all-area and all-league, helping Menlo School reach the Central Coast Section playoffs for the second time in three years. Lycette was also named second-team all-county and second-team all-league as a junior. He also earned a letter as a member of Menlo's lacrosse team.
WR Max Martinez – 5-10/190 — Miami, Fla. (Belen Jesuit HS)
Martinez was a three-year letter winner at Belen Jesuit HS as a running back/wide receiver, earning All-Dade County football honors. As a senior, Martinez rushed for 500 yards and a pair of touchdowns, averaging 10.0 yards per carry, while hauling in 10 passes for 150 yards and two more scores. He was invited to participate in the North vs. South Senior All-Star game. Martinez served as team captain of the football and track and field squads, and earned the top rating of any athlete at the 2008 NIKE SPARQ training camp in Miami.
DL Thomas McHugh – 6-3/220 — Marshfield, Mass. (Marshfield HS)
McHugh, a three-year letter-winner and captain his senior year, appeared in three straight Eastern Massachussetts Super Bowls at Marshfield HS. His senior season, he was named an Eastern Massachusetts All-Star, and also the Marshfield Defensive MVP. McHugh was also selected to the Patriot Ledger and the Boston Herald All-Scholastic teams during his senior year. In addition, he was a letter-winner as a member of both the Marshfield basketball and rugby teams.
RB Nick Mlady – 6-1/210 — Naperville, Ill. (Naperville North HS)
As a senior and team captain at Naperville North HS, Mlady was named to the Illinois all-state team as a running back and awarded the Walter Payton Roundhouse Player of the Year. He leaves Naperville North as the school's all-time leading rusher, with 2,569 yards, breaking the mark previously held by Chris Brown, currently a running back with the Houston Texans. He was also honored as the Naperville Sun Player of the Year and named to the all-conference and all-area teams as well as the academic all-state team. In his junior season, Mlady helped lead his squad to an Illinois Class 8A state title, rushing for 1,295 yards and 10 touchdowns on 149 carries. He also earned three letters as a member of the track team, and qualified for the state championships in both his junior and senior seasons.
RB Ben Moody – 6-4/190 — Cortland, Ohio (Lakeview HS)
Moody was named Associated Press honorable mention Division III All-Ohio as a senior at Lakeview HS, a season in which he he ran for 1,228 yards and 17 touchdowns and had 276 yards and four touchdowns receiving. He rushed for over 100 yards four different times, highlighted by a career-best 341 yards, five touchdown performance. Moody was also a four-time letter-winner as a member of the school's track and field team.
CB DeMarr Moulton – 5-11/175 — Bridgeport, Ohio (The Linsly School)
Moulton closed his career with 86 tackles and nine interceptions on the defensive side of the ball, while also playing wide receiver. at the Linsly School Moulton also returned kicks during his career. He was named honorable mention all-state as a junior.
WR Kurt Ondash – 6-0/180 — New Canaan, Conn. (New Canaan HS)
Ondash was a first-team all-state performer in 2008 when he recorded 59 catches for 1,201 yards and 15 touchdowns and led New Canaan HS to an undefeated season and its third straight state championship. Ondash was named MVP of the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference championship game and was named first-team All-FCIAC during his senior season. He was also named the Connecticut Post's 2008 Most Valuable Player, and ended his career at New Canaan as the school's all-time leading point scorer. As a junior, Ondash had 45 catches for 828 yards and eight touchdowns. He also lettered twice each in track and basketball.
LB Cody Roberts – 6-2/215 — Westfield Center, Ohio (Cloverleaf HS)
Roberts starred on offense as a quarterback and running back, on defense as a safety, and on special teams as a punter and punt returner for Cloverfield HS. A four-time letter winner, he was named all-state honorable mention his junior and senior seasons. As a senior, Roberts lead his squad to its first ever state playoff appearance. In his last two seasons, he was named first-team all-district and all-league and served as the team captain. In 2008, he was awarded the Medina County Gazette Defensive Player of the Year award and asked to participate in the 2009 North-South Game. Roberts also received four letters each in basketball as a power forward, and in track as a long jumper and sprinter.
LB Richie Silverman – 6-1/225 — Pittsburgh, Pa. (Fox Chapel HS)
A four-year starter at linebacker at Fox Chapel HS, Silverman earned all-conference honors as a junior before missing a majority of his senior year with an injury. He led the team in tackles, sacks and tackles for loss as a junior. Silverman was named team captain entering his senior year, He also was a sprinter on the track and field team.
DL Hugh Stewart – 6-5/245 — Sugarland, Texas (Strake Jesuit HS)
Stewart was an all-league and all-district selection on the defensive line and as a kicker at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory HS, helping the squad to district titles in both 2006 and 2008. An academic all-state pick as a senior, he was named the top kicker in the Houston region at the Ray Guy kicking camp. Stewart is also a three-year starter on the basketball team.
WR Luke Tasker – 5-11/175 — East Aurora, N.Y. (St. Francis HS)
Tasker was named first-team all-state as a senior at St. Francis HS at defensive back, culminating in a career that saw him earn a pair of first-team All-Western New York nods. He was selected as team captain as both a junior and senior, earning the Ron Pitts outstanding defensive back award both seasons. A three-time all-league pick who also played at quarterback, Tasker ended his career with 45 catches for 890 yards and nine touchdowns as a receiver, while passing for eight scores and rushing for two more. On defense, he posted 204 career tackles and a pair of interceptions, while also finding the end zone five times on special teams (four punt returns, one kickoff return). Tasker had 106 tackles and an interception return for a touchdown in 2008, while leading the offense in all-purpose yardage and scoring eight total touchdowns. Tasker was named academic player of the year in his league during his senior season and was a member of the Western New York all-academic team. As a junior, he had five touchdown receptions as a receiver, ran for another and returned three punts for scores en route to fourth-team all-state accolades. His father, Steve, was a seven-time Pro Bowl player for the Buffalo Bills, playing 13 years in the National Football League. He is now a color analyst for CBS Sports coverage of the NFL.
WR Graham Tenney – 6-0/170 — San Clemente, Calif. (San Clemente HS)
A first-team all-league selection as a senior at San Clemente HS, Tenney hauled in 78 passes for 1,043 yards and nine touchdowns in 2008, registering five 100-yard games in the process.. Tenney was named the OCVarsity.com student-athlete of the week as a senior. Received the Orange County National Football Foundation scholarship and was invited to compete in the Orange County All-Star Game. As a junior, he led his team in catches (34), receiving touchdowns (seven) and was second in receiving yardage (386). Tenney also competed in track and field and basketball.
DL Emmitt Terrell – 6-2/238 — Port Matilda, Pa. (State College Area HS)
A three-time letter-winner as a defensive end and offensive guard at State College Area HS, Terrell served as team captain his senior year and helped steer his squad to the 2008 Mid Penn Conference and District VI titles. He was named to the All-Mid Penn Second team as a senior and to the 2009 East-West All-Star Team. Terrell is listed as a two-star recruit by Scout.com recruiting service. He also lettered four times as a member of the school's track and field team and holds the school record in the 4x100 meter relay.
TE Joseph Tretter – 6-4/245 — Akron, N.Y. (Akron Central HS)
Tretter, a three-year starter on both offense and defense, was named to the Class C all-state second-team as a senior at Akron HS. A varsity captain in both his junior and senior seasons, Tretter was named the team's MVP for both seasons, and the team's Most Improved Player as a sophomore. He was also honored as the Western New York Class C Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and was All-Western New York honorable mention. Tretter made the first-team all-league squad in all three of his varsity seasons. He was also a standout on the hardwood, graduating as Akron Central's all-time leading scorer and rebounder. A four year starter and three-time all-league first-team selection, Tretter was named to the All-Western New York third team as a senior and nominated for the Western New York Player of the Year award.
DL Ian Watkins – 6-2/280 — Arena, Wis. (Edgewood HS)
Watkins was named first-team all-city on the defensive lin eas a senior at Edgewood HS. He was a second-team all-league and all-area pick as a junior.
