Lets look at the newest Blue Hens that committed to Delaware on Early Signing Day.
Positions signed:
Linebackers: 7
offensive lineman: 2
cornerbacks: 2
defensive lineman: 1
wide receiver: 1
quarterback: 1
Amonte Strothers ( Cornerback , Homestead, Pa.)
Strothers comes from Steel Valley High School where he played basketball and football. The newest Blue Hen did not even take up football till his junior season at Steel Valley.
The 6 foot 3 inch, 170 pound cornerback earned all-conference honors in his junior season as defensive starter on a Steel Valley team that mercy ruled every opponent on its way to a state title.
In his three seasons at Steel Valley, the team had a 36-3 record.
Strothers helped led Steel Valley to a 15-0 record and won the Pennsylvania state AA title in 2016.
In his senior season, Strothers helped led Steel Valley to a 11-1 record and advance to the state quarterfinals in 2017.
The Steel Valley athlete also played as a wide receiver which his stats were 21 receptions for 638 yards and 13 total touchdowns for the 2017 season. Strothers was the WPIAL Class 2A runner-up but also earned first-team all-conference for both offense and defense.
Also Strothers has earned earned second team All-State honors by Pennsylvania Football News in 2016 and elected to the Pittsburgh Tribune WPIAL All-Star team as a senior.
Before he committed to Delaware, Strothers had offers from Purdue, Syracuse, Kent State, Toledo and Miami (Ohio).
https://desportsblitz.tumblr.com/post/168757281911/meet-the-newest-delaware-football-blue-hens
Kedrick Whitehead (Outside Linebacker/Defensive Back , Middletown, DE)
Whitehead comes from Middletown High School where he played running back and the linebacker positions.
The 5 foot 11 inch, 185 pound cornerback and linebacker also played baseball at Middletown.
As a running back, Whitehead stats were 1314 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns in the 2016 season.
As a linebacker, Whitehead stats were 71 tackles, 9 sacks and 2 interceptions in the 2016 season.
Helped lead Middletown to a 41-8 record and four state tournaments and three championship appearances.
In 2017, Whitehead with his versatility helped Middletown HS go to the state title in Delaware.
At Middletown HS, Whitehead had many awards including being named team captain (2016 & 2017), Watch list for DREAM Scouting Network Offensive & Defensive MVP, 1st Team All Conference Running Back & Linebacker (2016), 2nd Team All State Running back (2016), First team All-State selection at linebacker ( 2017) and 3rd Team All State Linebacker.
Before committing to Delaware, Whitehead had offers from Howard and Delaware State University.
https://desportsblitz.tumblr.com/post/168761877036/meet-the-newest-delaware-football-blue-hens
Johnny Buchanan (Linebacker , Brick, N.J.)
Buchanan comes St. John-Vianney High School where played running back and middle linebacker positions.
The 6 foot and 200 pound stats as a running back was 1843 rushing yards, 28 TDs, 10 receptions for 98 yards and one touchdown.
As a middle linebacker, Buchanan stats were 7 sacks, 236 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovered and 4 interceptions.
Buchanan led St. John-Vianney High School to a record 31-3 with three straight conference titles.
At St. John-Vianney High School, Buchanan got numerous honors including Max Preps Player of the game (18x), SSN Defensive Player of the Year (2017),two-year captain, team Most Valuable Player, earned All-State honors as both a junior (2nd team) and as senior (1st team), two-time conference Defensive Player of the Year, two-time all-division selection and All-Metro as a senior.
Football is in the family, Buchanan’s father played at Rutgers, great uncle, Joe Auer played in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and cousin, Collin Olsen currently plays running back at Florida International.
Before committing to Delaware, Buchanan had offers from Albany, Bryant University, Bucknell, Central Connecticut State, Monmouth, St. Francis (PA) and Virginia Military Institute.
https://desportsblitz.tumblr.com/post/168763062076/meet-the-newest-delaware-football-blue-hensjohnny
Austin Haverstrom (Wide Receiver,Keswick, Va.)
Haverstrom comes from Monticello High School where played the wide receiver, cornerback and kick returner position.
In his senior season, Haverstrom had averaged 18.4 yards per catch (589 total yards) and scored six touchdowns, intercepted two passes, and averaged 38.5 yards on kick returns with two touchdowns.
In his junior season, Haverstrom had 962 all-purpose yards, averaged 15.8 yards per reception, and scored six touchdowns while adding 33 tackles and two interceptions.
In his sophomore season, Haverstrom had 542 all-purpose yards to go with 24 tackles and two interceptions.
At Monticello, Haverstrom earned numerous honors including 2017 VHSL Class 3 All-State Football Team second team offense and 2015 All-3A West Regional Football Team Honorable mention.
Haverstrom also earned second team All-State selection as a wide receiver as a senior in 2017, all-region as a wide receiver and all-district as a receiver, kick returner, and cornerback in 2017 and All-Central Virginia and All-Jefferson District as a junior and all-conference punt returner as a sophomore. Also, Haverstrom was captain of the football team.
The 5 foot 11 inch, 170 pound wide receiver also played lacrosse at Monticello High School which his stats were 55 goals, 72 assists, 313 groundballs, and won over 70 percent of his faceoffs for his career.
In lacrosse, Haverstrom was named captain of the team.
Haverstrom’s grandfather played baseball at Manhattan College.
Before committing to Delaware, Haverstrom had offers from Richmond, UVa-Wise and Norfolk State.
https://desportsblitz.tumblr.com/post/168763731221/meet-the-newest-delaware-football-blue-hensaustin
Jordan Morris ( Defensive Line, Burlington, N.J.)
Morris is from the Hun High school where he played the defensive tackle position.
The 6 foot 2 inch, 280 pound defensive tackle stats in 2016 was 39 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and five sacks.
At the Hun, Morris got numerous honors including team captain, selected as the Times of Trenton All-Area Prep Player of the Year and Prep Lineman of the Year, named first team All-MAPL.
Before committing to Delaware, Morris had offers from Kent State and Maine.
https://desportsblitz.tumblr.com/post/168764642796/meet-the-newest-delaware-football-blue-hens
Liam Trainer ( Inside Linebacker, Glenside, Pa.)
Trainer comes from La Salle College High School where he played tight end and the linebacker position.
The 6 foot 2 inch, 230 pound La Salle College alum led his team to a three-year record of 23-13. Also, Trainer helped lead the team to a 9-4 record and advanced to the state AAAA quarterfinals in 2015.
In his time at La Salle College High School, Trainer earned many honors including second-team All-Catholic League selection at both tight end and linebacker in 2016 and earned first team All-Catholic League honors at linebacker as both a junior and senior.
Trainer’s father Joe Trainer is the is the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for Villanova and was the head coach at Rhode Island (2009-13) and at NCAA II Millersville (2005-07).
Before committing to Delaware, Trainer at offers from Albany, Bryant, Liberty, Bucknell, Monmouth and New Hampshire.
https://desportsblitz.tumblr.com/post/168880714641/meet-the-newest-delaware-football-blue-hens-liam
Anthony Toro (Linebacker, Edgewater, Md)
Toro comes from DeMatha High School where he played middle linebacker and the tight end position.
In his senior season as a tight end, Toro caught 11 passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns.
In his junior season, Toro helped led his team to a 12-0 record and a conference title.
In his sophomore season, Toro helped led his team to a 11-1 record a conference title.
The 6 foot 3 inch, 230 pound DeMatha alum earned numerous honors in high school including third team All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference honors, Dean’s List , honor roll student, first team All-WCAC honors as both a junior and senior and named team captain.
The versatile player also played basketball and lacrosse at Dematha.
Before committing to Delaware, Toro had offers from New Hampshire, New Mexico, Old Dominion, Robert Morris, Air Force, East Tennessee State, Elon, Monmouth and Villanova.
https://desportsblitz.tumblr.com/post/168881518696/meet-the-newest-delaware-football-blue
Drew Nickles (Outside Linebacker , Upper Black Eddy, Pa.)
Nickles comes from Palisades High School where he played defensive end and the tight end position.
The 6 foot 3 inch, 235 pound Nickles senior stats at Palisades High school was caught 19 passes for 391 yards and six touchdowns and added 64 tackles (21 TFL), 15 sacks, two caused fumbles, and two blocked punts.
Also, in his senior season, Nickles led the team to a 14-1 record, the district title, and a berth in the state quarterfinals.
In his junior season, Nickles had had 12 catches for 194 yards and two touchdowns and added 67 tackles (18 TFL), 10 sacks, and four caused fumbles.
During his time at Palisades, Nickles earned many honors including, 2016 NFF Scholar-Athlete, first team 3A All-State honors (2017), three-time all-league tight end and two-time all-league on defense, two-time Morning Call and Easton Express All-Area selection, named team’s Defensive Player of the Year three times, two-time team captain and honor roll student all four years.
Nickles also played baseball at Palisades High school.
https://desportsblitz.tumblr.com/post/168882450921/meet-the-newest-delaware-football-blue-hens-drew
Matt Palmer (Linebacker, Doylestown, Pa.)
Palmer comes from Archbishop Wood High School where he played the linebacker position.
In the last three seasons at Archbishop, Palmer has helped lead his team to a 34-5 record. Then in his senior season, Palmer helped lead his to a 12-2 and won the state 5A title and in his junior season he also led the team to 11-2 and won the state 5A title.
The 6 foot, 200 pound linebacker was honored with numerous awards at his time at Archbishop Wood High School including earning first team All-State 5A honors as both a junior and senior and two-time All-Catholic League selection.
Before committing to Delaware, Palmer had offers from Army, Bucknell, Holy Cross, Navy and Rutgers.
https://desportsblitz.tumblr.com/post/168883151876/meet-the-newest-delaware-football-blue-hens-matt
Robert Nachtman ( Offensive Lineman, Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa.)
Nachtman comes from State College High School where he played on the offensive line.
In his senior season, Nachtman averaged seven “pancake” blocks per game.
In his last three seasons at State College High, Nachtman helped lead the team to a 29-8 record.
The 6 foot 3 inch, 290 pound offensive lineman was honored with numerous awards at his time at State College High including Three-year letterwinner, earned 6A first team All-State honors as a senior, two-time All-Mid Penn Conference selection, high honor roll student throughout career, earned team’s Stephen J. Suhey Memorial Award for demonstrating excellence in Ability, Sportsmanship, Self-Discipline, Determination and Loyalty and was named captain as a senior in 2017.
Nachtman’s father is the assistant athletic director for media and video production at Penn State University.
Before committing to Delaware, Nachtman had offers from Albany, Buffalo, Colgate, Kent State, Monmouth, Towson and Virginia Military.
https://desportsblitz.tumblr.com/post/169086122406/meet-the-newest-delaware-football-blue-hens
Justis Henley (Cornerback,North Wales, Pa.)
Henley comes from North Penn High School where he played at the cornerback and wide receiver positions.
As a three year starter he helped lead North Penn High School to a three year 35-7 record and three conference championships.
In his senior year, Henley stats were 917 receiving yards, 16 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
In his junior year, Henley stats were 1,016 receiving yards, scored eight touchdowns, and intercepted eight passes. Also, in his junior year, Henley helped lead the team to a 14-1 record and a district title.
The 5 foot 11 inch, 164 pound cornerback/wide receiver was honored with numerous awards at his time at North Penn High School including two-time All-State, all-area, and all-conference selection at cornerback, nominated for the Mini-Maxwell Player of the Year Award, named team captain as a senior and honor roll student every year.
Before committing to Delaware, Henley had offers from Army and Air Force.
https://desportsblitz.tumblr.com/post/169086940986/meet-the-newest-delaware-football-blue-hens
Stevon Brown ( Offensive Line , Glen Burnie, Md.)
Brown comes from Archbishop Curley High School where played on the offensive line.
During his time at Archbishop Curley High, Brown earned many honors including two-time All-Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association selection as an offensive lineman, named to the 2017 Baltimore Touchdown Club Super 22 Team, named team captain in his senior season and an honor roll student.
The 6 foot 3 inch, 230 pound offensive lineman also played basketball and was a member of the track & field team.
Brown’s cousin Demond Brown played at Navy at the running back position in 2012-2015.
Before committing to Delaware, Brown had offers from Air Force, Army, East Carolina, Howard, James Madison, Marshall, Monmouth, Morgan State, Navy, New Hampshire, Old Dominion, Sacred Heart, Towson and Cheyney University.
https://desportsblitz.tumblr.com/post/169088278076/meet-the-newest-delaware-football-blue
Noah Plack ( Outside Linebacker/Defensive Back, Bridgeville, Pa.)
Plack comes from South Fayette High School where he played the tight end and linebacker position.
In his senior season, Plack had 52 receptions for 935 yards, 13 touchdowns, 75 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovered and 3 pass deflections.
In his junior season, Plack had caught 35 passes for 679 yards and 10 touchdowns and posted 54 tackles, five tackles for a loss, and two sacks.
In his sophomore season, Plack had 48 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions.
The 6 foot 2 inch, 205 pound tight end/linebacker earned many honors at South Fayette including two-time All-State selection, first team honors at tight end in 2017, second team honors at tight end in 2016, three-time all-conference selection, team captain as a senior, team’s defensive Player of the Year in 2017 and an honor roll student.
Plack also played basketball at South Fayette High School.
Before committing to Delaware, Plack had offers from Air Force, Akron, Army, Bowling Green, Citadel, Connecticut, Eastern Kentucky, Fordham, Maine, Navy, New Hampshire, Richmond, Robert Morris, Stony Brook, Temple, Toledo and Towson.
https://desportsblitz.tumblr.com/post/169089153271/meet-the-newest-delaware-football-blue-hens
Anthony Paoletti ( Quarterback, Broomall, Pa)
Paoletti comes from Marple Newtown High School where he played at the quarterback position.
The 6 foot 2 inch, 195 pound quarterback led the team to a 28-9 record and two state playoff appearances (2015 & 2016) in three seasons.
Paoletti is Delaware County’s all-time leading passer with 7,048 yards and 73 touchdowns.
In his senior season, Paoletti had 2,372 yards and 25 touchdowns.
In his junior season, Paoletti had 2,793 yards and 33 touchdowns.
In his sophomore season, Paoletti had 1,883 yards and 15 touchdowns.
The Marple Newtown alum earned many honors including earned Delaware County Scholar-Athlete Award and congressional district scholar-athlete award, student ambassador, earned first team All-State honors as a senior in 2017 and second team All-State honors in 2016, two-time team captain, two-time All-Delaware Country and All-Central League selection, one of the top quarterbacks in Delaware County history and four-year honor roll student.
Paoletti also played basketball at Marple Newtown High School.
Before committing to Delaware, Paoletti had offers from Bucknell, Eastern Michigan, Miami (OH), Army, Holy Cross and Sacred Heart.
https://desportsblitz.tumblr.com/post/169095269656/meet-the-newest-delaware-football-blue-hens
Coach Rocco thoughts on the Early signing period and the newest Blue Hens:
“I am a fan of the early signing period,” said Rocco of the new system that now allows recruits to sign during a three-day early period in December. “We were able to secure the vast majority of our class now instead of having to wait through the month of January. We signed 11 recruits who live within a three to three-and-a-half hour radius and I am very appreciative of that fact. We can do a lot within our state and within our region. We set out to get a better balance in our roster as well. It was really important for us to work back to a balance, which is why we have a higher number of defensive players in this class. We have a number of linebackers coming in who are versatile and can give us a lot of flexibility in our 3-4 defense. We focused hard on bringing in guys who can play different positions on defense.”
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