March 3, 2003

LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell first-year head football coach Tim Landis has announced his initial recruiting class, a diverse group of 24 student-athletes who will enter the university this August.

While the majority of the class hails from the Northeast, including 10 from the talent-rich state of Pennsylvania, there will be a solid group of players moving north from below the Mason-Dixon Line. There are three players from New York, three from New Jersey two from Delaware and one each from Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Florida and Nevada.

The biographies on the members of the Class of 2007 include a long laundry list of all-conference, all-state and all-academic accolades. Of the 24 incoming student-athletes, Landis and his staff project 14 to play on the offensive side of the ball, including six linemen, three running backs, two quarterbacks and two wide receivers. The average offensive lineman is 6'3" and weighs 265 pounds.

Of the nine projected defensive players, four are defensive backs, three are linemen and two are linebackers. There is also one punter/kicker expected to join the Bison in 2003.

"Going into our first recruiting process, we certainly pinpointed some areas of need," said Landis, who was named Bucknell's 25th head football coach in December. "The offensive and defensive lines were at the top of the list. Quality interior linemen are such commodities, and we are very encouraged with the strong group we have coming in. We have a combination of nine linemen (six offensive, three defensive), many of whom are interchangeable.

"The defensive secondary represented another important need, not because we don't have quality defensive backs already in the program, but this is an area where we are really lacking in depth," said Landis. "We have four outstanding defensive backs coming in thus far, and we feel very good about all of them.

"At other positions, we sought `instant-impact' type players," continued Landis. "For example, we were looking for one wide receiver, and we think we found a real sleeper. We were looking for two running backs, and we got four good ones.

"Overall, given the challenges a new staff must face, I could not be any more enthusiastic about this incoming class," said Landis. "This is a real special class, because it is our first. Our goal now is to build on this class, but in four years this is going to be a very special group for us, one we will always remember."

Jon Altemus, OL, 6-3, 275, Clearfield, Pa./Clearfield Area
Son of Dean and Marcia Altemus ... will graduate from Clearfield Area High School this spring ... voted team's most valuable offensive lineman in 2002, one year after being named the squad's most valuable defensive lineman ... first-team All-District 9 all-star ... first-team Progressland All-Star at both OL and DL in 2002 ... Pennsylvania Football News third-team all-state defensive lineman ... D9Sports.com Offensive Lineman of the Year ... played for head coach Tim Janocko ... National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete ... four-year member of the honor roll and Who's Who Among American High School Students ... 2002 ADAU power lifting national record holder for 16-17 age group in dead lift (430 pounds).

Michael Anthony, DL, 6-3, 250, Egg Harbor Township, N.J./Egg Harbor Township
Born April 7, 1985 ... projected 2003 graduate of Egg Harbor Township High School ... three-year varsity letterwinner ... team captain as a senior ... first team All-Cape Atlantic League selection ... named to New Jersey Top 100 Team ... invited to play on South Jersey Classic team ... Brooks-Irvine Scholar-Athlete of the Week ... 2002 Garden State Football Camp MVP ... voted team's top offensive lineman ... also earned team's weight room award ... National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete.

Rich Bennett, RB, 5-10, 215, Ford City, Pa./Ford City
Son of Tim and Peggy Bennett ... will graduate from Ford City High School in 2003 ... three-year letterman in football under head coach John Bartolovic ... three-time All-Allegheny Conference running back (twice first team) ... was also a first-team all-conference defensive end and second-team all-conference punter in 2002 ... The Valley 2002 Offensive Player of the Year in 2002 ... named team MVP in 2000 and 2002, and team's offensive player of the year in 2001 ... also lettered twice in track & field.

Michael Boccella, OL, 6-4, 235, Dunmore, Pa./Dunmore
Will graduate in 2003 from Dunmore High School, where he earned three letters on the gridiron under head coach Jack Henzes ... Times-Tribune all-region offensive tackle ... earned Hookey Reap Award, given to the top offensive lineman in Lackawanna County ... team captain ... Lackawanna Football Conference Division II all-star.

Josh Carr, QB, 6-5, 205, McLean, Va./Langley
Son of John and Trisha Carr ... born Sept. 13, 1984 in Silver Spring, Md. ... expected to graduate from Langley High School this spring ... earned four letters each in football and basketball and two thus far in baseball ... team captain on the gridiron in each of last two seasons ... team MVP in 2002 ... All-Northern Virginia selection in basketball ... will join Langley High alum Jay Martell on the Bison squad next season.

Kris Cooper, OL, 6-4, 320, Newark, Del./Christiana
Son of Kenneth and Kathy Cooper ... born April 19, 1985 ... slated to graduate from Christiana High School this spring ... first-team all-conference and second-team all-state selection in 2002 ... named team's MVP and offensive player of the year ... team co-captain under head coach Marv Spence ... also a second-team all-conference pick following his sophomore and junior campaigns ... team's offensive lineman of the year as a junior ... also an outstanding shot putter ... hails from same high school as current Bucknell linebacker Kevin Ransome.

Ed Cortez, RB, 5-9, 175, Reno, Nev./Robert McQueen
Son of Glen and Joselyn Gillette ... born Sept. 24, 1984 in the Philippines ... graduates from Robert McQueen High School this spring ... earned four letters in track & field and one in football ... First Team All-High Desert League as a running back and kick returner ... first-team all-region running back (and second-team KR) ... second-team all-state selection at RB ... named to Nevada's all-academic team ... News Channel 2 and 4 athlete of the week ... Excalibur News athlete of the month ... rushed for 1,357 yards on 119 carries (11.4 yards per carry) in 2002 ... also added 21 touchdowns ... played for head coach Ken Dalton.

Nicholas DeFeo, DL, 6-0, 290, Manlius, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy
Born Sept. 8, 1985 ... expected to graduate from Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse, N.Y., this spring ... two-time all-league, all-region and all-state performer under head coach Joe Casamento ... last season was named first-team all-league, second-team AllCentral New York and second-team all-state ... as a junior was first-team all-league, honorable mention all-region and second-team all-state ... will be reunited with former CBA teammate Eric Becker at Bucknell.

Luis Flores, DB, 5-10, 185, Brooklyn, N.Y./Poly Prep
Will graduate this spring from Brooklyn's Poly Prep, the same school that produced four-year starting offensive guard Luman Bauta ... standout football performer under head coach Craig Jacoby ... second-team all-city and third-team all-state selection ... recipient of the 2002 Ed Rossi Award, given to the player with the best work ethic, the best character and most dedication ... team posted a 15-1 record in his two varsity seasons ... also competed in lacrosse and track & field ... member of 2002 conference champion 4x200-meter relay team.

David Frisbey, DB, 5-10, 170, Newark, Del./Charter School
Son of Sandra Frisbey ... born July 15, 1985 ... will graduate in 2003 from Charter School in Wilmington, Del. ... honorable mention all-state performer in 2001 and 2002 ... three-time all-conference selection ... named WDEL Player of the Week after rushing for 260 yards and two touchdowns in a game ... school's all-time leading rusher with over 2,600 yards ... broke six other school rushing records, including 31 career TDs ... two-time team offensive MVP ... played for head coach Steve Dent ... selected to play in Blue-Gold All-Star Game.

Michael Hardman, OL, 6-3, 255, Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin
Son of Deborah Hardman ... born July 26, 1985 ... will graduate from Central Dauphin High School this spring ... second-team Mid-Penn all-star ... selected as team's most improved player ... team won Mid-Penn Division championship and District 3-AAAA crown before falling in state championships ... club finished 13-1 ... played for head coach George Chaump.

Joel Hoffer, OL, 6-3, 235, Schaeffertown, Pa./Eastern Lebanon
Son of Jed and Kim Hoffer ... born July 4, 1984 ... expected to graduate from Eastern Lebanon High School in Myerstown, Pa., in 2003 ... four-year varsity letterman ... First Team All-Lebanon County and First Team All-LL League Section III ... named offensive lineman of the year in the league ... listed as one of the top 100 players in mid-Pennsylvania ... starter in tri-county (Lebanon, Lancaster, Berks) all-star game ... also played defensive end and was a second-team all-league pick at that position ... played for head coach Mark Evans.

Peter Kaufman, RB, 5-11, 185, Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks
Son of Mark and Paula Kaufman ... projected 2003 graduate of Keystone Oaks High School, where he is a three-sport athlete ... earned three letters in football, three in track and one in basketball ... on gridiron, was an all-conference safety and tailback ... voted team captain and team MVP ... played for head coach Nick Kamberis.

Ryan Korn, P/PK, 5-10, 175, Shirley, N.Y./William Floyd
Will graduate this spring from William Floyd High School ... three-sport star, earning four varsity letters in football, four in lacrosse and three in wrestling ... all-county and all-division placekicker ... named to all-division academic team ... made 63 of 64 extra points and 9 of 11 field goals, with a long of 45 yards ... played for head coach Paul Longo.

Stephen Matzura, DB, 5-11, 195, Kulpmont, Pa./Mount Carmel
Born Feb. 28, 1984 ... will be a 2003 graduate of nearby Mount Carmel High School ... 2002 team captain and four-year letterman ... team went undefeated and captured state AA championship this fall ... also played on state championship team in 2000 ... broke school record for career tackles (425) and single-season receptions (53) ... Associated Press First Team All-State Linebacker ... Named player of the year by Reading Eagle, Shamokin News-Item, Pottsville Republican and Sunbury Daily-Item ... Bloomsburg Press Enterprise Linebacker of the Year ... Pennsylvania Football News AA All-State Team ... first-team all-county selection at both linebacker and wide receiver ... first-team all-district linebacker and second-team all-district receiver in 2002 ... was first-team all-district receiver in 2001 ... three-time member of Pennsylvania Football News All-Academic Team ... earned the Mike Terry Award as the team's outstanding lineman in 2000, 2001 and 2002 ... recipient of the Bob Pizzolo Award for unselfish play in 2001.

Stefan Niemczyk, OL, 6-0, 260, Broomall, Pa./Malvern Prep
Expected to graduate this spring from Malvern Prep in Malvern, Pa. ... three-year varsity letterman under head coach Joe Sells ... all-area selection after his senior year ... also a two-time All-Main Line pick and a three-time all-league choice ... team captain as a senior ... earned Team Sportsmanship Award and Gatorade Will to Win Award (given to a player in the Main Line area that exhibits the drive and determination to win) ... member of National Honor Society and recipient of Distinguished Honors Award, given to Malvern Prep students with a GPA of 4.0 or higher ... will join fellow Malvern Prep alum Michael Treston on the Bucknell football squad.

Matthew Palermo, DB, 5-11, 175, Pittsburgh, Pa./Penn Hills
Son of Jim and Deanna Palermo ... will be a 2003 graduate of Penn Hills High School in Pittsburgh ... lettered three times in football and four times in wrestling ... 2002 all-conference safety while playing for head coach Neil Gordon ... earned district wrestling title in 2001 ... Tribune Review All-East team in wrestling.

Tyler Palumbo, WR, 5-11, 170, Wyckoff, N.J./Don Bosco Prep
Son of Jim and Nancy Palumbo ... born March 19, 1985 ... three-year letterman as a wide receiver and defensive back at nationally ranked Don Bosco Prep ... team went 12-0 and was ranked No. 1 in state, No. 1 in Northeast and No. 8 nationally (USA Today) in 2002 under head coach Greg Toal ... team's second-leading receiver with more than 20 receptions and eight touchdowns ... second-team All-Northern New Jersey selection.

Zach Parrish, LB, 6-2, 195, Smithfield, N.C./Smithfield-Selma
Son of Clint and Roxanne Parrish ... born Feb. 10, 1985 in Wilson, N.C. ... will graduate later this spring from Smithfield-Selma High School, where he is a three-sport standout in football, baseball and wrestling ... two-year defensive captain under head coach John Benson ... All-Big Eight Conference selection in 2001 and 2002 ... placed ninth in the nation in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 2001 Junior National Olympics ... member of the North Carolina All-Academic Team.

Dorian Peterson, LB, 6-1, 210, Rahway, N.J./Rahway
Lettered three times in basketball, three times in football and once in track and field at Rahway High School ... first team All-Union County linebacker ... first team All-Mountain Valley Conference ... third-team all-area selection ... also played linebacker for the Indians ... played for head coach Mark Ciccotelli.

Matt Pisano, RB, 5-10, 190, Pittston, Pa./Pittston Area
Expected to graduate from Pittston Area High School in 2003 ... twice named Times-Tribune all-region running back ... Pittston Area's all-time leading rusher with 5,694 yards, breaking previous record of 4,381 by former Miami Dolphins receiver Jimmy Cefalo ... rushed for 1,832 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2002 ... third-team big school all-state selection ... played for head coach Steve Armillay ... will be reunited with former Pittston Area standout Jeffrey Montagna, a Bucknell cornerback.

Andrew Rutherford, DL, 6-4, 240, Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Chagrin Falls
Son of Nathan and Marie Rutherford ... born May 30, 1985 in Waukasha, Wis. ... will be a 2003 graduate of Chagrin Falls High School, where he lettered three times under head coach Mark Iommarino ... named to Associated Press All-Northeast Lakes District Team ... All-Ohio Division IV special mention ... first-team All-Chagrin Valley Conference ... CVC All-Academic Team selection ... The News Herald Player of the Week on Oct. 15, 2002 ... team won conference championships in 1999, 2000 and 2001 ... sister, Maggie, is a member of the Bucknell Class of 2005.

Richard Simpson, WR, 6-0, 180, Havre de Grace, Md./Havre de Grace
Son of Bruce and Chyrill Simpson ... born Jan. 4, 1985 in Gaithersburg, Md. ... will graduate in 2003 from Havre de Grace High School, where he lettered three times in football, four times in track and once in basketball ... football coach was Johnny Brooks ... enjoyed a terrific senior year ... was named first-team all-county and second-team all-metro ... MVP of the I-95 Challenge All-Star Game after recording nine catches for 129 yards ... named Gatorade High School Offensive Player of the Year ... National Football Foundation (greater Baltimore chapter) Scholar Athlete ... also named first-team all-county as a junior ... honorable mention all-county in basketball as a junior ... high jumped 6'6" during junior year and placed first in region, second in state ...

Christian Tenekedes, QB, 5-11, 190, Chuluota, Fla./Lake Highland Prep
Son of Nick and Becky Tenekedes ... born Nov. 15, 1984 in San Francisco, Calif. ... projected 2003 graduate of Lake Highland Prep in Orlando ... has earned four letters in football, two in baseball and one in track ... offensive team MVP in 2002 ... named Orlando Touchdown Club player of the week ... played under head coach Tim Borcky ... brother, Nick, is a sophomore defensive back at Holy Cross.