EDINBORO, Pa. – Months of hard work turned into a bountiful harvest for Edinboro University football coach Justin Lustig and his staff on Wednesday. The Fighting Scots' head coach has assembled a highly-successful second recruiting class, with 21 future student-athletes in the Class of 2021 committing to letters of intent.
 
"The 2017 Fighting Scot signing class is a culmination of a complete year of work by our staff and other members of our Edinboro community," Lustig stressed. "Last year at this time, we were able to throw a recruiting class together in less than a month. Signing this amount of quality student-athletes is a direct correlation between the efforts by our coaches, players, administration, campus community, etc. We are extremely grateful for the support of our Edinboro team. "
 
The Class of 2021 is highlighted by strength in the trenches, with four offensive linemen and three defensive line. Skill positions were certainly not ignored, as four wide receivers, four tight ends, and a quarterback committed to Edinboro.
 
"This a diverse group of student athletes that will bring many talents to our university," continued Lustig. "We feel like we are not only getting great student-athletes, but great people who will do the right things on and off the field. The future is very bright here at the Boro, and we are fired up to know these young men will play a big part in it."
 
It is also worth noting that the Class of 2021 is a group of winners. A total of 16 of the 21 recruits played for winning teams in 2016, and many of those teams made deep runs in their respective state playoffs. It continues with the winning environment Lustig is installing, fresh off a 9-2 finish in 2016, when the Fighting Scots enjoyed the largest turnaround in Division II history.
 
Here's a look at the Edinboro Class of 2021:
 
Bobby Albritton                                WR         5-9          170         Rochester, N.Y./Eastridge (Chad Green)
Played for head coach Chad Green, helping Eastridge finish with a 6-3 record, reaching the second round of the New York state playoffs … as a senior, finished with 21 receptions for 283 yards, a 13.5 yard average, with 2 TDs … added 87 rushes for 396 yards, a 4.6 yard average, with 5 TDs, and completed 13 of 39 passes for 153 yards with 2 TDs … defensively, finished with 2 interceptions and 5 passes broken up … 2015 & 2016 first team All-Monroe County and a 2016 second team All-Greater Rochester selection as a utility player … Eastridge was 2013 Section V Class A champion.
 
Lustig Comments: "Very explosive slot receiver and kick return specialist. Dynamic player who always makes the first guy miss."
Albritton Highlight Video
 
Ryan Bischof                      LB           6-2          210         Mentor, Ohio/Mentor (Steve Trivisonno)  
Played for head coach Steve Trivisonno at Mentor … Mentor was 6-4 in 2016 … finished with 306 career tackles in 27 games … as a senior, totaled 130 tackles with 4 sacks … as a junior, had 164 tackles with 6 tackles for loss and a sack … was a 2016 Associated Press All-Northeast Lakes District Division second team choice at linebacker … was an honorable mention All-State pick and earned first team All-District and All-Lake County honors, along with first team All-News Herald accolades.
 
Lustig Comments:  "Tough, hard-nosed linebacker from one of the premiere programs in Cleveland."
Bischoff Highlight Video
 
Deante Bradley                 DB          5-11       170         Monaca, Pa./Central Valley (Mark Lyons)
Played for head coach Mark Lyons and was a teammate of current Edinboro freshman Maurice Sims … as a senior, finished with 86 tackles, with 38 solo, with an interception and 15 passes broken up … added 15 receptions for 173 yards and 2 TDs and carried the ball 28 times for 216 yards … the Warriors finished with a 7-4 record … in 2015, Central Valley was 11-2, reaching the WPIAL AAA finals before losing Thomas Jefferson to snap an 11-game winning streak … earned second team PA Football News All-State honors after totaling 93 tackles, with 5 interceptions for 62 yards, and 26 passes broken up … added 23 receptions for 370 yards and 2 TDs … also earned All-Parkway Conference honors … 2014 Central Valley went 15-1, winning the WPIAL Championship, 35-28, over West Allegheny, before eventually losing to Archbishop Wood, 33-14, in the PIAA AAA State Championship game … had one interception.
 
Lustig Comments:  "Very talented multi position player who could contribute to our program on many levels. Brings explosiveness and playmaking ability to our team."
Bradley Highlight Video
 
Devon Brown                    TE           6-6          245         McDonald, Pa./Fort Cherry (Jim Shiel)
Helped Fort Cherry High School to a 9-2 record while playing for head coach Jim Shiel … earned All-District honors at both tight end and defensive end … finished with 15 receptions for 164 yards, a 10.9 yard average, with 4 TDs … on defense, ranked second on the team with 68 tackles, 41 solo, with 10 TFL and 7 sacks.
 
Lustig Comments:   "Very long and athletic tight end who will be a nightmare for defenses because of his length and ball skills. Also, a very good basketball player."
Brown Highlight Video
 
Jake Cervik                         TE                                           Erie, Pa./McDowell (Brad Orlando)
Played for head coach Brad Orlando at McDowell High School, helping the Trojans to a 9-2 record as a senior … caught 32 passes for 340 yards and 2 TDs in 2016 … earned first team All-Region 6 honors and was also a first team 2016 Class 6A All-WesternPAFootball.net Team selection … as a junior, caught 18 passes for 256 yards and 6 TDs … earned first team All-Region 6 and All-District 10 honors at tight end, along WesternPAFootball.net accolades … named to PSFCA List of Top 105 Prospects for class of 2017 … ranks fourth in career receptions at McDowell with 50.
 
Lustig Comments: "Great hands for a big bodied TE. Can block and catch. Played in a very similar offense in high school."
Cervik Highlight Video
 
Beeshaun Curry                                WR         6-0          175         Rochester, N.Y./Fairport (Dave Whitworth)
Played for head coach Dave Whitcomb at Fairport … helped the Red Raiders to a 9-2 finish, reaching the second round of the NYS playoffs … one of three Fairport recruits  … a 2016 1st team All-Monroe County selection … finished with 30 catches for 517 yards and  7 TDs.
 
Lustig Comments:  "Extremely talented wide receiver who will have immediate chemisty with his high school quarterback, Keshawn Howard."
Curry Highlight Video
 
Billy DePaul                         ATH        6-4          200         Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell (Mark Washington)
Played for head coach Mark Washington at Hopewell … the Vikings finished with a 5-5 record … earned All-Conference honors as an athlete … named to 2016 Class 3A All-Western Football Team as an athlete … completed 52-of-114 passes for 654 yards with 6 TDs … added 251 yards rushing on 61 carries, a 4.1 yard average, with 7 TDs, and caught 7 passes for 104 yards with 2 TDs … had 36 tackles on defense, with 3 interceptions for 51 yards.

Lustig Comments: "Versatile athlete who played multiple positions in high school including quarterback. Has the skill set and size to help our squad at both wide receiver and defensive back."
DePaul Highlight Video
 
Hunter Dimitroff              TE           6-6          245         Buffalo, N.Y./St. Joe's Collegiate Institute (Derek Landri)
Played for head coach Derek Landri at St. Joe's Collegiate Institute … the Marauders ended the year with a 4-7 record … was limited to five games as a senior due to an injury, finishing with 13 receptions for 86 yards.
 
Lustig Comments:  "Long, athletic tight end who also has great ball skills. Has the frame and talent to become a dominant tight end in this league."
Dimitroff Highlight Video
 
Andre Dowdell                  WR         5-7          170         Syracuse, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy/St. Francis(Pa.)
Transfer from St. Francis(Pa.) who has three years of eligibility remaining … redshirted in 2015 and saw action in six games for the Red Flashes in 2016 … caught 3 passes for 30 yards, including an 11-yard TD catch vs. Malone … played for Christian Brothers Academy and head coach Casey Brown in high school … helped the Brothers go 8-2 as a senior … CBA won 34 games during his career, as he finished with 71 career receptions for 1,042 yards and 29 total touchdowns.
 
Lustig Comments:  "Transfer wide receiver who will add depth and experience to our wide receiver corps."
A. Dowdell Highlight Video
 
DeAndre Dowdell            CB           5-9          180         Syracuse, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy (Casey Brown)
Played for head coach Casey Brown, helping the Brothers to a 10-1 finish and the Class AA sectional championship in 2016 … CBA reached the Class AA state semifinals before losing to Victor … was a sixth team New York Sportswriters Association Class AA all-state selection … also a first team Class AA-I Section 3 All-Star .. finished with 7 carries for 175 yards and a touchdown rushing, with 6 receptions for 92 yards and 2 TDs
 
Lustig Comments:  "Quick and athletic cornerback who can match up one on one. A dynamic athlete who can make plays from multiple positions."
D. Dowdell Highlight Video
 
Jassan Eubank                   DE           6-3          240         Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Central Catholic (Dan Mahoney)
Played for head coach Dan Mahoney … was a PA Football News first team All-State selection and named to Pittsburgh Tribune Terrific 25 after finishing with 101 tackles, 22 for losses … in 2015, had 54 tackles, with 19 for losses and 17 sacks, along with causing three fumbles … caught 7 passes for 237 yards and 2 TDs and rushed for a touchdown … a first team 2015 All-Eastern Conference choice and finished as runner-up for 2015 Eastern Conference Defensive Player of Year … named to 2015 Tribune-Review Fantastic 25 All-Star team and was PA Football News honorable-mention All-State choice … a 2016 Finest Preps HM PIAA Top 50 recruit.
 
Lustig Comments:  "Twitchy pass rusher who will be an important addition to our defense with the loss of Vic Hudson. Has great edge rush ability."
Eubank Highlight Video
 
Xavier Fisher                      DT           6-2          290         Aliquippa, Pa./Aliquippa (Mike Zmijanac)
Played for head coach Mike Zmijanac, helping the Quips to a 10-3 finish … Aliquippa advanced to WPIAL Class 3A Championship Game before losing to Beaver Falls … team MVP who was named to All-USA Pennsylvania Football Team second team … also earned All-Conference honors both at offensive and defensive line … a Fabulous 22 honoree (top 22 players in WPIAL) … totaled 70 tackles with 6.5 sacks … listed in preseason 2016 WPIAL'S Top 50 Players.
 
Lustig Comments:  "Two-way lineman who has great explosiveness and power. Comes from storied high school program, knows how to work and win."
Fisher Highlight Video
 
Barrett Hoffman               OL           6-2          265         Meadville, Pa./Meadville (Ray Collins)
Played for head coach Ray Collins at Meadville, helping the Bulldogs finish with an 11-3 record … Meadville reached the PIAA Class 5A quarterfinals behind a ground game that averaged 468 ypg. rushing … helped pave the way for three 1,000-yard rushers, including record-setting Journey Brown … on defense, finished with 68 tackles, with 4 tackles for losses and 2.5 sacks … a first team All-Region 5 selection on offense and was a second team pick on defense … named Meadville's Defensive Player of the Year.
 
Lustig Comments:  "Two-way lineman that is a tough, physical player. Also, plays hockey at Meadville High School."
Hoffman Highlight Video
  
Keshawn Howard            QB          6-0          185         Rochester, N.Y./Fairport (Dave Whitcomb)
Played for head coach Dave Whitcomb at Fairport … helped the Red Raiders to a 9-2 finish, reaching the second round of the NYS playoffs … one of three Fairport recruits … a 2016 All-NY State honoree who was a 2016 first team All-Greater Rochester selection, along with earning firstst team All-Monroe County honors and being named the Monroe County Player of the Year and the Section V Class AA Offensive Player of the Year … as a senior, passed for 1,853 yards with 26 TDs, completing 77 percent of his passes, and ran for 780 yards with 10 TDs.
 
Lustig Comments:  "Dual threat QB who can throw equally as good as he can run. WIll add a completely new dimension to our offense."
Howard Highlight Video
 
Connor Kelly                      LB           6-2          220         Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville North (Mike Mammolitti)
Played for head coach Mike Mammolitti … a three-year starter who finished his senior season with 108 tackles, with 17 for losses, and 4 sacks … named to ALL-USA New York second team second team, along with the 2016 WNY Outstanding LB of the Year … was selected the 2015 WNY Underclassmen of the Year … two-time league Defensive Player of the Year … two-time All-State selection, earning second team honors as a senior and third team as a junior … also earned first team All-WNY accolades as a senior after being a third team choice as a junior … two-time All-Bee first team and a two-time Class A North All-Conference selection. 
 
Lustig Comments:  "Big, aggressive linebacker. Can run sideline to sideline. Excited for the "Kelly Tough" mentality to come to the Boro."
Kelly Highlight Video
 
Joey Lewin                                          DE           6-3          240         Rochester, N.Y./Eastridge (Chad Green)
One of two Eastridge recruits, helping coach Chad Green's team to a 6-3 finish and second round of NYS playoffs … had 36 tackles, with 6.5 tackles for losses and 3 passes broken up … also averaged 33.7 yards on 35 punts … was a 2016 All-Monroe County first team selection after earning second team honors in 2015 … was also a 2016 seceond team All-Greater Rochester pick and the 2016 Section V Class A Punter of the Year.
 
Lustig Comments:  "Dynamic pass rusher who could make an immediate impact on our defense. Is having a very successful wrestling season in his very first year in the sport."
Lewin Highlight Video
 
Chris Ocasio                        OL           6-3          245         Allentown, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic (John Cupples)
Helped the Vikings of coach John Cupples to a 9-2 finish, reaching the District 11 Class 4A semifinals before falling to Bethlehem Catholic Vikings were 2016 EPC North Division champions … starter at both offensive tackle and defensive end … two-time All-Conference selection at right tackle also a standout in basketball and serves as captain for both football and basketball teams. 
 
Lustig Comments:  "Multi-sport (basketball) athlete that brings great athleticism to our offensive line room."
Ocasio Highlight Video
 
Raphael Odey                    WR         6-2          190         Rochester, N.Y./Brockport (Scott Nugent)
Played for head coach Scott Nugent, helping the Blue Devils to 32 wins in his career … a 2016 All-Greater Rochester honorable mention selection and earned first team All-Monroe County honors … finished with 35 receptions for 341 yards with 7 TDs on offense, and defensively had 45 tackles with 2 INTs and 5 passes broken up … the 2015 team won first Section V football championship with 28-7 win over Canandaigua … had interception in that game … 2015 team finished with 9-3 record.  
 
Lustig Comments:  "Speedy wide receiver with long range who can beat you as a position receiver, as well as with his great speed."
Odey Highlight Video
 
Ryan Pasternak                 OL           6-2          265         DuBois, Pa./DuBois (Frank Varischetti)
Played for head coach Frank Varischetti … named to the All-EPA/WPA All-State Super 25 Class 4A first team, and was a second team Pa. Football News Class 4A All-State selection … also a first team Courier Express Tri-County All-Star … finished with 92 tackles, 59 solo, with 6 sacks, as a senior … 2016 second team All-Region 5 selection both on the offensive line and defensive line … as a junior, totaled 79 tackles, with 5 sacks on defense … a 2015 Class 4A All-WesternPAFootball.net choice, along with earning first team All-Region 5 on both offense and defense … also a first Team Tri-County Sunday All Star and first team D9Sports.com All-Star at offensive line … was a second team Region 5 All-Star at offensive line as a sophomore.
 
Lustig Comments:  "Smart, versatile offensive and defensive lineman that has good instincts."
Pasternak Highlight Video
 
Kyle Schreiner                   OL           6-5          305         Fairport, N.Y./Fairport (Dave Whitcomb)
One of three Fairport recruits, playing for head coach Dave Whitcomb … helped the Red Raiders to a 9-2 finish, reaching the second round of the NYS playoffs … a 2015 and 2016 first team All-Monroe County choice and also earned 2015 and 2016 second team All-Greater Rochester honors … four-year varsity starter who was listed as one of top recruits in NY state (#15) by 247Sports.
 
Lustig Comments:  "Long offensive lineman who has great potential. Was highly recruited by division one schools until a knee injury."
Schreiner Highlight Video
 
AJ Turner                                             TE           6-1          200         Grove City, Pa./Grove City (Sam Mowrey)
Played for head coach Sam Mowrey, helping the Eagles to a 10-2 finish … finished with 45 receptions for 1,011 yards, a 22.5 yard average, with 16 TDs … led the team with 20 TDs and 122 points … tied for seventh in Pennsylvania in touchdown receptions … a first team Pa. Writers Class 5 All-State selection and a first team All-Region 5 choice and All-District 10 pick … as a junior, had 13 catches for 250 yards, a 19.2 yard average, with 2 TDs.
 
Lustig Comments:  "Athletic tight end who can split out and be a tough one on one match up for defenders because of his speed and size."
Turner Highlight Video