EDINBORO, Pa. (February 3, 2016) -- New Edinboro football coach Justin Lustig's first class of recruits is a work in progress. On the job less than a month, on Wednesday, Lustig announced that nine players had signed national letters of intent to continue their athletic and academic careers at Edinboro this fall.
 
While thin on numbers at this time, it was quality not quantity that has Lustig so excited, and in a short period of time.
 
"We are very excited to welcome nine great recruits and their families to our Fighting Scot family," related Lustig. "I want to thank our football staff, as well as other members of our campus community, who were instrumental in helping us secure our first nine commits in less than three weeks on the job.
 
"This is a very talented group of student athletes that will make a very positive impact on our campus community. We were able to successfully address specific needs at positions such as offensive line and add some talented playmakers on both sides of the ball.
 
"We are extremely pleased with the first installment of this year's class and look forward to their futures as Edinboro Fighting Scots."
 
Here is a look at Edinboro's nine recruits:
 
Isaiah Brown 
WR  5'10", 170 lbs.
Pittsford (NY) High School
Hudl: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/5312762
 
Was a two-time first team All-County selection, playing his senior year at Pittsford High School after transferring from Gates-Chili High School … helped coach Keith Molinich's team to a 7-1 record, finishing with 28 receptions for 562 yards, a 20.1 yard average, with 4 TDs … carried the ball four times for 55 yards and a touchdown and returned a punt for a touchdown … on defense, finished with 27 tackles nad 5 passes broken up.
 
Lustig Comments:  "Dynamic, explosive playmaker that will make defenders miss. Great speed and quickness. Exceptional ball skills."
 
 
Ta'Nauz Gregory
ATH  5'8", 152 lbs.
Cathedral Prep
Hudl: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3969403
 
One of the keys to Prep's run to the PIAA Class AAA state championship game and a 14-2 finish in 2015 for head coach Mike Mischler … Ramblers won the District Class AAA championship with a 42-21 win over Conneaut Area High School … that was followed by wins over Thomas Jefferson (28-21) and Bishop McDevitt (38-34) before losing to Imhotep Charter in the state championship game … was named to the Pa. Sports Writers Class AAA All-State team as an athlete, and was the District 10 Player of the Year and Region 6 Player of the Year … a first team All-Region pick as a defensive back and all-purpose player on offense … All-District 10 pick at defensive back … lined up at wide receiver, running back, and even as a wildcat quarterback on offense …  finished the year as the team's leading rusher with 1,039 yards on just 103 carries, a 10.1 yard average, with 12 TDs … also paced the team in receiving with 46 receptions for 682 yards, a 14.8 yard average, with 7 TDs … finished with close to 2,400 all-purpose yards, averaging 33.5 yards on four kickoff returns and 24.6 yards on 14 punt returns … scored a total of 24 touchdowns for 144 points, with three punt returns, an interception, and a kickoff return for touchdowns … had school-record 10 interceptions and finished with 35 tackles … in state semifinal win over Bishop McDevitt, rushed for 147 yards on 15 carries and caught 5 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown … as a junior, helped the Ramblers to an 11-1 record, with the lone loss coming to Conneaut Area in the PIAA Class AAA championship … had three interceptions and returned two punts for touchdowns … also a standout on the Prep wrestling team.
 
Lustig Comments:  "Dynamic playmaker who is also a fierce competitor. Arguably the best player on Prep's state runner-up team. Great speed and quickness, can play multiple positions and will be dynamic on special teams."
 
 
Vitaliy Gurman 
OL/DL  6'4", 275 lbs.
Spencerport (NY) High School
Hudl: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/5504829
 
Earned New York Sportswriters Association second team All-State honors as an offensive lineman as a senior … was a first team All-Greater Rochester and first team All-County selection, as well … played for head coach John Dowd, helping the Rangers to a 3-5 record and a berth in the Section V Class A quarterfinals … Rangers would lose to Canadaigua Academy in the quarterfinals, but he lined up at fullback and scored a touchdown on a two-yard run … 2015 team captain … named a 2015 NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete … Spencerport was 6-3 his junior year. 
 
Lustig Comments:  "Powerful and explosive lineman. One of the strongest high school recruits I've ever seen. Bench presses more than 400lbs. Will add a physical presence to our offensive line. Also, has high academic aspirations, will be pursuing a pre-med degree."
 
 
Dajon Heidelberg 
WR/DB  6'1", 162 lbs.
Cathedral Prep
Hudl: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3969392
 
Joins teammate Ta'Nauz Gregory as an Edinboro recruit … played a key role in Prep's run to the PIAA Class AAA state championship game and a 14-2 finish in 2015 for head coach Mike Mischler … Ramblers won the District Class AAA championship with a 42-21 win over Conneaut Area High School … that was followed by wins over Thomas Jefferson (28-21) and Bishop McDevitt (38-34) before losing to Imhotep Charter in the state championship game … caught 29 passes for 470 yards, a 16.2 yard average, with 8 TDs … added two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, with 36 tackles, 9 passes broken up, 4 fumble recoveries and a forced fumble … was a first team All-Region selection at both wide receiver and cornerback … as a junior, caught 4 passes for 47 yards and a touchdown as Ramblers finished with an 11-1 record and reached the District 10 championship game … also a standout on the Prep basketball team.
 
Lustig Comments:  "Long and athletic corner. Big-time potential. Can run and matchup with all varieties of receivers. Has only played football for three years.
 
 
Aaron Pilgrim
DE  6'3" 230 lbs.
Bishop Kearney (NY) High School
Hudl: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2044514
 
Helped the Kings to their first Section V Class D title in 26 years with 42-21 win over Clyde-Savannah … Bishop Kearney finished with a 10-3 record under head coach Eddie Long, reaching the NYSPHSAA Championships Class D semifinals before suffering a 38-31 loss to eventual state champion Tioga … earned first team All-Independent accolades and was a second team All-Greater Rochester selection … finished with 52 tackles in 11 games with 5 sacks … 2015 team captain … Kings were 7-2 in 2014, as he finished with 44 tackles and 4 sacks. 
 
Lustig Comments:  "Athletic DE who has shown great ability to rush the passer. Long arms and athletic build make him a prototypical pass rusher."
 
 
Josh Porterfield
OL/DL  6'6", 265 lbs.
West Middlesex High School
Hudl: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4000597
 
Helped Big Red and head coach Ed Roberson to an 8-4 record … reached the District 10 Class A championship game before losing to Sharpsville … earned first team All-Region honors on both offense and defense and All-District 10 honors at defensive line … named to 2015 Class A Golden 33 Team … on defense, had 74 tackles, with 17 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and a blocked field goal  … two-time all-region basketball player … teammate of current Edinboro freshman Trey Staunch at West Middlesex … as a junior, helped lead the Big Red to 10-3 record and a berth in the District 10 Class A championship game, where they fell to Sharpsville.
 
Lustig Comments:   "Very long and athletic lineman who can match up against speed pass rushers as an offensive tackle. Very good high school basketball player. Very high upside."
 
 
Brandon Rios
RB  6'2", 220 lbs.
Hubbard (Oh.) High School
Hudl: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2293322
 
Played his senior year at Hubbard High School, finishing as the leading rusher while backing up Pittsburgh signee George Hill … helped the Eagles to a 6-4 record … in ten games, finished with 1,027 yards on 158 carries, a 6.5 yard average, with 12 TDs, adding 4 receptions for 51 yards … also played linebacker, finishing with 39 tackles, 7 for losses … had six 100-yard rushing games, including a high of 172 yards on 24 carries against Poland Seminary … a second team Associated Press Division IV All-Ohio selection … four-time first team all-county and all-conference honoree and three-time first team All-Northeast Inland pick … played as a junior at Liberty High School, with team finishing with a 10-2 record.
 
Lusting Comments:  "Brandon is a big, athletic, tough running back that can get tough yards, but can also make you miss. Athletically, very gifted and could play almost any position on the field."
 
 
Dante Rizzo
OL  6'3" 290 lbs.
Norwin High School
Hudl: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2813994
 
Three-year starter for the Knights, playing at guard, center, and tackle … a three-time All-Foothills Conference selection … helped coach David Brozeski's team to 5-5 finish in 2014 and 2015 … member of the Knights' 1000-pound weightlifting club … also a two-year starter on the varsity basketball team.
 
Lustig Comments:  "Physical and athletic offensive lineman who can play multiple positions. Finishes blocks extremely well. Has great combination of size and quickness. Also, a multisport athlete."
 
 
Andrew Tomko
QB  6'4", 200 lbs.
Sharon High School
Hudl: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4262973
 
Put up huge numbers as the quarterback for the Tigers … is fourth in District 10 history in career passing yards (5,739) and second in Mercer County history … threw for 2,701 yards as a senior, the fourth-highest total in District 10 history and a Mercer County record … also ranks 20^th in District 10 history with 2,061 yards passing as a junior … Sharon went 22-12 in his three years as starting quarterback, including a Region 3 title as a senior, plus three District 10 Class AA playoff appearances and an appearance in the District 10 Class AA championship game in 2015 … Tigers were 10-2 his senior year … as a senior, completed 163-of-280 passes for 2,701 yards with 29 TDs and just 5 INTs … also ran for 804 yards on 137 carries with 12 TDs … was named to the Pa. Sports Writers All-State team and the Erie Times-News All-District 10 team … was named the Region 3 Player of the Year … earned first team all-region honors at quarterback and was a second team pick at punter … as a junior, completed 150-of-277 passes for 2,061 yards with 17 TDs and 5 INTs at Sharon was 6-5 … added 141 yards and 4 TDs rushing on 48 attempts … first team all-region honors at quarterback … the Tigers were also 6-5 his sophomore year, as he completed 61-of-108 passes for 977 yards with 9 TDs and 4 INTs, adding 65 yards rushing on 13 carries. 
 
Lustig Comments:  "Protypical quarterback who can run. Great combination of size and speed. Strong and accurate arm. Great leadership skills and multi-sport athlete. "