INDIANA, PA – IUP head football coach Curt Cignetti announced that 15 student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play football with the Crimson Hawks beginning in 2013.

The 15 players come from three different states, with the bulk of the class being from Pennsylvania (13) while also tabbing a player each from Virginia and Ohio.

As listed by position, the Crimson Hawks add to their roster three running backs, three tight ends, three defensive linemen, two offensive linemen, two athletes, one fullback and one quarterback.

These 15 are in addition to mid-year transfer Alkwan Williams (Johnstown/Greater Johnstown), who enrolled at IUP this semester after beginning his college career at Temple last fall. The Johnstown, Pa. native will play linebacker for the Crimson Hawks.

“I am very pleased and excited about this year's recruiting class,” commented Cignetti. “Our assistant coaches did a tremendous job. I would like to thank the faculty and administration involved in this process for their exceptional effort and support.”

Alkwan Williams (Johnstown/Greater Johnstown) | LB | 6-1, 225 | Johnstown, PA / Greater Johnstown (Temple)
Originally a member of Temple's 2012 recruiting class... Already on IUP campus... Will have freshman eligibility in fall of 2013... 60th-ranked outside linebacker and three-star rating by Scout.com in 2012... Also had offers from Pittsburgh, Kent State and Toledo... Had 121 tackes and four sacks defensively... Also caught 20 passes for 448 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior.

Dan Charmo | OL | 6-3, 270 | Hamilton, VA / Woodgrove
Three-time All-Dulles District... Three-year captain... Offensive line team MVP as a senior... brother of current IUP offensive lineman Mike. Video

Jordan Diven (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) | DE/LS | 6-1, 250 | Coraoplis, PA / West Allegheny
First team AP all-state... Allegheny Times All 22... WBVP Radio Player of the Game vs. Central Valley... WPIAL AAA first team all-conference defensive end, honorable mention offensive tackle... Led team in sacks, TFLs, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries... Two-time WPIAL participant (2009, 2012).

Patrick Ferguson (Pittsburgh/Taylor Allderdice) | RB | 6-0, 266 | Pittsburgh, PA / Taylor Allderdice
Three-time All-City selection... Three-time Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22... All-Region... Finished career with over 3,800 yards, second all-time in city league history. Video

Collin (CJ) Jackson | TE | 6-5, 230 | Gibsonia, PA / Pine-Richland
Three-time all-conference at tight end... Two-time all-conference at defensive end. Video

Matthew Mowad (Easton, Pa. /Easton) | TE | 6-3, 235 | Easton, PA / Easton
First team All-Lehigh Valley Conference at tight end and defensive end as a senior. Video

Rex Pearce (McKeesport, Pa. /Elizabeth Forward) | FB/LB/LS | 6-2, 215 | McKeesport, PA / Elizabeth Forward
Two-time all-conference linebacker... All-conference running back in 2012... Team captain.

Logan Rickert | DE | 6-3, 230 | Transfer, PA / Reynolds
Two-time all-regoin offensive and defensive lineman... Two-time team Outstanding Offensive Lineman... Team captain. Video

Ed Stockett | QB | 6-4, 220 | Dravosburg, PA / McKeesport
Three-year starter... 2012 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22... Two-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com... Former verbal commit to Akron... Also held offer from Rutgers... 107-195 for 1,778 yards, 17 touchdowns and six interceptions as a junior. Video

Kevin Edwards (Allison Park, Pa./North Allegheny) | TE/H-B | 6-3, 230 | Allison Park, PA / North Allegheny
Played for three WPIAL championship teams... North Allegheny went 16-0 as a senior... Team captain and two-way starter. Video

Nick Dubowski (Erie, Pa. /Cathedral Prep) | FB | 6-0, 230 | Erie, PA / Cathedral Prep
Two-time all-state linebacker as a junior and senior... Cathredral Prep was the Pennsylvania AAA state champions in 2012. Video

Israel Green | RB | 5-9, 210 | Trotwood, OH / Trotwood-Madison
First team all-state in 2011, second team all-state in 2012... Rushed for over 3,800 yards in two years as a starter... Dayton Player of the Year in 2011... Trotwood-Madison won state championship in 2011, runner-up in 2012... Rushed for 326 yards in 2011 state championship game... Two-star recruit by Rivals.com... . Video

Chaz Cheatham (New Kensington/Valley) | WR/DB | 6-3, 195 | New Kensington, PA / Valley
First team all-conference... Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22... 28 receptions for 550 yards and five touchdowns in 2012... Three game-winning touchdown catches... 90 total tackles, three interceptions defensively.

Darian Bradley (Midland, Pa./Beaver) | RB | 5-10, 210 | Midland, PA / Beaver
Honorable mention all-state... Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22... Top 22 unanimous decision... 39 career touchdowns... Beaver was a WPIAL quarterfinalist. Video

Ethan Cooper (Steelton, Pa. /Central Dauphin East) | DT | 6-3, 300 | Steelton, PA / Central Dauphin East
First team all-conference... Second team All-Patriot News Big 15.

Ed Bier (Philadelphia, Pa. /Archbishop Ryan) | OL | 6-2, 265 | Philadelphia, PA / Archbishop Ryan
All-Catholic league… All-City… Team MVP… Team captain.


*Most video links are junior season highlights.