On Wednesday, Feb. 4, the Slippery Rock football program welcomed in 49 new players, one of the largest recruiting classes in program history.
The class consists of 26 players on offense, 22 on defense and a kicker. Among the additions, 39 are incoming high school athletes, with the remaining ten being mid-year transfers.
Despite the challenges that the transfer portal era has presented in recent years, head coach Shawn Lutz and his coaching staff have put an emphasis on developing high schoolers.
“In the crazy transfer portal era, it feels like high school players are being left out by a lot of programs. We know how important it is to develop talent in our program, and we think 39 high school guys show that,” Lutz said. “We also know we have to balance that with some portal guys, and we are really happy with the mid-year guys we added.”
Geographically, 36 of the total recruits come from Pennsylvania, followed by Ohio (8), New York (2), Virginia (1), Maryland (1) and Michigan (1).
Offense
The class is headlined by local product and three-star recruit Juelz Johnson. Johnson, who was previously committed to the University of Nebraska, switched to The Rock after announcing his commitment on Jan. 31 via social media. As a senior, Johnson ran for 2,305 yards, totaling 3,114 all-purpose yards and 45 touchdowns.
“Expect him to play right away,” said Lutz. “He could play both sides of the ball, but we expect to see him right away at the slot position and as a return man.”
SRU will look to replace production from three of their top four receivers last year in Xander McClure, Latrell Sutton and Joe White. Among the additions to the wide receiver room are transfers Jahmil Perryman of Saint Francis University and Tyler Richmond of Waynesburg University.
Perryman, a McKeesport native, accumulated 255 yards and a touchdown as a receiver, while adding 235 yards and a touchdown on the ground during his time at SFU.
“Really excited about this pickup. Comes from McKeesport. Reminds me of a lot of our good slot guys of the past years,” said Lutz. “Very fast and elusive. Can also play in the return game.”
Richmond, also a junior, eclipsed over 1,000 yards with six touchdowns as a receiver at Waynesburg.
Rounding out the rest of the receiver room are incoming high schoolers Ethan Campoli, Qa’lil Goode, Jamauri Jones, Chase Lemmon, Dylan Maddox, Ricardo Ruffin, Jaylen Stanford and Michael Ruffin.
Under center, SRU adds dual-threat quarterback Jeff Thompson III. Thompson, whose father played for Slippery Rock from 2008-2012, was named Pennsylvania’s first team all-state QB after leading Clairton High School to a state championship last season.
Alongside Thompson in the quarterback room is Frostburg State transfer Tanner Pfeuffer. Pfeuffer, a Bethel Park product, ranks inside the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) top 10 in career all-time passing yards. During his time with the Blackhawks, the 6-5 signal caller set school records for career passing yards, single game passing yards, single game passing touchdowns and most passing touchdowns in a season. Pfeuffer redshirted in his lone season with FSU, and will have four years of eligibility remaining.
SRU welcomes in a trio of tight ends in Holy Cross transfer George Bousum, Joseph Lutz and Logan Ellison.
On the ground, Caden Halajcio, David Dennison, Carter Clee and Allegheny College transfer Dominic Berarducci add depth behind All-American senior JayJay Jordan.
In the trenches, Harrison Eckert will serve as the successor to All-American graduate Joe Cooper. Eckert, who served as Allegheny College’s starting right tackle last season, will look to continue his production at the Division II level. In addition, Wesley Brunken, Ellery Geho, Austin Knox, Cal Maloney and Gunnar Zaledonis make up the incoming freshman class.
Defense
Cayden Parker, a 6-3, 215-pound defensive lineman from nearby Seneca Valley High School, chose Slippery Rock over James Madison, Buffalo, Miami (Oh.), Toledo, Cornell, and New Hampshire.
“One of our highest-recruited guys. Excited to see what he brings to the table,” said Lutz.
Joining him on the line is Ryan Carey, a transfer from Robert Morris University. Carey redshirted last season with the Colonials after receiving all-conference honors during his time at North Hills High School.
High school prospects DeLathian Boanes, Za’Kem Clinton, Qualin Davis, Lukas Gerovac, Gavin Gindlesperger, Hayden Hindman and Ben Stricklin round out the remaining linemen.
Lester Longmire, Trenton Smithson and Nathan Szydlik will add immediate depth to a linebacker group that struggled with injuries over the course of last season.
Transfers Michael Cornick III and Owen Suah bring veteran experience to the secondary. Cornick, a 6-0, 180-pound corner from West Philadelphia, Pa., brought in three interceptions in 33 games at Wilkes University. Suah, a junior transfer from Delaware Valley University, recorded four interceptions and 38 tackles in 2025.
The remainder of the defensive back class consists of Jaxson Hanzely, Jonah Brown, Jordin Johnson, Aaron Lawson, Aaron Scales, Taris Wooding, Donte Wright and Jaiden Young.
Special Teams
On special teams, Wittenberg transfer Connor Macek makes up the lone kicker in the recruiting class. Macek, a sophomore from Dayton, Ohio, attempted one field goal last season with the Tigers, a successful 48-yard attempt against Denison University on October 11.
Slippery Rock football will play in their annual Green vs. White Spring Game on Friday, April 24. The 2026 season will kick off on Thursday, Aug. 27 against nationally-ranked Minnesota Duluth at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
