(March 28, 2006) ?? Fordham University Head Football Coach, Tom Masella announced the signing of 18 football players to letters of intent with Fordham for the 2006 season. Masella, who took over at Fordham in December after leading at Central Connecticut State University to back-to-back Northeast Conference championships the past two years, attempts to turn the Rams around after a 2-9 season in 2005. The new recruiting class will join 11 starters who return for the 2006 season, seven of those from the offense, including running back James Prydatko who became the second Ram on the I-AA level to rush for over 1,000 yards last year. Last fall, six Rams were named All-Patriot League led by junior plackicker Micah Clukey and senior punter Anthony DiFino who were both named to the First Team. The Rams open their 107th season of varsity football on Saturday, September 2nd when they host Monmouth University on Jack Coffey Field at 6:00 p.m. Fordham is entering its 17th season as a member of the NCAA Division I-AA Patriot League. Here is a complete list of the newcomers: Name, Pos., Ht., Wt., Hometown/High School Isiejah Allen, DB, 5-11, 180, Washington, DC/Gonzaga Brandon Brown, DB, 5-9, 180, Glen Cove, NY/St. Anthony??s Jason Caldwell, WR, 5-11, 180, Baltimore, MD/St. Paul??s (Wyoming Seminary) James Crockett, LB, 6-2, 205, Cleveland, OH/St. Peter Chanel Larry Dortch, RB, 5-9, 210, Chicago, IL/Mt. Carmel James Dunn, OL, 6-2, 270, Philadelphia, PA/St. Joseph??s Prep Joe Evans, DB, 6-1, 200, New York, NY/Fordham Prep Amen Igbinosun, OL, 6-4, 320, Rahway, NJ/Rahway Regional Asa Lucas, WR, 6-1, 180, Scranton, PA/West Scranton Asil Mulbah, LB, 5-11, 210, Jackson, NJ/Jackson Tom Porto, OL, 6-3, 305, Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs Robby Reis, OL, 6-2, 316, Rutland, VT/Rutland Frank Rizzo, OL, 6-3, 285, Oradell, NJ/Bergen Catholic Mike Shorter, RB/DB, 5-11, 180, Meriden, CT/Platt (Rosemary-Choate Aca.) John Skelton, QB, 6-6, 220, El Paso, TX/Burges Chris Small, QB/DB, 6-1, 190, Danvers, MA/Danvers (New Hampton Prep) Mark Woznicki, TE, 6-5, 225, Torrington, CT/Torrington Darzell Wright, DL, 6-2, 280, Chicago, IL/Mt. Carmel Isiejah Allen 2004 & 2005 First Team All-League Red Zone Player of the Year nominee Four-time Red Zone Player of the Week Rushed for 1,048 yards as a senior (6.9 yards/carry) Brandon Brown 2005 First Team All-CHSAA 2004 Second Team All-CHSAA Selected to play in the Governor??s Bowl Second sophomore to start in school history 2005 First Team All-CHSAA in track Jason Caldwell 2005 Independent League MVP 2003 & 2004 First Team All-State 2004 All-Conference Super 22 Candidate (University of Maryland) Fox 45 Prep Player of the Week ABC Prep Player of the Week James Crockett AP 2005 All-Ohio Football Team 2005 First Team All-State 2005 First Team All-District 2004 & 2005 First Team All-Conference Team MVP Larry Dortch 2004 & 2005 First Team All-Conference 2005 Honorable Mention All-State 1,489 rushing yards as a senior (6.8 yards/carry) with 19 TDs James Dunn 2005 First Team All-League Member of 2005 Philadelphia City Champions Member of the Daily News Best OL Team was ranked in USA Today Top 25 Joe Evans 2005 First Team All-NYCHAA 2005 NYCHAA leading tackler Senior Bowl participant Averaged 10.9 tackles/game Amen Igbinosun 2005 First Team All-Union City 2005 First Team All-Group 2005 Honorable Mention All-State Third ranked OL in New Jersey 2004 & 2005 First Team All-Area 2003, 2004 & 2005 First Team All-League Asa Lucas 2005 First Team All-Region 2005 First Team All-Conference (WR) 2005 Second Team All-Conference (DB) Selected to Super 16 Dream Team Defensive MVP Team MVP Asil Mulbah 2005 First Team All-State 2005 First Team All-Group IV 2005 First Team All-Shore Conference 2004 & 2005 First Team All-Ocean County 2004 & 2005 First Team All-Division Tom Porto ESPN Top 150 Lineman in the Country 2005 Sec. III Most Outstanding Player 2005 Sec. III All-Star Member of the 2005 Sec. III championship team Robby Reis Vermont Gatorade Player of the Year Vermont Red Zone Player of the Year 2005 First Team All-State 2005 First Team All-League Team MVP Frank Rizzo Member of the 2004 New Jersey State champions 2004 & 2005 Second Team All-League Two-way starter (DT/OT) Mike Shorter 2005 First Team All-New England Prep 2003 & 2004 First Team All-State 2002, 2003 & 2004 First Team All-League Rushed for 1,800 yards as a senior John Skelton 2005 El Paso Times First Team All-City 2005 Preseason Player of the Year 2005 First Team All-District 1 (AAAA) El Paso All-Star Team starting QB Three-time All-District in basketball Four-time All-District in baseball Chris Small Boston Globe First Team All-League Herald American First Team All-League 2004 NEC First Team 2004 NEC Player of the Year Participant in the Harry Againas All-Star Game Participant in The Shriners All-Star Game 2005 Second Team All-New England Prep Mark Woznicki 2005 First Team All-League 2005 NVL Defensive Player of the Year Forward on the basketball team, averaging 16 ppg and 9 rpg Brother, Tom, plays on the OL at Yale Darzell Wright Chicago Tribune Top 100 Player 2005 First Team All-Area 2005 First Team All-League Most Improved Player