Feb. 13, 2009

Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University Head Football Coach, Tom Masella announced the signing of 23 football players to letters of intent with Fordham for the 2009 season.

Masella, who enters his fourth season on Rose Hill, led the Rams to a 5-6 overall record last fall after guiding Fordham to the 2007 Patriot League title, earning Patriot League Coach of the Year honors as well as being named the American Football Coaches Association's (AFCA) 2007 Region 1 Co-Coach of the Year.

The new class features 14 defensive players and nine offensive players (some players played on both sides of the ball in high school). By position defensive linemen lead the way with five, followed by offensive linemen (4), linebackers (4), defensive backs (4), quarterbacks (3), running back (1), wide receiver (1) and kicker (1).

The 23 freshmen hail from nine different states, from New York to California, with four from New York, four from Texas, three from New Jersey, three from Connecticut, two each from Florida, Georgia and Pennsylvania and one from California, Massachusetts and Ohio.

Included in the recruiting class are a set of twins, the third set of twins and the fifth set of brothers on the 2009 roster.

The new recruiting class will join 15 starters who return for the 2009 season, eight of those from the offense and seven on defense.

Last fall, five Rams were named All-Patriot League, led by senior defensive lineman Greg DeMarco and senior safety Matt Loucks who were each was named to the First Team. Also receiving accolades from the League's coaches were senior defensive lineman Ryan Mehra, junior linebacker James Crockett and senior offensive lineman Justin Sarabaez who were all named to the Second Team.

The Rams are scheduled to open their 110th season of varsity football on Saturday, September 5th, when they travel to Kingston, R.I., to take on the University of Rhode Island. Fordham is entering its 20th season as a member of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Patriot League.

Here is a complete list of the 2009 newcomers:

Name, Pos., Ht., Wt., Hometown/High School
Daniel Avedesian, LB, 6'1, 180, State College, Pa./State College
James Avedesian, QB, 6'1, 180, State College, Pa./State College
Paul Barchitta, LB, 6'0, 205, Staten Island, N.Y./Msgr. Farrell
Zachery Crosby, DB, 5'9, 180, Braselton, Ga./Jefferson
William DeLuca, OL, 6'3, 265, Riverside, Conn./Greenwich
Kevin Heinowitz, K, 5'11, 175, Oakland, N.J./Indian Hills
Benjamin Heiser, QB, 6'5, 225, Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills
Ryan Higgins, QB, 6'2, 180, Merrick, N.Y./Chaminade
John Hohlt, OL, 6'5, 260, Houston, Tex./Strake Jesuit
Robert Kubacki, OL/DL, 6'4, 310, Andover. Mass./Phillips Academy
Langston LaCroix, RB/DB, 5'9, 190, New Egypt, N.J./New Egypt
John LaSure III, OL/DL, 6'7, 230, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Calvary Christian Aca.
Alex Locker, OL/DL, 6'6, 210, Hypoluxo, Fla./Lake Worth
Anthony Lubischer, LB, 6'0, 230, Oceanport, N.J./Red Bank Catholic
Michael Martin, LB, 5'11, 214, Arlington, Tex./Juan Seguin
Aaron Mays, WR, 5'9, 170, Riverside, Cal./Riverside
Brandon Melanophy, DB, 6'1, 185, Danbury, Conn./Danbury
Andrew Milmore, DL, 6'3, 275, Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield-Ward
Robert Palmer, DB, 5'11, 160, Grand Prairie, Tex./South Grand Prairie
Anthony Perrone, DL, 6'1, 270, New Hyde Park, N.Y./New Hyde Park
Khary Powell, DB, 5'11, 185, Atlanta, Ga./Central Gwinnett
Matthew Sconiers, DL, 6'4, 210, Houston, Tex./Clear Lake
Christopher Watkins, OL, 6'3, 260, Carmel, N.Y./Carmel

2009 Fordham University Football Recruiting Class

Daniel Avedesian (LB, 6'1, 180, State College, Pa./State College)
- Team co-captain.
- Centre Daily Times player of the week
- Defensive player of the game
- Prudential award for September, October and November
- Led team to a 12-1 record in 2008 and a final ranking of sixth in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Quad A
- Earned Mid-Penn All-District honors
- Joins his twin brother, James, in signing with Fordham
- Coach Masella on Daniel Avedesian: "Dan's a competitive player from a strong program who provided great leadership for one of the best defenses in the state."

James Avedesian (QB, 6'1, 180, State College, Pa./State College)
- Co-Captain
- Team MVP
- Mid-Penn Player of the Week
- Offensive player of the game September and October
- Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame (NFFCHF)
- Earned Mid-Penn All-District honors
- Led team to a 12-1 record in 2008 and a final ranking of sixth in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Quad A
- Joins his twin brother, Daniel, in signing with Fordham
- Coach Masella on James Avedesian: "James had an excellent season at quarterback and led his team deep into the playoffs."

Paul Barchitta (LB, 6'0, 205, Staten Island, N.Y./Msgr. Farrell)
- All-Catholic League
- 2008 Fugazzi Bowl captain and MVP
- Chosen to play in the 2009 Outback Steakhouse Empire Bowl
- Received the 2008 Dennis Barret Award
- 2,022 all purpose yards as a senior (720 yards rushing on 120 carries, 198 yards receiving on 14 receptions, 120 completions for 1105 yards)
- Scored 16 touchdowns and recorded 71 tackles
- Coach Masella on Barchitta: "Paul is a very good athlete and will fit in nicely with our defensive team."

Zachery Crosby (DB, 5'9, 180, Braselton, Ga./Jefferson)
- Member of Georgia Top 150 Team
- State Powerlifting Champion
- Played in the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) All-Star Game
- Three year starter in high school
- Junior and senior years tailed 98 receptions for 1,203 yards and 12 TDs and rushed 94 times for 482 yards and 14 TDs
- 461 punt return yards with one TD as a senior and had 45 tackles on defense with three interceptions
- A state champion wrestler
- Played for Coach Bill Navas
- Coach Masella on Crosby: "Zachery One of the most exciting players we have coming in this year."

William DeLuca (OL, 6'3, 265, Riverside, Conn./Greenwich)
- 2008 All-Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference (FCIAC) Honorable Mention
- Lettered in football and lacrosse
- Started on the 2007 County and State Championship Team
- Recorded seven sacks in 2008
- Coach Masella on DeLuca: "William is a big, strong, athletic defensive lineman who will help us."

Kevin Heinowitz (K, 5'11, 175, Oakland, N.J./Indian Hills)
- All-League Second Team placekicker
- Selected for the US Soccer Development Academy (2007)
- Selected for Super Y National Olympic Development Program Camps (2006 & 2007)
- Selected for New Jersey's National Olympic Development Soccer Camp (2005 & 2007)
- Recognized Nationally in Top 10 Goalies for Age Group
- Participated in numerous National, Regional and State Soccer Tournaments
- Coach Masella on Heinowitz: "Kevin was our top kicking prospect on the board. We're excited to have him at Fordham."

Benjamin Heiser (QB, 6'5, 225, Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills)
- Team co-captain
- First Team All-Fort Ancient Valley Conference (FAVC) in 2007 and 2008
- 2008 runner up for FAVC Offensive Player of the Year
- Named WLWT quarterback of the week (win in season opener)
- Team MVP
- Recipient of Walnut Hills High School Offensive Coach's Award
- 2007 Honorable Mention All-Southwest Ohio
- Honorable Mention All-City (2007 & 2008)
- Coach Masella on Heiser: "Benjamin is a big, strong, athletic quarterback who has a very bright future."

Ryan Higgins (QB, 6'2, 180, Merrick, N.Y./Chaminade)
- Recipient of the Oliver DeJesu Award as Chaminade's Second MVP
- New York Catholic High School Football League (NYCHSFL) All-League
- Threw for ten touchdowns and rushed for two more
- Coach Masella on Higgins: "Ryan was heavily recruited by some of the top teams in our league. He's an excellent passer with a lot ability. We're very excited to have Ryan joining the Fordham Rams."

John Hohlt (OL, 6'5, 260, Houston, Tex./Strake Jesuit)
- Team captain
- Academic Honor Roll every semester
- Two-time Texas All-District 5A
- Named to Dave Campbell's Watch List
- Named to the Texas 5A Football Watch List
- Member of the basketball team
- Grandfather attended Fordham Prep
- Played for Coach Ron Counter
- Coach Masella on Hohlt: "John is a very athletic offensive tackle. We look forward to having John here for four years."

Robert Kubacki (OL/DL, 6'4, 310, Andover. Mass./Phillips Academy)
- First Team All-Metro League as a senior
- 2008 Mountain Division honors on both offensive line and defensive line
- 2008 Mountain Division's co-lineman of the year
- An All-State nominee
- Paved the way for the first 1,000 yard rusher in school history (Mike Bush)
- Father, Jim, played quarterback for Harvard and also worked as an assistant Football Coach at Fordham from 1985-1988
- Coach Masella on Kubacki: "Robert is a big, strong, athletic offensive lineman that will do very well at Fordham."

Langston LaCroix (RB/DB, 5'9, 190, New Egypt, N.J./New Egypt)
- New Jersey Super 100 player
- An All-State selection
- All-South New Jersey
- All-Area
- First team All-Conference and All-County pick
- Coach Masella on LaCroix: "Langston is very explosive football player with the ball in his hands. He can be a big play player."

John LaSure III (OL/DL, 6'7, 230, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Calvary Christian Aca.)
- 2008 Lineman of the year
- All-County Honorable Mention
- Played in the Florida North/South All-Star Game
- Coach Masella on LaSure: "John is a very versatile lineman who can play either side of the ball. He will only get bigger and stronger in his time at Fordham."

Alex Locker (OL/DL, 6'6, 210, Hypoluxo, Fla./Lake Worth)
- United States Achievement Academy for Science award recipient in 2003
- Honor Roll student
- Four-year letterman for football
- Team captain, team MVP
- All-District offensive tackle
- A First Team All-Palm Beach County pick in 2008
- Played in the 2009 Outback Steakhouse All-Star Game
- Also competed with the track team, earning Second Team All-County honors
- Coach Masella on Locker: "Alex is a versatile lineman who is very athletic and can play either side of the ball."

Anthony Lubischer (LB, 6'0, 230, Oceanport, N.J./Red Bank Catholic)
- Led 2008 team with 109 tackles
- Also led team with eight tackles for loss
- Recorded two sacks and three forced fumbles
- Ranked 92nd best ILB in the country by ESPN Recruiting
- Coach Masella on Lubischer: "Anthony is a very tough, hard inside linebacker who will fit in well at Fordham."

Michael Martin (LB, 5'11, 214, Arlington, Tex./Juan Seguin)
- Unanimous First Team All-District selection at linebacker
- Led Tarrant County 4A schools in tackles with 93 solo, 41 assisted, and five tackles for loss
- 2008 Seguin Cougars Most Valuable Player for second consecutive year (voted by the coaching staff)
- Other stats: two QB pressures, one sack, one forced fumble, one pass break up, six fourth down stops
- Rushed for 116 yards on fake punts
- President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes
- Team captain in 2008
- Two-sport letterman (football and basketball)
- 2008 Bi-District Champs
- Named a Star-Telegram Impact Player to watch
- By invitation only nominee to play for the Junior USA team
- Coach Masella on Martin: "Michael is a big, strong, athletic inside linebacker who should have a chance to play early in his career here at Fordham."

Aaron Mays (WR, 5'9, 170, Riverside, Cal./Riverside (Chaffey C.C.))
- Two-year starter at Chaffey Community College in Rancho Cucamonga, California
- Southern California Football Association (SCFA) All-Conference WR/PR
- Had 42 receptions and 13 TDs last year
- All-League selection in track in high school
- Coach Masella on Mays: "Aaron is a big play wide receiver who is already enrolled at Fordham. Spring practice will be an excellent opportunity for him to get acclimated with the offense."

Brandon Melanophy (DB, 6'1, 185, Danbury, Conn./Danbury) - First Team All-Conference as a senior Year
- First Team All-Area in 2008
- Second Team All-Conference as a junior
- Captain of football and track teams
- Competed with the 4x200 and 4x400 relays
- Starting centerfielder on baseball team
- Coach Masella on Melanophy: "Brandon is a very versatile athlete who will probably end up in our secondary."

Andrew Milmore (DL, 6'3, 275, Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield-Ward)
- 2008 Connecticut Post All-Star at defensive line
- 2008 All-State pick on the defensive line
- Team captain
- Coach Masella on Milmore: "Andrew is a very big, athletic defensive lineman who has a bright future."

Robert Palmer (DB, 5'11, 160, Grand Prairie, Tex./South Grand Prairie)
- Selected to 2008-09 Texas High School Coaches Association Academic All State Team
- First Team All-District at cornerback (unanimous selection)
- 2006 & 2007 regional qualifier and All-District performer in the 400m and 4x400 relay
- Joins former high school teammates Ahmed and Jamal Haruna at Fordham
- Coach Masella on Palmer: "Robert is a very skilled athlete who can play either safety or corner."

Anthony Perrone (DL, 6'1, 270, New Hyde Park, N.Y./New Hyde Park)
- Coach Masella on Perrone: "Anthony is a local player who will have a chance to contribute to our defensive line."

Khary Powell (DB, 5'11, 185, Atlanta, Ga./Central Gwinnett)
- A 2008 Gwinnett County All-Star
- Recipient of the Gwinnett County Touchdown Club Scholar Athlete Award
- Three-time Player of the Week
- Recipient of the Black Knight Award
- Played for Coach Ed Stokes
- Coach Masella on Powell: "Khary is a very athletic, physical, safety type. He will fit in well with us."

Matthew Sconiers (DL, 6'4, 210, Houston, Tex./Clear Lake)
- Recorded 88 tackles, five sacks and five tackles for loss as a senior
- Played for Coach Troy Aduddell
- Coach Masella on Sconiers: "Matthew is a tall, lean, defensive end who can rush the passer."

Christopher Watkins (OL, 6'3, 260, Carmel, N.Y./Carmel)
- An All-League and All-Conference selection on the line as a junior
- Team captain senior year
- Three-year starter on offensive line and two-year starter on defensive line
- Coach Masella on Watkins: "Chris is a big, strong offensive lineman who will help us."