Robert Morris officially announced nine additions to its 2014 recruiting class on Friday. These additions were in the works even prior to Signing Day, but had to wait for a variety of reasons.
Here's a look at how the nine fit into Robert Morris' plans for the upcoming season.
OL STEVEN BARNES (6'2, 285 / DuBois, Pa.) - FILM
Robert Morris liked having three platoons to work with on the line in training camp last year and the addition of Barnes once again brings them to 15 on the offensive line. It also can help mitigate the recovery time for Drew Garbenis, who is not participating in spring ball due to injury. Something to keep an eye on with Barnes: He spent the past few years practicing against two potential Division I defensive linemen in Joe and Brad Peterson, who are going to be seniors in 2014. DuBois isn't a powerhouse in PA, but that experience may help Barnes early on. Either way, he'll probably redshirt in 2014 and provide depth inside as he gets used to the college game.
RB COLE BLAKE (5'11, 200 / Moon, Pa.) - FILM
Finally healthy after an injury-plagued start to high school career, Blake shined and took Moon to the playoffs for the first time in a long time last year. He ran for almost 1,800 yards and had 22 touchdowns. ColonialsCorner was on hand for two of his best games, including a ridiculous 300-plus yard performance against New Castle. He was his team's main weapon and piled up the carries, and I think some teams were concerned about his injury history. RMU added another running back to help flesh out the depth, especially once they determined Evan Taylor would not return. Taylor missed all of last year and the hope was that he might come back for one last season, but evidently that's not happening. He'll be another candidate to get carries at tailback during the competition in training camp.
DE GRANT LANZA (6'4, 255 / Roanoke, Texas) - FILM
Lanza could be viewed almost as a direct replacement for Angelo Natter, who backed out of his letter of intent to go to Army. Lanza has similar size and athleticism, though he wasn't used in as many situations as Natter was on the field. As for the surprise about Robert Morris landing a kid from Texas, it's all about connections. His father, Chuck Lanza, played on the Steelers and John Banaszak is all about cultivating his own relationship with the Steelers. Plus, Grant Lanza will be able to connect with another Texan on the defensive side of the ball in Mike Stojkovic.
DL CODY ROOP (6'0, 250 / Oxford, MI) - FILM
A teammate of incoming freshman H-Back Ben Line, Roop will make the transition to full-time defensive lineman after playing center and defensive line for Oxford. He's the type of guy that gives Robert Morris some positional flexibility along the line. He has the size to play defensive end, but he has experience playing a lot of defensive tackle in high school. Of particular note, he played the nose tackle position in the 3-4, something not many high schools use. With Henry Jartu out still due to a head injury suffered last year, Roop's initial snaps may come at defensive tackle but he could end up at defensive end in the long run.
DB DREW HOGAN (6'0, 200 / Endicott, N.Y.0 - FILM
A versatile athlete, Hogan played tight end and linebacker in high school. He's listed as a potential safety or linebacker on RMU's release, and it's our belief he'll move into the strong safety role at Robert Morris. The Colonials have a need for bigger athletes in the secondary, and while they addressed it a bit, the addition of Hogan further deepens that group. Considering the wide open competition at safety, Hogan will have the chance to compete for playing time in camp, though a special teams role might be more likely.
DB OWEN NEARHOOF (6'0, 185 / Mars, Pa.) - FILM
The third Nearhoof to play at Robert Morris in the last decade, it's no surprise that Owen and RMU connected. He played quarterback for Mars but wasn't going to play there at the Division I level. He's a very good, very smart player (no surprise, considering his brothers). He'll probably start off at safety, but there will be a lot of moving parts in the secondary as Robert Morris fills its holes. He or someone else could shift to corner as well.
LB COLLIER SMITH (6'2, 235 / Birmingham, AL) - FILM
Depth was a concern for Robert Morris, especially in light of some suspensions. A bigger linebacker like Smith will help Robert Morris fill those holes. He's a pretty physical outside linebacker, and he packs a punch with his hits. It'll be interesting to see where Scott Farison slides him in. He's bigger, which has usually meant a move inside in Robert Morris' 3-4 defense since RMU funnels everything to the middle linebackers. But he moves pretty well and could end up outside with a more athletic coverage outside linebacker out in space more.
LB JOSEPH UHATAFE (6'1, 228 / St. Petersburg, FL) - FILM
One of the players who was connected to Robert Morris for a while but took some time to ultimately file his letter of intent, Uhatafe is similar to Smith in that he could end up either inside or outside for Robert Morris. He's another strong, big hitter who presents a pretty strong physical presence on the field. Robert Morris likes that strength inside, so he could play there while other guys move around more. Maybe a guy like Jimmy Masson moves outside in the fall.
LB KENNETH WARD (6'0, 220 / McMurray, Pa.) - FILM
A high school teammate of Mike Woltz, Ward fits the profile of Smith and Uhatafe. He played mostly inside for Peters Township but appears to have enough athleticism to potentially move outside for Robert Morris. Either way, Robert Morris is stressing the need to for its linebackers to be able to play all over the field and handle any opportunity that's presented. Odds are Ward will get the chance to learn every spot.
Here's a look at how the nine fit into Robert Morris' plans for the upcoming season.
OL STEVEN BARNES (6'2, 285 / DuBois, Pa.) - FILM
Robert Morris liked having three platoons to work with on the line in training camp last year and the addition of Barnes once again brings them to 15 on the offensive line. It also can help mitigate the recovery time for Drew Garbenis, who is not participating in spring ball due to injury. Something to keep an eye on with Barnes: He spent the past few years practicing against two potential Division I defensive linemen in Joe and Brad Peterson, who are going to be seniors in 2014. DuBois isn't a powerhouse in PA, but that experience may help Barnes early on. Either way, he'll probably redshirt in 2014 and provide depth inside as he gets used to the college game.
RB COLE BLAKE (5'11, 200 / Moon, Pa.) - FILM
Finally healthy after an injury-plagued start to high school career, Blake shined and took Moon to the playoffs for the first time in a long time last year. He ran for almost 1,800 yards and had 22 touchdowns. ColonialsCorner was on hand for two of his best games, including a ridiculous 300-plus yard performance against New Castle. He was his team's main weapon and piled up the carries, and I think some teams were concerned about his injury history. RMU added another running back to help flesh out the depth, especially once they determined Evan Taylor would not return. Taylor missed all of last year and the hope was that he might come back for one last season, but evidently that's not happening. He'll be another candidate to get carries at tailback during the competition in training camp.
DE GRANT LANZA (6'4, 255 / Roanoke, Texas) - FILM
Lanza could be viewed almost as a direct replacement for Angelo Natter, who backed out of his letter of intent to go to Army. Lanza has similar size and athleticism, though he wasn't used in as many situations as Natter was on the field. As for the surprise about Robert Morris landing a kid from Texas, it's all about connections. His father, Chuck Lanza, played on the Steelers and John Banaszak is all about cultivating his own relationship with the Steelers. Plus, Grant Lanza will be able to connect with another Texan on the defensive side of the ball in Mike Stojkovic.
DL CODY ROOP (6'0, 250 / Oxford, MI) - FILM
A teammate of incoming freshman H-Back Ben Line, Roop will make the transition to full-time defensive lineman after playing center and defensive line for Oxford. He's the type of guy that gives Robert Morris some positional flexibility along the line. He has the size to play defensive end, but he has experience playing a lot of defensive tackle in high school. Of particular note, he played the nose tackle position in the 3-4, something not many high schools use. With Henry Jartu out still due to a head injury suffered last year, Roop's initial snaps may come at defensive tackle but he could end up at defensive end in the long run.
DB DREW HOGAN (6'0, 200 / Endicott, N.Y.0 - FILM
A versatile athlete, Hogan played tight end and linebacker in high school. He's listed as a potential safety or linebacker on RMU's release, and it's our belief he'll move into the strong safety role at Robert Morris. The Colonials have a need for bigger athletes in the secondary, and while they addressed it a bit, the addition of Hogan further deepens that group. Considering the wide open competition at safety, Hogan will have the chance to compete for playing time in camp, though a special teams role might be more likely.
DB OWEN NEARHOOF (6'0, 185 / Mars, Pa.) - FILM
The third Nearhoof to play at Robert Morris in the last decade, it's no surprise that Owen and RMU connected. He played quarterback for Mars but wasn't going to play there at the Division I level. He's a very good, very smart player (no surprise, considering his brothers). He'll probably start off at safety, but there will be a lot of moving parts in the secondary as Robert Morris fills its holes. He or someone else could shift to corner as well.
LB COLLIER SMITH (6'2, 235 / Birmingham, AL) - FILM
Depth was a concern for Robert Morris, especially in light of some suspensions. A bigger linebacker like Smith will help Robert Morris fill those holes. He's a pretty physical outside linebacker, and he packs a punch with his hits. It'll be interesting to see where Scott Farison slides him in. He's bigger, which has usually meant a move inside in Robert Morris' 3-4 defense since RMU funnels everything to the middle linebackers. But he moves pretty well and could end up outside with a more athletic coverage outside linebacker out in space more.
LB JOSEPH UHATAFE (6'1, 228 / St. Petersburg, FL) - FILM
One of the players who was connected to Robert Morris for a while but took some time to ultimately file his letter of intent, Uhatafe is similar to Smith in that he could end up either inside or outside for Robert Morris. He's another strong, big hitter who presents a pretty strong physical presence on the field. Robert Morris likes that strength inside, so he could play there while other guys move around more. Maybe a guy like Jimmy Masson moves outside in the fall.
LB KENNETH WARD (6'0, 220 / McMurray, Pa.) - FILM
A high school teammate of Mike Woltz, Ward fits the profile of Smith and Uhatafe. He played mostly inside for Peters Township but appears to have enough athleticism to potentially move outside for Robert Morris. Either way, Robert Morris is stressing the need to for its linebackers to be able to play all over the field and handle any opportunity that's presented. Odds are Ward will get the chance to learn every spot.
