The homecoming game has become a huge recruiting tool for Robert Morris, as it is the school's blowout event of the football calendar. It's also typically the best environment to bring recruits in on unofficial visits, and that was the case again Saturday against Duquesne.
Dozens of targets were invited, and while some stayed away because of the rain, a number of other recruits showed up and took in at least some of the festivities and the game against Duquesne.
This is just a partial list of confirmed players who were in attendance. We'll add any more if we get additional information.
RB Terry Swanson (Aliquippa) - The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Swanson was the headliner of the group because many believe he deserves BCS offers. Pitt's looked at him several times but hasn't pulled the trigger. The Aliquippa star shares the backfield with four-star stud Dravon Henry, but Swanson's outshined Henry in several games. He plays both ways, but he'd be ideal for a team looking for a home-run hitter at running back. Swanson already has offers from James Madison, Ohio, Stony Brook, Temple and Toledo.
RB Cole Blake (Moon) - A 5-foot-11, 195 pound back who has missed chunks of his high school career due to injury, Blake is in the middle of a strong senior season. In fact, Blake was in attendance after rushing for a school-record 343 yards the night before against New Castle. Blake would be more of a physical back, although he has above average speed.
RB Luigi Lista-Brinza (Pittsburgh Central Catholic) - Another dynamic running back, Lista-Brinza has been the lynch-pin for Central Catholic's march to an 8-0 record. He's on pace to have well over 1,000 yards once Central Catholic's season is over with. He's actually been noticed for more than just the last few years; he subbed in even as a freshman and has been a contributor ever since.
DB Owen Nearhoof (Mars) - The last name should be plenty familiar to Robert Morris fans. The youngest Nearhoof brother, Owen is a quarterback/defensive back who is likely going to play on the defensive side of the ball in college. Owen Nearhoof is certainly well known amongst the coaching staff and he no doubt has plenty of knowledge regarding Robert Morris thanks to older brothers Nolan and Ryan.
LB Justin Best (Easton) - One of several recruits in attendance from the other side of the state, Best is a 6-foot-1, 215 pound linebacker who hits like a truck. He also has interested from Rhode Island and Duquesne, and he's explored the possibility of walking on at Penn State. Best could play any of the linebacker spots for Robert Morris because of his athleticism and versatility.
DB Thomas Young (Gateway) - Robert Morris had success with Gateway when it came to landing corner Brian Jones, and this would be the year to go back to the Gators. Gateway's loaded with talent at the skill positions, and Young is a potential defensive back. He's 6-foot, 190 pounds, so he'd be a little bigger than RMU's current corners.
OL/DL Steve Wood (Pittsburgh Central Catholic) - One of the big guys on Central Catholic's dominant offensive line, Wood is a 6-foot-3, 270-pound offensive and defensive lineman. Wood profiles as a guard or center on offense.
OL Andres Warfel (Central Bucks West) - Robert Morris has gone big lately on the offensive line and Warfel would certainly fit the bill. He's 6-foot-5, 295-pounds and he's exceptionally strong (his dad was a power lifter). He's had some Patriot League interest, which is typical for players on the eastern side of the state.
WR Craig Thompson (New Brighton) - Thompson's been the primary receiver in New Brighton's spread offense this year, and the Colonials have a line to him with tight end D.J. Pearson, who is also a New Brighton graduate. The 5-foot-11, 170 pound Thompson could potentially be a fit at defensive back as well.
OL/DL Terrence Stanton (Pittsburgh Central Catholic) - Another of Central Catholic's big boys, Stanton plays on both sides of the line but projects as a potential defensive lineman in college. He's 6-foot-2, 250 pounds, which would be a good defensive end size for RMU. He's also played defensive tackle.
LB Seth Warburton (Greensburg Central Catholic) - A classic middle linebacker, Warburton is a 6-foot, 215 pound force on defense for Greensburg Central. He hits and he hits hard. He's also athletic enough to cover some guys in high school. Both Warburton and his teammate below have a connection at RMU with TE Justin Kempka.
WR/DB Jason Goulding (Greensburg Central Catholic) - A 6-foot, 175-pound two-way player, Goulding appears to be a potential corner prospect in college. He's caught a few passes this year, but not many, and his highlight film is mostly of his defensive work.
LB Justin McMahon (Mentor, Ohio) - One of a handful of out-of-state visitors, the 6-foot, 215-pound McMahon fits what Robert Morris looks for out of potential middle linebackers. He had 117 tackles for a very good team last year, and he's helped push Mentor out to a 7-1 start again this year. RMU also likes players from winners, and Mentor fits the bill.
That's the list for now. We'll add any others as we get information.
Dozens of targets were invited, and while some stayed away because of the rain, a number of other recruits showed up and took in at least some of the festivities and the game against Duquesne.
This is just a partial list of confirmed players who were in attendance. We'll add any more if we get additional information.
RB Terry Swanson (Aliquippa) - The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Swanson was the headliner of the group because many believe he deserves BCS offers. Pitt's looked at him several times but hasn't pulled the trigger. The Aliquippa star shares the backfield with four-star stud Dravon Henry, but Swanson's outshined Henry in several games. He plays both ways, but he'd be ideal for a team looking for a home-run hitter at running back. Swanson already has offers from James Madison, Ohio, Stony Brook, Temple and Toledo.
RB Cole Blake (Moon) - A 5-foot-11, 195 pound back who has missed chunks of his high school career due to injury, Blake is in the middle of a strong senior season. In fact, Blake was in attendance after rushing for a school-record 343 yards the night before against New Castle. Blake would be more of a physical back, although he has above average speed.
RB Luigi Lista-Brinza (Pittsburgh Central Catholic) - Another dynamic running back, Lista-Brinza has been the lynch-pin for Central Catholic's march to an 8-0 record. He's on pace to have well over 1,000 yards once Central Catholic's season is over with. He's actually been noticed for more than just the last few years; he subbed in even as a freshman and has been a contributor ever since.
DB Owen Nearhoof (Mars) - The last name should be plenty familiar to Robert Morris fans. The youngest Nearhoof brother, Owen is a quarterback/defensive back who is likely going to play on the defensive side of the ball in college. Owen Nearhoof is certainly well known amongst the coaching staff and he no doubt has plenty of knowledge regarding Robert Morris thanks to older brothers Nolan and Ryan.
LB Justin Best (Easton) - One of several recruits in attendance from the other side of the state, Best is a 6-foot-1, 215 pound linebacker who hits like a truck. He also has interested from Rhode Island and Duquesne, and he's explored the possibility of walking on at Penn State. Best could play any of the linebacker spots for Robert Morris because of his athleticism and versatility.
DB Thomas Young (Gateway) - Robert Morris had success with Gateway when it came to landing corner Brian Jones, and this would be the year to go back to the Gators. Gateway's loaded with talent at the skill positions, and Young is a potential defensive back. He's 6-foot, 190 pounds, so he'd be a little bigger than RMU's current corners.
OL/DL Steve Wood (Pittsburgh Central Catholic) - One of the big guys on Central Catholic's dominant offensive line, Wood is a 6-foot-3, 270-pound offensive and defensive lineman. Wood profiles as a guard or center on offense.
OL Andres Warfel (Central Bucks West) - Robert Morris has gone big lately on the offensive line and Warfel would certainly fit the bill. He's 6-foot-5, 295-pounds and he's exceptionally strong (his dad was a power lifter). He's had some Patriot League interest, which is typical for players on the eastern side of the state.
WR Craig Thompson (New Brighton) - Thompson's been the primary receiver in New Brighton's spread offense this year, and the Colonials have a line to him with tight end D.J. Pearson, who is also a New Brighton graduate. The 5-foot-11, 170 pound Thompson could potentially be a fit at defensive back as well.
OL/DL Terrence Stanton (Pittsburgh Central Catholic) - Another of Central Catholic's big boys, Stanton plays on both sides of the line but projects as a potential defensive lineman in college. He's 6-foot-2, 250 pounds, which would be a good defensive end size for RMU. He's also played defensive tackle.
LB Seth Warburton (Greensburg Central Catholic) - A classic middle linebacker, Warburton is a 6-foot, 215 pound force on defense for Greensburg Central. He hits and he hits hard. He's also athletic enough to cover some guys in high school. Both Warburton and his teammate below have a connection at RMU with TE Justin Kempka.
WR/DB Jason Goulding (Greensburg Central Catholic) - A 6-foot, 175-pound two-way player, Goulding appears to be a potential corner prospect in college. He's caught a few passes this year, but not many, and his highlight film is mostly of his defensive work.
LB Justin McMahon (Mentor, Ohio) - One of a handful of out-of-state visitors, the 6-foot, 215-pound McMahon fits what Robert Morris looks for out of potential middle linebackers. He had 117 tackles for a very good team last year, and he's helped push Mentor out to a 7-1 start again this year. RMU also likes players from winners, and Mentor fits the bill.
That's the list for now. We'll add any others as we get information.
