Valpo Football Announces First Batch of 2018 Recruits
The Valparaiso University football program has announced the addition of 28 players who signed Letters of Agreement to play for the Crusaders as part of Wednesday’s National Signing Day.
Valpo will round out its recruiting class with an additional five to seven players, to be announced at a later date.
The Crusaders continued to recruit nationwide, as the 28 players hail from nine states – Florida, California, Tennessee, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois.
While continuing to go all over the country for players, the Crusaders have also recruited close to home. Among Wednesday’s signees are a trio of locals – defensive lineman Adrian Guzman (Valpo), safety Michael Scarsella (Valpo) and running back Anthony Maceo (Portage).
“Guzman and Scarsella are both great prospects with great potential,” Valpo head coach Dave Cecchini said. “Both have tremendous upside in terms of their size. Guzman was a wide receiver a few years ago and now he’s playing defensive tackle. Maceo is a tremendous athlete who will play running back for us after playing quarterback in high school. He’s a dynamic player who is athletic and quick with great acceleration.”
Another player who won’t have to go far to begin his college career at Valpo is Mishawaka Marian senior Atanasio Sete, who is described as a “big, strong run-stopping defensive lineman.”
Defensively, Valpo put an emphasis on recruiting linebackers to add depth at that position. Running back and offensive line were the staff’s focuses on offense.
“The nice thing with this class is that we’re at the point where we’re bringing in players who should be able to redshirt,” Cecchini said. “This past year we were able to redshirt the majority of the freshman class, and we should be able to do even more of that this coming year because of the deep, veteran group that we have. With only five starters graduating, the majority of our true freshmen will get to spend a year in the weight room, adding muscle and adjusting to the speed of the college game.”
2018 Valpo Football National Signing Day Signees
Riley Allison St. Thomas Aquinas HS (Fla.) Running Back
Tanner Allton Licking Heights HS (Ohio) Tight End
Aaron Antoniou Hinsdale HS (Ill.) Linebacker
Aaron Byrd Bourbonnais HS (Ill.) Offensive Lineman
Peyton Breese Christian Hills (Ohio) Offensive Lineman
Fletcher Christian Helix HS (Calif.) Defensive End
David Drs Schaumberg HS (Ill.) Offensive Lineman
Adrian Guzman Valparaiso HS (Ind.) Defensive Lineman
Justin Helm North Central HS (Ind.) Linebacker
Anthony Lullo Lincoln Way West (Ill.) Defensive Back
Anthony Maceo Portage (Ind.) Running Back
Jacob Marinelli Avon Lake HS (Ohio) Linebacker
Kellan McKeag Apple Valley HS (Minn.) Linebacker
Adam Meyer Ocean View HS (Calif.) WR/TE/DE
Benjamin Nimz Catholic Memorial HS (Wis.) Quarterback
Liam O’Connell Stevenson HS (Ill.) Defensive End
Brendan O’Doherty Bay HS (Ohio) Offensive Lineman
Jaxon Peifer Normal Community HS (Ill.) Linebacker
Trey Psota Bay HS (Ohio) Linebacker
Cameron Raupach Neuqua Valley (Ill.) Running Back
Ollie Reese Battle Ground HS (Tenn.) Wide Receiver
Braden Russell Greenville HS (Ohio) Offensive Lineman
Michael Scarsella Valparaiso HS (Ind.) Safety
Atanasio Sete Mishawaka Marian (Ind.) Defensive Lineman
Kohlton Sherman Millington HS (Mich.) Defensive Back
Jake Sommers Avon Lake HS (Ohio) Defensive Back
Payton Voitik Morris HS (Ill.) Defensive Back
Riley Edgerton Martinsville HS (Ind.) Offensive Lineman
