Football signs 22 on National Signing Day

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University head football coach Marty Fine is pleased to announce the signing of 22 players on National Signing Day for the upcoming 2014 season. The Class of 2018 includes players from 10 different states, including 11 from New England.

Coach Fine's recruiting class in led by five offensive lineman and three fullbacks. The class also includes two quarterbacks, two wide receivers, two tight ends, two defensive lineman, two linebackers, two defensive backs and one running back. Two players from Rhode Island have also committed, including coach Fine's son, Joe, a standout right down the road at Cumberland.

"Each signing class brings a level of excitement to our football program and to our University," Fine said. "We are excited to see how these 22 young men will contribute on the field but also in the classroom and in the community. The Class of 2018 fills needs within our program, but more importantly, brings a group of players to our school that embodies all of the characteristics that we believe in at our University and on our team with 15 captains and 14 honors students among the group. We believe this class will make an impact for us this fall and we look forward to welcoming them to campus."

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A three-year starter at tight end for head coach Bob Bancroft at Pembroke High … Helped the Titans to a pair of league championships and a spot in the Massachusetts Super Bowl … Registered 49 tackles and also caught 15 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns as a senior … Led the Titans to a league title as a sophomore and junior … Also earned three varsity letters in basketball … Member of the Honor Roll.

Personal: The son of Paulette and Kenneth Blasser, Kenneth Blasser was born on June 13, 1996 … Has two sisters, Alexandria and Elizabeth … Grandfather, Richard, is a member of the Holy Cross Hall of Fame and played professional baseball with the Detroit Tigers … Father, Kenneth Sr., was the captain of the football team at CCSU before playing in the CFL and the WFL … Sister, Alexandria, played soccer at Emmanuel College and his other sister Elizabeth played soccer at Assumption.

Mike Boguski | QB | 6-2 | 195 |Mechanicsburg, Pa. | Trinity

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A three-year varsity letterwinner for head coach Bill Ragui at Trinity High … Led the Shamrocks to a pair of Capitol Division championships in his three years … Shamrocks went 8-2 during his sophomore season and 9-1 his junior year … Recognized as a SVS Elite Top 25 QB for 2011, 2012 and 2013 … Top 5 QB at VTO Sports/Rivals.com Pittsburgh in 2012 … Completed 126 passes for 1,814 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior … Registered 114 completions, 1,544 passing yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior … Completed his career with 3,878 passing yards and 41 total touchdowns.

Personal: The son of Beth and Michael Boguski, Michael Boguski was born on June 22, 1995 … Has one brother, Casey … Cousin, Robert Lutz, played football at Monmouth from 2003-2007.

Brendan Bullock | FB | 5-10 | 210 | Brockton, Mass. | Brockton

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A two-year varsity letterwinner at Brockton High … Helped the Boxers to a 7-3 record and a spot in the Super Bowl as a junior … Also earned a varsity letter in track and field … Honor Roll student … Recipient of the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.

Personal: The son of Kristen and David Bullock, Brendan Bullock was born on Jan. 28, 1996 … Has two sisters, Emily and Sarah.

Mike Burrell | WR/DB | 6-0 | 180 | Glen Cove, N.Y. | Glen Cove

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A three-year starter on the varsity team at Glen Cove high school … Led the Knights to back-to-back Big 4 championships as a junior and senior … Served as team captain during his senior season … Caught 25 passes for 588 yards and  10 touchdowns, earning all-county honors as a senior … Also recorded a 95-yard kick return for a score, intercepted four passes and recovered a fumble … Named academic all-conference … Selected to play in the Senior Bowl/Nassau Exceptional Senior Game … Ranked in the top 250 at the New York State Elite Combine … Also competed in four years of varsity tennis … Helped Glen Cove to a conference championship in 2012 and earned all-conference honors in each of his first three years … Posted a 16-0 record at 1^st doubles as a freshman … Named the All-County championship tournament MVP as a junior … Member of the National Honor Society and an AP Scholar.

Personal: The son of Jill and Michael Burrell, Michael Burrell was born on May 31, 1996 … Has one sister, Lisa.

Jeffrey Cohen | TE | 6-1 | 250 | Hopewell Junction, N.Y. | Arlington

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Two-year varsity letterwinner for head coach Dominick Dematteo at Arlington High … Helped team to a 6-3 record as a senior … Earned the team's strong man award as a senior … Selected to play in the Exceptional Senior All-Star Game … Named Poughkeepsie Journal Honorable Mention All-Star as a senior … Won the Carmel Lineman Challenge as a junior and senior … Member of the Honor Roll.

Personal: The son of Michelle Patterson, Jeffrey Cohen was born on Feb. 4, 1996 … Has one sister, Phylicia … Cousin, Johnnie Santiago, played football at Bethune-Cookman from 2002-2006.

Patrick Champagnie Jr. | DB | 6-1 | 190 | Boston, Mass. | Buckingham Browne & Nichols

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A three-year varsity letterwinner at Boston Latin before earning two varsity letters at Buckingham Browne & Nichols for head coach John Pappas … Played alongside current Bulldog Matthew Rega … Helped the Knights to a 11-5 record over his final two years … Named All-ISL, All-New England, All-Scholastic and team MVP as a senior … Recorded 44 tackles, one interception and six touchdowns as a senior … Also earned three varsity letters in basketball … High Honors student.

Personal: The son of Rhonda and Patrick Champagnie Sr., Patrick Champagnie Jr. was born on April 28, 1995 … Has twin brothers, Preston and Tristan … Cousin, Conroy White, played football at Wisconsin.

Shaun Duncombe | OL | 6-3 | 245 | Plymouth, Mass. | Plymouth South

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A three-year varsity starter for Scott Fry at Plymouth South, home of former Bryant great AJ Caliri … Helped the Panthers to a 17-6 record over his final two seasons … Led his team to an ACL league title as a junior and senior and a spot in the state final four as a senior … Named Lineman of the Year and All-State by ESPN Boston as a senior … Earned All-ACL honors as a senior … Also lettered two years in lacrosse, four years in wrestling and one year in track … Helped his wrestling team to an undefeated 25-0 record and Atlantic Coast League and South Sectional championship as a junior.

Personal: The son of Geri and Chris Duncombe, Shaun Duncombe was born on May 31, 1996 … Has one brother, Christopher … Brother, Christopher, played football at Colby from 2000-04.

Dalton Easton | QB | 6-0 | 195 | Miami, Fla. | Akron/Gulliver Prep

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Transferring to Bryant after spending three semesters at the University of Akron … Two-year starter at quarterback at Gulliver Prep for head coach Earl Sims … Captained the team as a senior … Helped the Raiders to back-to-back appearances in the District championship game … Set the Dade County single game passing record for most passing yards with 492 … Went on to lead Dade County in passing as a senior … Selected to play in the Under Armour Dade vs. Broward All-Star Game … Also selected to play in the Private vs. Public South Florida All-Star Game.

Personal: The son of Robbi and Eddie Easton, Edward Dalton Easton was born on Aug. 23, 1993 … Has three brothers, Sam, Harrison and Jack, and one sister, Georgia … Mother, Robbi, was a diver at the University of Miami … Grandfather, Robert, played baseball at Virginia Tech … Cousin, Wayne Schuchts, played football at Virginia.

Joe Fine | FB/LB | 6-1 | 225 | Cumberland, R.I. | Cumberland

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A three-year varsity starter for coach Chris Skurka at Cumberland High … Played alongside current Bulldog freshman Mitchell Baxter … Helped the Clippers to 31-8 record over his three years … Led his team to the Rhode Island Division II State Title as a junior and a state runner-up finish as a senior … Earned all-league honors as a sophomore, junior and senior … Named all-state as a senior … Rushed for 1,600 yards and 33 touchdowns … Collected a school-record 296 tackles and seven interceptions in his career … Also lettered three years in basketball and baseball … Member of the National Honor Society.

Personal: The son of Betsy and Martin Fine, Joseph Fine was born on Aug. 14, 1995 … Has two sisters, Sarah and Lydia … Father, Marty, is the head football coach at Bryant … Uncle, Cam Cameron, is the offensive coordinator at LSU and played basketball and football at Indiana University … Grandfather, Tom Harp, was the head football coach at Duke, Indiana State and Cornell.

Shawn Gholson | OL | 6-0 | 285 | Petersburg, Va. | Dinwiddie

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A four-year varsity starter for Billy Mills at Dinwiddie High … Helped the Generals to a perfect 15-0 record and state championship as a senior … Named first team all-district, all-conference, all-region, all-metro and all-state as a senior … Rated one of the top 100 recruits in Virginia … Selected to the Big River All-Star game as a senior … Set a school record for knockdowns in a season with 111 … Earned first team all-district honors as a junior … Also earned a varsity letter in basketball … Member of the Honor Roll and the National Honor Society.

Personal: The son of Claudette Gholson and Shelton Brown, Shawn Gholson was born on Oct. 4, 1995 … Has two brothers, Sheldon and Shamon Gholson and two sisters, Ticia and Sherell Smith.

Cooper Gold | RB | 5-10 | 215 | Sandy Hook, Conn. | Newtown

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A two-year starter on varsity for head coach Steve George at Newtown High … Current Bulldogs Connor McNamara, William Morlock and Christopher Devaney all played at Newtown High … Helped the Nighthawks to a 22-2 record over his two seasons … Led the Nighthawks to back-to-back league titles … Earned all-conference honors in each of his two years as a starter and earned all-state honors as a senior after rushing for 1,645 yards and 19 touchdowns … Named the conference championship MVP each of his two seasons … Graduated as the all-time leading rusher in Newtown school history, finishing his career with 2,700 yards and 39 touchdowns.

Personal: The son of Jodi French and Marc Gold, Cooper Cold was born on Oct. 14, 1995 … Has two sisters, Celia and Romy.

Dillon Guthro | DE | 6-3 | 215 | Newburyport, Mass. | Newburyport

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A three-year varsity starter for head coach Ed Gaudiano at Newburyport High … Helped the Clippers to a league championship as a sophomore and a 20-13 record over his three seasons … Finished his career with 32 sacks and two interceptions … Tied for the league lead in sacks with 16 as a sophomore … Named the 2012 Defensive Player of the Year and the 2013 Player of the Year … Earned Boston Globe All-Scholastic and Super 26 All-State honors as a senior … Invited to the Shriner's Game … Finished with 135 tackles as a senior … Lettered three years in basketball and lacrosse as well … Earned the History Award and the award for Academic Excellence.

Personal: The son of Margaret White-Guthro and Paul Guthro, Dillon Guthro was born on July 15, 1995 … Has one brother, Aiden … Cousin, Gabby Hartnett, caught for the Chicago White Sox in the 1920's.

Kevin Lazo | DL/OL | 6-1 | 285 | Pembroke Pines, Fla. | West Broward

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A four-year starter at West Broward High … Played alongside current Bulldog Keenan Thompson … Captained the Bobcats each of his final two seasons … Earned all-county honors as a defensive tackle and guard as a senior … Selected to the Broward County All-Star Game and the South Florida All-Star Game … Selected as the top lineman in Broward County as a junior … Lettered two years in track and field, earning MVP honors in the field events as a junior.

Personal: The son of Jeannie and Franklyn Lazo, Kevin Lazo was born on June 6, 1996 … Has one brother Keanu.

Ephi Levy | FB | 5-9 | 220 | Davie, Fla. | University School of NSU

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A four-year varsity letterwinner and three-year starter for head coach Roger Harriott at the University School of Nova Southeastern University … Current Bulldog Sebastian Amedee is a 2011 graduate … Helped the Suns to four-straight district titles and a state championship as a junior … Led the Suns to a 51-1 record over his four seasons … Suns went a perfect 15-0 and won the 2012 state title … Led his team to a 14-1 record a state runner-up finish as a freshman … Earned all-county honors as a senior … Lettered two years in track and one year in soccer … Member of the Director's Honor Roll.

Personal: The son of Elizabeth and Opher Levy, Ephrain Levy was born on Jan. 16, 1996 … Has one sister, Rachel.

Pete Mestre | OL | 6-6 | 295 | Shelton, Conn. | St. Joseph

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A three-year starter for head coach Joe Dellavechia at St. Joseph High … Helped the Hogs to a 13-2 record and a state title as a senior … Led his team to a record of 35-14 record over his four seasons, including a state title as a freshman … Earned honorable mention all-league honors as a junior … Named all-state and all-conference as a senior.

Personal: The son of Peggy and Eric Mestre, Peter Mestre was born on Mar. 26, 1996.

Zach Rezin | LB | 6-3 | 220 | Morris, Il. | Joliet Catholic Academy

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A three-year starter for head coach Dan Sharp at Joliet Catholic Academy … Helped the Hilltoppers advance to the state playoffs in each of his three years … Led his team to the runner-up finish in the state tournament as a sophomore, a semi-final finish as a junior and a quarterfinal finish as a senior … Hilltoppers were a combined 30-9 in his three years … Averaged 11 tackles per game and recorded 18 receptions and three touchdown receptions as a tight end … Earned all-conference and all-area honors as a junior and a senior … Member of the National Honor Society.

Personal: The son of Sue and Keith Rezin, Zach Rezin was born on July 18, 1995 … Has one brother, Nate, and two sisters, Alexa and Tory … Sister Tory played volleyball at Georgetown from 2007-2010.

Connor Russ | DB | 6-1 | 200 | Middletown, R.I. | Middletown

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A three-year varsity starter for Art Bell at Middletown High … Assistant coach Kyle Bell played football at Bryant University … Current Bulldog Ricardo McCray graduated from Middletown … Helped the Islanders to a league championship as a junior … Wrapped up an outstanding career with 3,039 rushing yards, 39 rushing touchdowns, 206 tackles and 14 interceptions … A two-time all-state selection, three-time all-division, two-time all-county and three-time academic all-state … Also played two years of varsity basketball … Member of the Honor Roll, National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society.

Personal: The son of Kelli and C.J. Russ, Connor Russ was born on Feb. 18, 1996 … Has one brother, Devin.

Joel Schaefer │OT │6-4 │270 │Granger, IN │Penn

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A three-year starter for head coach Cory Yeoman at Penn High School … Led the Kingsmen to an undefeated regular season and regional championship his senior year … Helped his team win the Northern Indiana Conference each of his three years, and a state runner-up finish as a sophomore … Kingsmen were a combined 35-4 in his three years  … Also competed in one year of varsity lacrosse … Earned All-Academic State Lacrosse honors in 2012 and Principal's Honor Roll with a 4.0 GPA … Member of the Economics Club and Indiana Math League.

Personal: The son of Angela and Stephan Schaefer, Joel Schaefer was born on July 31, 1995 … He has one brother, Jack, and one sister, Cayla … Uncle Carl  Tegethoff played football at the University of Arkansas from 1978-1982.

Ryan Shortell │OL │6-3 │280│Coram, NY │Saint Anthony's

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A two-year starter for head coach Rich Reichert at Saint Anthony's High School … Becomes the fifth player from St. Anthony's – Patrick Basil, Danny Basil, Eric Pedroli and Jack Vivonetto – in the last four years to play football at Bryant … Helped his team win two of the last three Catholic High School Football League championships and post a 29-4 record in the last three years … Selected to the All-League team as a senior … Led the way for his running back to rush for 2,012 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Personal: The son of Mary and Richard Shortell, Ryan Shortell was born on September 30, 1995.

Scott Tibert | WR | 6-3 | 186 | Pasadena, Md. | Chesapeake

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A two-year varsity letterwinner at Chesapeake Senior High … Helped the Cougars match a school record with a 6-4 finish as a junior … Earned second team all-conference honors as a senior … Caught 21 passes for 421 yards and five touchdowns … Also lettered in basketball and track … Served as captain of his basketball team as well … Selected as a National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete … Member of the Principal's Honor Roll.

Personal: The son of Paula and Martin Tibert, Scott Tibert was born on Jan. 7, 1996 … Has one brother, Edward … Mother, Paula, played four years of softball at Harvard … Uncle, Walter McDonough, played hockey at Princeton … Cousin, Kevin McDonough, plays baseball at Bowdoin.

Jake Wiswall │LB │5-11 │213 │Great River, NY │St. John the Baptist

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A three-year starter for head coach Keith Schweers at St. John  the Baptist DHS … Led the Cougars to a Division A championship his senior year … Served as team captain as a senior … Helped his team to a runner-up  finish in the AA championship as a junior, and a fourth  place finish as a sophomore … Selected to play in the Catholic High School Football League Senior Bowl …  Named to the CHSFL All-League team as a senior … Ranked one of top 100 players on Long Island by Newsday … Selected to the Nassau-Suffolk Catholic High School All-Academic Team as a senior … Finished his senior year with 72 tackles, six sacks, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles … Rushed for 375 yards and six touchdowns and caught eight passes for 65 yards and a touchdown as a fullback ... Earned MSG Varsity Player of the Week, CHSFL All-Defensive Team and All-Academic Team as a junior … Earned Cum Laude Honors each of his last three years.

Personal: The son  of Lilly Ann and Jonathan Wiswall III, Jonathan Wiswall IV was born on October 28, 1996 … Has twin sisters, Jacqueline and Jennifer.

Curtis Wickline | OL | 6-3 | 275 | Waterbury, Conn. | Holy Cross

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A three-year varsity starter for coach Mike Giampetrazzi at Holy Cross High School … Former Bulldog quarterback Mike Croce and current Bulldog George Smith are Holy Cross graduates … Helped the Crusaders to a state championship as a sophomore … Led the team to a 26-8 record over his three years as a starter … Captained the team as a senior, leading the Crusaders to a 9-2 record … Also earned four letters in track and field.

Personal: The son of Catherine Risigo-Wickline and Jeffrey Wickline, Curtis Wickline was born on Nov. 8, 1995 … Has one brother, Mason, and one sister, Kendall.