GREAT DANES SIGN
Area products Casale, Omer, Culnan among those to sign with UAlbany football
ALBANY, N.Y. » The University at Albany football program received signed National Letters of Intent from eight student-athletes Wednesday, which was the first day of the new early signing period.
The class is highlighted by three local stars — Troy High safety Joe Casale, Niko Culnan, an offensive lineman from Hudson Valley Community College and Colonie High and Mohab Omer, an offensive lineman from Shaker.
The incoming class includes three offensive linemen, two defensive linemen, a safety, a cornerback and a quarterback.
The new signing period, which runs through Friday, was created by the NCAA this past spring. During these three days, prospective student-athletes currently in high school can sign and submit their National Letters of Intent.
Junior- college transfers also can sign their NLIs between today and Jan. 15, and all prospective student-athletes can sign during the traditional spring signing period, which this year begins Feb. 7 and continues through April 1.
Here’s a closer look at the Great
Danes recruiting class:
Joe Casale, S
Height: 6-3 Weight: 180 School: Troy High School Notable: As a senior totaled 82tackles, six interceptions, four forced fumbles and two defensive touchdowns for the Class AA New York State champions. Head coach Greg Gattuso’s take: “He’s a two-time state champion, a very headsy, hard-nosed football player. He has a lot of ball skills, a lot of interceptions and makes a lot of big plays for Troy High School.” Height: 6-3 Weight: 285 School: Hudson Valley Community College / South Colonie Notable: Named to Liberty Division First-Team during his senior year at Colonie High School. Gattuso’s take: “He’s a natural center, and we really felt we needed to build some depth there. We feel he has the ability to come in and help our football team immediately.”
Joe Halasy, DL
Height: 6-5 Weight: 235 School: Midwood High School (N.Y.)
Notable: Compiled 44tackles and seven sacks as a senior.
Gattuso’s take: “Joe’s a big, long, tough defensive end who really caught my eye with how aggressive he plays.”
Robert Lachmann, DE
Height: 6-3
Weight: 230
School: Hamburg Black Swans (Germany)
Notable: Had 86tackles, 17 tackles for loss, seven and a half sacks, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries as a senior. … Also scored a defensive touchdown, intercepted a pass and blocked four kicks. … Named Rookie of the Year in 2016. Gattuso’s take: “Robert is a bit of an older kid who’s coming in from Germany. He’s very athletic. He’s coming mid-year, and we’re very excited to get him in here with the team. He’s got a lot of upside.”
Mohab Omer, OL
Height: 6-4
Weight: 335
School: Shaker High School Notable: Earned Liberty Division First-Team, Section II First-Team and Times Union First-Team honors as a senior. Gattuso’s take: “He’s a giant, a big physical offensive lineman and a local product who comes from a great family. We’re excited about him.”
Xavier Smith, CB
Height: 5-9 Weight: 170 School: Canton McKinley (Ohio) Notable: All-Ohio Team Honorable Mention and AllNortheast Ohio Inland District First-Team as a senior. … Totaled 186tackles, seven interceptions, four forced fumbles and eight pass breakups during his career. Gattuso’s take: “Xavier is a very athletic corner from Ohio. He was an early commit for us, someone we had targeted early in the process. We’re excited about what he can bring to the team.”