UAlbany football announces 14 NLI signings
Troy champs, Joe Casalle, Dev Holms join the Great Danes
ALBANY, N.Y. » The University at Albany football program announced the National Letter of Intent signings of 14 studentathletes Thursday completing the 2018 recruiting class.
The incoming class includes seven players who were team captains and six who made allstate teams.
Six of the signees come from New York, including four from the immediate Capital Region: Dev Holmes, a wide receiver, and Joe Casale, a safety, both two-time state champions with Troy High; Niko Culnan, an offensive lineman from Hudson Valley Community College and Colonie High; and Mohab Omer, an offensive lineman from Shaker High.
The class also includes four student-athletes from Pennsylvania and one each from Ohio, New Jersey, Massachusetts and West Virginia.
Eight of the players had signed in December during football’s early signing period. Created this past year by the
NCAA, the new early signing period for football allowed prospective studentathletes currently in high school to submit their National Letters of Intent during a three-day window in December.
Here’s a look at the 2018 class: Joe Casale 6’ 3” 180 lbs. Troy High School
Notable: As a senior totaled 82 tackles, six interceptions, four forced fumbles and two defensive touchdowns for the Class AA New York State champions.
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.” Dev Holmes 5’9” 160 lbs. Troy High School Two-time state champion was the MVP of the New York State title game in 2017 . ... As a senior, caught 55 passes for 723 yards and 11 touchdowns. Also rushed for 660 yards and 11 touchdowns. On special teams, returned three punts for touchdowns.
Gattuso’s take: “He’s a very dynamic athlete with great speed, and he brings a lot of big-play potential. Two-time state champ, too.” Mohab Omer 6’ 4” 335 Shaker High School
Notable: Earned Liberty Division First-Team and Section II 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.”
Thomas Greaney 6’6” 230 Lawrence Academy MA
Gattuso’s take: “Thomas is a big, tall and long athletic tight end. He has good hands, is very mobile. We think he can play some Hback for us as well.” Tyler Oedekoven 6’2” 170 Cathedral Prep PA
Notable: As a senior caught 42 passes for 1,192 yards and nine touchdowns . ... Named First-Team AllState, D-10, Region 6, and Western PA. Gattuso’s take: “Tyler comes from arguably one of the top programs in Pennsylvania. He’s an incredibly productive receiver who has incredible numbers over the past four years. He can play inside or outside, and he’s got great possession skills.” Thomas Greaney 6’6”230 Lawrence Academy MA
Gattuso’s take: “Thomas is a big, tall and long athletic tight end. He has good hands, is very mobile. We think he can play some Hback for us as well.” Tyler Oedekoven 6’2” 170 Cathedral Prep PA
Notable: As a senior caught 42 passes for 1,192 yards and nine touchdowns . ... Named First-Team AllState, D-10, Region 6, and Western PA. MID-YEAR TRANSFERS Niko Culnan 6’ 3” 285 HVCC / 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.”
Juwan Green 6’0” 175 Lackawanna College, PA
Notable: Caught 38 passes for 743 yards and six touchdowns this past season at Lackawanna. Averaged 19.6 yards per reception. Averaged 45.8 yard per kick return, with two touchdowns, including one for 91 yards. Robert Lachmann 6’3” 230 Hamburg Black Swans Germany Notable: Had 86 tackles, 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. Dante Mount 6’0” 190 Erie Community College Notable: Compiled 74 tackles (five for loss), two interceptions and a fumble recovery in two seasons at Erie. Joe Halasy 6’ 5” 235 Midwood High School Notable: Compiled 44 tackles and seven sacks as a senior. Ian Renninger 6’ 7” 225 Pottsville High School PA Notable: Caught 65 passes for 939 yards with seven touchdowns in his career. .Also was a standout defensive player, totaling 197 tackles (74 solo), 11.5 sacks and four fumble recoveries for his career. Xavier Smith 5’ 9” 170 Canton McKinley Ohio Notable: Totaled 186 tackles, seven interceptions, four forced fumbles and eight pass break-ups during his career. Kobe Thomas 6’ 2” 260 Parkland High School, PA Notable: Named to the All-Eastern Pennsylvania Conference First-Team his senior year. Jeff Undercuffler 6’6” 215 Holy Cross Academy, N.J. Notable: Threw for 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior.