2024 Signing Class Overview: Lock Haven Bald Eagles
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After several seasons where Lock Haven landed at or near the bottom of the PSAC the hiring of Dan Mulrooney from Anna Maria and the results from Mulrooney and his staff have been a massive turnaround making Lock Haven an…
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Continue ReadingAfter several seasons where Lock Haven landed at or near the bottom of the PSAC the hiring of Dan Mulrooney from Anna Maria and the results from Mulrooney and his staff have been a massive turnaround making Lock Haven an intruiigng team on the rise. A major focus of the turn around at Lock Haven under Mulrooney has been the emphasis on recruiting. Lock Haven signed several standout Class of 2023 players from New York and they follow that up with an even stronger group joining the Eagles in the 2024 class.
The Lock Haven Spring Roster is home to 9 New Yorkers and this class will add 7 New Yorkers, some of which were very highly ranked prospects at their position.
This article will include both scholarship (Athletic or Merit) and walk-on (Non-Scholarship) players because not only are both integral to the success of college football programs but at the DII level with a lower scholarship limit, walk-on prospects are recruited just as hard and often receive playing time. Additionally, from a scouting perspective it is important to look at the value each player brings in a football only aspect respecting the privacy of each student athlete and their decision on furthering their athletic and academic careers, something that should always be celebrated.
Highest Ranked Recruit
Louis Martinez Louis Martinez 6’2″ | 230 lbs | DL Monsignor Farrell | 2024 State NY was a part of a dominant Monsignor Farrell defensive front where his high-motor play and physical finishing ability are two standout traits on tape. Martinez, shows good athleticism with his upfield burst and change of direction skills showing often on tape. Martinez has a strong upper half where his initial punch often creates some knock back on the LOS. Martinez shows solid instincts on tape and his ability to be disciplined with his eyes in the backfield and maintain his gap responsibilities are evident in his play. Lock Haven will be getting a prospect who could either play OLB or EDGE at the next level and shows the athleticism and physical play style that can be developed into a refined pass rush skillset off the edge.
Rest of the Class
Lorenzo Robinson Lorenzo Robinson 5’10” | 200 lbs | RB Archbishop Stepinac | 2024 State NY was solid part of a RB duo his Junior Year at Archbishop Stepinac, however he broke out as a Senior when is backfield counterpart went down with injuries. It seemed the more touches Robinson had, the better he got. This breakout included a 200+ yard game with 4 TDs and 5 100+ yard games on the ground. Robinson, a 3-down back can impact the game as a receiver evident by his 300+ yards receiving as well. With a low-center of gravity and a really strong lower body Robinson is very tough to bring down in open space. Robinson has really strong jump cuts showcasing some elusiveness and his burst and explosiveness out of his cuts often throw off defenders angles. Robinson shined in a big role this year and at Lock Haven he brings a 3-down skillset and for a rare player comp from me a run style that is eerily similar to NFL RB Devin Singletary.
Highlights
One of the best MIKE Linebackers in NYC Christian Pilgram was a battering ram for Abraham Lincoln High School. Pilgram was a downhill striker and he has the burst and closing speed that will translate to the next level. He is a violent finisher and is strong and physical at the point of attack taking on blocks. Pilgram also has the body type and look of a linebacker who can play at the next level. Pilgrim has a thick lower half and is able to generate burst and power in his movements. Pilgrim is a violent player who will be able to make plays both on special teams and defensively as he develops.
Brayden Stahl Brayden Stahl 6’0″ | 180 lbs | QB Smithtown West | 2024 State NY has long been one of the most dominant Quarterbacks on Long Island and Lock Haven will be getting one of the Islands top producers over multiple seasons. Just this past fall, Stahl eclipsed 2,500 passing yards with 34TDs and a level of efficiency not often seen at the High School level. Stahl has really good footwork and consistently works in rhythm. On tape he shows that he has a great feel for the pocket and is one of the best quarterbacks in the state when it comes to making small adjustments in the pocket, resetting his base, and delivering accurate throws at all three levels of the field. Lock Haven will be getting a quarterback who shows accuracy at all three levels and plays with the type of patience and confidence that is necessary for success at the next level.
An impressive athlete from Rochester, Tull the standout defensive tackle for Aquinas has the type of body that in a college weight room can add legit strength and size. Tull has burst off the snap and is an explosive athlete, he plays with a high-motor and finishes plays with violence. Tull has active hands and does a good job of shedding blocks effectively. Tull does a good job of getting his eyes in the backfield and plays the game the right way in a sense that he will maintain his gap responsibilities, use his eyes and patience to make plays at or 1-3 yards past the LOS, instead of striking through gaps just to get in the backfield losing control of his gap. Getting bigger and stronger will be the key for Tull at the next level and Lock Haven has the change to unlock some serious untapped potential in an already impressive athlete in Tull.
A second QB commit from New York, Willoughby was the guy in Western New York and has been for the better part of two seasons repping South Park. Willoughby is a mainstay in the Section VI and South Park record books and was a Connolly Cup Finalist, the most prestigious award a HS player from WNY can win. Willoughby has elite arm strength and his ability to make throws at all three levels of the field and doing so either putting some air and touch under the ball or throwing with some velocity is what makes him an impressive QB prospect. Willoughby also does a great job buying time and making pays off script, his escapability and athleticism make him extremely hard to sack and excels throwing on the run. Willoughby is an impressive athlete with a big arm who has a really high ceiling and is an intriguing QB prospect for the Bald Eagles.
The second Staten Island EDGE/OLB prospect joining Lock Haven Kristian Fenton-Bernal Kristian Fenton-Bernal 6’2″ | 230 lbs | DL Curtis | 2024 State NY brings some impressive athleticism and strong versatility to the Bald Eagles. Fenton-Bernal can put his hand in the ground and be an impactful defender maintaining gap responsibility against the run, a standup OLB prospect who uses speed, quick hands, and bend to win around the outside, and shows the discipline to hold the edge and did so against multiple run heavy teams in the PSAL. Fenton-Bernal needs to add strength and bulk to his game, where the weight room at Lock Haven will do only good for this prospect out of Curtis.
JahCure Maxam
JahCure Maxam
JahCure Maxam out of James Monroe is a prospect who will play defensive line for Lock Haven and he shows on tape a high-motor with obvious athleticism and a physical style of play. With good quickness off the ball Maxam shows the ability to win with a first step and play with leverage. He is a strong finisher and has the upper body strength to control offensive linemen at the point of attack and shed blocks making plays in the hole. Maxam could continue to grow and be a dominant force on the interior but his athleticism likely translates best to defensive end where he will be a physical defender who can make plays on all three downs.
Other Notes
Lock Haven also added 23′ RB from Bennett Cureem Hathcock who enrolled early for the Bald Eagles after a Post-Grad year at Palmetto Prep
Lock Haven also added Evan Falco and William Pickett, two transfer QBs who played at Rye Neck and South Side for their HS Ball both of which have already joined the team.