BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – The Long Island University football program welcomed 31 signees to its initial Division I Football Championship Subdivision recruiting class as part of National Signing Day on Wednesday, February 6.
LIU looks to add substantial talent to its lineup as the team transitions into the Northeast Conference next fall, competing at the Division I level for the first time in program history.
OFFENSE
Three new faces will be competing at the quarterback position this fall, as redshirt-junior Clay Beathard joins LIU from Iowa Western where he completed over 55-percent of his passes during 2018. Joining Beathard is a first team all-area honoree in Camden Orth out of Gainesville, Fla. and Luke Sprague from Springfield, Pa.
LIU also added two weapons in the backfield and three wide receivers to its offensive arsenal on Wednesday, beginning with first team All-Broward County running back Malcolm Denbow. Allen Crawford (Dania Beach, Fla.) rounds out the running back duo from the Sunshine State after garnering all-county recognition as a senior.
On the outside, three wideouts inked letters of intent with LIU, including DuPage Community College transfer Alex Daubon. Two bigtime freshmen enter camp, with all-state honoree Anthony Gambino (Eastport, N.Y.) and New York City Offensive Player of the Year, Derrick Edafe (Staten Island, N.Y.) looking to make immediate impacts.
The Blue and Gold add two red zone threats at the tight end position, with a dual-threat tight end/fullback combo in Blake Nevitt (Bethlehem, Pa.) along with a traditional tight end in Alan Presler (Manalapan, N.J.).
Six new offensive lineman will add needed depth and competition on the offensive side of the ball, led by Bob Zellner award winner and first team all-state selection, Tyler Pedersen (Northport, N.Y.). Another all-state performer joining LIU is Tedi Kushi (Staten Island, N.Y.), a 6-6, 320-pound lineman who also added Catholic High School Football League Lineman of the Year accolades to his resume last season. Charles Parker (Piscataway, N.J.), Tyler Nemecek (Farmingdale, N.Y.), Yodhe Desta (Lancaster, Pa.), and C.J. Adams (Patchogue, N.Y.) round out the offensive signees for LIU.
DEFENSE
14 new faces join LIU's defensive unit for 2019, including five defensive lineman. Leading the group of rushers up front is Nassau C.C. transfer and National Junior College Athletic Association All-American, Tavon Joseph (Baltimore, Md.). Another player with collegiate playing experience is Jordan Valerius-Twyman, a transfer from Monroe C.C. Thomas Cipolla (Island Park, N.Y.), an all-state performer at Kellenberg Memorial H.S., Damen Studstill (Montville, N.J.), and Michael Bright, Jr. (Newark, N.J.) will all add depth to the front-seven.
At the linebacker position, the Blue and Gold add five individuals, including first team all-district performer at Lake Brantley H.S., Caleb Caslow (Altamonte Springs, Fla.). Also joining the front-seven is Russell Ferrisi (Freehold, N.J.), Tommy Pearce (Manalapan, N.J.), Isaiah Richards (Staten Island, N.Y.), and Dante Zicarelli (Montville, N.J.).
The secondary will see four incoming student-athletes this fall, including first team all-division performer, Anthony Romano (Long Branch, N.J.). LIU also adds All-Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association honoree Spanky Dixon (Germantown, Md.). The final defensive signees include Noah Anderson (Hampton, Va.) and Kobe Hylton (East Orange, N.J.).
SPECIAL TEAMS
LIU adds one special teams player, kicker/punter Alex Khouri (Whitehall, Pa.). Khouri was a Lehigh Valley LIVE all-star this past season and earned first team all-conference recognition as a place kicker.