Lehigh signs 12 members of Class of 2022 on first day of early signing period
12/20/2017 2:21:00 PM | Football
UPDATE: Lehigh's Class of 2022 now stands at 14. Twelve student-athletes were signed on the first day of the Early Signing Period. A 13th student-athlete signed on day two. Lehigh signed its 14th student-athlete (Nick Markus) on the Feb. 7 Signing Day.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – As part of the NCAA's new early signing period for football, Lehigh head coach Andy Coen has announced the addition of 12 student-athletes who have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Mountain Hawks next fall. The initial members of Lehigh's Class of 2022 will provide talent and depth in the trenches and at the offensive skill positions for the two-time defending Patriot League champions.
Seven states are represented among the early signees, led by New Jersey with three. Wednesday's signees include four offensive linemen, two defensive linemen, two wide receivers, one quarterback, one running back, one tight end and one linebacker.
"I'm excited to be able to add 12 in this new signing period," Coen said. "We were fortunate that we were able to yield several commitments throughout our season and a lot of guys took their official visits during the season. We were able bring in a good group of kids."
(12/20/2017) Football Early Signing Day 12/20/17
A heavy emphasis was placed on the offensive and defensive lines, which comprise half of the signings announced during the early period. The Mountain Hawks will lose three all-league caliber offensive linemen to graduation in Zach Duffy, Brandon Short and Tim O'Hara. To bolster the depth of the offensive line, Lehigh has added Jack Fris from American Heritage High School in Florida, Justin Gurth from Parsippany Hills in New Jersey, Jan Maciejewski from Paramus Catholic in New Jersey and Calvin Rivera from Pittsford-Mendon High School near Rochester, N.Y.
Lehigh's defensive line will be bolstered with the additions of Maciejewski's high school teammate Bartek Rybka and Michael Laurencelle, from Brother Rice High School in Michigan, the same program that produced wide receiver Matthew Jordan in last year's class.
"What's really most important is the positions that we have yielded," Coen said. "We have a big group of offensive and defensive linemen and we're very excited about that because we'll always need to have a lot of big guys in the program."
At wide receiver, the Mountain Hawks have added a pair of Pennsylvania products in Austin Dambach from Riverside High School and Raymond Falcone from PIAA 6A state champion Pine-Richland.
"We needed a few wide receivers with Troy (Pelletier) leaving and Gatlin (Casey) leaving," Coen explained. "What I like about this wide receiver class is that we have some bodies that look more like Troy's that can play on the outside."
Note: On Thursday (Dec. 21), Lehigh signed a 13th member of the class of 2022 and a third wide receiver in Deshun Mickens from Hylton High School in Virginia.
Lehigh has added a quarterback with a last name that may be familiar. Alec Beesmer, an All-NEPSAC passer from Milton Academy in Massachusetts is the son of former Lehigh linebacker Ken Beesmer '92.
With All-America running back Dominick Bragalone and his running mate Micco Brisker both entering their senior seasons, the Mountain Hawks have added Rashawn Allen from Orchard Lake St. Mary's Prep, an All-State rusher who played on three state championship-winning teams. Allen plays in the same Detroit-area Catholic league as Laurencelle.
"Rashawn is a very talented tailback from Michigan who just lit up his league," Coen said. "Coach Bottiglieri has done a great job in Michigan the last few years and we're yielding some more players from out that way, which is going to be another positive for our program."
The two remaining signees come to Lehigh from the south, with tight end Alex Snyder coming from Lambert High School in Georgia and linebacker Chase Foley hailing from Charlotte Catholic in North Carolina.
"We needed a linebacker in this class and we got Chase Foley, who is our first scholarship recruit from the Carolinas and we're hoping to spend more time there," Coen said. "There's a wealth of talent there that we need to sink our teeth into in the Carolinas."
The Mountain Hawks won their 12th Patriot League football championship and second straight in 2017, going 5-1 in league play as part of a late-season surge that resulted in Lehigh's second consecutive FCS playoff appearance.
The complete list of early signees follows:
Rashawn Allen – RB; 5-9/215; Canton, Mich./Orchard Lake St. Mary's Prep
Led St. Mary's Prep to three consecutive Division 3 State Championships… broke school single-season rushing record with 2,131-yard campaign in 2016… named All-State by MLive and Detroit Free Press in 2016 and 2017… named All-Metro by Detroit News… All-Catholic League in 2016 and 2017… named to MLive's list of top 50 recruits in class of 2018… also competed in track and field where he helped St. Mary's Prep to two state titles… honor roll student… member of Honor Society, Robotic Club and Debate Team.
Alec Beesmer – QB; 6-1/190; Kingston, N.Y./Milton Academy (Mass.)
Two-time All-League (ISL)… All-NEPSAC in 2017… Massachusetts Prep Stars Super Team selection in 2017… team captain and offensive MVP as a senior… second in school history with 3,248 passing yards and 29 passing touchdowns… three-year letter winner in basketball.
Austin Dambach – WR; 6-3/190; Ellwood City, Pa./Riverside
Conference Offensive MVP as a senior... two-time first team All-Conference... three-time Beaver County Top 22...121 career receptions for 2,307 yards and 34 touchdowns... National Honor Society member... owns 4.4 GPA... also lettered in basketball and baseball... first team all-conference in baseball in 2017.
Raymond Falcone – WR; 6-1/190; Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland
First team All-State wide receiver… two-time first team All-Conference… owns single-game receiving yardage record and ranks second in career receiving yards at Pine-Richland… won WPIAL and Pennsylvania 6A state title as a senior… highest honor roll student… also lettered in basketball and track and field… member of WPIAL championship team in basketball.
Chase Foley – LB; 6-1/215; Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Catholic
Conference Defensive Player of the Year… Defensive Player of the Game in state championship game… two-time All-Conference selection… three-year varsity letter winner… selected to Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas… also lettered in lacrosse… owns 3.5 GPA.
Jack Fris – OL; 6-5/305; Coral Springs, Fla./American Heritage
Owns 4.9 GPA on 5.0 scale… also competed in wrestling and basketball.
Justin Gurth – OL; 6-3/280; Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany Hills
Team captain… two-time first team All-Conference… first team All-County as a senior… second team All-County as a junior… second team All-State Group 3… Team MVP and Defensive MVP as a senior… member of 2014 state championship team and 2016 conference championship and state finalist team… also competed in track and field as a thrower… All-County, All-Conference and state qualifier in the discus… National Honor Society member… honors wind ensemble… football team Scholar-Athlete award.
Michael Laurencelle – DL; 6-4/230; Troy, Mich./Brother Rice
Team captain as a senior…All-Conference as a senior… All-League performer as a junior… honor roll student… team captain and all-league performer in basketball… played one year of lacrosse… student body Vice President.
Jan Maciejewski – OL; 6-4/275; Clifton, N.J./Paramus Catholic
President's list student… National Honor Society member… National Language Honor Society (Latin)… also played lacrosse.
Nick Markus - DL; 6-1/240; Alpharetta, Ga./Alpharetta
Three-time 7A All-Region… two-time All-Metro (North Fulton)… 7A Region Defensive Player of the Year… Atlanta Journal Constitution Honorable Mention All-State…three-time Scholar-Athlete Award winner… GHSA 6A state champion in wrestling at 220 lbs.
Deshun Mickens - WR; 6-3/195; Woodbridge, Va./C.D. Hylton
Second team All-Region wide receiver... first team All-Conference wide receiver and second team All-Conference as a defensive back... had 31 receptions for 541 yards and 4 touchdowns as a senior... made 24 tackles and picked off three passes on defense.
Calvin Rivera – OL; 6-6/285; Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford-Mendon
All-County and All-Greater Rochester offensive lineman… National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete…New York State Scholar Athlete… National Honor Society member… Honor Roll student… National Hispanic Scholar.
Bartek Rybka – DL; 6-2/265; Old Bridge, N.J./Paramus Catholic
First team All-Big North in 2016 and 2017…two-time All-Country, first team in 2017 and second team in 2016… 2017 first team All-State… second team All-Metro… team captain and leading tackler… four-year honor list student.
Alex Snyder – TE; 6-5/235; Cumming, Ga./Lambert
Two-time North Georgia Touchdown Player of the Week… All-Region and All-County selection… also played baseball and basketball.
Lehigh Football Class of 2022
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – As part of the NCAA's new early signing period for football, Lehigh head coach Andy Coen has announced the addition of 12 student-athletes who have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Mountain Hawks next fall. The initial members of Lehigh's Class of 2022 will provide talent and depth in the trenches and at the offensive skill positions for the two-time defending Patriot League champions.
Seven states are represented among the early signees, led by New Jersey with three. Wednesday's signees include four offensive linemen, two defensive linemen, two wide receivers, one quarterback, one running back, one tight end and one linebacker.
"I'm excited to be able to add 12 in this new signing period," Coen said. "We were fortunate that we were able to yield several commitments throughout our season and a lot of guys took their official visits during the season. We were able bring in a good group of kids."
A heavy emphasis was placed on the offensive and defensive lines, which comprise half of the signings announced during the early period. The Mountain Hawks will lose three all-league caliber offensive linemen to graduation in Zach Duffy, Brandon Short and Tim O'Hara. To bolster the depth of the offensive line, Lehigh has added Jack Fris from American Heritage High School in Florida, Justin Gurth from Parsippany Hills in New Jersey, Jan Maciejewski from Paramus Catholic in New Jersey and Calvin Rivera from Pittsford-Mendon High School near Rochester, N.Y.
Lehigh's defensive line will be bolstered with the additions of Maciejewski's high school teammate Bartek Rybka and Michael Laurencelle, from Brother Rice High School in Michigan, the same program that produced wide receiver Matthew Jordan in last year's class.
"What's really most important is the positions that we have yielded," Coen said. "We have a big group of offensive and defensive linemen and we're very excited about that because we'll always need to have a lot of big guys in the program."
At wide receiver, the Mountain Hawks have added a pair of Pennsylvania products in Austin Dambach from Riverside High School and Raymond Falcone from PIAA 6A state champion Pine-Richland.
"We needed a few wide receivers with Troy (Pelletier) leaving and Gatlin (Casey) leaving," Coen explained. "What I like about this wide receiver class is that we have some bodies that look more like Troy's that can play on the outside."
Note: On Thursday (Dec. 21), Lehigh signed a 13th member of the class of 2022 and a third wide receiver in Deshun Mickens from Hylton High School in Virginia.
Lehigh has added a quarterback with a last name that may be familiar. Alec Beesmer, an All-NEPSAC passer from Milton Academy in Massachusetts is the son of former Lehigh linebacker Ken Beesmer '92.
With All-America running back Dominick Bragalone and his running mate Micco Brisker both entering their senior seasons, the Mountain Hawks have added Rashawn Allen from Orchard Lake St. Mary's Prep, an All-State rusher who played on three state championship-winning teams. Allen plays in the same Detroit-area Catholic league as Laurencelle.
"Rashawn is a very talented tailback from Michigan who just lit up his league," Coen said. "Coach Bottiglieri has done a great job in Michigan the last few years and we're yielding some more players from out that way, which is going to be another positive for our program."
The two remaining signees come to Lehigh from the south, with tight end Alex Snyder coming from Lambert High School in Georgia and linebacker Chase Foley hailing from Charlotte Catholic in North Carolina.
"We needed a linebacker in this class and we got Chase Foley, who is our first scholarship recruit from the Carolinas and we're hoping to spend more time there," Coen said. "There's a wealth of talent there that we need to sink our teeth into in the Carolinas."
The Mountain Hawks won their 12th Patriot League football championship and second straight in 2017, going 5-1 in league play as part of a late-season surge that resulted in Lehigh's second consecutive FCS playoff appearance.
The complete list of early signees follows:
Rashawn Allen – RB; 5-9/215; Canton, Mich./Orchard Lake St. Mary's Prep
Led St. Mary's Prep to three consecutive Division 3 State Championships… broke school single-season rushing record with 2,131-yard campaign in 2016… named All-State by MLive and Detroit Free Press in 2016 and 2017… named All-Metro by Detroit News… All-Catholic League in 2016 and 2017… named to MLive's list of top 50 recruits in class of 2018… also competed in track and field where he helped St. Mary's Prep to two state titles… honor roll student… member of Honor Society, Robotic Club and Debate Team.
Alec Beesmer – QB; 6-1/190; Kingston, N.Y./Milton Academy (Mass.)
Two-time All-League (ISL)… All-NEPSAC in 2017… Massachusetts Prep Stars Super Team selection in 2017… team captain and offensive MVP as a senior… second in school history with 3,248 passing yards and 29 passing touchdowns… three-year letter winner in basketball.
Austin Dambach – WR; 6-3/190; Ellwood City, Pa./Riverside
Conference Offensive MVP as a senior... two-time first team All-Conference... three-time Beaver County Top 22...121 career receptions for 2,307 yards and 34 touchdowns... National Honor Society member... owns 4.4 GPA... also lettered in basketball and baseball... first team all-conference in baseball in 2017.
Raymond Falcone – WR; 6-1/190; Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland
First team All-State wide receiver… two-time first team All-Conference… owns single-game receiving yardage record and ranks second in career receiving yards at Pine-Richland… won WPIAL and Pennsylvania 6A state title as a senior… highest honor roll student… also lettered in basketball and track and field… member of WPIAL championship team in basketball.
Chase Foley – LB; 6-1/215; Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Catholic
Conference Defensive Player of the Year… Defensive Player of the Game in state championship game… two-time All-Conference selection… three-year varsity letter winner… selected to Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas… also lettered in lacrosse… owns 3.5 GPA.
Jack Fris – OL; 6-5/305; Coral Springs, Fla./American Heritage
Owns 4.9 GPA on 5.0 scale… also competed in wrestling and basketball.
Justin Gurth – OL; 6-3/280; Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany Hills
Team captain… two-time first team All-Conference… first team All-County as a senior… second team All-County as a junior… second team All-State Group 3… Team MVP and Defensive MVP as a senior… member of 2014 state championship team and 2016 conference championship and state finalist team… also competed in track and field as a thrower… All-County, All-Conference and state qualifier in the discus… National Honor Society member… honors wind ensemble… football team Scholar-Athlete award.
Michael Laurencelle – DL; 6-4/230; Troy, Mich./Brother Rice
Team captain as a senior…All-Conference as a senior… All-League performer as a junior… honor roll student… team captain and all-league performer in basketball… played one year of lacrosse… student body Vice President.
Jan Maciejewski – OL; 6-4/275; Clifton, N.J./Paramus Catholic
President's list student… National Honor Society member… National Language Honor Society (Latin)… also played lacrosse.
Nick Markus - DL; 6-1/240; Alpharetta, Ga./Alpharetta
Three-time 7A All-Region… two-time All-Metro (North Fulton)… 7A Region Defensive Player of the Year… Atlanta Journal Constitution Honorable Mention All-State…three-time Scholar-Athlete Award winner… GHSA 6A state champion in wrestling at 220 lbs.
Deshun Mickens - WR; 6-3/195; Woodbridge, Va./C.D. Hylton
Second team All-Region wide receiver... first team All-Conference wide receiver and second team All-Conference as a defensive back... had 31 receptions for 541 yards and 4 touchdowns as a senior... made 24 tackles and picked off three passes on defense.
Calvin Rivera – OL; 6-6/285; Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford-Mendon
All-County and All-Greater Rochester offensive lineman… National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete…New York State Scholar Athlete… National Honor Society member… Honor Roll student… National Hispanic Scholar.
Bartek Rybka – DL; 6-2/265; Old Bridge, N.J./Paramus Catholic
First team All-Big North in 2016 and 2017…two-time All-Country, first team in 2017 and second team in 2016… 2017 first team All-State… second team All-Metro… team captain and leading tackler… four-year honor list student.
Alex Snyder – TE; 6-5/235; Cumming, Ga./Lambert
Two-time North Georgia Touchdown Player of the Week… All-Region and All-County selection… also played baseball and basketball.
Lehigh Football Class of 2022
| Name | Pos. | Ht./Wt. | Hometown/High School |
| Rashawn Allen | RB | 5-9/215 | Canton, Mich./Orchard Lake St. Mary's Prep |
| Alec Beesmer | QB | 6-1/190 | Kingston, N.Y./Milton Academy (Mass.) |
| Austin Dambach | WR | 6-3/190 | Ellwood City, Pa./Riverside |
| Raymond Falcone | WR | 6-1/190 | Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland |
| Chase Foley | LB | 6-1/215 | Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Catholic |
| Jack Fris | OL | 6-5/305 | Coral Springs, Fla./American Heritage |
| Justin Gurth | OL | 6-3/280 | Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany Hills |
| Michael Laurencelle | DL | 6-4/230 | Brother Rice |
| Jan Maciejewski | OL | 6-4/275 | Clifton, N.J./Paramus Catholic |
| Nick Markus | DL | 6-1/240 | Alpharetta, Ga./Alpharetta |
| Deshun Mickens | WR | 6-3/195 | Woodbridge, Va./C.D. Hylton |
| Calvin Rivera | OL | 6-6/285 | Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford-Mendon |
| Bartek Rybka | DL | 6-2/265 | Old Bridge, N.J./Paramus Catholic |
| Alex Snyder | TE | 6-5/235 | Cumming, Ga./Lambert |
Players Mentioned
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