The SU Red Raiders football team announced their successful National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb. 2.

National signing day is a day most coaches look forward to as an opportunity to showcase all of their hard work that goes on in recruiting and in the office, behind the scenes and behind closed doors. It is also a day to give football fans a glimpse of what is to come for the future of Red Raider football.

For the 2016 season, SU gained 15 athletes committed to playing for its program.

“This recruiting class not only brings in young men that do well on the football field but also in the classroom,” coach Mark Maciejewski said. “They want to do well. They have goals to achieve and that they want to work hard for, so I feel really good about where they are and where we are going to be in the future.”

The future Red Raiders are: Alec Aspray (DL), Michael Banks (OL), Tim Bradley (DL), Corbin Byers (DL), Connor Dolan (OL), Yondel Dudley (OL/DL), Winston Eubanks (WR), Chris Harootunian (OL), Charles Headen (WR), Abel Hoff (WR), Bryce Hudak (OL), Cole Klayman (QB), Matt Peck (WR), Mark Robinson (RB) and Mike Somerville (OL).

“Each one of these recruits is important to us. We really focused on offensive and defensive lineman and we have a really good quarterback coming in. Wide receiver was another heavily recruited spot for this season,” Maciejewski added.

Recruiting varies every year for each team. Depending on the year and situation, coaches are looking for something different or the missing pieces for their team that will help the team reach its aspirations of a conference championship title.

“Each recruiting class is unique, with different aspects and talents that they bring to the table. It’s very hard to compare one recruiting class to other recruiting classes. We are ultimately just looking for the best young men that we can, men that will be successful on the field, and in the classroom,” Maciejewski said.

Most people think that the Red Raiders are currently in off-season mode. However, there is no off-season for this team. The team has been spending its mornings conditioning and its afternoons in the weight room preparing to take the field for spring ball.

If you are having a withdrawal from Red Raider football, you can watch the team this spring during their annual “Red-White Spring Game” in April. The official date has yet to be announced. 

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