CLARION, Pa. --- The Golden Eagles football team announced their 2023 recruiting class today, with Clarion inking 33 high school seniors to commitments on a busy National Signing Day.
 
"We are extremely excited about the athletes we were able to bring to Clarion this year," said head coach Raymond Monica. "This group embodies what we're looking for as we lay a foundation for this program into the future, and we're excited to get them on campus."
 
"I'd like to thank Dave Durish for coordinating the recruiting efforts for our staff, as well as the entire football staff for their hard work and dedication," Monica said. "We are also extremely grateful to the members of the university admissions staff and all of the people on campus that were so hospitable and helpful to our recruits and their families during their visits."
 
This year's class leans heavily towards in-state athletes, with 24 of the 33 athletes hailing from the Keystone State. The group includes five total transfers, including four from four-year institutions and one from a junior college.

Position Breakdown
Defensive Backs - 7
Offensive Line - 6
Wide Receivers - 4
Defensive Line - 4
Running Backs - 4
Linebackers - 3
Quarterbacks - 2
Tight Ends - 2
Kickers - 1

Breakdown by State
Pennsylvania - 24
Ohio - 4
California - 2
New York - 2
Florida - 1
 

	Tarell Allen-Tooks Linebacker 5-11, 190 Pittsburgh, Pa. / Obama Academy Played four positions in high school, including running back, linebacker, quarterback and kicker Four-time first team all-conference selection Honor roll student Son of Tamika Allen Has a brother Jarell Jones, and a sister Jackera Jones
	Joey Arnold Offensive Line 6-3, 260 Aurora, Ohio / Aurora Voted Team Captain and Team MVP First Team All-Ohio selection First Team all-conference selection First Team NEO Inland District Selected for the North South All-Star Game Three-year starter that did not allow a sack for tackle for loss in his senior year Earned five scholar-athlete awards for holding a 3.5 GPA or better during an athletic season Competed on the varsity wrestling team as a freshman, helping the team to a Suburban League championship in 2020 Intends to major in Nutrition and Fitness Son of Bob and Lisa Arnold Has four brothers: Thomas, Bobby, Jack and Quinn
	Zach Billotte Offensive Line 6-5, 300 Clearfield, Pa. / Clearfield Helped Clearfield to a 2022 Mountain League championship Played on the interior of the offensive and defensive lines in high school All-Conference D9 First Team selection at right guard Intends to major in Criminal Justice Son of Leslie and Ken Billotte Has a brother Jacob, and a sister Kendra
	Jaisean Blackman Defensive Line 6-1, 265 Monessen, Pa. / Monessen Three-sport athlete that lettered in football, basketball and baseball Helped the Monessen basketball team to a section championship in 2022 Earned 2022 all-conference honors in football, and all-section honors in basketball Member of FBLA Intends to major in Sport Management Son of Paris Blackman
	Deshaun Blackwell Defensive Back 6-0, 160 Pittsburgh, Pa. / Westinghouse Helped Westinghouse to three city championships, doing so in 2019, 2020 and 2022 Also helped Westinghouse to back-to-back district championships in 2021-22 Part of Westinghouse's state runner-up finish Two-time First Team All-Conference defensive back Set a school record for most interceptions in a season As a senior, recorded 21 tackles, 2.0 TL, one sack, one forced fumble, six interceptions, nine passes defended and four special teams tackles Achieved both the high honor roll and the honor roll, and maintained perfect attendance Intends to major in Business Son of Lamar Blackwell Has two sisters, Amoni Blackwell and Meyatta Summers
	Ruric Douglas Offensive Line 6-5, 275 Meadville, Pa. / Meadville Helped Meadville to back-to-back district championships in 2021-22 Played both offensive and defensive tackle in high school Two-time First Team All-Region selection at both offensive and defensive tackle, in 2021-22 2022 First Team Offensive Tackle Intends to major in Business Administration Son of Carrie and Jason Douglas Has a sister, Larin
	Chuckie Drain Defensive Line 6-0, 200 Denver, Pa. / Cocalico Helped the football team to district championships in 2019 and 2022 Two-sport athlete that also lettered as a thrower on the track & field team First Team 5A All-State defensive end as chosen by the PFN Coaches All-State 5A Defensive Line as chosen by the PA Football Writers 2023 Section 4 Defensive Lineman of the Year Finished high school with 183 tackles, 48.5 TFL and 11.5 sacks, as well as one interception and three passes defended All-Academic selection all four years 4.0 Honor Roll all four years Intends to major in Secondary Math Education Son of Karla and Charles Drain Has a brother, Anthony, and two sisters: Danielle and Sophia
	Christian Flaherty Offensive Line 6-3, 280 Pittsburgh, Pa. / Keystone Oaks Played on the interior of both the offensive and defensive lines for Keystone Oaks All-conference selection Voted Defensive Player of the Year Son of Megan Holden-Flaherty Has a brother, Shane Holden
	Kailin Frade Defensive Back 5-11, 175 Atwater, Calif. / Buhach Colony Played wide receiver, safety and kick returner for Buhach Colony Two-time all-league defensive back Earned all-district honors Voted team captain Finished with 811 all-purpose yards, eight total touchdowns (four kick returns, three receptions, and one interception for a touchdown), five interceptions and 34 tackles Tied for the most kick returns in a season Recorded a long interception return for a touchdown of 103 yards Intends to major in Kinesiology Son of Lori Cesena and Branden Frade Has two siblings, Alexander and Emilia Cesena
	Robert Fulton Running Back 5-11, 205 Pittsburgh, Pa. / Greater Latrobe Broke Greater Latrobe's 31-year-old single-season rushing record in a win over Connellsville Area Finished his senior season with 1,567 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns
	Eli Gibbs Defensive Back 6-1, 195 Erie, Pa. / McDowell Helped McDowell to a District 10 championship Played both at linebacker and defensive back Intends to major in Exercise Science Son of Elisha Pancoast and Ricky Gibbs II Has a brother, Ricky Gibbs III Mother played basketball at Gannon
	Trey Goodwine Defensive Back 5-10, 165 Erie, Pa. / McDowell Helped McDowell to back-to-back District 10 championships in 2021-22 Played at wide receiver and corner, as well as punt returner and kick returner Two-time Region 6 All-Star District 10 Big School All-Star Team Class 6A Defensive Back Jim Kelly D9andD10Sports.com All-District Defensive Back Mr. PA Football Tremendous 25 4A-6A nominee USA Today Northwest Pennsylvania High School Sports Defensive Player of the Year nominee PA All-Academic team Intends to major in Exercise Science Son of Cari Goodwine and Barbara Green Has a brother Martin Beal and three sisters: Alyssa Goodwine, and Kate and Abby Beal
	Anthony Guercio Quarterback 6-0, 200 North Olmsted, Ohio / North Olmsted (Fairmont State) Transfer from Fairmont State Saw limited action for the Falcons, completing 10-of-21 passes for 215 yards, two touchdowns and one interception Two-sport athlete in high school that lettered in football and baseball Two-time all-conference selection Two-time all-district selection Was twice voted the team captain as well as Team MVP Three-time member of the honor roll Intends to major in Exercise Science at Clarion Son of Steve and Heather Guercio Has a brother, Sam.
	A'mere Hibbler Running Back 5-9, 185 McKees Rocks, Pa. / Sto-Rox Played both running back and linebacker for Sto-Rox Two-time first team all-conference linebacker as both a linebacker and a running back Member of the Honors Society Intends to major in Sports Medicine Son of Ebony Thomas Has two sisters, Shamira and Shayona Williams
	Ty Hurst Quarterback 6-1, 175 Tallmadge, Ohio / Tallmadge Two-time all-state selection, including one first team and one second team honor Three-time all-district selection Three-time all-league selection Recorded career stats of 9,226 passing yards, 87 passing touchdowns, 491 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns Holds six different school records: most passing yards in a game (430), most passing yards in a season (3,241), most passing yards in a career (9,226), most touchdowns in a game (5), most touchdowns in a season (33), most touchdowns in a career (87) Intends to major in Business Son of JJ and Brandy Hurst Has a sister Mia
	Ray Jackson Wide Receiver 6-1, 200 Erie, Pa. / McDowell All-region selection as a wide receiver and a defensive back Big School All-District selection as a wide receiver Broke school records for most receptions in a single season as well as receiving touchdowns Two-sport athlete that also competed in the jumps for the track & field team Intends to major in Criminology Son of Deandra and Donald Ward Has two siblings, Nashawn and Destiny
	Nick Maher Wide Reciever 6-1, 200 Butler, Pa. / North Catholic (West Virginia) Transfer from West Virginia Helped North Catholic to four conference championships Played at wide receiver, outside linebacker and punter in high school All-conference selection Finished high school with 93 catches for 1,727 yards and 26 touchdown receptions Scored 28 career touchdowns On defense, finished with five interceptions, including one for a touchdown, as well as 12 sacks and two safeties Team went 26-4 during his high school career Intends to major in Business Son of Jerry and Denise Maher Has a brother Nathan, and a sister Mia
	Aiden Matyas Defensive Line 6-2, 235 Hamburg, N.Y. / Hamburg Two-sport athlete that lettered in football and lacrosse Played defensive line and tight end on the football team Two-time First Team All-Class defensive end All-WNY Defensive End Voted team's Defensive Player of the Year and Lineman of the Year Trench Trophy nominee Helped the lacrosse team to two sectional championships Honor Roll student Intends to major in Nursing Son of Robert and Lynn Matyas Has a sister Morgan
	Rawlin Melendez Offensive Line 6-4, 280 Hazleton, Pa. / Marian Catholic Played on both the offensive and defensive lines in high school, playing both on the interior and on the outside in both SCFCA North Second Team Offensive Tackle Standard Speaker All-Area First Team Republican Herald Sports All-Area Second Team Offensive Tackle Morning Call Honorable Mention Times News All-Star Offensive Tackle PA Football News and Eastern PA Football All-Academic Bronze Team Intends to major in Accounting Son of Raul and Martha Melendez Has two brothers, Ramddy and Ryan, and a sister Ashley
	Shea Moorhead Linebacker 6-2, 215 Pittsburgh, Pa. / Upper St. Clair Helped Upper St. Clair to a WPIAL runner-up finish First Team All-Conference selection Three-sport athlete that competed in football, basketball and baseball Intends to major in Business Marketing Son of Leah and Jim Moorhead Has a brother, Declan, and a sister, Riley
	Paul Newton Running Back 5-10, 200 Coraopolis, Pa. / West Allegheny (Robert Morris Transfer from Robert Morris Named to the Big South Honor Roll Reached the WPIAL championship game as a sophomore at West Allegheny Honorable mention at defensive back Graduated from high school with high honors Intends to major in Sport Management Son of Janet and Manny Newton Has two brothers, Ezekiel and Jonathan, and a sister, Esther
	Ian Palilla Kicker 5-8, 175 Altoona, Pa. / Altoona Helped Altoona to 2020 District 6 Class 6A & District 4-6 Class 6A Regional Championships in football Also part of Altoona's District 6 Class 4A championship in boys' soccer Two-time All-Area Team honors, in 2020 and 2022 Mid-Penn Conference Team / Commonwealth Division Honors in 2022 Went 6-of-9 on field goal attempts in his high school career and 75-of-80 on PATs Two-sport athlete that also played midfielder on the soccer team Member of the National Honor Society and a Challenge Program Award Winner for his community service Brother of current Golden Eagle Aidan Palilla Intends to major in Nutrition & Fitness / Pre-Athletic Training Son of John and Stacy Palilla In addition to Aidan, has a sister Kinsley
	Anthony Petrulo Defensive Line 6-2, 235 North Huntingdon, Pa. / Norwin Played all along the defensive line for the Knights, as well as at the linebacker spot Earned all-conference honors Son or Richard Petrulo and Grace Butler
	Eli Pluebell Tight End 6-1, 210 Tyrone, Pa. / Bellwood-Antis Two-sport athlete that lettered in football and track & field Played tight end and defensive end for Bellwood-Antis Helped his high school team to three consecutive ICC championships from 2019-21, as well as an ICC Gold Division championship 2022 ICC Gold Division All-Star Recorded 10 receptions for 153 yards last year Posted 58 tackles and four sacks last season Member of the National Honor Society Intends to major in Business Administration Son of Robin and Jason Pluebell Has a brother, Jason Jr., and a sister, Addison
	Chase Rodak Offensive Line 6-2, 250 Wexford, Pa. / North Allegheny Helped North Allegheny to a 2022 WPIAL championship Played on the offensive and defensive lines Intends to major in Marketing Son of Casey and Karin Rodak Has two siblings, Quinn Rodak and Kiera O'Brien
	Lamont Samuels Defensive Back 5-9, 160 Farrell, Pa. / Farrell Helped Farrell to three District 10 and one PIAA championship Played seven different positions for the Steelers, including quarterback, wide receiver, strong safety, kicker, center, punt returner and kick returner First Team All-State ATH First Team All-Conference defensive back On offense, recorded 29 receptions for 517 yards, as well as 13 carries for 62 yards, and seven total touchdowns Finished with 630 all-purpose yards Recorded three interceptions and 25 tackles Went 29-of-41 on PATs Earned high academic honors Intends to major in Criminal Justice Son of Lamont and Deanna Samuels Has a brother Marquis, and a sister LaMonica
	Amire Spencer Wide Receiver 5-10, 175 Pittsburgh, Pa. / Serra Catholic Helped Serra Catholic to a WPIAL championship in 2021 Played both wide receiver and corner Four-time all-conference wide receiver from 2019-22 Holds the WPIAL record for receiving yards as well as Serra Catholic's record for most receptions Son of Chardai Spencer
	Karamogo Sylla Running Back 5-9, 219 Bronx, N.Y. / New Visions Charter (Edinboro) Transfer from Edinboro In his career at Edinboro, carried 62 times for 221 rushing yards Also had eight receptions for 42 yards at Edinboro Played at running back and strong safety in high school Recorded 751 rushing yards in seven games Business Marketing major Son of Lassina Sylla Has two sisters, Fatima and Aminata Sylla
	Dillon Tingle Linebacker 5-10, 220 Hidden Valley Lake, Calif. / Middletown (Santa Rosa JC) Transfer from Santa Rosa Junior College All-conference selection at linebacker As a sophomore, recorded 80 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery Voted Team's Defensive MVP Received the team's Commitment to Excellence Award by posting a GPA greater than 3.5, and also won the team's Tough Man award Two-sport athlete that lettered in football and track & field in high school Helped Middletown to two NCL 1 League championships in 2017 and 2019, and a division championship in 2018 Played linebacker and fullback for the Mustangs Two-time All-County Linebacker Two-time All-County Defensive MVP All-County Running Back Selection All-League Linebacker All-League Defensive MVP Third Team All-NCS Twice voted team's Defensive MVP Intends to major in Business Management Son of Paul and Patricia Tingle
	Lawerance Tinsley Defensive Back 5-11, 190 Cleveland, Ohio / John Hay Full name is Lawerance Tinsley III and prefers to go by "Tre" Played both safety and quarterback in high school Recipient of the Donte McCray Award Recorded three interceptions, three passes defended, 22 tackles and nine touchdowns last season Intends to major in Business Son of Latasha Thomas and Lawerance Tinsley Jr. Has three brothers: Mikel Hayes, and Liam and Jaylen Tinsley Has four sisters: Taylor Carter, Monae Thomas, Logan Tinsley and Malaya Duraj
	Landon Tomes Wide Receiver 6-0, 165 Fleetwood, Pa. / Fleetwood Helped the Tigers to a 2021 division championship Two-sport athlete that also lettered in volleyball Played three different positions: wide receiver, corner and safety Member of the athletic honor roll Intends to major in Athletic Training Son of Marty and Heather Tomes, as well as Deanna and Ryan Crampsie Has two sisters, Harper Crampsie and Moira Petrie
	Wil Watson, Jr. Defensive Back 6-1, 210 Lake Mary, Fla. / Winter Park Helped the Wildcats to a district championship Intends to major in Business Son of Lynne Murray Has a brother Jamaal Louis, and a sister Jasmine Louis
	Drew Wilkinson Tight End 6-5, 250 Franklin, Pa. / Franklin Three-sport athlete that lettered in football and track & field, and also competed on the basketball team for a time Two-time football team captain and four-year letterman Two-time track & field captain and four-year letterman Two-time academic letterman Intends to major in a Pre-Physican Assistant track Son of Chad and Joy Wilkinson Has a brother, Brooks