Storm Football Announces Initial 2013 Signees

PAINESVILLE, OHIO –  Following a busy offseason of hard work by the entire staff, Lake Erie College head football coach Mark McNellie announced the signing of 11 student-athletes to letters of intent this week as the initial part of the Storm's "National Signing Day" class. 

"Every year, we are trying to go out and find young men who are good fits for Lake Erie College, both on and off the field," McNellie added. "We were able to target a couple areas of need and fill those holes with some very talented football players."

The class is comprised of four offensive players, six defenders and a pair of athletes – players who were highly recruited at skills positions on both offense and defense.  Nine of the players come from within the borders of the state of Ohio.  One comes from California and the other from Maryland.

"This first group gets our signing class off to a great start," McNellie added. "But we will be adding many more talented players to this group in the near future and, in total, this may turn out to be our biggest and best class yet."

The 2013 recruiting class marks the seventh group of signees in the program's history.

Additional student-athletes who sign institutional letters of intent to play at Lake Erie will be announced at a later date once they are cleared for release through the Department of Athletics' compliance office.

Below is a list of national signing day signees and a brief synopsis of the 2013 class.

Tony Andrews
Ath | 5-10 | 165 lbs.
South Euclid, Ohio/Charles F. Brush
Lettered three times in football at Brush High School… served as a team captain his senior year… helped team to a pair of Northern Ohio Conference championships… also played baseball for two seasons, earning a letter as an outfielder … born Feb. 11, 1995… son of Robin Andrews-Martin and Stephen Martin… plans to major in biology.
Coach McNellie's Comments: xxxxxx
High School Highlight Reel

Drew Bell
TE | 6-5 | 220 lbs.
Cortland, Ohio/Lakeview
Earned three varsity letters in football at Lakeview High School…earned all-region and All-Trumbull County honors… was an Ohio North-South All-Star Game selection as a senior… also lettered in basketball and track and field… born Sept. 11, 1994… son of Andy and Jacque Bell… plans to major in biology… dad played collegiately at Western New Mexico State University.
Coach McNellie's Comments: Drew is a big target that can play a variety of positions.  He creates mismatches against linebackers but also has the skill to beat corners to the football.  He will line up as a TE, a wing, and in the backfield.  He also excels as a blocker.
High School Highlight Reel

Tre'Von Burgins
DB | 5-9 | 160 lbs.
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio/Woodridge
Coach McNellie's Comments: Very physical for a corner.  Tre'Von excelled at setting the edge and is very disruptive to bubble and 3 step schemes.  Tre'von loves a challenge as he was always assigned to his opponents to wide out.
High School Highlight Reel

Terry Cole
DL | 6-2 | 250 lbs.
Canal Winchester, Ohio/Walnut Ridge
Four-year letter-winner at Walnut Ridge High School… was a two-time All-Columbus City League first-team selection… named second-team all-district as a junior and first-team all-district as a senior… also received special mention All-Ohio his senior year… served as a team captain… also lettered twice in track and field… was a district and regional qualifier in the shot put… born Dec. 6, 1994… parents are Lori Robinson and Terry Cole… father played collegiately at Miami University and the University of Findlay.
Coach McNellie's Comments: Very big and physical.  Terry can play LB, DE, and DT.  That versatility is a perfect fit for our schemes on defense.  He is relentless when running to the football and often arrives in a bad mood. 
High School Highlight Reel

Jovon Dawson
DB | 6-0 | 180 lbs.
Cleveland, Ohio/Benedictine
Coach McNellie's Comments: Jovon has the skills to fit multiple roles in the secondary. He can play corner or come of the hash as a safety.  He was an honorable mention for the News Herald and his team's defensive MVP. A play maker on the defensive side of the football , that seems to find away to be around the ball.
High School Highlight Reel

Maurice Hale
DB | 6-3 | 200 lbs.
Columbus, Ohio/Beechcroft
Foru-year letter-winner in football and a three-year letterman in basketball at Beechcroft High School… was a first-team Division II All-Ohio selection as a senior… also garnered first-team All-Columbus City League and All-Central District honors… named Central District Offensive Player of the Year… helped lead Cougars to two City League North Division championships… two-time team captain… born April 1, 1995… son of Debra and Wallace Hale, Jr… undecided on a major.
Coach McNellie's Comments: A superior athlete, Maurice played QB at Beechcroft, but we project him as a defensive skill player.  As soon as he steps on campus he will be one of the most athletic guys we have.  He still has plenty of room to grow.  He will be a force to reckon with on our defense.
High School Highlight Reel 

Marshall Howell
WB | 5-11 | 180 lbs.
Cleveland, Ohio/Benedictine
Two-star rated recruit by Rivals at Benedictine High School.
Coach McNellie's Comments: Marshall is an explosive skill guy with the ability to score every time he touches the ball.  Marshall possesses great route running ability and has very sure hands.  A very dangerous returner.
High School Highlight Reel

Dakota Maple
OL | 6-3 | 285 lbs.
Carrollton, Ohio/Carrollton
Lettered three times in football at Carrollton High School… was a first-team All-Northwestern Buckeye Conference selection and a second-team all-district pick… lettered twice in wrestling and four times in track and field… was a first-team all-district choice in track… born May 31, 1994… parents are Michelle and Niles Maple… plans to study pre-medicine.
Coach McNellie's Comments: A tenacious blocker.  Dakota has great feet and a very strong punch.  He has the skill to play multiple positions on the offensive line.  His ability to reach down lineman a gap away from him is what really caught our attention. 
High School Highlight Reel

Aaron Rojas
DL | 6-2 | 260 lbs.
Watsonville, Calif./Watsonville/Cabrillo College
Was a two-time first-team All-California Community College Athletic Association selection at Cabrillo College.
Coach McNellie's Comments: An experienced player looking to come in and make an impact immediately. Great get off.  Rushes the quarterback with speed and technique.  A major piece of the puzzle for our defense.
High School/Junior College Highlight Reel

Demarco Rojas
Ath | 6-1 | 180 lbs.
Owings, Md./St. Mary's Ryken
National Underclassman All-American at St. Mary's Ryken High School… Big 33 nominee… earned third-team All-Maryland honors and was an all-county player on both offense and defense.
Coach McNellie's Comments: An exceptional skill player that could be an impact player on either side of the ball. Will probably start out in the secondary for the Storm.  
High School Highlight Reel

Nick Szabados
LB | 6-2 | 205 lbs.
Middletown, Ohio/Archbishop Moeller
Earned two varsity letters in football at Archbishop Moeller High School… helped Crusaders to a state title his senior year… earned second-team All-Greater Catholic League honors and all-district honorable mention… born June 24, 1995… parents are Thomas and Karen Szabados… plans to major in accounting… dad played collegiately at the University of Cincinnati.
Coach McNellie's Comments: Played in the middle for the Division I state champions, so we liked that he comes from a great program and was an impact player there.  Nick has great instincts and is outstanding at running thru gaps.  Nick is also excels in pass coverage.  He changed the course of multiple games this year with his interceptions.
High School Highlight Reel

-LEC-