LIU POST NEWS PAGE

BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (Feb. 8, 2013) – LIU Post head football coach Bryan Collins announced that 11 student-athletes will join the Pioneers in 2013, including two mid-year transfers and nine incoming freshmen.

“We are very pleased with this initial signing class, as we are far from being done,” said Collins. “There are a number of other athletes we are interested in and heavily recruiting to become a part of our program. However, these initial signings targeted areas that we felt we needed to address immediately. What we see with this initial class and the other signings that will follow is versatility, athletic ability, and toughness that are needed to continue the strong tradition of LIU Post football.”

Bernardo Nunez (Hoboken, N.J./Lackawanna CC) 6'3 – 250 - DE
Nunez is a transfer from Lackawanna CC, where he was a First Team NJCAA All-American as well as the Northeast Football Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. He signed with the University of Pittsburgh out of Hoboken High School and was ranked the No. 44 DE in the country.

Collins on Nunez: “We're extremely excited for Bernardo to join the program. He played good level football at Pitt and Lackawanna. We believe he is an impact player with a tremendous ability to pressure the quarterback from a rush end position.”

Sean Biddle (Glenvar, Va./Fork Union Military Academy) 6'4 – 300 - OT
Biddle attended Fork Union Military Academy and was a starting OT. Prior to Fork Union, he earned First Team All-Region at Glenvar High School.

Collins on Biddle: “Sean is a big body who will help us improve our run game at the guard position. He was a good player out of high school at Glenvar, and gained another year of experience under his belt at Fork Union. It's good that he's here in the spring semester to get a jump on installation of our offensive schemes.”

Jesse Agbotse (Hackensack, N.J./Hackensack) 6'5 – 220 – DE
Agbotse was a First Team All-Conference player for Hackensack High School.

Collins on Agbotse: “Jesse has the body type that fits the mold of some of our past great defensive ends. He has great length, agility and quickness.”

Joseph Aliberti (North Bellmore, N.Y./Mepham) 6'3 – 250 – OL/DL
Aliberti is a two-time All-Nassau County and two-time All-Long Island player for Mepham High School.

Collins on Aliberti: “Joe is what we look for in a Post football player. His desire to be here combined with his work ethic and toughness will enable him to contribute quickly on the offensive line.

James Higgins (Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Connetquot) 6'1 – 185 – WR
Higgins earned First Team All-Long Island, Third Team All-State, First Team All-Suffolk County during his career at Connetquot. He also received the Suffolk County Best Receiver Award.

Collins on Higgins: “James was the best receiver in Suffolk County this past season. He runs excellent routes and has good hands. We project him at the slot or wide out positions.”

Ryan Renfroe (Oakdale, N.Y./Connetquot) 6'1 – 215 – DB
Renfroe was tabbed as an Honorable Mention All-State player. He also garnered All-Suffolk County, Second Team All-Long Island and Defensive MVP at Connetquot. He was selected to player in the Suffolk All-Star Game.

Collins on Renfroe: “Ryan is another prototypical Post kid. He's a tough, athletic, and very physical football player who fits in well on defense. He gives us flexibility with his ability to play multiple positions, and we believe he will be a standout defensive back or safety for us.”

David Rodriguez (Brentwood, N.Y./Brentwood) 6'6 – 305 – OL
Rodriguez earned Second Team All-Suffolk County and Suffolk County All Star honors at Brentwood High School.

Collins on Rodriguez: “David has outstanding athleticism for an athlete of his size. We love the fact that he is a successful wrestler at the heavyweight division, which should improve his hip flexibility. We think his best football is yet to come.”

Chris McBride (Ringwood, N.J./Bergen Catholic) 6'3 – 265 – OL
McBride was awarded Second Team All-Division and All-Big North Conference accolades at Bergen Catholic.

Collins on McBride: “We are excited firstly about getting another offensive lineman, which was a big need in our recruiting class. Secondly, Chris is an excellent player from Bergen Catholic, a traditionally powerful program. His ability to play guard or tackle gives us tremendous flexibility on the offensive line. We are looking for him to come in ready to compete.

C.J. Denig (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y./Comsewogue) 6'2 – 230 – LB/OL
Denig earned All-County, All-Division and Second Team All-Long Island kudos at Comsewogue High School.

Collins on Denig: “One thing that is consistent with this recruiting class is they all have a strong desire to be at Post, and C.J. is no exception. It also runs in the family for him as his grandfather played at Post. His strengths are his toughness and his versatility. We believe he can be a big inside linebacker for us, but can play defensive line or offensive line as well.”

Giancarlo Carvalho (East Meadow, N.Y./East Meadow) 6'2 – 275 – OL
Carvalho was named All-State, All-Long Island and All-Nassau County. He was given the Martone Award as Best Lineman in Nassau County at East Meadow High School.

Collins on Carvalho: “Giancarlo is another excellent addition to our O-line. He has played on both sides of the ball as a four-year starter for East Meadow, a traditionally strong program, earning All-Long Island and the Martone award.”

Clarence “C.J.” Sears (Montclair, N.J./Montclair) 6'2 – 175 – DB
Sears was named Second Team All-State as he led all of New Jersey with nine interceptions. He helped Montclair High School to the N.J. State Championship.

Collins on Sears: “We are pleased that C.J. fills another need at defensive back. He is a tremendous athlete, and we like that he is very athletic and long. He will be able to play safety or corner for us.”