The back-to-back Ivy League Champion Penn football team announced its recruiting class of 2008 this past week.
29 student-athletes are expected to join the squad's 40 returning letterwinners on the gridiron this season.
The Quakers were the only Division 1 program to end the season with an undefeated record last year, and have posted a perfect 7-0 Ancient Eight mark in each of the past two seasons.
The class consists of 13 offensive and 16 defensive players, as well as a punter and place kicker.
On offense, three quarterbacks, five offensive lineman, three wide receivers and a running back will look to fill key holes in what is expected to be a relatively inexperienced unit.
While the squad returns first-team All-Ivy performers in wide receiver Dan Castles and running back Sam Matthews, the team will look to a new signal-caller and a totally revamped offensive line in the 2004 campaign.
"We've got some unproven kids on the offensive side." said Penn head coach Al Bagnoli, who has led the Quakers to six Ivy League titles in his 13-year reign.
"We wanted some depth at the quarterback spot and some balance at other positions, and I think we targeted the right kids to fill our needs." Bagnoli said.
This year, the program's local popularity payed off.
Philadelphia native, and Pennsylvania All-State wide receiver Dan Coleman heads the offensive class.
He is joined by New Jersey All-State offensive lineman Brian Brazinski (Basking Ridge, NJ).
On the defensive side of the ball, the Quakers welcome in sixteen recruits despite returning five All-Ivy honorees, including an experienced defensive line and secondary.
The defensive class includes Pennsylvania first-team all-state linebacker Joe Anastasio (Camp Hill, PA), Strath Haven's 2003 defensive most valuable player Sam McGarity, and New Jersey all-state defensive end Scott Martinho (Middletown, NJ), among others.
"We have a chance to be a very good defensive team." Bagnoli said.
"It was important for us to get some second level defensive athletes, especially at the linebacker position, and we did that."
Eight student athletes in the class of 2004 hail from New Jersey and seven more will make way to West Philadelphia from Pennsylvania.
California, last season's highest recruited state, sends three players, as does Florida.
Other states represented in the football class include Georgia, New York, Texas, Illinois, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina and Ohio.
"While you never know how 18 and 19 year-old kids think, they tend to gravitate to a collegiate program that has been successful."he said.
Bagnoli is pleased with the class and the mix of athletics and academics that his program offers
"With our academic reputation coupled with our competitive athletic programs, I think we've been a leader in attracting good student athletes here."
