LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell head football coach Joe Susan announced the addition of four players to the incoming freshman class on the first day of the traditional NCAA football signing period.
“The young men who signed today are position players who fill specific needs in their class,” Susan said. “Their academic excellence and athletic ability will strengthen their class. Moreover, they are the right people for our program and the special school we represent. In the coming weeks, we will continue to work to finish the class of 2022.”
The Bison, who inked 12 players during NCAA football’s first ever Early Signing Period in December, now boast players from six different states: Pennsylvania (6), New Jersey (3), Texas (3), Delaware, New York and Ohio as well as Washington, D.C. Ten different position groups are represented, including three at offensive line and two each at wide receiver, defensive line, defensive end and cornerback.
Bucknell went 5-6 (2-4 Patriot League) in 2017, posting the Patriot League’s best nonconference winning percentage. The Bison graduate 19 seniors, including nine regular starters and six of their eight 2017 all-Patriot League selections.
Bucknell kicks off its 2018 campaign on Sept. 1 by hosting William & Mary. The Bison will play five games at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium during their 133rd season of competition. Nine of their 2017 opponents are on the 2018 slate, with Villanova and Penn taking the place of Marist and Cornell.
Jared Cooper
RB, 5-7, 175, West Chester, Pa., West Chester East High School
West Chester East High School: Lettered in football and track & field … in football, served as team captain as a junior and senior … 2017 Mini Max Award recipient … three-time All-Ches-Mont League (2017 and 2016 first team, 2015 second team) … two-time West Chester East Most Valuable Offensive Player (2017 and 2016) … set school record with a 95-yard touchdown run in 2016 … served on the team’s leadership council in 2015 … over course of high-school career, totaled 2,608 yards and 34 touchdowns on 438 carries, 403 yards and two touchdowns on 46 receptions, 768 yards and two touchdowns on 32 returns and 3,779 all-purpose yards … in track & field, three-year qualifier for the indoor Meet of Champions in the 60-meter dash and the 4×200 relay … won the 60-meter dash at the 2017 Chester County Indoor Track & Field Championships … ran the anchor leg for the 4×200 relay team that broke the school record with a time of 22.74 in 2017 … qualified for the 2017 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 400-meter dash and 4×400 relay … two-year qualifier for the Ches-Mont Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 400-meter dash and 4×400 relay … also competed in the 4×100 relay at the 2016 edition … ran the anchor leg for the 4×400 relay team that broke the school record with a time of 49.56 in 2017.
Personal: Jared Emerson Cooper … born September 9, 1999 in Stamford, Conn. … son of Emilio and Elise Cooper … has four siblings: Justin, Jefferson, Jada and Jackson … older brother Justin boxes for Army West Point … member of the National Honor Society … recipient of the 2017 Junior Outstanding Citizen Award from the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce.
Coach Susan’s Scouting Report: “Jared is a running back we have recruited all along. He represents a unique combination of speed and power that enabled him to excel during his high-school years. He is an explosive runner who will help us with his talent as a ball carrier, as a receiver and as a blocker.”
Brandon Crkvenac
DL, 6-4, 250, Hockessin, Del., Salesianum School
Salesianum School: Three-year letterwinner in football … All-State Defensive Tackle … All-Catholic Conference Defensive Tackle … selected for the DFRC Blue-Gold All-Star Game … helped Salesianum reach the 2015 state finals and the 2016 state semifinals … finished career with 95 tackles, 26 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks and 10 pass deflections.
Personal: Brandon Alexander Crkvenac … born February 1, 2000 in Newark, Del. … son of Todd and Christy Crkvenac … has one sibling, Mason.
Coach Susan’s Scouting Report: “Brandon is a talented lineman who played on both sides of the ball in high school. He has the size and strength to help us as an inside player on our defensive line and has the potential to be good against the run. He is also athletic enough to challenge offenses with his movement ability, which is critical to our scheme.”
Michael Killiri
OL, 6-4, 255, Allentown, Pa., Salisbury High School
Salisbury High School: Lettered in football … served as team captain as a senior … 2017 Mini Max Award recipient … all-league second team defensive end … all-league honorable mention offensive tackle … all-area honorable mention defensive end and offensive tackle.
Personal: Michael David Killiri … born March 13, 2000 in Bloomsburg, Pa. … son of David and Irene Killiri … has one younger brother, Kyle … second cousin Ernest Kun played football at Iowa State … second cousin Steve Kun played football at Wichita State.
Coach Susan’s Scouting Report: “Mike is an offensive lineman who can play a variety of different positions for our team. He has the length to be an outside player but possesses the size and strength to help us on the inside. He is a good athlete and will be effective both as a run blocker and as a pass protector.”
Daniel Sheehan
DE/LB, 6-2, 230, Hershey, Pa., Hershey High School
Hershey High School: Three-year letterwinner in football … captained team as a senior … named team’s Defensive Most Valuable Player in 2016 and 2017 … was a finalist for the Maxwell Football Club of Pennsylvania’s High School Football Player of the Year award.
Personal: Daniel Scully Sheehan … born August 9, 1999 in Charlottesville, Va. … son of Jonas and Maryellen Sheehan … has one older brother, Jimmy, and one younger sister, Meredith … father Jonas played football at Princeton and was a member of the class of 1992 … grandfather, Jim, attended graduate school at Bucknell … older brother Jimmy plays football at Bucknell and is a member of the class of 2020.
Coach Susan’s Scouting Report: “Daniel is an athletic defensive player who played multiple positions as a student-athlete in high school. He is the younger brother of Jimmy Sheehan, who will be a junior in our program. We foresee Daniel playing as a defensive end in our system.”
