LORETTO, Pa. – Saint Francis University football head coach Chris Villarrial has announced the addition of seven players ahead of the 2022 season. The seven student-athletes signed their National Letter of Intent on the Dec. 15 early signing period.
 
"We are very excited for our signees and their families as we welcome them into our football family," said Villarrial. "These young men have great character and work ethic that will make our program stronger as we added size and speed in key positions. I'm proud of the work the staff has done and their commitment to the program. It's a great day for the Red Flash football team." 
 
Mason Imbt
Imbt is a 6-3, 300-pound offensive lineman from Troy, Pa., where he played for Troy Senior High School. The former Trojan is a 2019 league champion and is a two-time Region Lineman of the Year. He was also selected as an All-Region and a three-time All-Conference honoree.
 
He is a two-sport athlete at Troy, as he was selected as a two-time All-Conference basketball player and has topped over 500 rebounds in his career. At Saint Francis, he intends to major in Education.
 
"Mason is a strong interior lineman who strains and plays mean," said offensive line coach Ryan Wilson. "We have a great feel for Mason's physical talent after seeing him at camp throughout the summer. I am excited for the opportunity to work with him and develop his talent."
 
Makai Jackson
Jackson is a 6-0, 193-pound wide receiver from Croydon, Pa., where he played for Harry S. Truman High School. The versatile wideout was First Team All-League as a senior and All-League Honorable Mention his sophomore season. He was also named a First Team All-Conference defender his junior year.
 
Upon his arrival to Saint Francis, Jackson intends to major in Kinesiology.
 
"The addition of Makai to the class of 2022 is a great one," said secondary coach Elven Walker IV. "His top end speed is something to behold and will serve as the base of his success on the field for years to come. His discipline and attention to detail makes him the right fit for the Red Flash."
 
Kendal Marks
Marks is a 5-11, 165-pound defensive back from Baltimore, Md., where he played for Mergenthaler Vocational Technical High School. He accumulated 109 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 15 pass defends and three interceptions in his career. Marks was a State Champion and three-time Regional Champion. Individually, he was an All-State and All-County selection.
 
The Baltimore native intends to major in Business upon his arrival to Saint Francis.
 
"His eyes, feet, hips, hands, it's all there. Kendal is a winner," said Walker. "'K5' possesses elite level quickness and fearless assertion that will allow him to capture success in the classroom and on the field."
 
Trey McLeer
McLeer is a 5-11, 175-pound defensive back from Mullica Hill, N.J., where he played for St. Augustine Prep. As a two-way player, he had 154 career tackles and four interceptions on defense and 2,027 total yards as a quarterback. He was a two-time First Team All-Conference selection, two-time State Non-Public School Semifinalist and the team finished top-five in New Jersey all-three years he played.
 
He was a District Champion and two-time All-Conference selection as a wrestler. McLeer's father, TJ, was a collegiate baseball player at La Salle. The National Honor Society member intends to major in Physical Theory upon arrival to Saint Francis.
 
"A two-way player, Trey will add reliable depth to our defensive backfield," said defensive coordinator Scott Lewis. "He is a very reactive and aggressive safety that tackles well in space and has excellent ball skills."
 
Jalen Robertson
Robertson is a 6-4, 250-pound defensive lineman from Baltimore, Md., where he played for Archbishop Spalding High School. Upon his arrival to Saint Francis, he intends to major in Business.
 
"Jalen is versatile, dynamic, and a winner," said Walker. "His infectious play and personality will bring success in the classroom and on the field."
 
Aiden Smith
Smith is a 6-1, 270-pound offensive lineman from Knoxville, Tenn., where he played for Farragut High School. He is an All-Region selection and was invited to the Regional All-Star game. The Admirals were a top-eight team in Class 6A.
 
The TSSAA Student Athlete Award of Merit recipient intends to major in accounting at Saint Francis.
 
"We are excited to add Aiden to our offensive line room," said Wilson. "He is just scratching the surface on his physical talents and will fit in well with the culture of our room."
 
Mercury Swaim
Swaim is a 6-0, 193-pound linebacker from Bedford, Pa., where he played for Bedford High School. A two-way star for the Bison, he accumulated 287 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, six sacks, 11 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and five interceptions as a defender and added 7,151 total yards and 93 total touchdowns as a quarterback. He is a four-time District Champion and State Semifinalist in 2020. Individually, Swaim is an All-State selection, Tribune Democrat Player of the Year and Bedford Gazette Offensive Player of the Year.
 
He is a three-sport athlete also participating in basketball and baseball. The member of National Honor Society and high honor roll intends to major in Chemistry while at Saint Francis.
 
"We are very thrilled about Mercury joining the Red Flash football family. He possesses the physical tangibles, football IQ, and versatility to thrive at our sam linebacker position," said Lewis. "More importantly Mercury comes from a great local program in Bedford where he was a proven winner both on the field and in the classroom." 
 
The group of six signees will join a Red Flash team that went 4-3 in Northeast Conference play, their third time above .500 in Division I program history. The six players make up the first of two signing periods, as the team anticipates more players to sign on the Feb. 2 date.