LORETTO, Pa. – Saint Francis University football announced the addition of nine student-athletes to the class of 2024. The players signed their National Letter of Intent on Feb. 7 as part of National Signing Day.
 
"We're proud to welcome more additions to the 2024 signing class," said head coach Chris Villarrial. "Each of these student-athletes will continue the tradition of excellence in the classroom, on the field and in the community. We look forward to developing this group into leaders for our program."
 
Hayden Arrison | LB | 6-0 | 205 | Clarence Center, N.Y. | Clarence
Arrison played at Clarence and went 11-1 in his senior season. He held a school record with 141 total tackles, five fumble recoveries and four sacks. Arrison was a First Team All-State selection at linebacker.
 
"We are excited to welcome Hayden to our linebacker room," said linebackers coach Ben Bruni. "He is a very versatile outside linebacker that possesses quickness on the edge and is a great tackler. I am thrilled to have him join our program."
 
Nate Baker | K | 5-11 | 160 | Nazareth, Pa. | Nazareth
Baker totaled 76 points, went 61-of-62 on extra point attempts and 5-of-6 of field goal attempts in his senior season. He was an All-Area selection and Nazareth was a 2023 PIAA Class 6A District XI Champion.
 
A three-sport athlete, Baker also plays basketball and was an All-Area selection in track and field. A High Honor Roll and member of National Honor Society, Baker intends to major in Business Management.
 
"Nate is a talented kicker, I look forward working with him," said special teams coordinator and running backs coach Josh Hutchison. "He has the talent you want in a kicker and with hard work he has a bright future here."
 
Mekhi Butler | DB | 5-11 | 170 | Baltimore, Md. | Saint Frances Academy
Butler played at Saint Frances Academy, which has produced top talent for the Red Flash over the years. In 2022, Butler was rated a top-50 defensive back in Maryland. An Honor Roll student, Butler intends to major in Business at Saint Francis.
 
"Mekhi is a great athlete from a good program in Saint Frances Academy," said secondary coach Martin Foray. "He is very technically sound and we're excited to have him join the family."
 
Akil Cameron | RB | 6-0 | 210 | Brooklyn, N.Y. | New Utrecht
Cameron rushed for 1,098 yards in his senior season and recorded 31 total tackles and three sacks on the defensive side. He was an All-Conference running back during his senior year. Cameron intends to major in Marketing at Saint Francis.
 
"Akil is a talented running back who has the physical tools you look for in a back," said coach Hutchison. "He has good size, speed and is physical at the point of contact. I look forward to coaching him and watching him grow throughout his career."
 
Ben Hennon | RB | 5-10 | 185 | New Castle, Pa. | Laurel
Hennon recorded 1,088 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns during his senior season. He had a season-long rush of 80 yards. Hennon was selected a First Team All-Conference.
 
"I'm excited to get Ben on campus, he is a talented back with good vision and speed," said coach Hutchison. "I look forward to coaching him and seeing where his career at Saint Francis takes him."
 
Nyzell Lash | RB | 5-9 | 190 | Buffalo, N.Y. | Canisius
Lash rushed for 700 yards before an injury held him out during his senior season. He intends to major in Exercise Physiology at Saint Francis.
 
"Nyzell is a hard-working running back," said coach Hutchison. "I'm excited to have him on board and look forward to adding him to our talented RB room."
 
Colin Mahaney | LB | 6-2 | 220 | Urbana, Md. | Urbana
Mahaney recorded 108 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss and three sacks during his senior season on the way to an All-Region campaign. An Honor Roll student, Mahaney intends to major in Business at Saint Francis.
 
"We are excited to welcome Colin to our linebacker room," said coach Bruni. "He is a very instinctive inside linebacker, who is great with his hands and a very willing tackler. I am thrilled to have him joining our program."
 
Dean Rotter | QB | 6-0 | 180 | Douglassville, Pa. | Daniel Boone
Rotter recorded 3,495 passing yards, 948 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns in his career. He holds the single-game school record with 53 completions. He was selected a three-time All-Area quarterback. A four-time All-Academic selection, Rotter intends to major in Business Administration at Saint Francis.
 
"Dean does an excellent job of throwing his teammates open," said associate head coach and offensive coordinator Marco Pecora. "He plays with great rhythm and timing. Dean wants to coach college football in his future and will be a great addition to our quarterback room and team."
 
Chase Somers | DL | 6-2 | 260 | Huntingdon, Pa. | Huntingdon
Somers had 162 total tackles, 51 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and three forced fumbles in his high school career. He recorded 62 total tackles (36 solo), 13 tackles for loss and three sacks in his senior season. Somers was a First Team All-Conference and two-time Second Team All-Conference defensive tackle.
 
An Honor Roll student, Somers intends to major in Biology at Saint Francis.
 
"Chase is a big body athlete who should fit well into our new three down lineman scheme," said defensive line coach Thomas Rogish. "He should be able to play any of these three positions."
 
The group of nine student-athletes joined the group of 14 others that signed in the early signing period on Dec. 20. The Red Flash also added three transfers between the two signing periods. Saint Francis announced its 2024 schedule last week and begins the season on Saturday, Aug. 31 at Dayton.