Football | 2/1/2017 11:42:00 AM

INDIANAPOLIS – It's National Signing Day and the UIndy football team is joining programs all over the country in proudly announcing their newest recruiting class Wednesday.  Head Coach Bob Bartolomeo and his assistants will welcome 37 incoming freshmen (and counting) to the program this fall, including 12 signees.
 
Seven of the 12 signees hail from the Indy metro area, including Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 honorees Clay Hadley (OL, Center Grove), Alec Patch (DL, Perry Meridian) and Al McKeller (RB, Lawrence North).
 
Charlie Bernhardt (OL, Fishers), Jermaine Coach (DB, Howe), Andre Jackson (DB, Lawrence Central), Tarnjeet Singh (OL, Whiteland) also locals, with all four earning all-state honors from either the Associated Press, the IFCA or both.
 
When asked about the multitude of Indy-area recruits, Coach Bartolomeo noted the upward direction of the quality of high school football, not just in the city but throughout the Hoosier State.
 
"When you look at the state of Indiana, Marion and the surrounding counties have been predominately the winners in terms of state championships, but there's great football played throughout this whole state. I think it's getting better and better. I think the coaching is getting better, I think the kids are working at it a little bit harder; they're going to more camps, they're developing themselves to be better football players, so this state has really taken off."

The Hounds inked an eighth Indiana signee in Trent Dardeen. The former-quarterback-turned-defensive-lineman comes from Lafayette, Ind., and McCutcheon High School where he was named the Big School Defensive Player of the Year by the Journal & Courier.
 
UIndy plucked a total of four signees from out of state, including d-linemen Bryce Edwards (Fenton, Mo.) and Codey Roseberry (Jackson, Ohio), and defensive backs Cameron Weems (Aurora, Ill.) and Miles Williams (St. Louis). See below for each recruit's vitals as well as highlight links, and check the links above to watch interviews with Coach Bart.
 
The new additions will be joining a UIndy team that completed its seventh winning season in as many years under Bartolomeo. The Greyhounds have won four Great Lakes Valley Conference titles in the last five years and are 35-4 in league play since the conference began sponsoring football in 2012.

 
UINDY FOOTBALL 2017 RECRUITING CLASS

SIGNEES	POS	HT	WT	HOMETOWN/HIGH SCHOOL
Charlie Bernhardt	OL	6-5	250	Fishers, IN/Fishers
Jermaine Couch	DB	5-11	176	Indianapolis, IN/T.C. Howe
Trent Dardeen	DL	6-5	235	Lafayette, IN/McCutcheon
Bryce Edwards	DL	6-3	215	Fenton, MO/Rockwood Summit
Clay Hadley	OL	6-1	265	Greenwood, IN/Center Grove
Andre Jackson	DB	6-0	185	Indianapolis,IN/Lawrence Central
Al McKeller	RB	5-10	205	Indianapolis, IN/Lawrence North
Alec Patch	DL	6-1	230	Indianapolis, IN/Perry Meridian
Codey Roseberry	DL	6-2	255	Jackson, OH/Jackson
Tarnjeet Singh	OL	6-3	270	Greenwood, IN/Whiteland Community
Cameron Weems	DB	5-11	186	Aurora, IL/Nazareth Academy
Miles Williams	DB	5-10	185	St. Louis, MO/Chaminade
OTHER COMMITS	POS	HT	WT	HOMETOWN/HIGH SCHOOL
Dylan Back	LB	5-8	180	Goshen, IN/Goshen
Gavin Bane	RB	6-0	175	Brownstown, IN/Brownstown Central
Logan Beegle	WR	5-11	175	Fishers, IN/Hamilton Southeastern
Aaron Bishop	DB	5-8	165	Cincinnati, OH/Elder
Paul Buisman	K	5-11	160	Fort Wayne, IN/Snider
Alex Downin	OL	6-4	260	Columbus, IN/Columbus North
Mike Dennison	DL	6-1	245	Mishawaka, IN/Marian
Chris Ford	LB	6-1	220	Indianapolis, IN/Franklin Central
Wade Forman	DB	5-11	180	Columbus, IN/Columbus East
Matt Fourman	LB	5-10	215	Seymour, IN/Seymour
Ethan Hirt	LB	6-0	220	Batesville, IN/Batesville
Jackson Jacobs	DL	6-4	235	Middlebury, IN/Northridge
Brendon Lawler	DB	5-11	175	Clarksville, IN/Charlestown
T'Cori Lewis	DB	6-0	175	Portage, IN/Portage
Evan Manley	WR	5-11	160	Westfield, IN/Westfield
Logen McGrew	OL	6-6	280	Terre Haute, IN/West Vigo
Demetre Mitchell	DL	6-1	260	Indianapolis, IN/New Palestine
Shane Phillips	DL	5-10	265	Henryville, IN/Charlestown
Anthony Ruhuna	DL	6-0	200	Indianapolis, IN/Perry Meridian
Andrew Scarpellini	OL	6-5	280	Bedford, IN/Bedford North Lawrence
Anthony Schantz	DB	5-10	188	Whiteland, IN/Whiteland Commjunity
Tyler Selm	DL	6-4	300	Brookville, IN/Franklin County
JayMe Taylor	OL	6-3	240	Indianapolis, IN/T.C. Howe
Jack Tiller	K	5-9	150	South Bend, IN/Marian
Alex Van Dyke	DL	6-3	190	Morgantown, IN/Franklin Community

SIGNEE BIOS
Charlie Bernhardt
OL | 6-5 | 250 | Fishers, Ind. | Fishers HS | highlights
- Named to the IFCA Senior 6A All-State Team last season
- Also garnered 6A All-State Honorable Mention from the Associated Press
- Named to the 2017 Indiana North-South All-Star game roster
- Earned three varsity letters in both football and track & field
- AP Scholar, Academic All-State and honor roll student
 
Jermaine Couch
DB | 5-1 | 176 | Indianapolis | T.C. Howe Comm. HS | highlights
- Earned 2016 2A All-State Honorable Mention from the AP
- Also dubbed All-City First Team by the coaches
 
Trent Dardeen
DL | 6-5 | 235 | Lafayette, Ind. | McCutcheon HS | highlights
- Named to the IFCA Senior 5A All-State and AP All-State last season
- Amassed 65 tackles, seven sacks and four forced fumbles as a senior
- Dubbed the Big School Defensive Player of the Year by the Journal & Courier
- Helped MHS to two North Central Conference titles
- Named to the 2017 Indiana North-South All-Star game roster
- Also lettered in baseball and track & field
- Academic All-State, National Honor Society
 
Bryce Edwards
DL | 6-3 | 215 | Fenton, Mo. | Rockwood Summit HS | highlights
- Voted Class 5 All-State Second Team by the Missouri Football Coaches Association as a senior
- Twice named All-Suburban Conference First Team and All-District First Team
- Helped RSHS to a district title as a junior
- Three-year letterman on both the football and track & field teams
- Honor roll student
 
Clay Hadley
OL | 6-1 | 265 | Greenwood, Ind. | Center Grove HS | highlights
- Named to the prestigious IFCA Top-50 All-State Team last year
- Also garnered 6A All-State honors from the Associated Press
- Three-year starter and two-time All-Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference honoree
- Voted to the 2016 ALL-USA Central Indiana Super Team
- Helped CGHS to three straight regional crowns, including an undefeated season and state title in 2015
- Named to the 2017 Indiana North-South All-Star game roster
- Four-time All-MIC scholar athlete
 
Andre Jackson
DB | 6-0 | 185 | Indianapolis | Lawrence Central HS | highlights
- Collected 6A All-State Honorable Mention from the Associated Press
- Two-time All-MIC and two-time Team Defensive MVP
- Compiled 15 career interceptions
- Named to the 2017 Indiana North-South All-Star game roster
- Earned eight varsity letters in football and track combined
 
Al McKeller
RB | 5-10 | 205 | Indianapolis | Lawrence North | highlights
- One of only four running backs named to the prestigious IFCA Top-50 All-State Team last year
- Also garnered 6A All-State Honorable Mention from the Associated Press
- Named to the 2016 ALL-USA Central Indiana Super Team
- Racked up a school-record 1,330 rushing yards and 22 total TDs as a senior on the way to Team MVP honors
- LN's career leader in rushing yards (3,524)
- Named to the 2017 Indiana North-South All-Star game roster
- Honor roll student
 
Alec Patch
DL | 6-1 | 230 | Indianapolis | Perry Meridian HS | highlights
- Named to the 2016 IFCA Top-50 All-State Team at linebacker
- Also garnered 6A All-State Honorable Mention from the Associated Press
- Voted to the 2016 ALL-USA Central Indiana Super Team
- Led Conference Indiana with 15 tackles for a loss
- Also had 9.5 sacks and forced three fumbles
- Named to the 2017 Indiana North-South All-Star game roster
- Earned three varsity letters in football and four in hockey
- Part of the South Stars Hockey Club that was the 2016 Indiana High School Hockey Association state runner-up
- Honor roll student
 
Codey Roseberry
DL | 6-2 | 255 | Jackson, Ohio | Jackson HS | highlights
- Four-year letterman and two-time all-conference first team
- Played on both the o- and d-lines
- Voted all-district first team and all-state honorable mention as a senior
- Helped JHS to three league crowns as well as a regional runner-up
- Named all-league academic all four years
 
Tarnjeet Singh
OL | 6-3 | 270 | Greenwood, Ind. | Whiteland Comm. HS | highlights
- Named to the 2016 IFCA Senior 5A All-State Team
- Also voted All-Mid-State Conference and All-Johnson County
- Team captain and three-year starter at WCHS
- Helped team to a pair of conference titles and a sectional crown
- Academic All-State
 
Cameron Weems
DB | 5-11 | 186 | Aurora, IL | Nazareth Academy | highlights
- Helped NAHS to back-to-back state championships as a sophomore and junior
- racked up 18 offensive TDs as well as a pick-six as a senior
- two-time all-conference selection on the gridiron
- earned seven varsity letters as a three-sport athlete (FB, baseball, track)
- honor roll student
 
Miles Williams
DB | 5-10 | 185 | St. Louis | Chaminde HS | highlights
- Three-time all-conference, including first-team recognition as a senior
- Also garnered All-District Second Team honors last year
- Also ran track
 
 
OTHER COMMITS
Dylan Back
LB | 5-8 | 180 | Goshen, Ind. | Goshen HS | highlights
- Garnered 5A All-State Honorable Mention at linebacker from the Associated Press
- Racked up 147 total tackles as a senior
- All-conference honoree, team captain
- National Honor Society member and honor roll student

Gavin Bane
RB | 6-0 | 175 | Brownstown, Ind. | Brownstown Central HS | highlights
- Named to the 2016 IFCA Senior 3A All-State Team
- Also garnered 3A All-State from the Associated Press at the all-purpose spot
- Led BCHS to a regional title as a senior, amassing 2,684 all-purpose yards
- Finished with eight school records
- Named to the 2017 Indiana North-South All-Star game roster
- Honor roll student
 
Logan Beegle
WR | 5-11 | 175 | Fishers, Ind. | Hamilton Southeastern HS | highlights
- Honor roll student
- Brother of former UIndy All-America golfer Brooke Beegle
 
Aaron Bishop
DB | 5-8 | 165 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Elder HS | highlights
- Compiled four interceptions his final two seasons combined
- Also a sprinter on the Elder track team
- Part of conference championship teams in both sports
 
Paul Buisman
K | 5-11 | 160 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | Snider HS | highlights
- Named All-Northeast Indiana by both the Journal Gazette and New Sentinel
- Set school records for FGs in a season (12) and career FGs (23)
- Career long field goal was 48 yards
- Earned AP 5A All-State Honorable Mention at punter
- Part of Snider's 2015 state championship team
- Also an all-conference performer on the soccer pitch
- National Honor Society
 
Alex Downin
OL | 6-4 | 260 | Columbus, Ind. | Columbus North HS | highlights
- Team captain as a senior, leading North to a 9-2 record
 
Mike Dennison
DL | 6-1 | 245 | Mishawaka, Ind. | Marian HS | highlights
- Dubbed 3A All-State by both the coaches and the AP
- Two-time all-conference performer
- Helped Marian to a regional title in 2015 and a sectional crown in 2016
- Compiled 47 TFLs and 15 sacks in final two seasons combined
 
Chris Ford
LB | 6-1 | 220 | Indianapolis | Franklin Central HS | highlights
- Amassed 92 tackles as a junior on the way to all-county honorable mention
- Helped FCHS to a sectional championship appearance as a sophomore
- Honor roll student and Honors Diploma recipient
 
Wade Forman
DB | 5-11 | 180 | Columbus, Ind. | Columbus East HS | highlights
- Team captain on Columbus East's 2016 state runner-up team
- Two-time all-area
- Part of three conference championship and two regional winning teams
- National Honor Society, honor roll, academic all-state
 
Matt Fourman
LB | 5-10 | 210 | Seymour, Ind. | Seymour HS | highlights
- Earned four letters in both football and baseball
- Helped SHS to eight wins and a sectional final appearance as a senior
- Honor roll student
 
Ethan Hirt
LB | 6-0 | 220 | Batesville, Ind. | Batesville HS | highlights
 
Jackson Jacobs
DL | 6-4 | 235 | Middlebury, Ind. | Northridge HS | highlights
- All-conference and all-area performer
- Helped NHS to a semi-state appearance in 2014
- Two-time Scholar Athlete
- Also a two-time regional qualifier as a wrestler
 
Brendon Lawler
DB | 5-11 | 175 | Clarksville, Ind. | Charlestown HS | highlights
- Two-time Courier-Journal Area Player of the Year finalist, winning the award as a senior
- Compiled 2,280 passing yards and 1,721 rushing as the CHS quarterback
- Become the second CHS player to throw and run for 1,000 yards in the same season
- Also garnered All-State Honorable Mention last year
 
T'Cori Lewis
DB | 6-0 | 175 | Portage, Ind. | Portage HS | highlights
- Garnered two varsity letters in football
- Also ran track
- Earned an honors diploma
 
Evan Manley
WR | 5-11 | 160 | Westfield, Ind. | Westfield HS | highlights
- Helped WHS to the school's first-ever state title in 2016
- Team won the 5A championship, 16-13, versus Columbus East
- Was the game's leading receiving on that run-heavy day, amassing four catches for 44 yards

Logen McGrew
OL | 6-6 | 280 | Terre Haute, Ind. | West Vigo HS | highlights
-Named to the 2016 Wabash Valley Football Coaches Association All-Star Game
- Also played baseball, basketball, wrestling and track
 
Demetre Mitchell
DL | 6-1 | 260 | Indianapolis | New Palestine HS | highlights
- Named all-conference as a senior
- Part of New Pal's 2015 team that finished 13-1 and was the 5A state runner-up
- Earned nine varsity letters in football, wrestling and track
- Academic A Team, Outstanding Scholastic Achievement honoree
 
Shane Phillips
DL | 5-10 | 265 | Henryville, Ind. | Charlestown HS | highlights
- Three-year letterman in both football and track
- Helped CHS to a 10-2 record and a sectional title in 2014
- Voted team captain as a senior
 
Anthony Ruhuna
DL | 6-0 | 200 | Indianapolis | Perry Meridian HS | highlights
 
Andrew Scarpellini
OL | 6-5 | 280 | Bedford, Ind. | Bedford North Lawrence HS | highlights
- Named All-HCC First Team and AP 5A All-State Honorable Mention
- Three-year letterwinner
- Earned an Academic Honors Diploma
 
Anthony Schantz
DB | 5-10 | 188 | Whiteland, Ind. | Whiteland Community HS | highlights
- Played free safety and running back
- Part of three conference champion teams and two sectional winners
- Also played basketball and ran track
- Academic All-State honoree; honor roll student
- Father Tony played football at UIndy in the early 90s
 
Tyler Selm
DL | 6-4 | 300 | Brookville, Ind. | Franklin County HS | highlights
-Earned three letters each in football, wrestling and track
- National Honor Society member and honor roll student
 
JayMe Taylor
OL | 6-3 | 240 | Indianapolis | T.C. Howe HS | highlights
- Voted All-City as a senior
- Also played basketball
- Made semi-state appearances on both the football and basketball teams as a junior
- Earned an Academic Honors Diploma
 
Jack Tiller
K | 5-9 | 150 | South Bend, Ind. | Marian HS | highlights
- Twice named All-Northern Indiana Conference
- Four-sport athlete – football, basketball, baseball & track
 
Alex Van Dyke
DL | 6-3 | 190 | Morgantown, Ind. | Franklin Community HS | highlights
- Named to the 2016 IFCA Senior 5A All-State Team
- Also dubbed all-conference and all-county
- Lettered in football and baseball