Football adds 15 with latest recruiting class

Lehigh head coach Andy Coen announced in early February that 15 student-athletes had signed National Letters of Intent to join the Mountain Hawks in the fall. The Class of 2021 includes student-athletes from six different states, plus Canada.

Eight of the signees will bolster the defensive side of the ball, with the class also featuring six offensive players and one specialist. The newcomers on defense include two linemen, two linebackers and four defensive backs.

“We really accomplished what we were looking for here,” said Coen, the 2016 Patriot League Coach of the Year. “One of the reasons it’s a smaller class is because we’re going to have a couple of fifth- year guys: Zach Duffy, Brandon Short and Jimmy Mitchell will be coming back next fall. We recruit all positions, but we’re always trying to find good defensive linemen and young guys in the secondary, and we were able to accomplish that.”

The Mountain Hawks won their 11th Patriot League football championship in 2016 and were also recently recognized as the ECAC FCS Team of the Year. While offseason workouts are in progress, Lehigh will officially begin its spring practice segment on March 24.