SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Notre Dame College Head Football Coach Mickey Mental announced the 2020 recruiting class on Wednesday. The Falcons currently have 37 student-athletes committed and ready to join a talented roster.

Mental was the Assistant Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator when the Falcons won a combined 25 games over the past two seasons, including four NCAA Division II Playoff victories. He explained what made those teams click:

"I think the brotherhood, the bond between the players, first and foremost," he said. "They played for each other and when you have a strong brotherhood between each other, you're willing to do extraordinary things for one another. We caught a couple good breaks and obviously came up big in key moments during the past two years. The kids just worked their tails off and that's a credit to our leadership from the top, down."

And the Falcons will have many returning players from last season, including Jaleel McLaughlin, who was named a finalist for the Harlon Hill Award, again, in 2019. He became the first player at any level of the NCAA to rush for over 2,000 yards in his freshman and sophomore seasons.

Quarterback Chris Brimm returns for his junior season and will be reunited with wide receiver Conner Henry, who is making a comeback from a season-long injury. In fact, many of Brimm's top targets from last season return. While All-American Marvelle Ross graduated, wide receivers Jeremy Hamilton and Andrew Turski return, as well as, All-American tight end Zaire Mitchell. The offensive line remains totally intact, which includes All-Americans Jimmy Burchett and Brandon Nicholson.

Although the defense loses All-American Sha'haun Williams along with starters Derrick Brumfield and Curtis Collins, Notre Dame returns eight starters from that side of the ball. All-Region linebacker Guam Lee and Second Team All-MEC member Jack Kosko look for another big season.

"I'm blessed to have a number of returning players back," Mental said. "Obviously, we've had a nice run and they're gaining experience and also winning at the same time, which is awesome for our program. What I've seen so far in the offseason is that they're even more hungry, now, to take that next step. They're working their tails off."

Being on the Notre Dame staff in some capacity for the past 11 seasons has prepared Mental for this year's National Signing Day, now as the head man.

"I'm fortunate to be surrounded by a great group of coaches, to help me out through the transition," he said. "Obviously, Mike [Jacobs] left the cupboard pretty full with talent. I'm just taking it day by day, working as hard as possible each and every day and trying to take this program to the elite level of winning a National Championship."

The Falcons have been at the top of the Mountain East Conference the past two seasons, but the recruiting process remains the same.

"I feel like the focus is the same, each and every year," Mental said. "The focus is to add great players, but more importantly, good people and good families. Add to the extraordinary support of the families who we already have and to the great players on our existing roster."

"The process doesn't really change. The number one question is, 'Do you have a passion to play this game?' If you have a passion, you'll fit here at Notre Dame, if you love football and are willing to do whatever you can to help the team's success."

And on Mental's watch, the staff will not get complacent when it comes to the recruiting trail.

"Recruiting is the lifeline of any program," he said. "It should never take a backseat to anything. If you get complacent in recruiting, then it's going to show up on the field. Always staying ahead of the game, always evaluating, always communicating, always going that extra mile to show the recruit how important he is to our program, to our success, to our institution."

With signing day finally here, Mental is grateful to the people who make it such a special day on the campus of Notre Dame College.

"I'd like to thank the administration, President John Galovic, Beth Ford, Mandy Means, Brandy Viol, my Athletic Director Scott Swain, Nicholas de Lorme and the Sports Information Department for putting in the hours to make this day really special for the college and for these kids. I'd like to thank my coaching staff for turning this thing around in less than 30 days and doing a fantastic job of connecting and working throughout this whole process."

Class of 2020

Karon Ball | WR/DB | Baltimore, Md. | Towson High School

Ball was ranked as the No. 1 All-County wide receiver/defensive back, three times. Excelled in the classroom and was named to the Honor Roll.

Jayden Bethea | DL | Brandon, Fla. | Tampa Catholic High School

Bethea played defensive tackle for Tampa Catholic. In the classroom, he was named to the high honor roll.

Rony Bourdeau Jr. | WR | Hollywood, Fla. | Chaminade Madonna College Prep

As a wide receiver on very talented teams, Bourdeau won three state titles on two different teams in high school. He was named Second Team All-Dade County in 2017 and earned Offensive Player of the Game against McArthur High School in 2019. Bourdeau also participated in track and field.

Cael Bright | DB | Douglasville, Ga. | New Manchester High School

On the football field, Bright helped the secondary as a safety. He also ran track at New Manchester High School.

Quincy Brown | TE | Middletown, Ohio | Madison High School

Brown played tight end at Madison High School. He earned Second Team All-State, All-Conference Honorable Mention and All-District Honorable Mention.

Jacob Buckmaster | OL | Whitehouse, Ohio | Anthony Wayne High School

Buckmaster protected his QB at Anthony Wayne High School and was named First Team NLL and Second Team All-District for his play.

Patrick Casselberry | OL/DL | North Ridgeville, Ohio | North Ridgeville High School

While at North Ridgeville High School, Casselberry played football and wrestled. He earned Second Team All-County for his play on the gridiron and was a three-year letterman.

Esco Davis | DB | Columbus, Ohio | Harvest Prep High School

When he was not on the football field, Davis also played basketball and ran track. As a football player, he was given Second Team and Honorable Mention All-OCC honors. He earned the Principal Honors for his work in the classroom.

Daylin Dower | DB | Lorain, Ohio | Lorain High School

Dower played defensive back on the football field at Lorain High School.

Victor Ford Jr. | RB | Cleveland, Ohio | Shaker Heights High School

Ford was a three-sport athlete at Shaker Heights. He played football, ran track and wrestled. While playing football, he was named First Team All-Conference and Offensive Player of the Year. Excelled off the field, as well, and was named to the honor roll and merit roll.

Daiquantee Glenn | DL | Cleveland, Ohio | Cuyahoga Falls High School

Playing on the defensive line, Glenn was recognized as the team's Defensive Player of the Year and earned Second Team Suburban League.

Meitrius Graves | DL | Loyola High School

On the gridiron, Graves played defensive end at Loyola High School.

Rob Graves | RB | Akron, Ohio | Cuyahoga Falls High School

As a running back at Cuyahoga Falls High School, Graves broke the Cuyahoga Falls record for most touchdowns in a game. He grabbed Max Preps Ohio Player of the Week honors, First Team Suburban honors and Second Team All-District honors. Graves was also named Offensive MVP and Team MVP. He excelled in the classroom and was given a spot on the Merit Roll and Honor Roll.

Carson Heidecker | OL | Columbia Station, Ohio | Columbia High School

While attending Columbia High School, Heidecker played football and baseball. He accumulated an impressive amount of accolades as he was named First Team All-State as well as Conference Lineman of the Year. The offensive lineman was twice named First Team All-County, First Team All-District and First Team All-County.

Keon'te Huguely | DB | Trotwood, Ohio | Trotwood-Madison High School

A four-sport athlete in high school, Huguely was named All-GWOC, All-Ohio Second Team and Most Valuable Player. He won three state titles in various sports at Trotwood-Madison High School. He excelled in the classroom and was named to the honor roll all four year.

Keshawn Huguely | RB | Trotwood, Ohio | Trotwood-Madison High School

Huguely was named Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player of the Year at Trotwood-Madison High School.

Josh Lange | OL | Springfield, Ohio | Shawnee High School

Lange played on the offensive line at Shawnee High School. He was named All-CBC Lineman, twice, First Team All-SW District and Second Team All-Ohio for his work on the field. He also wrestled and participated in track.

Vincent Lester | OL | South Euclid, Ohio | Brush High School

A left tackle at Brush High School, Lester received two All-WRC Honors.

Tyshawn Lighty | WR | Lorain, Ohio | Lorain High School

Lighty played football and ran track at Lorain High School. He was named Most Valuable Player for his play on the football field. In the classroom, Lighty was given the LEL Scholar Athlete Award.

Tyler Malone | RB | Atlanta, Ga. | Creekside High School

Played running back on the gridiron at Creekside High School.

Savion McCrary | RB | Atlanta, Ga. | Roswell High School

As a two-sport athlete, McCrary played football and ran track at Roswell High School. He was a member of the Regional Championship team in back-to-back seasons.

Jacalyn Morrison | DB | Charlotte, N.C. | Butler High School

A three-sport athlete at Butler High School, Morrison played football, basketball and ran track. He was named All-Conference.

Abe Nyang | DB | Roswell, Ga. | Roswell High School

While playing football and basketball, Nyang earned three varsity letters at Roswell High School.

Reece Perkins | TE | New Concord, Ohio | John Glenn High School

Perkins was recognized for his play at John Glenn High School. He was named First Team All-Ohio, MVL Player of the Year and MVL Wide Receiver of the Year. He also took home First Team All-District and First Team All-MVL honors, twice.

Kyle Perry | DL | Atlanta, Ga. | Hampton High School

Perry played football and ran track during his high school career. As a defensive end on the gridiron, he was named First Team All-Region, First Team All-County and All-State.

Gavin Pritchard | TE | Big Springs High School

Pritchard was a tight end for the Big Springs High School football program.

Kindel Richardson | CB | Glenoak High School

As a member of the Glenoak High School football team, Richardson played cornerback.

Roland Rowe | DB | Reynoldsburg, Ohio | St. Charles Preparatory High School

Played football, basketball and ran track at St. Charles Preparatory. He was named First Team All-League, twice, and earned Second Team All-District.

Jeff Sampson | LB | Ravenna, Ohio | St. Vincent-St. Mary High School

While playing linebacker at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, Sampson earned Second Team All-District, was named Honorary Captain and was given the Ironman Award.

Voshon Siriac | LB | Naples, Fla. | Palmetto Ridge High School

Siriac played football and ran track at Palmetto Ridge High School. As a football player, he was a two-time First Team All-County member. Along with that, Siriac earned First Team All-Area, in 2019.

Zachary Slapnicker | OL | Chesterland, Ohio | West Geauga High School

Slapnicker was given First Team All-Conference honors for his play as an offensive tackle.

Darrell Smoot III | DL | Columbus, Ohio | Groveport Madison High School

Smoot played football, participated in track and was on the swim team at Groveport Madison High School. For his performance on the football field, Smoot was named First Team All-OCC and All-District.

Teddy Tiokeng | DL | Silver Spring, Md. | James Hubert Blake High School

Tiokeng played defensive end at James Hubert Blake High School. He earned First Team All-County honors, twice, and was named All-League.

Marco Tramontano | OL | Highland Heights, Ohio | Mayfield High School

As a senior at Mayfield High School, Tramontano received First Team All-State Honors, MVP award, Defensive Player of the Year in the conference and district, First Team News Herald All-Star and First Team Plain Dealer High School All Stars. He finished his career as a three-time First Team All-Conference member, two-time MVP, two-time Second Team All-District and First Team All-District. Excelled in the classroom and was given the Scholar Athlete Award, twice.

Jayland Ware | TE | Cleveland, Ohio | Maple Heights High School

Ware was a tight end on the football team and also played basketball and ran track at Maple Heights High School. He excelled in the classroom and was given Academic Honors.

Blayne Watkins | QB | Fort Pierce, Fla. | St. Lucie West Centennial High School

Watkins played football, basketball and baseball at St. Lucie West Centennial High School. Led the team on the football team as the quarterback.

Andre Woods Jr. | WR | Arnold, Md. | Broadneck High School

Woods played slot receiver on the Broadneck High School football team. He was named First Team All-County, twice. Woods also ran track.