by Bruce Wood

HANOVER – The final pieces of the recruiting puzzle have come together for the Dartmouth football team as coach Buddy Teevens and his staff have added 18 regular-decision recruits to the dozen high school seniors accepted early decision. Seven of the recruits are listed at at least 6-foot-4 with six weighing at least 250 pounds and three come from high schools with players already on the Dartmouth roster. “It’s a very, very solid group,” said coach Buddy Teevens. “This is the most complete class since we've been here. We hit some high-need areas like the offensive line. Potentially eight or nine guys (from the full recruiting class) could line up there. The biggest thing is to continually add guys who can compete for playing time, and we felt like we've done that.” The regular-decision recruits:

OFFENSE
Running Back
Nick Schwieger, 5-11, 195, Bishop Feehan, Attleboro, Mass.
Boston Globe All-Scholastic first team. ... Ran for 2,182 yards fast fall with 28 touchdowns. ....Had 146 yards in the Shamrocks’ 26-20 win over Walpole in the Massachusetts Division II Super Bowl game at Gillette Stadium. Also caught a 26-yard touchdown pass. ... Ran for 272 yards with three of his four touchdowns going for 59-plus yards in a win over Sandwich. Selected for Shriner’s All-Star game. ... Chose Dartmouth over Harvard. Coach Teevens: “He’s a good-sized, solid-looking young man. He’s a bigger back but can be a breakaway type as well.”

Chris Hardy, 6-3, 215, Oakwood, Dayton Ohio
Dayton Area Offensive Player of the Year. ... Ran for more than 1,500 yards as a senior. ... Averaged about seven yards per carry. ... Kickoff returns of 89 and 87 yards for touchdowns in one game. ... Four-year starter who has seen time at running back, wide receiver, outside linebacker, defensive back and kick returner. ... Terrific all-around athlete who was selected for all-star play in football, basketball and baseball. Coach Teevens: “He is another big back. ... He’s solid enough to be a fullback but has the athletic talent of a running back. He’s a disciplined and physical kid who can do a lot of different things.”

Quarterback
Dan Rooney, 6-4, 195, Shady Side, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Earned all-conference recognition playing for a school that has sent 20 of 28 graduating seniors on to play college football over his career. ... Helped Shady Side go 9-1 before losing Terrelle Pryor and top-ranked Jeannette in the WPIAL playoffs. Had a 34-yard TD throw in that game. ... Had completed 37-of-74 passes for 668 yards and six touchdowns and ran 39 times for 206 yards entering the Jeannette game. ... Grandson of Art Rooney, founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers. ... Chose Dartmouth over William & Mary. Coach Teevens: “He didn’t throw much in high school but he can throw all the passes we are looking for. He’s a drop-back guy along the lines of a Will Deevy although he’s not quite as big.”

Offensive Line
Brock Middleton, 6-5, 275, Brophy, Phoenix, Ariz.
Comes from the same powerhouse high school that sent freshman offensive lineman Shane Peterlin to Hanover. ... Team won 5A state championship in 2005 and 2007. ... Two classmates going on to play for Colorado. Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Brown and Dartmouth all landed Brophy players since 1999. Coach Teevens: “He’s another good-sized lineman from a strong program. He’s a solid player from an athletic family.”

Kyle Cook, 6-5, 280, Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif.
Chosen to the All-Trinity League for his play up front. ... Coaches selected him as Mater Dei’s Most Improved Offensive player. ... Played on the same O-line as USC-bound Khaled Holmes. ... Visited Portland State and considered Brown as well as San Diego before choosing Dartmouth. Coach Teevens: “We’ve brought in big offensive linemen and Kyle Cook is another one. ... He comes from a very good football program that sends a lot of guys to the college ranks.”

Ryan Lee, 6-6, 250, Heathwood Hall Episcopal, Columbia, S.C.
A good athlete who played basketball and does throws in track in addition to playing football. ... Selected all-league both as an offensive and defensive lineman. ... Listed as tallest of incoming freshmen. Coach Teevens: “He reminds me of (tri-captain) Alex Rapp ‘09. ... He’s a big kid who moves his feet well and could play on either side. ... His pad level is good.”

Ryan O’Neill, 6-5, 265, Marist, Chicago
An all-conference performer in the Catholic League. ... One of the bigger defensemen you’ll ever see as a skater for the Marist hockey team. ... Had interest from Illinois, Indiana and Harvard. Coach Teevens: “He’s another good one from Chicago, which is a nice plus for us. ... Had an offer from Drake where his mom and dad went.”

Tight End

John Gallagher, 6-3, 225, West Salem, Salem, Ore.
Chosen to play in Oregon's Les Schwab Bowl. ... Hosted on visit by another tight end named Gallagher, freshman Kevin. ... OSAA 6A all-state second team pick on both offense and defense. Coach Teevens: “He’s a good athlete and a physically mature kid at a position where we are a little light. ... He's confident and intelligent.”

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

Eddie Smith, 6-4, 265, Christian Academy, Louisville, Ken.
Chistian’s Lineman of the Year. ... Chosen for the Greater Louisville East-West All-Star game. ... As offensive lineman helped CAL offense rank in top 10 in the state in Class 2A. ... State finalist in the shot put and school record-holder in the shot. Coach Teevens: “He’s similar to Charles Bay’11 in terms of physical presentation. ... Comes from a smaller school but will add athleticism and speed to defensive front. ... Interest from Louisville.”

Bruno Vetter,   6-1, 235, Isidore Newman, New Orleans, La.
A first-team, All-New Orleans selection as a senior at the same school that produced Archie and Eli Manning...Forced, recovered and returned a fumble 75 yards for a touchdown...Played middle linebacker as a junior.
 

Linebacker
Royce Egeolu, 6-0, 245, John Paul Stevens, San Antonio, Texas
Team defensive MVP as a junior and senior. ... Had 81 tackles including 23 for a loss and 29 quarterback hurries. ... Forced two fumbles, recovered two and blocked five kicks. ... Can bench 405 and squad 625 with 34-inch vertical. ... Throws the shot. Coach Teevens: “He’s a brick house. ... A physical, though guy who rushes the passer extremely well. ... Well weight-trained and physically ready for transition to college game. ... Could play defensive end.”

Aaron Limonthas, 6-1, 205, Lamar, Houston
All-district first team as junior and senior. ... All-Greater Houston first team. ... Ranked 15th best linebacker in state by one service. ... Had 78 tackles, five sacks, three interceptions and scored two touchdowns last fall playing alongside another linebacker heading to Army. Coach Teevens: “Aaron is a very good leader. ... He will all speed and quickness inside. ... Another good athlete.”

Brendan Murray, 6-0, 195, Niles Notre Dame, Chicago
Defensive player of the year in the East Suburban Catholic conference and team defensive MVP. ... Two-time all-conference selection. ... Chicago Sun Times and Pioneer press all-area honoree. ... Twice named Illinois Academic All-State. ... Sprinter/hurdler. ... Brother plays at St. Norbert College. ... Grandfather coached former Dartmouth quarterback Mike Brait ‘76. Coach Teevens: “Another tough, physical guy from a strong league. ... Played more of a safety but we’ll bump in forward because we need more athleticism to defend the type of offenses we see.”

Diego Fernandez-Soto, 5-11, 205, Belen Jesuit, Miami
Chosen first team all-country by the Miami Herald. ... Florida 3A honorable mention all-state. ... Selected to play in the Dade-Broward all-star game. ... High school teammate Anthony Diblasi will join him in Hanover where former high school teammate Pete Pidermann is a sophomore safety. Coach Teevens: “He’ll add athleticism and depth at the linebacker position. ... School sends a lot of kids to the Ivy League. ... The Pidermanns were a big help answering questions about Dartmouth.”

Tyler Melancon, 6-1, 210, Plano East, Plano, Texas
Had 131 tackles and four interceptions last fall. ... First all-district defensive team. ... Academic all-state first team. ... At least seven teammates intend to play college ball next fall. ...Given name is Sir Norman Melancon. Coach Teevens: “Tyler is a hybrid type who cold play safety, strong safety or outside linebacker. ... Comes from a very, very good football area.”

Defensive Back

Shawn Abuhoff, 5-11, 175, Dade Christian, Miami
Two-time choice for 1A all-state first team. ... Runs 200 and 400 and long jumps for the Dade Christian track team. ... Had 51 tackles, six pass breakups and three interceptions last fall. .... Averaged 24.6 yards per catch on 15 receptions with four touchdowns. ... Has experience as a plackicker. Coach Teevens: “Come from an area that plays good football. ...Has good speed. ... As a cover corner, will have a chance to help early.”

Anthony Diblasi, 6-0, 185, Belen Jesuit, Miami
All-county first team selection as named by the Miami Herald. ... 3A All-state honorable mention for the Wolverines. ... Chosen for Dade-Broward all-star game. ... Will join classmate Diego Fernandez-Soto on the Big Green roster. ... Former teammate Pete Pidermann makes it three Belen products in Hanover. Coach Teevens: “He’s more of a safety type. ... Has speed a and a little more size. ... Has been the quarterback of the back end. ... Adds immediate depth.”

Chad Hollis, 5-11, 180, Phillips Andover Academy, Lake Mary, Fla.
Had 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Phillips Exeter last fall. ... Three-year starter. ... All-conference pick. ... Ran a leg on the 4x400 relay that set school record. ... Holds school’s 400-meter record for a sophomore (50.8). ... Rare Floridian who also plays ice hockey. ... Recruited by Harvard, Cornell and Brown. Coach Teevens: “Depth in the backfield is a concern so he’ll get a good look there. ... Had a variety of Ivy League options. ... Not sure if he’ll run track but we’ve had good success with guys doing that.”

Joe Casey, 5-10, 180, Noblesville, Noblesville, Ind.
Seven interceptions as a senior. ... School’s defensive player of the year as a junior and senior. ... Twice chosen Hoosier Crossroads all-conference. ... Two-time all-county first team and twice picked for the Indianapolis Star all-north team. ... Heard from seven of eight Ivy League schools. ... Bloomington Herald Times 5A special mention. ... Wendy’s High School Heisman nominee. Coach Teevens: “He’s a track fast guy who ran in states. ... Has safety capability with speed. ... Bob Hittle ‘74 told us about him.”

Others intending to play Dartmouth in the fall include Cody Poe, a 6-4, 250 defensive tackle and all-league performer from Tahlequah, Okla., Garrett Babb, a 5-11, 170 wide receiver and High School Heisman nominee from Shawnee, Okla, and Ben Mangus, a 6-1 safety from Albuquerque Academy and a member of the 2007 Class 3A New Mexico High School Coaches Association All-State football team.