WALTHAM, Mass. -- A dozen student-athletes, including eight from Massachusetts, have signed either National Letters of Intent or commitment letters to attend and play football for Bentley University, head coach Thom Boerman announced.

The list includes defensive end/linebacker Nick Hession (Amherst, N.H/Souhegan HS), wide receiver Jeff Hill (Mansfield/Mansfield HS), running back/slot receiver Brad Kierstead (Waltham/ Waltham HS), offensive lineman Harry King (Holliston/Xaverian Bros. HS), quarterback Drew Lloyd (Cary, N.C./Green Hope HS), offensive lineman Alec MacGillivray (Westwood/ Boston College HS), defensive back Nick McCarthy (Winthrop/Winthrop HS), center Joe Morra (Oradell, N.J./River Dell Reg. HS), wide receiver/defensive back Mike Muir (Bridgewater/Xaverian Bros. HS), tight end Brandon Parker (Amesbury/Pingree School), defensive lineman Bobby Richman (North Attleboro/North Attleboro HS), and wide receiver Taylor Rogers (Middletown, N.J./Middletown South HS).

"This group of young men represents what we are looking for in a student-athlete here at Bentley," said Boerman. "They have both the academic and athletic profile that we think will allow them to succeed here.  It's a nice mix of positions this year as well, but I am really pleased with the quality of the linemen we are bringing in. I do expect some of these players to compete for starting spots, especially at the receiver position. These players, coupled with an excellent group of incoming kids that although were unsigned show some pretty good potential, should really improve our team"

Bentley posted a 5-4 record last fall and finished in a four-way tie for first place in the Northeast-10 Conference. The Falcons open their 2011 season September 2 at home against SUNY Maritime.

NICK HESSION, DE-OLB, Souhegan HS, Amherst, N.H.  -- Nick Hession was a three-time all-state stand-up defensive end/outside linebacker as well as a wide receiver for the Sabers. He helped secure the 2008, 2009 and 2010 state championships for Souhegan, and at 6'2", 225 pounds, Hession has the size and strength to play defensive end, and the athleticism to play outside linebacker. He will be a great addition to Bentley's young defensive front seven after he participates in the 2011 Shrine Game for the state of New Hampshire this summer.

JEFF HILL, WR, Mansfield HS -- Jeff Hill comes to Bentley from Mansfield High School, where he was a highly recruited  6'4", 185 pound wide receiver.  In the state playoffs, he caught five touchdowns in two games, including two in the title game, helping his team overcome a 26-7 halftime deficit.  Hill was a unanimous All-Hockomock League selection who also starts on the school's league championship basketball team.  

BRAD KEIRSTEAD, RB/Slot, Waltham HS: Keirstead was one of the premier players this season at Waltham High. The two-way starter was selected as a Dual-County League All-Star and was a consistent force on the field on each side of the ball. An outstanding offensive weapon in high school, the 5'10", 170 pound Keirstead will probably see time as both a running back and slot receiver in the Bentley offense.

HARRY KING, OL, Xaverian Brothers HS, Holliston -- At 6'4", 290 pounds, Harry King became an anchor for the Xaverian Brothers High School offense.  This past season, he served as a team captain and was selected as the school's top lineman.  King was named to the All-Catholic Conference Team, and the Boston Globe recognized him as one of the top 25 linemen in Massachusetts.      

DREW LLOYD, QB, Green Hope HS, Cary, N.C. -- The highly recruited 6'3, 200 pound QB  from North Carolina decided to sign with Bentley over several Ivy league schools, as well as area Division I schools such as Davidson.  An intelligent player, Lloyd will bring his size, athleticism and excellent football ability to Bentley University's spread offense.

ALEC MacGILLIVRAY, OL, Boston College HS, Westwood -- MacGillivray,  6'3" and 265 pounds, played all five offensive line positions for the Boston College High School Eagles.  His athleticism earned him interest from a number of New England's most competitive institutions.  MacGillivray was a force on the O-line and helped BC High to the 2010 league championship.  His combination of size, speed, and intelligence will make him a perfect fit on the Bentley line. 

NICK McCARTHY, DB, Winthrop HS: The 2010 Northeastern Conference All Star, and one of the Lynn Item's Top 25 All Stars, will be joining the Bentley defensive backfield in August. McCarthy was a reliable weapon on both sides of the ball for Winthrop High School coach Sean Driscoll, but it was his play on defense that earned him all-star nods by multiple news organizations, as well as multiple honors and awards from his teammates at Winthrop.  He brings toughness, and a knack for making big plays, to Bentley's secondary as he will most likely be at strong safety come the opening of Falcons' preseason.

JOE MORRA, OL, River Dell Reg. HS, Oradell, N.J. -- With the graduation of Academic All-America Jared Kawadler, reloading the center position was very important for the 2011 recruiting class. Morra was a two-time All-League player at River Dell, as well as an All-Star in New Jersey's highly recruited Bergen County. The 6'1", 270 pound two-way starter was a captain for a team that recorded a 9-2 record and earned a berth in the Group 2 New Jersey State finals.

MIKE MUIR, WR/DB, Xaverian Brothers HS, Bridgewater: The All-Catholic Conference selection and team captain was one of the most versatile athletes at Xaverian Brothers High School.  At 6'2", 180 pounds, Muir was able to make plays as both a wide receiver and defensive back.   Also a stellar baseball player, he was chosen to speak at the annual St. Francis Xavier Society Appreciation Dinner.  Muir is also a frequent participant in Campus Ministry programs.

BRANDON PARKER, TE, Pingree School, Amesbury: A lot of weight will be on the shoulders of this Pingree School standout this fall. With the graduation of All-Region tight end Mike Slattery, Parker may be on the field sooner than later. However, the 6'4", 240 pound tight end and Pingree team captain is made for the Falcons' spread offense. An excellent receiver, Parker led Coach Chris Powers' squad in receiving in 2009 and was second last fall. The two-time All-New England and All-League player is also a dominant blocker, and helped Pingree to the 2010 championship at Gillette Stadium.

BOBBY RICHMAN, DL, North Attleboro HS: At 6'1", 265 pounds, Richman created havoc for offensive opponents of the North Attleboro High School Red Rocketeers.  He was recognized by his teammates as linemen and defensive player of the game on numerous occasions.  Richman was selected to the All-Hockomock League Team and was also a Sun Chronicle all area selection.  He is expected to compete for a spot on the Falcons D-line.

TAYLOR ROGERS, WR, Middletown South HS, Middletown, N.J.: Rogers was one of New Jersey's biggest offensive threats in 2010 for Middletown South High School.  He reeled in 47 balls for 838 yards this past season while averaging over 17 yards per catch.  Rogers was chosen as an All-Class A North player, as selected by the area's coaches.  His precise route running skills and playmaking ability should help him compete for a spot on a Bentley offensive unit that likes to throw the ball.