WALTHAM, Mass. – Nineteen student-athletes, including 14 from Massachusetts, have signed either National Letters of Intent or commitment letters to attend Bentley University and play football for the Falcons, head coach Thom Boerman announced.

Electing to remain in Massachusetts to play college football are offensive linemen Ryan Anger (Worcester/St. John's Shrewsbury), linebackers Jamie Becker (Hingham/Thayer Academy) and Craig Hanley (Walpole/Walpole HS), cornerback Josh Charles (Hyde Park/Catholic Memorial HS), punter/kicker Ryan Dahlen (Monson/Wilbraham & Monson Acad.), wide receivers Jimmy Halliday (Bourne/Cushing Academy) and Faisal Kanaan (Natick/ Natick HS), quarterback Matt Montalto (West Yarmouth/Dennis-Yarmouth HS), defensive ends Paul Norris (North Attleboro/North Attleboro HS) and Jake Pilecki (Acton/Acton-Boxboro Reg. HS), and three versatile players who can help at a number of positions, Chris Calvanese (Norfolk/Xaverian Bros. HS), Matt McDermott (Merrimac/Central Catholic HS), Tommy Munro (Norwood/Norwood HS) and Chris Walsh (Attleboro/Attleboro HS).

Bentley's incoming Class of 2016 also includes defensive end/linebacker Brad Benson (Rye Brook, N.Y./Cushing Academy), offensive lineman Matthew Biscardi (Holbrook, N.Y./St. Anthony's HS), linebacker Quincy Giles (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral HS), tight end Peter Keenan (Millbrook, N.Y./The Canterbury School) and running back/returner Emmitt Smith (Derry, N.H./Pinkerton Academy).

Bentley, coming off a 6-4 season, opens the 2012 campaign August 31, under the Friday night lights against Pace University.

RYAN ANGER, 6-3, 265, OL, Worcester, St. John's Shrewsbury

Coaches' View: Ryan is a very athletic lineman with solid technique and excellent mobility.  A 2012 football captain, Ryan is also the Central Massachusetts Shot Put Champion.  A strong academic performer, his physical ability will help him vie for playing time come August. 

JAMIE BECKER, 6-3, 220, LB, Hingham, Thayer Academy

Coaches' View: Jamie comes to Bentley after receiving looks from a number of Football Championship Subdivision schools.  A basketball and baseball player, he is a true "thumper" at linebacker who can make plays at the line of scrimmage.  He is an All-New England and All-Independent School League selection who tallied double-digit tackles in his last seven games at Thayer Academy.  

BRAD BENSON, 6-2, 210, DE/LB, Rye Brook, N.Y., Cushing Academy

Coaches' View:   Brad was a high-energy defensive end at Cushing Academy and one of the team's most vocal leaders.  Brad was also being recruited by several Ivy's.  The All-League selection is a versatile player who may also see time at linebacker. 

MATTHEW BISCARDI, 6-2, 285, OL, Holbrook, N.Y., St. Anthony's HS

Coaches' View:  One of the long standing members of the Bentley football staff recognized Matthew as one of the best linemen he had ever seen on film.  A captain since his junior season, Matthew consistently received accolades such as All-Metro and All-Long Island.  The expectation is that Matthew could see the field very early in his career. 

CHRIS CALVANESE, 6-4, 205, ATH, Norfolk, Xaverian Brothers HS

Coaches' View: A standout all-around athlete for the Hawks, Chris could be spotted playing quarterback, wide receiver and free safety during his Xaverian career.  Chris was named team MVP following both his junior and senior seasons.  Additionally, he was a Catholic Conference All-Star who has been selected to play in the Aleppo Shriners All-Star Football Classic.  A standout basketball player as well, Chris was a member of the 2011 Boston Globe Division 1 all-star squad.  

JOSH CHARLES, 6-1, 180, CB, Hyde Park, Catholic Memorial HS

Coaches' View: Josh is an excellent open-field tackler who breaks on the ball very well.  Coming into the 2011 season, Josh was touted as a key component to his team's success by ESPN Boston.  He chose Bentley over a number of Football Championship Subdivision schools and will look to compete for significant playing time upon his arrival.

RYAN DAHLEN, 6-0, 170, P/K, Monson, Wilbraham and Monson Acad.

Coaches' View: Ryan played numerous positions for Wilbraham and Monson, including wide receiver.  A great deal of his success came as a punter and kicker.  Additionally, his speed and athleticism allow for him to make tackles on special teams as well.  Due to losses through graduation, Ryan will have an opportunity to show his talents immediately in fall camp. 

QUINCY GILES, 6-3, 210, LB, Indianapolis, Ind., Cathedral HS

Coaches' View: Quincy can play either inside or outside linebacker and committed to Bentley after leading the Cathedral Fighting Irish to state titles in 2010 and 2011. He is an excellent tackler with great closing speed.  Quincy is an Honor Roll student who was recognized as First Team All-City and Academic All-State this past year.  Without question, he will be an active participant for the Falcons in 2012.      

JIMMY HALLIDAY, 6-3, 185, WR, Bourne, Cushing Academy

Coaches' View: Jimmy has been one of Cushing Academy's best athletes.  Also a basketball and baseball player, he has received athletic honors in each of his high school years.  A former high school quarterback, Jimmy has excellent hands and speed which should enable him to move to the wide receiver position this fall.    

CRAIG HANLEY, 5-11, 195, LB-SS, Walpole, Walpole HS

Coaches' View: A captain in both football and baseball, Craig was a leader both on and off the field.  On the field, his tenacious play made him an explosive defensive player in the Bay State Conference.  The 2011 league all-star was also the team's defensive MVP as a junior.  This past season, Craig filled in at the running back position, also playing some receiver en route to a state playoff berth and a spot on this season's Shriner's All-Star Team.         

FAISAL KANAAN, 6-3, 180, WR, Natick, Natick HS

Coaches' View: A versatile athlete at Natick, Faisal was a successful quarterback who will transition his skills to wide receiver.  His size, speed, and strength, along with his excellent catching ability, should make him a threat in the Falcon offense.  A former three-time state qualifier in track, Faisal chose Bentley over a number of highly regarded institutions.    

PETER KEENAN, 6-4, 250, TE, Millbrook, N.Y., The Canterbury School

Coaches' View: Peter is a big, physical tight end who can play in space like a wide-out.  He is the son of a successful high school coach and has demonstrated an ability to learn quickly and be an on field leader.  Last season, Peter hauled in 23 passes for The Canterbury School and averaged almost 16 yards per catch.  At Bentley, Peter will be among a group of talented tight ends and should see significant action.    

MATT McDERMOTT, 6-2, 195, ATH, Merrimac, Central Catholic HS

Coaches' View: Matt, a Merrimack Valley Conference All-Star, will be attending Bentley after a stellar career at Central Catholic High School.   A guard on Central Catholic's highly successful basketball team, Matt is the current catcher on the Raider baseball squad as well.  This past season, he threw for 1,318 yards and 11 touchdowns while rushing for 857 yards and 10 TDs.   Matt will have the opportunity to play a number of positions for the Falcons, including quarterback.   

MATT MONTALTO, 5-11, 180, QB, West Yarmouth, Dennis-Yarmouth HS

Coaches' View: The two-time Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic is a multi-talented offensive threat.  Matt led the 2012 Dennis-Yarmouth Dolphins to a state championship while throwing 25 touchdowns and running in 15 more.  An Atlantic Coast Conference All-Star selection, he accounted for all five scores in the title game.  Also a hockey standout, Matt compiled a record of 23-2 during his tenure as the varsity QB.  A member of the 2012 Shriner's All-Star Team, Matt will compete for a starting role and significant playing time at Bentley.  

TOMMY MUNRO, 6-4, 210, ATH, Norwood, Norwood HS

Coaches' View: Tommy will arrive at Bentley after being one of the state's finest quarterbacks in 2011.  Whether he takes the snap from under center or from the shotgun, he has the ability to throw for scores or bowl people over on his way to the end zone.  His talents were quite evident in an early season conference victory over Natick, a game in which he amassed 122 yards rushing.  Tommy could be a solid contributor at a number of offensive positions for the Falcons.

PAUL NORRIS, 6-3, 225, DE, North Attleboro, North Attleboro HS

Coaches' View: Paul was a major part of the Red Rocketeers' 9-1 season, on both offense and defense.  Although he projects to be a defensive end for the Falcons, Paul utilized his size and speed at tight end as well.  He was also an All-Hockomock League selection as a member of the varsity basketball team.      

JAKE PILECKI, 6-3, 220, DE, Acton, Acton-Boxboro Reg. HS

Coaches' View: The 2011 Dual County League All-Star was a force on the Acton-Boxboro defensive line.  His combination of speed and strength made him tough to block.  Also a highly regarded basketball and lacrosse player, Jake was named to the 2012 Shriner's All-Star Team. 

EMMITT SMITH, 5-8, 165, ATH, Derry, N.H., Pinkerton Academy

Coaches' View:  A New Hampshire Division 1 All-State selection, Emmitt also excels in track.  In a 2011 contest against Exeter (NH), Emmitt scored four times and tallied 289 yards on just eight carries.  His speed makes him a threat as a kick and punt returner.    

CHRIS WALSH, 6-0, 175, ATH, Attleboro, Attleboro HS

Coaches' View: Chris was a captain for both the football and basketball teams at Attleboro High School and was recognized by the Sun Chronicle newspaper as an All-Star.   An excellent student, Chris led the Bombardiers to a 7-4 record and was the 18th ranked passer in the state.  Chris can play either offense or defense and should see time as a special teamer come September.