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The 2017 Pre-Signing Day Big Board for Lehigh

With a little over a week to signing day, the incoming football class of 2021 is in real focus.

I'm always hesitant to jump the gun on verbals to Lehigh.  I've been around this long enough to realize that commitments can change.

But I've also found that when you get this close to signing day, you've got a fairly good picture as to what the class looks like.

All verbals are considered "verbals" and are very much unofficial until signing day, but many student-athletes have tweeted their commitments and their tweets are included below.

So a week before signing day, here's some information as to what we know here at LFN about the incoming class.

(A huge thank-you to Rich Heelan and Todd Cuddington, who have done a great job as they always do tracking recruits.  Their constantly-updated spreadsheet is here.)

Verbal Commits (17)

DB Divine Buckrham (Kiski School, PA/Queens, NY)
Source: Twitter
RB Evan Chadbourn (Bishop Guifoyle HS, PA/Altoona, PA)
Source: Rivals lists as Commit
DB Stuart Cundiff (Immaculata HS, NJ/Somerville, NJ)
Source: Rivals lists as Commit

55 tackles, 1 INT as senior at Immaculata
8 tackles in 1st round of Non-Public, Group 2 Playoffs in upset of top seed Hudson Catholic

LB/LS Jack Dean (Chatham HS/Chatham, NJ)
Source: Twitter
DL Jason Dooling (St. Thomas Aquinas/Hammond, LA)
Source: Twitter
OL Jackson Evans (St. Joe's Prep/Philadelphia, PA)
Source: Twitter
OL Matt Fest (New Hope-Solebury HS/New Hope, PA)
Penn Preps All State Class 3-A OL (2nd team)
Source: Twitter
DB Jaylen Floyd (Miramar HS/Miramar, FL)
Source: Twitter
LB Pete Haffner (State College HS/State College, PA)
Source: PennLive
The move came after a weekend visit to the school.
“I got to meet all the guys, and they were really great, and I love the coaching staff,” Haffner said. “It just seemed like the right place for me.”
Haffner received a late, preferred walk-on opportunity at Penn State just before his visit to Lehigh.
And Thursday he said the thought of playing for the Nittany Lions was “tempting.”
“But I put a lot of thought into what I should do,” he said. “Lehigh’s combination of academics and athletics was too good to pass up.”
OL Chris Fournier (St. Joseph's Prep/Orleans, Ontario, Canada)
Source: 247Sports lists as Hard Commit
WR Matt Jordan (Brother Rice HS, Bloomfield, MI)
Source: Twitter
DB Bryan "Tre" Neal III (Susquehanna Township HS/Harrisburg, PA)
Source: Scout.Com
“My mother liked the school a lot,” said Neal. “It’s close to home and I know they have a good academics program.” 
Neal attended none of Lehigh’s prospect camps, but his highlights and game film were enough to impress their coaches. “The coaches said that they like the way I break on the ball,” said Neal. Neal also added, “They like the way I come downhill and make plays in the run game. They plan on having me play cornerback on the boundary side.”
LB Nate Norris (Central Bucks South HS/Warrington, PA)
Source: Twitter
ATH Jorge Portoreal (St. Peters Prep/Jersey City, NJ)
Source: 247Sports lists as Hard Commit, also Hudson Reporter
Portorreal has emerged as perhaps the premier pass catcher in the state of New Jersey.
“He’s been very impressive,” veteran St. Peter’s Prep head coach Rich Hansen said. 
“He’s become one of our prime-time players, running the ball, catching the ball. He’s proven to be a top player.”
In the NJSIAA Non-Public Group 4 semifinals against rival Bergen Catholic, Portorreal caught four passes for 81 yards and a touchdown, leading the Marauders to a convincing 28-7 victory.
QB Addison Shoup (Walton HS/Marietta, GA)
Source: Twitter and Recruiting Georgia
“Lehigh is getting a great kid, very good QB and fierce competitor. Coach Drew Folmar from Lehigh did a great job of recruiting Addison. His ability to run and pass gives him a very bright future,” [Walton recruiting coach] Monty Bumper said.
Walton Head football head coach Maurice Dixon talked about what it was like coaching Shoup the last two seasons at Walton.
“Addison was great to coach. He gave us a chance on every play with his ability to pass and keep plays alive with his feet. He had a very successful career here at Walton and we will miss his leadership and toughness. Lehigh is getting an excellent player in Addison.”
ATH Erik Slater (Old Tappan HS/Tappan, NJ)
Source: Twitter
TE/DE Zac Troxell (Phillipsburg HS/Phillipsburg, NJ)
Source: Express-Times

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