National Signing Day came and went on Wednesday as the Robert Morris Football team received signatures from 14 players in the class of 2021.

It was a strange recruiting process this time around due to the lack of campus visits as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Head Coach Bernard Clark brought in a talented pool of recruits on signing day, marking his first recruiting class in Robert Morris’ Big South era.

The Colonials saw eight players on the defensive side of the ball sign as the defensive back group receiving the most love out of any group as four different players put pen to paper with RMU. Six offensive players inked their futures with the Colonials as well.

Marqwan Fluitt (DE) – Fluitt hails from South Park High School in Buffalo, New York, and he looks to help bolster the defensive line for the Colonials. Off the line, Fluitt has quick feet and the ability to quickly reach the quarterback and disrupt the run game. Keep an eye on the 6’1”, 225-pound defensive end in the coming years to wreak havoc on Big South quarterbacks.

Shakespeare Louis (DB) – Louis joins the Colonials following a high school career at Clearwater Academy in Florida. He has tremendous closing speed and is a ball hawk in the secondary. Louis has the potential to be a game-changer on defense in terms of creating turnovers for the Robert Morris defense.

De’Mere White (RB) – The running back spread for Robert Morris has been solid over the past few years, especially with the tandem of Alijah Jackson and Terence Stephens Jr. recently. White will be a nice addition to this group as he possesses the ability to make tacklers miss in the open field, along with an untouchable top speed. He also is a reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield.

Tristan Marois (DE) – Another recruit from Clearwater Acadamey in Florida, Marois’ build is eye-catching standing at 6’6”, which puts him as the tallest player on the Colonials’ roster. In his senior season, Marois recorded 11 sacks along with 36 tackles. His sack totals alone show the type of player he is with a skillset to get to the quarterback in a hurry.

Nathan Carabatsakis (DE) – Carabatsakis is the third defensive line signee as well as the third recruit out of Clearwater Academy in Florida. His run stop capabilities are exceptional as he shuts down any running back’s chances to reach the outside edge. The Colonials secure three defensive ends with phenomenal upside.

Shamaur McDowell (DB) – Another player from the Sunshine State signed with the Colonials on Wednesday, this time from the prestigious IMG Academy. IMG Academy produced two players within the top five in the state of Florida in this recruiting cycle. McDowell is another recruit that can force turnovers as he reads the opposing quarterbacks exceptionally while in coverage.

Donnie Cullen (CB) – Continuing the recruiting pipeline in Florida, Cullen comes to the Colonials after playing at Bayside High School. On the defensive side of the ball in his senior year, Cullen recorded two interceptions. His physical prowess also allows him to disrupt plays before they further develop.

Paul Newton (LB) – Newton joins his hometown Colonials after playing his high school football at West Allegheny. At linebacker, Newton brings physicality that can be a game-changer with his ability to disrupt any play by forcing pressure on the quarterback or stopping the run. As the only linebacker to sign on Wednesday, Newton will look to create an impact as soon as he steps on campus.

Marsyas Fox (CB) – Another defensive back from the southern region, Fox played out his high school career at Grayson High School in Loganville, GA. He is the perfect package at cornerback as he is an exceptional tackler along with tremendous closing speed. Fox also defends the pass well with the ability to break up plays and read where the quarterback intends to go with the ball.

Jaylon Brown (WR) – Another get from the state of Georgia, Brown attended Carlton Kell High School. Brown is a rangy receiver who can stretch the field and go up and grab any pass. His solid route running allows him to break through any coverage and he has the ability to break tackles, which makes him that more effective.

Corbin LaFrance (QB) – LaFrance joins his reliable receiver Brown after playing together at Carlton Kell High School. LaFrance has a strong arm allowing him to spread the defense as well as tremendous accuracy that allows him to hit his receivers in stride. With his dual-threat approach, LaFrance also has the option to run the ball and be effective in that facet of the game. The Colonials have potentially found a hidden gem with the signing of LaFrance.

Ryan Iiams (OL) – Out of Springboro High School in Ohio, Iiams was named to the 2020 Ohio Southwest District All-Star Second Team. Iiams will look to anchor the offensive line for years to come for Robert Morris. His strength allows him to get a good push off from the snap creating holes for running backs and time for the quarterback.

Luke Beltavski (OL) – Another offensive lineman out of Ohio, Beltavski attended Benedictine High School. Leading the charge upfront, Beltavski does a tremendous job of getting up the field to block for his runners giving them additional space to maneuver. Beltavski is a physical punisher and more often than not he puts defenders onto the turf.

Dante Thompson (OL) – The third and final offensive lineman that signed with the Colonials on Wednesday, Thompson hails from Germantown, Maryland. He was a three-year starter on the offensive line for Quince Orchard High School. Thompson is another physical lineman who can move the pile and generate space for his running backs. He has blocked for two 1,000 yard rushers in his time at Quince Orchard.

For more updates on the football team as the season spring season approaches, stay with Colonial Sports Center and follow @RMU_CSN on Twitter.