Team News - 2015 Roster Changes

Other than departing seniors, the 2015 roster does not pose a lot of changes. The most notable departures all come from the defensive side of the ball and there are no real surprises as none appeared on the roster for the spring game. Among them is defensive back Dante Devine who played in all 11 regular season games last year, registering 15 total tackles. Devine played in nine games, including two starts, in both 2011 and 2012, but was not on the roster in 2013. Also departed is defensive lineman Shaquil Ryder who registered 60 total tackles, including 6.0 sacks, and an interception in his two seasons with the Golden Rams. No longer on the roster are defensive backs Pat McCabe, John McGilligan and Lehigh transfer Russhon Phillips.

Besides the slew of incoming freshman, there are a handful of incoming transfers. Running back/wide receiver Eerin Young (Rhode Island), linebacker Justice Smith (Delaware) and kicker Ben Solis (Stony Brook) entered West Chester prior to last semester and played in the spring game. Although defensive tackle Dominic Toney (Indiana of PA) appeared on the 2014 roster, he did not see action at West Chester and apparently not at Indiana either. Also transferring from the PSAC West is offensive lineman Shareef Clinton (California of PA). Clinton played in 20 games as a reserve in his two seasons with the Vulcans and did not redshirt while there. Finally, wide receiver Tyler Karpinski (Temple) has made his arrival in West Chester. At Manheim Township, Karpinski was an All-State kick and punt returner and was named the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section One Wide Receiver of the Year and Defensive Back of the Year. As a true freshman at Temple in 2013, he hauled in four receptions for 22 yards, making his first collegiate reception at Notre Dame. He did not play for the Owls last season.

Expect Solis to be the Golden Rams' place kicker in 2015 and Toney appears on the preseason depth chart as a backup defensive tackle. With West Chester's offense, Young and Karpinski should have plenty of opportunities to get touches. It's not clear if Clinton will redshirt in 2015, but at 6'7", it seems he's best suited for right tackle.

Although not a transfer, defensive lineman Kavon Johnson is back after a year not being on the roster. In three games as a redshirt freshman in 2013, Johnson registered a tackle for loss and two QB hurries. And finally, new to the Golden Rams is tight end Matt Sharp. It's not clear how much football he played in Great Britain, but at 6'6" 255 lbs, he sounds like tight end material.

Name	Pos	Ht	Wt	School
Shareef Clinton	OL	6-7	310	Imhotep Charter/California (PA)
Tyler Karpinski	WR	5-11	175	Manheim Township/Temple
Justice Smith	LB	6-0	220	Upper Merion/Delaware
Ben Solis	PK	5-9	220	Council Rock South/Stoney Brook
Dominic Toney	DL	6-3	280	West Catholic/Indiana (PA)
Eerin Young	RB/WR	5-9	185	Imhotep Charter/Rhode Island