SLIPPERY ROCK — Winning attracts winners.

Slippery Rock University's 2015 football recruiting class shows that.

The Rock's 16 signed recruits Wednesday posted a combined 165-35 won-loss record in high school last fall, including 10 conference championships, five district titles, two state final appearances and one state championship.

“These are all young men who know how to win and like to win,” SRU coach George Mihalik said. “They're bringing that attitude to The Rock.

“Combine our winning tradition with their winning ways and you've got a pretty healthy situation.”

The defending PSAC champion Rock has also won the Western Division title three of the past four years and participated in the national playoffs the past two seasons.

Among The Rock's signees are four offensive linemen, four linebackers and four wide receivers. Slippery Rock High School senior center Colten Raabe is among the linemen coming to SRU.

The 6-foot-3, 280-pound Raabe was also recruited by PSAC West foes Mercyhurst, Edinboro, Indiana, Seton Hill and Clarion. He plans to major in athletic training and pursue a physical therapy career.

“Obviously, the academic program at Slippery Rock is excellent,” Raabe said. “And you have to feel comfortable with a program. Slippery Rock is the right fit for me.

“I played center in high school, but I'll be trying out for a guard spot in college because that's where their need is at.”

SRU will graduate both of its starting guards from 2014. Other offensive linemen joining the program are Chris Richardson from Conneaut, Chris Larson from McDowell and Jesse Beckwith from Toronto, Ohio.

Each is at least 6-foot-3 and weighs at least 280 pounds.

“They are all physical, athletic weight room guys,” Mihalik said. “They are advanced from most high school kids that way, so all four are in a position to help us right away.”

Raabe said he is excited to join the tradition of SRU football.

“I feel very fortunate and blessed to be able to play for such a standout program so close to home,” he said. “I consider it an honor to play there.

“I remember my sophomore year, when I played hurt in a playoff loss to General McLane. I was bummed that I couldn't play defense that day and Coach Mihalik walked up to me after the game, told me to hang in there, that I was going to have a big career ... I've never forgotten that.”

The receiver recruits are led by Pine-Richland's Mike Merhaut, who set PIAA Class AAAA single-season records in 2014 with 110 catches for 1,532 yards. He caught 15 touchdown passes, scored once on defense and three times on special teams returns.

“Mike fits our offense perfectly as a slot back,” Mihalik said. “Our slot guys all return, but he gives us depth there now and will play there in the future.”

Trevor Salopek from Mount Pleasant, Carnel Harley from Academy of New Church (near Philadelphia) and Tavarus Sample of Dover, Ohio, are the other receiver recruits.

Harley averaged 25.2 yards per catch while Sample caught 56 passes for 956 yards and 11 TDs this past season.

“People lost track of Salopek because his high school moved him to running back last year,” Mihalik said. “He's a speed burner who will help us.

“Harley didn't start playing football until midway through his junior year, so he was under the radar. We only found out about him two weeks ago. He's 6-foot-6 and will provide match-up problems on the outside. Sample went to a prep school last year after graduating from high school, so he's more developed than most recruits.”

Central Valley's Preston Johnson highlights the four linebackers coming in. Hickory's Louie Derloni is a linebacker joining The Rock after playing numerous high school playoff games at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

“He certainly knows our field,” Mihalik said. “And Johnson is the best open-field tackler I've seen.

Two defensive backs recruited are 6-foot-1 Kyle Hall of Canton GlenOak and Roman Denson of South Fayette, who had six interceptions for the PIAA champion Lions last year.

“Those are two athletic guys who can help us right away,” Mihalik said. “We went into recruiting season with some needs and we filled them.”

Mihalik lauded the efforts of recruiting coordinator Zack Patterson.

“These 16 guys will help give us the right blend than can lead to a national championship,” Patterson said.