INDIANA, Pa. – The IUP football program added to its 2021 recruiting class with the Tuesday announcement of two local high school standouts. Along with the recruits announced on National Signing Day earlier this month, head coach Paul Tortorella's class now stands at 11 future Crimson Hawks. 

Tortorella's newest additions are Indiana County's all-time leader in total yards in Homer-Center's Ben Schmidt, and Indiana High School's Most Valuable Player in Matthew Nelson. 

A Pennsylvania Football Writers Class A all-state quarterback, Schmidt was a four-year starter who helped the Wildcats to 33 wins and two District 6 title game appearances. He finished his career as the Indiana County and Heritage Conference's all-time leader with 8,758 total yards. Schmidt also finished as Homer-Center's career leader in passing yards (5,354), passing touchdowns, and rushing yards (3,404). 

Nelson is the third offensive lineman added to this recruiting class as IUP continues to deepen the position. In addition to being named Indiana's Team MVP as a lineman, he earned honorable mention recognition at guard on the All-Greater Allegheny Conference team. 

All 11 members of the class come from Pennsylvania and join an IUP program in 2021 looking for a strong return to the field after a canceled season due to the pandemic. The class is made up of eight offensive players - including three offensive linemen, two quarterbacks, two running backs, and one wide receiver – two defensive players, and one specialist. 

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Matthew Nelson
Offensive Line | 6-2, 280 | Indiana, Pa./Indiana
>> Honorable mention all-conference offensive lineman at Indiana Senior HS
>> Team Most Valuable Player in 2020
>> Bill Fralic Memorial Award recipient
>> Booster Scholarship Award, High Honor Roll recipient

Ben Schmidt
Quarterback/Athlete | 6-0, 205 | Homer City, Pa./Homer-Center
>> PA Football Writers Class A All-State quarterback at Homer-Center; First team All-Heritage Conference
>> Holds county and conference records for career total yards with 8,754
>> Homer-Center all-time leader in passing yards (5,354), passing touchdowns, and rushing yards (3,404)
>> Four-year starting QB, led Wildcats to 33-14 record and four postseason berths
>> Led Homer-Center to 13-2 record, District 6 championship, and state title game as a freshman
>> Homer-Center went 6-2 and finished as District 6 runner-up during shortened 2020 senior season; Had over 1,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards during four-game stretch