QUINCY, IL. (WGEM) -- When Quincy University head football coach Tom Pajic hit the recruiting trail over the course of this off-season, he pitch was simple.
The message to potential signees was that they have the chance to set the tone for a new tradition of excellence as a Hawk.
Several local products bought in.
Central-Southeastern standouts Drew Miller and Dalton Heubner will hit the gridiron at QU this fall, and Pajic believes the duo could highly excel with the Hawks.
Miller comes in as an offensive lineman, while Heubner will make the transition from a two way player to strictly defense.
"With Dalton Heubner, we're very excited to get him from Camp Point," said Pajic.
"You guys in the media must be saying ' Holy smokes coach he's a heck of an offensive player, what're you doing putting him on defense?' He's that good."
"Very athletic, very quick, very hard nosed, very tough physical young man."
Heubner's former lead blocker Drew Miller should be an important addition as well, while the Hawks try to anchor their offensive line.
"We were very fortunate to get Drew, and really enjoyed visiting with him," Pajic expressed.
"Very athletic, physical, and the sky is the limit for him. He comes in about 6'4 275 and looks great and he's certainly going to be a big part of what we do offensively."
Two more home grown talents also inked with QU, including former Pittsfield wide receiver Dillon Butler who transfers in after one year at McKendree, and Quincy High defensive back Ethan Rockhold, who Pajic believes could be a diamond in the rough.
"When I talk to coach (Rick) Little, he is very ecstatic about Ethan," Pajic said.
"He's a tough, hard nosed, physical young man. By measurable's, he is undersized, but that's good, I'm glad he's undersized."
"He's going to be on all of our special teams," Pajic added.
"He played defensive end at Quincy High, he played linebacker on the inside, he played outside. He plays a lot of multiple spots, so that's a great find for us."
Pajic also stressed that it's always hard to tell right away how much of an impact freshman or first year players will have, but is very excited about all of the future hawks in the 2013 class.
Quincy went (3-8) in Pajic's first year, which was the inaugural season of GLVC play, including back to back wins in the final two weeks.
Tom Pajic speaks to the media on National Signing Day at the QU Hall of Fame Room.
