UAlbany football signs Troy's Casale during early period

Joe Casale, one of the stars of Troy High's back-to-back state champions, was among the eight early signees the University at Albany football team announced on Wednesday.

Offensive linemen Niko Culnan of Colonie High, via Hudson Valley Community College, and Mohab Omer of Shaker are the other Section II products who signed to play for Great Danes head coach Greg Gattuso.

"I love getting some of the local guys," Gattuso said. "This year there's a few guys that are local that are great players and we think really can come in and help us."

It just might not be next season for Casale, who played quarterback and safety for Troy. The Great Danes are bringing him in as a safety, where UAlbany is already well-stocked with seniors-to-be Mason Gray and CBA graduate Josh Wynn.

"I'll most likely expect to redshirt and use that as a good season to get bigger and faster," said Casale, who is 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds. "Learn a lot of the playbook and kind of just adjust to the new level of play I'll be at. I'll just take it one step at a time."

Gattuso said he won't worry about redshirting Casale, who had 82 tackles and six interceptions as a senior, or other freshmen until training camp is over this summer because of potential injuries.

"He's got a great football mind and he's the kind that can play quicker, but we'll see as we get going," Gattuso said. "He's got great ball skills. You look at his highlight tape, he's got some pretty spectacular interceptions."

Casale grew up watching UAlbany football because his brother Dave was an all-conference free safety for the Great Danes from 2006 to 2009. He also played at UAlbany's Casey Stadium, winning the Class AA Section II title there when Troy defeated Saratoga last month.

"I feel Albany football's been a part of me my whole life," Casale said. "Growing up I was always at the games. Being so close, having my family be able to come and see me, and the academic side of it, it all just played out perfectly."

Casale said he chose UAlbany over offers from Army and Brown.

Culnan, with two years of eligibility remaining, might make a more immediate impact. He played center in high school and junior college. He'll have a shot to play right away on UAlbany's offensive line, a team weakness when the Great Danes went 4-7 last season.

"I'll do whatever it takes to be able to be able to get on the field," said Culnan, who also had an offer from Sacred Heart. "I take that approach any time I'm doing anything, I try to compete and be the best I possibly can."

Gattuso said if Culnan can take over at center, it would allow redshirt sophomore-to-be Micah Royster to slide over to tackle.

"Niko's a guy that fits a great need for us," Gattuso said. "I really like him. We've done a lot of work watching him and evaluating him."

Gattuso attended a Hudson Valley practice near the end of the season to watch Culnan, who said that attention was a factor in him picking the Great Danes.

Gattuso found another building block for the offensive line by signing Omer, a 6-foot-4, 335-pound prospect who won Times Union first-team honors.

"He's a big man," Gattuso said. "He can move around. I think his best football is ahead of him. A couple of years from now, we'll trim him up a little more, and get him in the weight room, and he's a kid who can play tackle and play guard and continue to build on the offensive line."

UAlbany also landed 6-6 quarterback Jeff Undercuffler, who threw for 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns at Holy Cross Academy in New Jersey. He could take some time to adjust after playing in a high school offense that emphasized the run, according to Gattuso.

The signee who might play the soonest is 6-3, 230-pound defensive end Robert Lachmann, 20, from a club team in Germany. He'll enroll at UAlbany next semester. UAlbany also signed Pennsylvania offensive lineman Kobe Thomas, Midwood defensive lineman Joe Halasy and Canton, Ohio cornerback Xavier Smith.

The early signing period is something new for Division I football, which doesn't begin its regular period until Feb. 7. Gattuso said UAlbany could have room for four or five more scholarship players.

msingelais@timesunion.com • 518-454-5509 • @MarkSingelais