• A two-year starter at middle linebacker for Fresno City where he had 37 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss as a sophomore.
• Graduated from Tehachapi High School and was a two-time all-league selection at linebacker.
• Recorded 144 tackles as a junior and 138 as a senior.
Quick thoughts from Coach Sperbeck: "Brings a physical presence inside for our defense."
FALL ENROLLEES
WR • 6-3 • 175
Corona, Calif. • Santiago High School
• Earned first team all-Big VIII Conference as a senior.
• Caught 41 passes for 591 yards and 10 touchdowns.
• Biggest performance came against North High School where he tallied 103 yards.
Quick thoughts from Coach Sperbeck: "A raw talent that has a lot of potential."
Defensive Back • 6-0 • 190
Berkeley, Calif. • Berkeley High School
• A hard-hitting safety, Albert was an all-Alameda Contra Costa Athletic League selection as a senior.
• Tallied 90 total tackles and had three interceptions for the Yellowjackets.
• Had six games with at least nine tackles, including 13 against Marin Catholic for his season high.
• Also played quarterback for Berkeley.
Quick thoughts from Coach Sperbeck: "A talented athlete that can play multiple positions."
Josh Armstrong - Video
Defensive Back • 6-0 • 180
Redlands, Calif. • Redlands East Valley High School
• Armstrong was named to the CIF all-Inland Division and first team all-Citrus Belt League as a senior.
• Tallied 31 tackles as a senior while helping the team to an 8-3 record.
• Also had three interceptions during the year.
Quick thoughts from Coach Sperbeck: "A talented corner with good size and athleticism."
John Bloomfield
LB • 6-2 • 230
East Palo Alto, Calif. • Sierra College
• The Northern California native played the past two seasons as a safety at Sierra College.
• As a freshman, he recorded 60 tackles, including 12.5 tackles for loss and also forced two interceptions.
• The following year, he was limited to just five games but still amassed 38 tackles with a sack.
• Played his final high school season at Grant High School.
Quick thoughts from Coach Sperbeck: "Capable of making an immediate impact…good combination of size and speed."
Defensive Back • 5-7 • 175
Pomona, Calif. • Diamond Rach High School
• Named first team all-Hacienda League in 2010.
• Finished his senior season with 53 total tackles.
• Had at least five tackles in five games, including a season-high eight against Chaffey.
• Also played running back where he rushed for 1,182 yards and 13 touchdowns on 80 carries.
Quick thoughts from Coach Sperbeck: "Was a 44-game high school starter who brings experience and toughness to the defensive backfield."
WR • 5-9 • 180
Fremont, Calif. • Washington High School
• Named third team all-state, first team all-East Bay and was the Mission Valley Athletic League Offensive Player of the Year.
• As a senior, he caught 69 passes for 1,093 yards and 15 touchdowns.
• Also rushed for 380 yards and eight touchdowns.
• A versatile athlete, he also played quarterback in the team’s North Coast Section playoff game where he threw for 179 yards and two touchdowns.
Quick thoughts from Coach Sperbeck: "A multi-talented player that can add value to our special teams right away."
Nathan Castro
DL • 6-0 • 325
San Diego, Calif. • Mira Mesa High School
• As a senior, Castro was the Eastern League Defensive Player of the Year and a first team all-San Diego Section selection.
• Recorded 110 tackles, including 83 solo stops as a senior.
• Cracked double-digits in three games, including 13 against Dorsey.
• Had five sacks for a combined loss of 39 yards.
Quick thoughts from Coach Sperbeck: "A big physical run stopper that could play early."
WR • 6-2 • 185
Lodi, Calif. • St. Mary’s High School
• Was named third team all-state, first time all-area and first team Tri-City Athletic League as a senior.
• Caught 54 passes for 1,133 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Rams.
• Caught at least one touchdown in each of the first eight games in 2010.
• Hauled in eight passes for a season-best 184 yards against Central Catholic.
• Also threw for a touchdown and rushed for another and averaged 10.4 yards per punt return.
Quick thoughts from Coach Sperbeck: "Comes from one of the top high school programs in Northern California…was very productive in high school."
Running Back • 5-9 • 215
Santa Ana, Calif. • Segerstrom High School
• Ferman was named to the all-Orange County third team and was the Golden West League Offensive Player of the Year in 2010.
• A powerful back, he squatted 500 pounds and has bench pressed 315 pounds.
• Helped the Jaguars to a 9-3 record as a senior after rushing for 1,772 yards and 23 touchdowns.
• Had nine games of at least 100 yards, including his final eight outings.
• Posted a season high 273 yards and four touchdowns against Westminster and rushed for 271 yards and six touchdowns against Calvary Chapel.
• Caught 11 passes for 198 yards and four touchdowns.
• Had 44 tackles while playing linebacker as a senior.
Quick thoughts from Coach Sperbeck: "Strong, physical, tough runner."
RB • 5-11 • 200
San Diego, Calif. • Rancho Bernanrdo High School
• Named all-North County as a senior and was a second team all-Palomar League selection.
• As a senior, he rushed for 1,076 yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging 6.73 yards per carry.
• He also had five games over the century mark, including a season high 179 yards and three touchdowns against Westview.
Quick thoughts from Coach Sperbeck: "A versatilve athlete that can play on both sides of the ball…good explosiveness."
Jonathan Kirkman
TE • 6-5 • 220
Madera, Calif. • Liberty High School
• Kirkman was named to the all-North Sequoia League first team as a senior.
• Caught 11 passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns.
• Defensively, he tallied 31 tackles, including four sacks.
Quick thoughts from Coach Sperbeck: "Comes from the same high school and is similar to Ben Cowger (signed last season with the team)…will grow into a tight end that can catch the ball and block."
Jordan Matanane - Video
Running Back • 6-1 • 210
El Dorado Hills, Calif. • Oak Ridge High School
• An honorable mention all-Metro selection by The Sacramento Bee, Matanane also earned first team all-Sierra Valley League honors in 2010.
• Led the Trojans with 1,379 rushing yards on 265 carries as a senior.
• Also scored 10 touchdowns during the year.
• Rushed for a career-high 223 yards against Vista Del Lago and 216 against Del Oro.
• Finished the season with 16 receptions for 318 yards and three touchdowns.
Quick thoughts from Coach Sperbeck: "A local running back who can catch the ball well out of the backfield…runs hard."
TE • 6-2 • 230
San Lorenzo, Calif. • San Lorenzo HS
• Was a first team all-Hayward Area Athletic League and Contra Costa All-Star selection.
• Grabbed 18 passes for 400 yards and five touchdowns in 2010.
• Biggest output came against Hayward where he totaled 103 yards and a TD.
• As a defensive end, he recorded 36 tackles, including a pair of sacks.
Quick thoughts from Coach Sperbeck: "A phycial, play-making tight end."
RB • 6-0 • 190
Atwater, Calif. • Buhach Colony High School
• Muse earned nearly every local award as a senior as he was named the Merced Sun Star Player of the Year and the Central California Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
• Was a two-star recruit from Rivals.com.
• Helped Buhach Colony to an 11-1 overall record with its lone loss coming against state champion Folsom in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.
• Rushed for 1,519 yards and 18 touchdowns while averaging 8.83 yards per carry.
• Amassed over 100 yards in nine of his 12 games, including 154 against Merced.
• Also played on defense where he had 29 total tackles and three interceptions.
Quick thoughts from Coach Sperbeck: "An explosive runner that can make you miss."
DB • 6-1 • 160
San Diego, Calif. • Mira Mesa High School
• A first team all-Eastern League selection in 2010, Payne played as a cornerback and wide receiver for Mira Mesa.
• Tallied 84 total tackles during his final season, including 63 solos.
• Had at least five tackles in 11 of the team’s 12 games, including a season-high 11 against Grossmont in the section playoffs.
• Also had seven interceptions and 13 pass breakups.
Quick thoughts from Coach Sperbeck: "Anthony and Nick are long, rangy athletes that can play both corner and safety."
DB • 6-1 • 160
San Diego, Calif. • Mira Mesa High School
• As a cornerback in 2010, he was named first team all-Eastern League.
• Recorded 77 total tackles, including 55 solos.
• Also had three interceptions and was credited with seven pass breakups.
Quick thoughts from Coach Sperbeck: "Anthony and Nick are long, rangy athletes that can play both corner and safety."
DB • 5-11 • 175
Concord, Calif. • De La Salle High School
• A two-time state champion, Pickett was named first team all-East Bay, all-North Coast Section.
• Was a two-star recruit by Rivals.com
• As a senior, he had 23 tackles and three interceptions.
• Also played running back where he rushed for a touchdown against Serra.
Quick thoughts from Coach Sperbeck: "Comes from one of the best high school programs in the nation…a athletic, physical safety."
Blake Robertson - Video
WR • 6-2 • 165
Corona, Calif. • Corona High School
• Was tabbed to the all-Big VIII first team and was an honorable mention all-Inland choice.
• Caught 45 passes for 764 yards and 10 touchdowns in 11 games in 2010.
• Totalled 129 yards and three touchdowns against Mission Viejo and had 149 yards and a score against Santiago.
• Also played defensive back where he tallied 26 tackles and two interceptions.
Quick thoughts from Coach Sperbeck: "Has a big upside…the fastest receiver in the group."
Daniel Stornaiuolo - Video
OL • 6-5 • 300
San Francisco, Calif. • Sacred Heart Cathedral
• Was a two-time all-West Catholic League selection as an offensive lineman.
• As a senior, he also earned all-city and all-Central Coast Section honors.
Quick thoughts from Coach Sperbeck: "Comes from a good high school program…is tough and physical and can play both guard and tackle."
DL • 6-3 • 245
Colton, Calif. • Colton High School
• Named all-San Andreas League in 2010 as a defensive end.
• Tallied 60 tackles, including 14.5 sacks as a senior.
• Also forced six fumbles and recovered two.
• Helped lead the Yellowjackets to an 11-2 overall record and the Southern Section title for the first time since 1978.
Quick thoughts from Coach Sperbeck: "A player that physically reminds us of Zack Nash and also in the way he plays."