“I think this class rivals our class of 2000 which had 10-12 players see immediate action,” head coach John Volek said. ”We definetely answered our needs on defense with the linebackers and the defensive front.

“Offensively, we were able to maintain our depth and added some large, fast receivers for our quarterbacks. We also signed a couple of top-notch tight ends.”

This class is also made up of 10 players from the Sacramento area. Quarterback Blake Mori of Jesuit HS, wide receiver Mel Cuckovich and fullback Joel Wheeler of Christian Brothers HS, wide receivers Brian Bell of Florin and Brandon Lewis of Woodcreek HS, tight end Jesse Yablonsky of Union Mine HS and offensive lineman Rufino Sanchez of Johnson HS are all local products who will play on the offensive side of the ball. The defensive unit will boast locals Tom Hoffart (DE) of Davis HS and linebackers James Henderson of Florin and Matt Logue of Bear River HS.

In all, 12 players are slated by the coaches to play on offense while 10 will see time on defense.

The group joins six midyear transfers that are currently enrolled at Sacramento State — raising the new player total to 28.

Signee Profiles

Matthew Augusta • C • 6-3 • 250 • Simi Valley, Calif./Royal HS

Will graduate from Royal HS in Simi Valley in June of 2002...played football and wrestled four years for the Highlanders....named first team all-Southern Section this past season...also named first team all-Miramonte League and all-Ventura Country as a senior.

Brian Bell • WR • 6-3 • 185 • Sacramento, Calif./Florin HS

Attended Clovis HS in Clovis, Calif., for two years before transferring to Florin...has played baseball, basketball and football for the Panthers...named first team all-Delta League in 2001...as a sophomore at Clovis, he earned “Fab 50” honors from Fox Sports...helped lead Clovis to a No. 4 ranking in the state that same season, a Tri-River Athletic Conference and section title...lists his best game as a five catch, 101-yard performance against Sheldon HS where he also had two touchdowns...has never had less than a 3.3 gpa during his high school career...former Florin teammate James Henderson also committed to the Hornets.

Douglas Bielecki • OL • 6-5 • 249 • San Jose, Calif./Santa Teresa HS

A three-sport athlete at Santa Teresa HS where he played football, basketball, and track and field...played offensive and defensive line for the Saint Bernards...earned second team all-league accolades as a senior and honorable mention honors following his junior season...is an Eagle Scout...member of the National Honor Roll.

Clint Borel • TE • 6-5 • 215 • Walnut Creek, Calif./Las Lomas HS

Will graduate from Las Lomas HS in Walnut Creek, Calif., in 2002...played football and basketball and ran track for the Knights...named all-league, all-Contra Costa Times, all-San Francisco Chronicle and all-state honors following his senior season...recorded 43 receptions for 893 yards and 13 touchdowns last year...best outing came against St. Patrick’s HS in the first round of the playoffs where he has six catches for 150 yards and four TDs.

Mel Cuckovich • WR • 5-11 • 180 • Sacramento, Calif./Christian Brothers HS

A highly-touted all-around athlete from Sacramento...also plans to play baseball for the Hornets...played football, baseball and basketball for the Falcons...played wide receiver as a sophomore before switching to quarterback the past two seasons...also played defensive back all three seasons...earned first team all-Sierra Valley Conference honors following his sophomore and junior seasons and first team all-Metro League after his senior campaign...also named first team all-city by the Sacramento Bee...threw for 1,100 yards, rushed for 650 yards and scored 13 touchdowns as a senior...helped lead the CBS basketball team to a 25-7 overall record and a Sac-Joaquin Div. III Section title as a junior...brother, Steve, is currently a pitcher on the Sacramento State baseball team.

Kris Daniels • RB • 5-7 • 158 • South San Francisco, Calif./South San Francisco HS

Played football and baseball and ran track at South San Francisco HS...scored 29 touchdowns and rushed for 1,848 yards as a senior for the Warriors...named running back of the year for the county...also named team offensive player of the year.

Nolan Fisher • OL • 6-7 • 330 • Oxnard, Calif./Saint Bonaventure HS

Competed in football, basketball and track at Saint Bonaventure HS in Ventura, Calif...named first team all-Tri-Valley League as a senior...also named the league’s Most Improved Player...team posted a 42-0 record during his final three seasons...fellow high school teammate Luis Lopez also committed to the Hornets.

James Henderson • LB • 6-2 • 225 • Sacramento, Calif./Florin HS

A three-sport athlete for the Panthers, Henderson played football, basketball and baseball...earned second team all-Metro honors by the Sacramento Bee in 2001...also named first team all-Delta League that same season...served as the team captain and was named Florin’s defensive player of the year as a junior and senior...recorded 104 tackles with one forced fumble, nine sacks and a defensive touchdown as a senior...also had 61 carries for 433 yards and eight scores as a fullback...fellow Florin standout Brian Bell also committed to Sacramento State.

Tom Hoffart • DL • 6-4 • 235 • Davis, Calif./Davis HS

Played football and basketball at Davis HS...named first team all-Metro and first team all-Capital Athletic League as a defensive lineman following his senior season...also earned first team all-Yolo County honors on both sides of the ball that same year...listed by CalHi Sports as a “Hot 100” player...preseason all-Northern California selection by Prep Star...as a junior he was named first team all-CAL and second team all-Metro...he was also named second team all-state for underclassmen...garnered honorable mention all-Delta honors as a sophomore...his brother, John, currently plays basketball at UCLA...his cousin, Jake, played at Sacramento State and is now a wide receiver for Dallas in the Arena Football League.

Andy Huang • DL • 5-11 • 288 • San Diego, Calif./Rancho Bernardo HS

Competed in football, basketball and track and field at Rancho Bernardo HS...named Palomar League Defensive Player of the Year and first team all-league as senior...also garnered all-North County and all-section honors that same season...was a first team all-league and second team all-county choice as a junior...took home second team all-league and section newcomer of the year awards as a sophomore...was born in Taiwan.

Jeremy Johnson • DB • 6-0 • 177 • Highlands Ranch, Colo./West Valley JC

Competed in football and track at West Valley JC in Saratoga, Calif...was named MVP of the East County Bowl after returning an interception 40 yards for a touchdown...ranked sixth in the state in the 110-hurdles as a freshman...in high school, he earned honorable mention honors as a senior and was named the team’s most improved player...helped lead the team to back-to-back league titles...his brother, Michael, is currently a wide receiver on the Sacramento State team...his father, Butch, played professionally for the Dallas Cowboys.

Brandon Lewis • WR • 6-1 • 180 • Antelope, Calif./Woodcreek HS

A three-sport athlete for the Timberwolves, Lewis competed in football, basketball and track...named first team all-Sierra Foothill League as a senior and was an honorable mention all-SFL choice after his junior campaign...recorded 500-plus receiving yards in each of his final two years...is the first player from Woodcreek to ever play for the Hornets.

Matthew Logue • LB • 6-2 • 210 • Grass Valley, Calif./Bear River HS

A first-team all-Metro choice by the Sacramento Bee...was also named second team all-state as a linebacker and was the Sierra Foothill League’s Defensive MVP in 2001...ended the year with 106 tackles, four sacks, three interceptions and forced one fumble...also rushed for 1,435 yards as a running back for the Bruins...as a junior, he was an all-Metro selection as a linebacker and was tabbed first team all-SFL at both positions...also named first team all-state for underclassmen in 2000...earned first team all-league honors as a catcher in baseball and also played three years of basketball...has made the honor roll every semester and ended last year with a 4.0 gpa.

Luis Lopez • TE • 6-2 • 225 • Fillmore, Calif./Saint Bonaventure HS

Played three years of varsity football at Saint Bonaventure HS in Venture, Calif...named first team all-Tri-Valley League as a senior...averaged 11.4 yards per catch and had five touchdowns as a senior...team posted a 42-0 record and won three section titles...school has second-longest winning streak in California, trailing on De La Salle HS...high school teammate Nolan Fisher also committed to the Hornets.

Greg Lovely • DB • 6-0 • 175 • San Jose, Calif./Gunderson HS

Competed in football, basketball and track at Gunderson HS...named first team all-Bay Valley Athletic League as a senior...was also the league’s most outstanding defensive back and wide receiver...earned a spot on the San Jose Mercury-News second team in 2001...as a senior, he had 45 tackles, six interceptions and 15 pass break-ups...also had 21 receptions for 505 yards and six TDs...was a second team all-BVAL selection as a junior.

Reagan Mauia • DL • 6-0 • 275 • Lodi, Calif./Tokay HS

Participated in football and track and field at Tokay HS in Lodi, Calif...was the San Joaquin Athletic Association lineman of the year in 2000...holds the school record for quarterback sacks...also set the Tokay HS record with a discus toss of 172.6 feet.

Blake Mori • QB • 6-3 • 175 • Sacramento, Calif./Jesuit HS

Played four years of football and three years of basketball for the Marauders...was named first team all-Metro by the Sacramento Bee as a senior and second team as a junior...was a two-time Metro League offensive MVP...set the school record with 2,374 passing yards as a senior...also set the Jesuit single-season record with 28 touchdowns in 2000...helped lead the team to a 9-1 overall record and a Metro League title as a junior.

Anthony Palomarez • LB • 6-4 • 222 • Carson, Calif./East LA JC

A three-sport athlete at Carson HS...played football, baseball and volleyball...earned all-Marine League honors as a tight end following his senior season...also named most improved on his team that same year...football team won the Marine League title as well as the Div. IV section crown in 2000...played one season (2001) at East LA JC...was the team’s most improved player.

Rufino Sanchez • OL • 6-3 • 290 • Sacramento, Calif./Hiram Johnson HS

Played four years as an offensive and defensive lineman for the Warriors...named second team all-Metro by the Sacramento Bee in 2001...was also a first team all-Metro League selection...helped lead Johnson to an 11-2 overall record and a berth in the city championship game.

Noel Taueetia • LB • 6-0 • 230 • Carson, Calif./Banning HS

A two-time all-league selection at Banning HS in Wilmington, Calif...helped led the team to a 4A City Championship during his junior season.

Momo Vaiomounga • LB • 5-11 • 210 • Hawthorne, Calif./Hawthorne HS

Played football and volleyball at Hawthorne HS...was a first team all-Bay League selection as a senior and a second team all-league choice following his junior season...was the team’s defensive player of the year...also earned first team all-league honors in volleyball as an outside hitter.

Joel Wheeler • FB • 5-11 • 215 • Sacramento, Calif./Christian Brothers HS

Played four seasons of football at Christian Brothers HS in Sacramento...was a fullback and defensive end for the Falcons...named first team all-Metro League as a fullback following his senior season...was the team’s offensive MVP as a sophomore and freshman...former CBS teammate Mel Cuckovich also committed to Sacramento State.

Jesse Yablonsky • TE • 6-4 • 210 • Diamond Springs, Calif./Union Mine HS

Was a five-sport athlete at Union Mine HS in El Dorado, Calif...competed in football, basketball, track, volleyball and wrestling...was a first team all-Golden Empire League selection as a tight end in 2001...recorded 440 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior...also earned first team all-GEL accolades in track and volleyball...his track coach was Joe Volek, son of John Volek.

MIDYEAR TRANSFERS

Julian Cummings • DB • 5-10 • 170 • West Covina, Calif./Iowa State

Will be a junior during the 2002 season...comes to the team after three years at Iowa State...redshirted during the 1999 season and saw limited action the past two years...ISU played in the Insight.com Bowl in 2000 and the Independence Bowl in 2001...prepped at Bishop Amat HS in La Puenta, Calif...competed in both football and track and field...was a two-time all-Del Rey League selection in football and helped guide the team to a 22-3-1 record in his final two years...as a senior, he recorded 49 tackles, 32 pass breakups and a fumble recovery en route to earning all-Southern Section honors.

Ben Fox • DL • 6-2 • 235 • Clovis, Calif./Arizona State

Will enter the 2002 season as a junior...was a member of the Arizona State team for the past three seasons...redshirted with the Sun Devils in 1999...tallied four tackles in 2000 while serving as the backup to PAC-10 Freshman of the Year Terrell Suggs...missed all of the 2001 season after injuring his knee...graduated from Buchanan HS in Clovis, Calif., in 1999...competed in football, wrestling and swimming...named first team all-Tri-River Athletic Conference as a senior in football...helped lead the team to a 10-0 overall record and a TRAC title...was a three-time all-conference wrestler and was an All-American as senior...finished second as a heavyweight at the national championships.

Ryan Kroeker • LB • 6-1 • 245 • Shafter, Calif./Bakersfield JC

Will enter the 2002 season as a junior...played the past two seasons at Bakersfield College...was a two-time all-league selection as a linebacker, including first team honors last season...as a sophomore, he earned third team All-America honors while helping lead the team to a 9-2 overall record and a Potato Bowl title...recorded 133 tackles (15 for loss) and forced six fumbles that same season...also had a pair of games with 22 tackles...graduated from Shafter HS in 1999...competed in football, baseball and wrestling...was a two-time South Sequoia League champ in wrestling...his brother, Dustin, played collegiately at Cal Poly before being signed by the Detroit Lions.

Scott McNamara • DL • 6-5 • 255 • Gilroy, Calif./Gavilan JC

Enters the 2002 season as a junior...comes to Sacramento State from Gavilan College in Gilroy, Calif...will add depth to the Hornets’ defensive line...while at Gavilan, he was an all-conference selection and was named the team’s top defensive player...graduated from Gilroy HS in 1998.

Brad Osterhout • DL • 6-4 • 250 • Roseville, Calif./UNLV

Will be a senior during the 2002 season...returns to Northern California after four years at UNLV...will be reunited with his brother, Jon, who serves as the Hornets’ tight ends coach...played tight end for the Rebels but will likely switch to defensive end..redshirted in 1998...played in all 11 UNLV games in 1999...missed the entire 2000 season due to a hamstring injury before participating in 11 games with the team this past year...graduated from Oakmont HS in 1988 and was a two-time all-Capital Athletic League selection...also named second team all-Metro by the Sacramento Bee following his senior season.

Tyler Sherlock • OL • 6-4 • 300 • Citrus Heights, Calif./Sacramento City JC

Enters the 2002 season as a junior...spent the past two seasons at Sacramento City College...helped lead the Panthers to a pair of appearances in the Capital Shrine Bowl...named all-Northern California...graduated from Mesa Verde HS in 1999 and was teammates with current Hornet Justin Llorente on a team which won the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. II title...was also a two-time all-league selection and an all-state small school choice.

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