“We tried to find some of the best athletes on the defensive side of the ball,” Sacramento State head coach Steve Mooshagian said. “These are all good football players who will have the chance to contribute immediately.”

Hawkins will come to Sacramento State as a sophomore after playing one season at LA Harbor JC. Last season, the team was ranked 11th in Southern California and defeated Mt. San Jacinto JC, 27-7, in the US Bank Beach Bowl. Hawkins prepped at Banning HS in Carson, Calif. While at Banning, he was ranked as the 35th-best defensive back in the country by Fab 50 Recruiting.

Johnson will graduate from Centennial HS in Corona, Calif. With the Huskies, he was a member of the football and track teams all four years. Last season, he played both wide receiver and defensive back and was named first team all-Mountain View League and honorable mention all-county. Johnson helped Centennial post a 13-1 record by intercepting a pass in triple overtime to win the conference title game. He ended the year with 60 tackles, four interceptions and two touchdowns.

Irving played receiver, tight end, cornerback and safety at Etiwanda HS in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. He helped lead the team to a pair of league titles and was inducted into the Etiwanda Hall of Fame. Irving has also succeeded off the field where he was named to the National Honor Roll in both 2001 and 2002.

Bessinger will come to the Hornets as a junior after playing the past two seasons at Fresno City College. While with the Rams, Bessinger was a two-time all-league selection (unanimous in 2002). As a sophomore, he recorded 82 total tackles, including nine sacks and 15 tackles-for-loss. He also forced three fumbles, recovered six fumbles and was credited with three pass breakups. During his two years at FCC, the team posted a 19-1 regular-season record and ended the 2002 season ranked as the second-best team in Northern California.

---30---