SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Sacramento State football team received

signed letters of intent from 13 high school and junior college

student athletes today as it makes preparations for the 2001 season.

The new crew is the smallest recruiting class brought in by head

coach John Volek during his six years with the program.

"This is our most selective class since I have been here,"

Volek said. "We are finally at the point where we can lay the

foundation for a championship program."

2001 Sacramento State Signees

Earned all-state honors at Montgomery HS in Santa Rosa, Calif. Set

the school record with 30 touchdowns as a senior and set a league

mark with 339 yards in a game and 2,340 yards in a season. Named

North Bay League MVP and Redwood Empire Player of the Year. Helped

guide Montgomery to the section title in 2000.

A big, physical tight end that will handle the long snapping duties

for the team next season. Was a first-team all-league selection as a

senior. Recorded 27 catches for 300 yards for Del Campo.

Played tight end at Palomar College for the past two seasons. Helped

lead the Comets to a pair of Mission Conference titles. Prepped at

Central Union HS in El Centro, Calif., where he was the Imperial

Valley League's Defensive MVP. Attended the same junior college as

former Sacramento State All-America TE Chris Kelly.

An all-Sac-Joaquin Section selection after leading Lincoln HS to the

section title in 2000. Rushed for over 2,000 yards as a senior and

was named Player of the Year by the Stockton Record. Tallied 173

yards and three touchdowns against Elk Grove in the championship

game. Also rushed for 254 yards and four TDs against Turlock HS in

the first round of the playoffs. Season-high came in the first game

of the year where he rushed for 261 yards and five scores on 19

carries.

Played the last three seasons as a varsity tight end/defensive end

for Cypress HS. Named All-section and Lineman of the Year for Div. VI

as a senior. Hansen teamed with current OL Marko Cavka at Cypress HS.

Committed to attend Rutgers last season but did not play due to

injury. He will enter next season as a junior. Laird previously

starred at Sacramento City College and El Camino HS. While at

Sacramento City, he guided the Panthers to a Shrine Bowl victory and

was named the game's Most Valuable Player. He was also an all-league

selection in high school. His brother, Sean, quarterbacked Saint

Mary's from 1994-97. Is currently enrolled in school and will

practice with the team in the spring.

Levier will split his time between the baseball and football teams at

Sacramento State. Was an all-league selection in both sports at

California HS. This fall, Levier was named MVP of the Del Rio League

in football as a receiver and defensive back. He also served as the

team's kicker.

A member of the Boise State team for the past two seasons, Llorente

returns to Northern California where he will enter next season as a

sophomore. A former standout at Mesa Verde HS, Llorente was named

all-state and all-Metro as a senior. He also earned all-Sierra

Foothill League honors as a junior and a senior. Is currently

enrolled in school and will practice with the team in the spring.

A three-sport standout at Diamond Bar HS, Maine will battle for time

at quarterback this fall. Was named all-state, all-section and

all-league after leading Diamond Bar to back-to-back section titles.

Posted a 23-3 record as a starting quarterback. Set the school record

for most completions in a season and in a game as a senior.

The Valle Vista League MVP and a member of the Los Angeles Times

All-Star team, Murray will reunite with former high school teammate

Ryan Leadingham. As a senior, he caught 76 passes for 1,287 yards

including 11 touchdowns. He also posted eight interceptions and

returned two punts for touchdowns.

An honorable mention all-state selection as senior, Nicolodi comes to

Sacramento Sate after graduating from Downey HS. Nicolodi also earned

second team all-league honors and was named the team's most valuable

offensive lineman.

A three-year starter at Elk Grove HS, Mitch Quist has been named

all-Delta League, all-city and honorable mention all-state. Helped

the Thundering Herd to a Sac-Joaquin Section title and two city

championships. He is currently ranked third in the state in his

wrestling weight class.

After redshirting at Nebraska last season, Sizemore will move to

defensive back for the Hornets in 2001. While at Diamond Bar HS, he

was the Sierra League MVP and the section Division II Player of the

Year and named the Inland Valley Player of the Year. Had his jersey

retired following his senior season.