SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento State football team began its 2010 recruiting class with the signing of three student-athletes, it was announced by head coach Marshall Sperbeck. All three players will enroll at Sacramento State in January and will be able to practice with the team during the spring.

 

Jaren Harrell returns to his home state of California after playing three seasons at Hofstra. The 6-foot-2, 294 pound center started for the Pride the last two seasons but was free to transfer after Hofstra discontinued football. A native of Quartz Hill, Calif., Harrell was a three-time Colonial Athletic Association and Hofstra Athletics Academic Honor Roll selection. In high school, he was named all-Golden League as a senior and played on both sides of the ball. He was also the valedictorian and was a first team all-league choice in volleyball.

 

Safety Aaron Martinez (6-1, 205) comes to the Hornets from Santa Ana Junior College. In 2009, he led the team with 75 tackles, including 22 solos and 3.5 tackles-for-loss. Martinez also had two interceptions and six pass breakups. As a freshman, he ranked second on the team with 68 stops and led the way with 38 solo tackles. His three interceptions also tied for the team high. A graduate of Esperanza High School, he was named first team all-country, first team all-PAC 5, second team all-state and the Sunset League Defensive Back of the Year as a senior.

 

Pete Murdaca (6-1, 225) completes the trio. The quarterback spent the past two seasons at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton. As a sophomore in 2009, he threw for 1,892 yards and 14 touchdowns while completing 57.1 percent of his passes (173-303). The Lodi, Calif., native posted similar numbers as a freshman where he amassed 1,874 yards and 14 touchdowns in 10 games. Murdaca prepped at St. Mary’s High School in Stockton and helped lead the Rams to a Sac-Joaquin Section title. As a senior, he passed for 1,683 yards and 14 touchdowns and also rushed for 231 yards and seven scores to earn first team all-area honors. He was also an all-league kicker where he had 35 PATs and three field goals. Following his high school career, Murdaca redshirted at Nevada during the 2007 season. His father, Jim, played football at Sacramento State.

 

“All three of these guys can come in and help,” Sperbeck said. “Jaren is a 22-game starter over the past two years and we had a need to get an older guy into the offensive line. Martinez is an athletic safety who will gives us more experience in the secondary and Pete gives us an experienced quarterback who will compete for the job. “

Sacramento State will continue its recruiting through January and announce the majority of its class on Wednesday, Feb. 3.