Position Breakdown Offensive Lineman (5) Art Gomez OL 6-5 280 Compton, Calif. (Downey HS) Jacob Hicks OL 6-5 310 Sebastopol, Calif. (Analy HS) Bobby Johnson OL 6-5 300 Carson, Calif. (Carson Senior HS) Aaron Mitchell OL 6-2 285 San Diego, Calif. (Cathedral Catholic HS) Ben Simonds OL 6-4 260 La Quinta, Calif. (La Quinta HS) Quarterback (1) Kilton Anderson QB 6-3 205 Naples, Fla. (Skyline [Wash.] HS) Wide Receiver (3) KeeSean Johnson WR 6-1 170 Palo Alto, Calif. (Palo Alto HS) Jamire Jordan WR 5-11 170 Palmdale, Calif. (Highland HS) Keyan Williams WR 5-10 175 New Orleans, La. (Lusher Charter HS) Tight End (2) Chad Olsen TE 6-5 225 Chico, Calif. (Pleasant Valley HS) Kyle Riddering TE 6-6 250 Fresno, Calif. (Clovis North HS) Defensive Lineman (2) Sam Akoteu DL 6-2 290 Gardena, Calif. (Junipero Serra HS) Kyle Hendrickson DL 6-4 250 Escondido, Calif. (San Pasqual HS) Linebacker (4) Justin Green OLB 6-4 200 Oak Park, Calif. (Oak Park HS) Michael Lazarus ILB 6-2 225 Berkeley, Calif. (Berkeley HS) Tobenna Okeke ILB 6-2 200 Missouri City, Texas (Elkins HS) Xavier Ulutu ILB 6-1 240 San Diego, Calif. (Cathedral Catholic HS) Secondary (4) Corey Ferguson DB 5-10 190 Orlando, Fla. (Fullerton College) Anthoula Tank Kelly DB 5-11 180 Galena Park, Texas (Galena Park HS) DeShawn Potts DB 5-11 170 Duarte, Calif. (Monrovia HS) Malcolm Washington DB 6-2 170 Houston, Texas (Alief Elsik HS) Athlete (1) Chris Moliga ATH 5-11 205 San Diego, Calif. (Cathedral Catholic HS) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014 11 a.m. DeRuyter Announces 2014 Bulldog Football Recruiting Class Bulldogs sign 22 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, focus of class was at offensive line, linebacker and in the secondary FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State head football coach Tim DeRuyter announced the Bulldogs of tomorrow, as Wednesday he unveiled his 2014 recruiting class on National Signing Day. DeRuyter s third signing class at Fresno State is one built off the successes of back-to-back Mountain West championships and is one designed to help the Bulldogs win more championships in the future. Clearly this is by far the best athleticism and length of a class that we have signed, DeRuyter said. We are looking to bring in raw, long, athletic bodies and with the best strength coach in the country in Joey Boese, develop these guys into championship caliber athletes. I think we ve done that with this year s class. Sometimes people want to ask you are you excited with this particular postion group or that one, but I really like our entire class. I believe that this core group of guys could be the nucleus of a championship run two or three years from now and keep us going, so I m really excited about these guys. For the coaching staff, this group is also one that addresses depth at key positions in the systems run under DeRuyter. We re really, really pleased with filling the needs that we anticipated going in, DeRuyter said. Three of those areas were at offensive line, in the secondary and at linebacker. Fresno State was able to sign five offensive lineman that all come in after decorated prep careers and are an athletic group having played other sports. We knew we had to sign some offensive linemen and the five we signed, we are really, really pleased with the depth as well as the ability there, DeRuyter said. Ben Simonds (La Quinta, Calif./La Quinta HS) is an Olympic weight lifter who made the USA World team, won the Youth National weightlifting competition as well as the Junior Nationals and is a possible fit at center. There is Art Gomez (Compton, Calif./Downey HS) and Bobby Johnson (Carson, Calif./Carson HS) who are both offensive tackle-type players. Jacob Hicks (Sebastopol, Calif.) is a guard-type body who was a twotime league lineman of the year at Analy High School. Then there is Aaron Mitchell, one of three players in the class the Bulldogs signed out of the highly-successful Cathedral Catholic High School program in San Diego. To address the two need ares on the defensive side of the ball, the Bulldogs Pronunciation Guide Sam Akoteu: Awk-uh-tha-owe Anthoula Tank Kelly: An-thu-la Tobenna Okeke: Tow-BEN-nuh ohh-ki-ki Xavier Ulutu: ooh-lou-too Keyan Williams: key-on
inked four linebackers and four defensive backs in addition to Stratton Brown, who transferred from Snow College at the beginning of the semester. Looking at the defensive side, secondary wise was a big concern for us and to be able to get four defensive backs that we think are highly skilled players that are going to have a chance to come in and compete, some of them right away, DeRuyter said. Corey Ferguson (Orlando, Fla.) is the only junior college player that signed with the Bulldogs Wednesday, coming from Fullerton College. Two of the other defensive backs, Tank Kelly (Galena Park, Texas/Galena Park HS) and Malcolm Washington (Houston, Texas/Alief Elsik HS) are both athletes that were used all over the field in their high school careers. The fourth defensive back to sign Wednesday was DeShawn Potts out of Duarte, Calif. (Monrovia HS). With the graduation of two inside linebackers and one outside, Fresno State went out and got four linebackers help to address immediate depth needs at the positions. Then at the linebacker position, signing four linebackers that are going to be outstanding prospects helped us, DeRuyter added when talking about filling needs on the defensive side of the ball. Michael Lazarus (Berkeley, Calif./Berkeley HS) had 18 sacks his senior season in high school. He is one of three projected inside backers along with Tobenna Okeke (Missouri City, Texas/Elkins HS) and Xavier Ulutu (San Diego, Calif./Cathedral Catholic HS). The fourth linebacker projected to play outside is Justin Green out of Oak Park [Calif.] High School. Green once accounted for five total turnovers in a single game his senior year in high school Up front on the defensive line, Fresno State replaced three graduating seniors with Sam Akoteu (Gardena, Calif./Junipero Serra HS) and Kyle Hendrickson (Escondido, Calif./San Pasqual HS). With the five defensive lineman signed last year, the Bulldogs are set with good depth up front. To be able to get two defensive lineman that we really feel good about, DeRuyter said. They are good motor guys and guys that may be able to play this year, but will definitely play for us in the future. After losing Davante Adams and Isaiah Burse, who rank No. 1 and No. 3 in the school record books for career receptions, Fresno State signed three wide receivers in this class to add more playmakers to its potent spread offense. You look at us losing a couple of really good wide receivers, we got some highly skilled guys coming in that are going to have a chance to compete right away, DeRuyter said. Then at the tight end position, we signed a pair that may have to play this fall, but really have big upsides and we are excited about those guys. The two tight ends to sign were Kyle Riddering out of Clovis North High School and Chad Olsen from Chico, Calif. (Pleasant Valley HS). All three wide receivers have experience as punt and kick returners and the coaching staff liked their skill set that they bring to this offense, as they have the ability to make people miss in space. Keyan Williams (New Orleans, La./Lusher Charter HS) is the son of former Bulldogs receivers coach Keith Williams. Joining him is KeeSean Johnson, who comes from the same Palo Alto [Calif.] High School that Adams graduated from and Jamire Jordan (Palmdale, Calif./Highland HS), who the coaches believe can be a dynamic slot receiver like Burse was. With the receivers and tight ends signed, the Bulldogs also added a quarterback in Kilton Anderson to deliver them the ball. Anderson spent his first three prep seasons in Naples, Fla. before playing his senior year at Skyline High School in Sammamish, Wash. Every year we are going to recruit a quarterback and try keep four on scholarship, DeRuyter said. Signing Kilton Anderson, I thought coach [Dave] Schramm did a great job of scouring the country to find him. He fits physically what we are looking for, an athletic young guy with a good arm who can beat you with his arm as well as his legs. The final player of the class, athlete Chris Moliga, is a two-way star and the third player of the class from San Diego s Cathedral Catholic High School. Chris Moliga is a guy as an athlete we re not sure where he is going to fit, he is a two-way guy at running back and a safety/outside linebacker type of guy that is just a football player, DeRuyter said. We re excited about him. Fresno State did not use all 25 of its available scholarships, leaving future options open this spring. We are going to keep a couple of scholarships open this spring, he said. As we go through spring ball and identify potential new needs as well as possibly having one open for transfers.
Sam Akoteu DL 6-2 290 Gardena, Calif. (Junipero Serra HS) High School: First-team MaxPreps California Division II All-State selection on offense... also garnered Daily Breeze All-Area Team, Southern Section All-Western Division Team and Wave Newspaper All-West Region Team accolades... the first-team All-Mission League selection and first-team All- CIF Northwest Division pick emerged as the leader for Junipero Serra s imposing offensive line... helped Junipero Serra accumulate 5,988 total yards and 65 touchdowns on the season, opening holes for a running game that featured two 1,000-yard rushers and a deadly passing game that recorded over 2,600 yards... helped Junipero Serra record an unbeaten regular season, capture the Mission League title and make its second-straight CIF Southern Section Western Division final for a team that averaged 40.1 points per game during his senior season of 2013. Coaches Comments: Is a strong, physical player with a great motor that s going to fit really into our defense at the nose guard position. Kilton Anderson QB 6-3 205 Naples, Fla. (Skyline [Wash.] HS) High School: 2013 King County All-Conference selection... led Skyline to a 9-2 record and a berth in the 2013 Washington Football 4A playoffs and the King County championship in his only season at the school... completed 24-of-37 passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns in the King County championship game victory over Bothell High School... passed for 2,116 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 544 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2013 at Skyline... 2013 Northwest Preps Quarterback MVP (Mercer Island, Wash.) and 2013 Northwest Elite Index Quarterback MVP... 2013 U.S. Army Combine Quarterback Elite-Team mention (San Antonio, Texas)... played at Naples (Fla.) High School for his first three prep seasons, two of which he was the varsity starting quarterback that ran a split-back veer offense... guided the Naples Golden Eagles to a 12-1 record and a spot in the Class 6A state semifinals as a junior in 2012... completed 60-of-131 passes for 1,288 yards and 17 touchdowns against four interceptions as a junior... rushed for 952 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2012... was named to the Class 6A Florida All-State team as an athlete and was a second-team 6A All-State selection as a quarterback his junior season. Coaches Comments: Kilton is very athletic and has a very quick release. He is highly competitive, extremely smart and has a great upside. He came from a split-back veer playing under center to running a spread offense and did a nice job transitioning to being in the shotgun and being successful in his high school career. Corey Ferguson DB 5-10 190 Orlando, Fla. (Evans HS/Fullerton College) Prior to Fresno State: Playing in six games as a sophomore in 2013, he recorded 20 tackles, including 2.5 behind the line of scrimmage... forced one fumble and had nine pass breakups on the season while helping lead Fullerton College to a 12-1 record and a Southern California championship... recorded four pass breakups and five tackles in a 2013 season-opening win at Long Beach... had a season-high six tackles with two pass breakups in a 45-23 victory over Bakersfield on Sept. 21... as a freshman in 2012, he recorded 28 tackles and two tackles for a loss in nine games... had one interception and four pass breakups in 2012. High School: Played both quarterback and cornerback at Evans High School... rushed for 403 yards and threw for 510 as a senior, tallying eight total touchdowns... had 19 tackles, one interception and six pass breakups. Other Notes: Has three seasons to complete his two remaining seasons of eligibility at Fresno State. Coaches Comments: Corey is a very dynamic athlete with really good speed. He plays with a tenacity and physical presence that receivers have to respect. He brings the right attitude and demeanor to the secondary. Art Gomez OL 6-5 280 Compton, Calif. (Downey HS) High School: Was a first-team All-CIF and All-League selection at offensive tackle as a senior in 2013 where he was a team captain for coach Jack Williams... helped the Vikings rush for 306 yards per game during his senior season when he garnered first-team All-San Gabriel Valley League, firstteam All-CIF Southern Section-Southeast and second-team Press Telegram Dream team accolades. Coaches Comments: He is a very long and good athlete that is built in the mold of a prototypical left tackle. Art plays hard on the film and is nasty. Justin Green OLB 6-4 200 Oak Park, Calif. (Oak Park HS) High School: Named to the Ventura County Star All-County first-team defense as a senior in 2013... was a versatile weapon for the Tri-Valley League champions, as he had 71 tackles, 15 sacks, three forced fumbles, a blocked kick and a safety playing defensive end... also played tight end for the Eagles... in a 39-14 victory over Simi Valley, he returned interceptions 65 and nine yards for touchdowns and tackled a ball carrier in the end zone for a safety to match Simi Valley s total of 14 points while also recovered three fumbles in the game... Green told the Ventura County Star, I don t even know how to comprehend it. It s beyond what I can understand with football right now. Other Notes: Was a member of the Eagles track team. Coaches Comments: Justin is a great natural pass rusher who gives us speed off the edge and the length that we need in this defense. Kyle Hendrickson DL 6-4 250 Escondido, Calif. (San Pasqual HS) High School: Named the Avocado East League Co-Defensive Player of the Year and to its first-team as selected by the league head coaches... All-San Diego Section first-team... led San Pasqual High School to the championship game of the San Diego Section... recorded 21 tackles in the championship game, triple overtime loss to Cathedral Catholic High School. Other Notes: Kyle holds the San Pasqual shot put record in both 10 lb. (53-4.00) and 12 lb. (52-11.00)... son of former Cal and NFL linebacker Steve Hendrickson, who played seven seasons with the 49ers, Cowboys and Chargers. Coaches Comments: Kyle has a great motor and huge potential to grow into a very good defensive end in the Mountain West. Jacob Hicks OL 6-5 310 Sebastopol, Calif. (Analy HS) High School: Was a two-way lineman at Analy High School for coach Daniel Bourdon, helping the Tigers go 11-2 and winning the Sonoma County League title as a senior in 2013... was twice named the Sonoma County League Lineman of the Year, as selected by the league head coaches... also a two-time second-team all-metro selection for defense in the 2012 and 2013 seasons and was named to the All-Empire first-team offense his junior and senior seasons... first-team All-Empire selection as an offensive lineman after helping pave the way for his offense that averaged 153.5 yards rushing per game and totaled 339.8 yards per game... recorded 80 tackles as a senior and 65 as a junior... helped lead 2012 team to a 12-1 record... played both nose guard and defensive end on defense... was a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete. Other Notes: Was a center on the basketball team where he helped lead Analy High School to a 22-8 record during his junior season of 2012-13... recorded 11 double-doubles as a junior... has four siblings, one sister and three brothers, including his twin brother Daniel. Coaches Comments: He s a big guard-type body, moves well and is very tough. Jacob has a very good motor.
Bobby Johnson OL 6-5 300 Carson, Calif. (Carson Senior HS) High School: Played mainly offensive line for coach Kevin McCall and helped guide the Colts to a CIF Los Angeles City Division I semifinal appearance... was selected to the 2013 CIF Los Angeles City Division I first-team offense as a senior when he served as a team captain... also named to the first-team All-Marine League, first-team All-Daily Breeze teams, was a Cal-Hi third-team All-State selection and named the Colts Lineman of the Year... invited to participate at the U.S. Army All-America Camp and the Nike Football training camp after senior season... was also selected to participate in the 50th annual West Torrance Lions All-Star game as well as the Plays and Grades Incorporated California Classic All-Star Game... named second-team All-Marine League as a sophomore and junior. Other Notes: Member of the Carson Colts track & field team where he throws shot... best throw is 42 feet 6 inches and the track & field team has won the Marine League every year he has been a member... was an L.A. City section runner-up both as a sophomore and junior. Coaches Comments: Bobby is very athletic and will grow into a very good offensive tackle in the future. KeeSean Johnson WR 6-1 170 Palo Alto, Calif. (Palo Alto HS) High School: Was a two-way standout for coach Earl Hansen... caught 58 passes for 1,015 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior... averaged 17.5 yards per catch... returned three punts for touchdowns in 2013... on defense, he had 38 total tackles and three interceptions as a senior to help lead the Vikings all the way to the Division II CIF Central Coast Section semifinals... as a junior, he hauled in 15 passes for 266 yards and one TD while averaging 17.7 yards per reception... helped his Vikings squad earn a CIF Central Coast Open Division Playoff berth in 2012. Other Notes: Attended the same high school as former Bulldog wide receiver Davante Adams, who left Fresno State after 2013 as the school s all-time leader in receptions and touchdown catches... also plays guard on the Palo Alto basketball team and averaged 9.0 points per game as a junior. Coaches Comments: KeeSean comes from the same high school as one of our greatest wide receivers in Davante Adams. He is a guy that showed up on our radar late, as he had a great senior season. He returns punts, catches the ball well with his hands and can make people miss. We are excited about what he can eventually turn in to. Jamire Jordan WR 5-11 170 Palmdale, Calif. (Highland HS) High School: Jamire joins the Bulldogs from Highland High School where he was a standout athlete and return specialist for coach Troy Jackson... three-year varsity member and two-time All-Golden Conference firstteam selection... in 2013, he finished with 1,526 total yards with 13 total touchdowns... he averaged 17.7 yards per reception as a senior... the Highland Bulldogs (6-5) advanced to the second round of the CIF Southern Section Northern division playoffs... as a junior he was named first-team All-Conference on offense... finished the 2012 season with 1,603 allpurpose yards and 11 touchdowns as he helped lead the Highland Bulldogs to a CIF Southern Section Northern Division playoff berth. Other Notes: Also a member of the Highland track team where he competes in the 100m hurdles and the high jump. Coaches Comments: Jamire is an inside wide receiver who is dynamic with the ball in his hands. We hope he can come in and create mismatches much like Isaiah Burse did for us in the past. He can make people miss, can return kicks and is an exciting football player. He is a speed guy. Anthoula Tank Kelly DB 5-11 180 Galena Park, Texas (Glena Park HS) High School: Played quarterback, wide receiver, cornerback and safety while also seeing time as a punt and kick returner for the Yellowjackets... was the 2013 24-4A District Offensive MVP at quarterback... rushed 156 times for 1,320 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior while also throwing for 922 yards and seven more TDs under coach Dave Handal... was a firstteam All-District 34-4A wide receiver during junior season of 2012 under coach Ray Zepeda... had 998 all-purpose yards and nine total touchdowns... caught 20 passes for 348 yards and six touchdowns while rushing for 237 yards and two scores in 2012... also had two interceptions during his junior season. Other Notes: Was also a guard on the basketball team who averaged 7.4 points, had 143 assists, 73 steals and 25 blocks during junior season... is currently averaging 15.7 points per game this 2013-14 season. Coaches Comments: His high school film is mostly of him playing quarterback, but he has the athletic ability to play most any skill position. Tank has good hips and great short-area quickness that compliments his top-end speed well. Michael Lazarus ILB 6-2 225 Berkeley, Calif. (Berkeley HS) High School: Ranked as high as the No. 18 middle linebacker in the country and a top five middle linebacker in the West by Scout.com... 2013 first-team All-American Cal High Sports selection... was a second-team All-Metro Area selection by the San Francisco Chronicle as a senior... was a threetime first-team all-league linebacker... recorded 18 sacks in 10 games for the Yellowjackets as a senior in 2013 when he also had 65 tackles and two pass breakups... rushed the ball 58 times for 379 yards and four touchdowns... caught six passes for 67 yards... had five sacks in one game of his senior season vs. James Logan High School... during junior year he recorded 15 tackles in the last game of the season vs. Castro Valley, which included the game-saving tackle. Coaches Comments: Michael is a physically-dominant inside linebacker who plays sideline to sideline and has great instincts and explosiveness. Aaron Mitchell OL 6-2 285 San Diego, Calif. (Cathedral Catholic HS) High School: Helped lead Cathedral Catholic High School to an 11-2 record and the San Diego Section Division I championship as a senior in 2013 playing for coach Sean Doyle... was selected to the All-Eastern League team twice as an offensive lineman, named to the 2013 All-CIF San Diego Section first-team and was named the Cathedral Catholic Offensive Player of the Year as a senior... helped lead the way for an offense that averaged 247.1 yards rushing per game and 356.3 total yards in 2013... was a threeyear varsity letterman in football for the Dons. Other Notes: Is also a member of the San Diego Mustangs rugby team where he has been a three-year regional team qualifier... in 2012 he was named to the 16 & under All-American team and a member of the 2012 National team... he lists his biggest athletic thrill as singing the National Anthem in England while wearing red, white, and blue representing the United States on the 16 & under Rugby All-American team... his father, Anthony, played football at the University of Oklahoma. Coaches Comments: Aaron Mitchell is a very athletic, very nasty football player. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and has a high motor.
Chris Moliga ATH 5-11 205 San Diego, Calif. (Cathedral Catholic HS) High School: Helped lead Cathedral Catholic High School to an 11-2 record and the San Diego Section Division I championship as a senior in 2013 playing for coach Sean Doyle... selected to the All-Eastern League firstteam as a running back... ran for 1,631 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior... added 13 receptions for 191 yards and a TD in 2013... paced an offense that rushed for 247.1 yards per game and totaled 356.3 yards per game in 2013... played three seasons of varsity football for the Dons, being featured as the primary running back in his senior season... won two section titles in his career at Cathedral... For his performance in his senior season Chris was selected to play in the 2013 Polynesian All-American Bowl which is played in Orange County. Other Notes: Also plays rugby for Cathedral Catholic along with his cousin Xavier and fellow Bulldog signee Aaron Mitchell... the Cathedral Catholic rugby team has made the playoffs for five consecutive years including an appearance in the semifinals last year. Coaches Comments: Chris Moliga is a guy as an athlete we re not sure where he is going to fit, he is a two-way guy at running back and a safety/ outside linebacker type of guy that is just a football player. Tobenna Okeke ILB 6-2 200 Missouri City, Texas (Elkins HS) High School: Was a first-team All-District 23-5A selection as a junior and senior for Elkins High School when he led the district in sacks both years... helped lead the Knights to an 8-3 record during senior season under coach Dennis Brantley... in the Class 5A Area playoffs, he stripped the running back of the ball and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown in a 48-21 win over Port Arthur Memorial. Coaches Comments: Tobenna is a dynamic edge player who will be good in space and can also pass rush off an edge. He is able to play multiple positions in our defense. Chad Olsen TE 6-5 225 Chico, Calif. (Pleasant Valley HS) High School: Was a four-year varsity player for coach Mark Cooley at Pleasant Valley High School... played tight end, linebacker and punter and as a senior in 2013... helped his team earn a spot in the CIF Northern Section Division I playoffs... was named to the All-CIF Northern Section team in 2013... selected to both the offensive and defensive first-teams in the Eastern Athletic league in his senior year. Other Notes: Also played basketball for Pleasant Valley High School and was a member of the track and field team. Coaches Comments: We got a good look at Chad during our one-day skills summer camp and all of our coaches noticed right away he was special. He has great agility, great athleticism and toughness. We confirmed those attributes when we had a chance to watch his senior highlight tape. DeShawn Potts DB 5-11 170 Duarte, Calif. (Monrovia HS) High School: Played quarterback, cornerback and safety at Monrovia High School under coach Ryan Maddox... helped lead the Wildcats to a 11-2 record, a Rio Hondo League title and a CIF Mid-Valley Division semifinal appearance in 2013... was a first-team All-Rio Hondo League selection at quarterback and at safety in 2013... team offensive MVP and All-CIF selection at safety... also an All-Pasadena Area team selection as an athlete in 2013... totaled 1,573 yards and 16 touchdowns offensively playing quarterback as a senior and had 38 tackles and 10 pass breakups on defense at safety... as a junior playing in Monrovia s 3-4 defense, he posted 59 tackles and four interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns... selected to the All-Rio Hondo League team as a safety in 2012... helped lead Monrovia to a 12-3 season in 2012, the CIF Mid-Valley Championship... three-year varsity player who also helped Monrovia win the CIF Mid-Valley Championship as a sophomore in 2011. Other Notes: Also played basketball where he received all-league and defensive team MVP honors his junior season... his cousin, Demetrius Jackson, plays football at Portland State. Coaches Comments: DeShawn has great overall athletic ability, having played safety and quarterback in high school. He is a very athletic and intelligent football player and his IQ will be a great asset to our back end. Kyle Riddering TE 6-6 250 Fresno, Calif. (Clovis North HS) High School: Starred as a two-way lineman for the Broncos and coach Cory Hall, a former Bulldog... played center, offensive tackle, tight end and defensive end during his career at Clovis North... named to the Fresno Bee s 2013 Fall All-Star team as an offensive lineman... selected to the All- TRAC first-team as a center, playing the position for the first time as a senior in 2013... helped lead Clovis North to an 11-3 record and the CIF Central Section Division I championship game as a senior in 2013... in 2012 Kyle was a member of the Clovis North (12-2) team that advanced all the way to the Division I regional finals. Other Notes: Also a member of the basketball team during his junior season... carried a 4.0 GPA in high school. Coaches Comments: It is exciting to have a guy right in our own backyard that has good size potential, is tough and a great student. Ben Simonds OL 6-4 260 La Quinta, Calif. (La Quinta HS) High School: Named to the 2013 MaxPreps All-State second-team... named to All-CIF Southern Section in 2013 and the CIF Southern Section Lineman MVP... team captain and All-Desert Valley League selection in 2012 and 2013 for coach Dan Armstrong as he played center, offensive tackle and defensive tackle... named the Desert Valley League lineman MVP as a senior... was the starting center for the Inland Empire All-Star team... also named to the All-Desert Sun Team and was the All-Desert Sun No. 1 Preseason Player to Watch entering his senior season... helped the Blackhawks rush for 294.6 yards per game in 2013 and rack up 393.9 total yards per game while finishing with a 8-4 record. Other Notes: Also competed on the golf team in 2012 where he helped lead La Quinta High School to the Desert Valley League Championship... was a two-time USA Weight lifting National Champion and two-time USA Weight lifting National and World Team member, which earned him an invitation to train at the USA Olympic training center in Colorado Springs, Colo.... comes from an athletic family as his grandfather Ken Simonds played football at East Tennessee State, his uncle, Jeff Carter, played basketball at San Francisco State and his father was on the PGA Tour from 1985-90. Coaches Comments: He is very strong, physical player and very athletic for a center. Just a strong, tough young man. Xavier Ulutu ILB 6-1 240 San Diego, Calif. (Cathedral Catholic HS) High School: Helped lead Cathedral Catholic High School to an 11-2 record and the San Diego Section Division I championship as a senior in 2013 playing for coach Sean Doyle... selected to the All-Eastern League first-team as a linebacker... 2013 All-San Diego Section defense second-team... helped Cathedral Catholic to a 37-31 triple overtime win over San Pasqual in the San Diego Section Division I championship game with a 32-yard interception return to the San Pasqual 21-yard line that set up a second quarter touchdown... averaged just under 10 tackles a game his senior season. Coaches Comments: He is extremely athletic and fast, dynamic inside linebacker who is a great blitzer and will be great in coverage. He is a multitool inside linebacker for us.
Malcolm Washington DB 6-2 170 Houston, Texas (Alief Elsik HS) High School: A highly decorated athlete and four-year letterwinner at Alief Elsik High School under coach Bill Barron... named the Texas High School Football 2013 All-District 18-5A Return Specialist MVP... was a Houston Chronicle All-District (18-5A) first-team selection as a return specialist... played in nine games as a senior, leading his team in all-purpose yards with 617... had 14 kickoff returns for 481 yards, a 34.4 average, three touchdowns with a long of 93... also returned four punts for a 7.5 average and total of 30 yards... caught 11 passes for 78 yards in 2013... was also a first-team all-academic selection. Other Notes: Also competed in track and field at Alief Elsik, running the 400m and the 4x100m, 4x200m and 4x400m relays... prefers to be called Mac. Coaches Comments: He is a very long and athletic corner that can also double as a punt and kickoff return man. He has really good speed and his length will allow him to disrupt things at the line of scrimmage, which will allow him to become a great press corner. His track speed really translates well on to the football field. Keyan Williams WR 5-10 175 New Orleans, La. (Lusher Charter HS) High School: Was a two-time team captain for coach Louis Landrum Jr.... set new school records for total yards and total touchdowns in his career at Lusher High School... named to the 11-3A All-District team as a senior, was his team s Offensive MVP and was an honorable mention All-State selection... caught 22 passes for 397 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior... ran the ball seven times for 47 yards and one touchdown and also had a passing touchdown in 2013... named to the All-District 10-3A team as an athlete following his junior season of 2012 and the Offensive MVP for Lusher High School... played quarterback as a junior and was 82-of-143 passing for 1,204 yards and 13 touchdowns... also rushed the ball 113 times for 701 yards and 11 touchdowns. Other Notes: His father, Keith Williams, is the current wide receivers coach at Tulane University and was an assistant coach at Fresno State from 2009-11. Williams coached Bulldog all-conference receivers Jamal Hamler (2010) and Jalen Saunders (2011) in his time at Fresno State. Keith Williams signed a free agent contract with the Washington Redskins after college and played professionally in the World League of American Football and for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL. Coaches Comments: Is a polished receiver who is a coaches kid and understands football really well. Keyan has the ability to make people miss in space, is exciting with the ball in his hands and a savvy football player.