Fresno State Athletics
Booker Signs With Football Team
12/18/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 18, 2002
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State head coach Pat Hill announced the signing of Donyell Booker, a 6-2, 295-pound junior college All-America defensive lineman from Reedley College. Booker's signing allows him to enroll at Fresno State for the spring semester and participate in spring drills with the Bulldogs.
"We are thrilled to get Donyell," said Hill. "He is an immediate impact, dominating type of player. He's one of the most dominating junior college defensive linemen in the country. I expect Donyell to make an immediate impact on the interior of our defensive front."
Booker, who turned down Tennessee and Texas A&M, led Reedley College to a perfect 12-0 record, No. 1 national ranking, and a California Junior College state championship in 2002. He was named first-team All-America by JC Gridwire after registering 75 tackles and 15 1/2 sacks last season.
He was named the Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2002 and the defensive MVP of the state championship game. Booker was a first-team all-conference selection in 2000. A Houston native, Booker led the state's No. 1-ranked defense, which allowed just 36 rushing yards per game. He scored a touchdown on a fumble return vs. Fresno City College in the semifinal playoff game.
"With the loss of Jason Stewart to graduation, this was an area of immediate need," said Hill. "We could not have gotten a better player in the country to immediately fill that void. This is a big signing for us and I know the Bulldog fans are really going to enjoy watching Donyell play,"
Booker is the only player to sign with Fresno State prior to the spring semester. The Bulldogs will not sign another player until Feb. 5, national signing day.
The Bulldogs continue to prepare for their upcoming Silicon Valley Football Classic game against Georgia Tech on Dec. 31 at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, Calif. Tickets for the bowl game can be ordered through the Fresno State athletics ticket office, by phone at (559) 278-DOGS or online at www.gobulldogs.com.
