Fresno State Athletics
Hill Signs 19 Football Players
2/5/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 5, 2003
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State head coach Pat Hill announced the signing of his 2003 recruiting class today, which has unprecedented size and speed.
Of the recruits, 15 are high school players with four junior college player signing letters of intent. Nine of the 19 recruits are from Valley high schools or junior colleges. This class also has the best cumulative GPA and standardized test scores of any previous recruiting class.
"As a whole, this is a very impressive group," Hill said. "We stayed in the San Joaquin Valley, our bread and butter, and it paid off big-time. Valley schools are always our priority. Once again, I feel good about the local talent that will be wearing the red helmets."
Highlighting the class of local recruits is 2002 Fresno Bee Player of the Year Tyler Clutts of Clovis High School, Edison High School cornerback Clifton Smith, the Channel 47 prep player of the year. Three other future Bulldogs were on the Bee's All-Star team: Hoover linebacker Ahijah Lane, Yosemite offensive lineman Cole Popovich and Kingsburg tight end Jesus Tapia. Quarterback Tom Brandstater of Turlock and Elk Grove linebacker Marcus Riley round out the high school recruits from the Valley.
"I'm happy that seven of the top local players decided to stay home and become Bulldogs," Hill said. "That helps us continue our tradition of being the Valley's team and they are going to be important fixtures as we continue to build a new tradition on a national level. It's a great tribute to the outstanding high school coaches we have in the Valley."
The average size of the offensive line recruits for this class (Noa Puono of Long Beach City College, Dylan Storey of Silverado's El Modena High School, Chris Piligian of Newhall's Hart High School, and Popovich) is 6-4 and 274 pounds.
"We addressed some needs in the offensive and defensive lines," Hill said. "We don't recruit many junior college players but we feel these players are going to be big-time immediate type impact players. Donyell Booker and Puono will be given the chance to play immediately."
While Fresno State returns every starting skill position player, the Bulldogs improved in by adding a quality junior college running back and receiver.
"Dwayne Wright and Chico Mackey are impact players and very exciting when they get the ball in their hands," Hill said. "I'm looking forward to seeing them on the field this fall."
A couple notable speed recruits include Mackey and Smith, plus De La Salle cornerback Damon Jenkins, San Gorgonio running back Shannon Dorsey, Fairfax defensive back Marques Floyd and McClymonds defensive end Keith Venson, who has been on one of the nation's top 4x100 and 4x400 meter relay teams.
"Keith Venson has some amazing times in the 100 and 400 meters on the track that you would expect from a receiver or a defensive back and he is a defensive end. Clifton Smith is one of the most electrifying players to come out of the San Joaquin Valley since I've recruited this talent-rich area."
Fresno State signed a replacement for two-time All-WAC kicker Asen Asparuhov in high school All-American Clint Stitser from Reno, Nev. Stitser owns the second-longest field goal, 57 yards, in Nevada High School history. He was a prep All-American last year after leading McQueen High School to a pair of Nevada state championships.
The 2003 class includes the signing of Reedley College All-America defensive tackle Donyell Booker, who signed in January and is enrolled for the spring semester at Fresno State.
"Overall, I'm very pleased with this recruiting class," Hill said. "Our coaches did a great job evaluating players and getting them excited about Fresno State football. Eight of the 20 players we signed were a part of championship teams last fall. They are winners coming from winning programs."
2003 Fresno State Football Signings
- Tom Brandstater, Quarterback, 6-5, 190, Turlock, Calif. (Turlock)
- Tyler Clutts, Linebacker, 6-2, 220, Clovia, Calif. (Clovis)
- Kevin Cooper, Defensive Line, 6-4, 260, Lakeport, Calif. (Clear Lake)
- Shannon Dorsey, Running Back, 6-0, 180, Highland, Calif. (San Gorgonio)
- Marques Floyd, Safety, 6-1, 190, Los Angeles, Calif. (Fairfax)
- Damon Jenkins, Cornerback, 5-11, 180, Concord, Calif. (De La Salle)
- Ahijah Lane, Running Back/Linebacker, 6-1, 185, Fresno, Calif. (Hoover)
- Chico Mackey, Receiver, 5-11, 190, New Orleans, La. (West L.A. College)
- Chris Piligian, Offensive Guard, 6-6, 255, Newhall, Calif. (Hart)
- Cole Popovich, Offensive Guard, 6-2, 274, Oakhurst, Calif. (Yosemite)
- Noah Pouono, Center, 6-3, 285, Marina, Calif. (Long Beach City College)
- Marcus Riley, Linebacker, 6-1, 190, Sacramento, Calif. (Elk Grove)
- Jason Shirley, Defensive Tackle, 6-5, 295, Fontana, Calif. (Kaiser Fontana)
- Clifton Smith, Cornerback, 5-8, 165, Fresno, Calif. (Edison)
- Clint Stitser, Kicker, 6-1, 185, Reno, Nevada (McQueen)
- Dylan Storey, Offensive Tackle, 6-4, 250, Silverado, Calif. (El Modena)
- Jesus Tapia, Tight End, 6-6, 215, Kingsburg, Calif. (Kingsburg)
- Keith Venson, Defensive End, 6-4, 215, Oakland, Calif. (McClymonds)
- Dwayne Wright, Running Back, 6-1, 210, San Diego, Calif. (West Hills College)
2003 Fresno State Football Recruit Bios
Tom Brandstater, Quarterback, 6-5, 190, Turlock, CA (Turlock)
First Team All-District Modesto Bee as a defensive back ... guided his team into the Sac-Joaquin Section Championship against Stockton Lincoln ... directed primarily a rushing offense that did not display his true passing ability but still threw for over 1,000 yards last season ... was the top QB in Fresno State's Summer Football Camp ... coached by Tom Tyler.
Tyler Clutts, Linebacker, 6-2, 220, Clovis, Calif. (Clovis)
Selected the Fresno Bee's football player of the year ... an excellent all-around athlete who is expected to be a linebacker with the Bulldogs ... played quarterback and defensive end for Clovis High School, guiding the Cougars to an 11-2 record and the Yosemite Division Large School championship ... he threw for 2,383 yards and 19 touchdowns plus ran for 16 more scores ... a tough and physical player on defense ... the top-ranked wrestler in California at 215 lbs ... coached by Larry Kellem.
Kevin Cooper, Defensive Line, 6-4, 260, Lakeport, Calif. (Clear Lake)
An All-North Coast League selection ... played as an offensive and defensive tackle his senior year, earning a spot on the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat's All-Redwood Empire team ... earned the same honor his junior year when he played only at defensive tackle ... had seven sacks last year ... was Clear Lake High School's valedictorian ... team captain and MVP ... named to the Lake County All-Star team three years ... coached by Glenn Meyer.
Shannon Dorsey, Running Back, 6-0, 180, Highland, Calif. (San Gorgonio)
A senior captain who helped his team capture its first conference championship in 30 years with a 9-2 record in the San Andreas league ... named first-team All-San Andreas-league running back and the all-county running back ... voted team's Most Valuable Offensive Player ... rushed for 998 yards for 19 touchdowns ... collected 450 yards in receiving ... returned two kickoff returns for touchdowns... his team finished third in league with a 6-5 record in 2001 when he was named second all-league receiver ... ran for 680 yards and threw for about 350 yards that year ... is in his class' top ten percent academically ... also recruited by Colorado State, Arizona, Oregon State and San Diego State ... coached by Tony Barelie.
Marques Floyd, Safety, 6-1, 190, Los Angeles, Calif. (Fairfax)
His team's top player ... a standout at CB who loves bump coverage and physical contact ... had two interceptions returned for touchdowns in 2002 ... a high school coach stated "he's a big-time guy with big-time talent and speed. Teams were scared to throw in his direction,"... coached by S.K. Cox
Damon Jenkins, Cornerback, 5-11, 180, Concord, Calif. (De La Salle)
Rated as one of the best cornerbacks in the nation as a high school senior ... selected the 48th best prospect in the West and the 19th best cornerback in the nation by Rivals.com ... ranked the No. 1 cornerback in the West by Pac West Football and TheInsiders.com ... comes from one of the nations' best high school programs ... played on the nation's No. 1 ranked team, De La Salle, that has won 138 consecutive games ... recruited by USC ... coached by Bob LaDoucer.
Ahijah Lane, Running Back/Linebacker, 6-1, 185, Fresno, Calif. (Hoover)
Selected the co-offensive player for the Tri River Athletic Conference ... very versatile athlete who can play either running back or linebacker ... scored 17 touchdowns as a running back despite missing three games with an injury ... selected to the Fresno Bee All-Star first-team as a linebacker ... tied a Cenral Section record with a 99-yard touchdown reception ... led his team to the second round of the Central Section Yosemite Division Large School playoffs with an upset win over No. 1 seed Buchanan High school ... coached by Pat Plummer.
Chico Mackey, Receiver, 5-11, 190, Port Sulphur, La. (West L.A. College)
One of the most explosive junior college receivers in the country ... had 932 yards receiving in nine games with seven touchdown ... averaged 120 all-purpose yards per game ... out of Port Sulphur High School, where he was named Small Schools All-Metro Player of the Year by the New Orleans Times-Picayune ... his last year in high school he was a versatile threat, rushing for 1,178 yards on 87 carries and 12 touchdowns, and catching 57 passes for 1,141 yards and an additional 14 touchdowns ... also his team's top defender ... high school coach Cyril Crutchfield stated "he's like Superman because of what he did for our team,"... a top-4 finisher in Louisiana's State Track and Field Championships in the triple jump and long jump ... also recruited by San Diego State, Tennessee, Kansas State and Cal ... coached by Rob Hager.
Chris Piligian, Offensive Guard, 6-6, 255, Newhall, Calif. (Hart)
A physical and intimidating offensive player ... expected to become an excellent offensive guard in the Bulldog system ... an excellent student ... helped guide his team to the Southern Section playoffs ... recruited by Stanford, Oregon, UCLA and Utah ... coached by Mike Herrington.
Cole Popovich, Offensive Guard, 6-2, 274, Oakhurst, Calif. (Yosemite)
First-team selection on the Fresno Bee's All-Star team as a offensive lineman ... was a three-year starter and two-time All-Central Sequoia League selection ... guided Yosemite to the Sequoia Division Large School championship with a 12-1 record ... recruited by Nebraska and UCLA ... the first player in school history to receive a Division I scholarship ... strong and phyiscal player ... coached by Aaron Ames.
Noa Pouono, Center, 6-3, 285, Marina, Calif. (Long Beach City College)
An All-Mission Conference North Division pick as a center ... was LBCC's team captain ... named the team's most inspirational player ... a native of Tonga ... helped lead Long Beach to an 8-3 record and a victory in the Western State Bowl ... played every position o the line during his career ... a member of an offensive line that helped LBCC rack up nearly 450 yards per game ... recruited by San Diego State ... coached by Larry Reisbig.
Marcus Riley, Linebacker, 6-1, 190, Sacramento, Calif. (Elk Grove)
Had 136 tackles and 12 sacks over the last two seasons ... named to the Sacramento Bee's All-Star team ... an excellent athlete who is very fast ... guided Elk Grove to the 2001 San Joaquin Section Division I championship ... first-team all-league during his junior and senior seasons ... voted the team MVP four straight years ... recruited by Boise State and Colorado State ... coached by Bob Lee.
Jason Shirley, Defensive Tackle, 6-5, 295, Fontana, Calif. (Kaiser Fontana)
Second-team All-League selection ... San Bernardino Sun All-County Team ... earned numerous player of the week honors during the year ... helped his team to a 13-0-1 overall record and a Cal Hi Sports Division 3 championship ... his squad was also named Sunkist League champions and CIF Southern Section Division 8 ... also competed on the track and field squad, participating in the discus and shot put events ... spent his first three seasons at A.B. Miller High School before transferring to Kaiser Fontana for his senior year ... also recruited by Oregon and Arizona ... coached by Dick Bruich.
Clifton Smith, Cornerback, 5-8, 165, Fresno, Calif. (Edison)
One of the top athletes in the city ... led Edison to the Valley title, earning league MVP honors ... was a big-time playmaker on both sides of the ball and on special teams ... rushed for 1,378 yards and 27 touchdowns ... had more than 300 receiving yards and two touchdown catches ... scored 19 touchdowns on offense ... rated as the nation's 34th best high school athlete prospect by Rivals.com ... had 80 tackles, eight interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns, and three sacks on defense ... selected all-state and named to the Fresno Bee's All-Star Defensive Team twice ... recruited by USC, Arizona State and Oregon State ... coached by Ray Reyes.
Clint Stitser, Kicker, 6-1, 185, Reno, Nevada (McQueen)
First-team high school All-American...All-Division, All-Northern 4A and All-State ... helped his team to a 14-0 overall record last year and a No. 11 national ranking ... a two-time All-State kicker at McQueen and helped his team to two state championships ... also played strong safety ... kicked 14 field goals as a junior, four were of 50 yards or more with a long field goal of 57 in a State Semi-Championship game, the second-longest field goal in Nevada high school history ... selected to the Dick Butkus Football Network Preseason All-America team ... has an extremely long leg and regularly kicked the ball through the endzone on kickoffs ... an honor student ...also recruited by Michigan State and Oregon...coached by Ken Dalton.
Dylan Storey, Offensive Tackle, 6-4, 250, Silverado, Calif. (El Modena)
Named to Century's all-league team ... garnered All-CIF honors ... named team's Most Valuable Lineman ... received the Brett Bandell Award for most dedicated all-around athlete ... named to the all-league first team in 2001 as a junior ... also competed on the track & field team in the shot put and discus ... one of the best discus throwers in Orange County ... a CIF participant in the discus ... chose Fresno State over Washington State, Oregon and Oregon State ... coached by Jason Hitchens.
Jesus Tapia, Tight End, 6-6, 215, Kingsburg, Calif. (Kingsburg)
A big and physical tight end ... selected to the Fresno Bee's All-Star second team as an offensive lineman ... selected All-Central Sequoia League on offense and defense ... a big target who is also a devastating blocker ... a standout on the Kingsburg basketball team ... coached by Jim Cranford.
Keith Venson, Defensive End, 6-4, 215, Oakland, Calif. (McClymonds) A speedy rush end who gets to the quarterback quickly and often ... had 15 quarterback sacks as a senior to go along with 85 tackles ... named to the San Francisco Chronicle's "Cream of the Crop" team ... excelled as a track sprinter as a member of the 4x100 meter relay team that placed 15th in the state last year ... competed in the USA Track and Field national championships last summer on a 4x400 meter relay team that placed 17th in the nation ... recruited by Washington State and UNLV ... coached by Alonzo Carter.
Dwayne Wright, Running Back, 6-1, 210, San Diego, Calif. (West Hills College)
Led his team to the Silicon Valley Bowl against Foothills College ... team finished third in the Valley Conference ... named to the All-Central Valley Conference team ... played in eight games and rushed for 1,068 yards ... scored 11 touchdowns and averaged 6.5 yards per carry ... named team's Most Valuable Offensive Player ... one of the top running backs to come out of high school on the west coast ... was named the San Diego Union Tribune's Offensive Player of the Year out of Lincoln High School in 2000 ... also recruited by Washington State and Alabama ... coached by Mark Gritton.
