Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Ink Six in Early Signing Period
12/16/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 16, 2015
By Jason Clay
jaclay@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State head coach Tim DeRuyter announced Wednesday the addition of six junior college mid-year transfers who inked National Letters of Intent with the Bulldogs during the early signing period.
The Bulldogs addressed targeted areas on their roster with the mid-year signees who will enroll in school for the spring semester and be available to practice with the team when spring ball begins on March 1.
"We've increased our athleticism, our length and clearly our depth at some critical need areas on the offensive and defensive lines," DeRuyter said.
Of the six signees, three were offensive linemen in Christian Cronk (Riverside CC), Shane Gama (Southwestern College) and Ryan Popolizio (San Mateo College).
Just got a whole lot better in the OL today! Now the work begins! Headed on our way to another championship! #BulldogBornBulldogBred
-- Cameron Norcross (@CoachCNorcross) December 16, 2015
Fresno State also added two defensive linemen in Malik Forrester (LA Pierce College) and Austin Vaimili (El Camino College) along with linebacker Trent Soechting (Blinn College).
"We had some holes in our upper class, offensive and defensive lines, and these guys are addressing those needs," DeRuyter said. "They are terrific football players that having them here in January to be a part of our entire year program is going to give them an opportunity to be big-time factors for us in the fall."
Signing Class Notes
• Prior to this year, the total number of mid-year signees Fresno State has brought in under head coach Tim DeRuyter was six (two in 2015, one in 2014 and three in 2013) and five of those six were junior college signees.
• The six junior college players brings the total number of junior college signees under Tim DeRuyter up to 30 (six in 2016, six in 2015, three in 2014, 13 in 2013 and two in 2012).
• With the three offensive linemen signed Wednesday, the total number of junior college offensive linemen signed under DeRuyter rises to seven and the number of defensive linemen signed also goes up to seven.
• Trent Soechting is the first junior college linebacker signed by DeRuyter.
• Some of Fresno State's most productive junior college signees under DeRuyter include DE Claudell Louis (2015 honorable mention All-Mountain West), OL Sean Rubalcava (14-game starter in 2013), Curtis Riley (started 19 games, signed as undrafted free agent with Tennessee Titans) and from this past fall Josiah Blandin (tied for the team-lead in touchdown receptions) and Tyquwan Glass (led team in interceptions).
EARLY PERIOD SIGNEES
OT, Christian Cronk -- 6-5, 290 -- Oceanside, Calif. (Riverside City College/Oceanside HS)
Played left tackle as a freshman at Riverside City College, was Oceanside High School class of 2015 ... the Riverside City offensive line helped generate 34.3 points per game behind 204.2 rushing yards per game during Cronk's freshman season ... the Tigers averaged 5.1 yards per rush ... he will have four years to complete his three remaining seasons of eligibility with the Bulldogs.
High School: His Oceanside Pirates went 14-1 his senior season ... he was named first-team All- Avacado West League by the San Diego Tribune.
OG, Shane Gama -- 6-4, 300 -- Chino, Calif. (Southwestern College/Orange Lutheran HS)
Selected to the All-Mountain League second-team by the Southern California Football Association ... helped the Jaguars score 23.0 points per game and average 164.3 yards rushing and 159.9 passing ... two-year starter for the Southwestern College offensive line ... will have three years to complete his two remaining seasons of eligibility at Fresno State.
High School: Selected to the North roster for the 55th edition of the Brea Lions Orange County All-Star Game (July 10, 2014) -- played on same North roster as current Bulldog Justin Allen.
DL, Malik Forrester -- 6-1, 315 -- Annapolis, Md. (LA Pierce College)
First-team All-Pacific League selection as a defensive tackle by the Southern California Football Association as a sophomore ... recorded 40 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and forced one fumble in 2015 ... had a season-high nine tackles on Nov. 7 vs. Antelope Valley ... one week prior he had a season-high five solo tackles at LA Valley on Oct. 31 ... will have three years to complete his two remaining seasons of eligibility at Fresno State.
As a Freshman at Fairmont State (2014): Played in 10 games and made nine starts on the defensive line ... finished the season with 23 total tackles (17 solo) ... also had a TFL and blocked a kick ... recorded three tackles or more four times during the season ... blocked a kick and recorded two tackles at West Liberty (Oct. 11) ... racked up a season-high seven tackles vs. Urbana (Oct. 25).
High School: Four-year standout on the offensive and defensive line at Glen Burnie High School ... second team all-conference defensive lineman in football and second-team center in basketball ... recorded 78 tackles, three sacks and five forced fumbles as a senior ... tallied 56 tackles, two sacks and six forced fumbles as a junior ... averaged 9.1 points as a senior in basketball.
Personal: Malik Omar Forrester ... son of Shelia Forrester and Eric Dunning ... has two siblings ... plans to major in occupational safety.
OT, Ryan Popolizio -- 6-6, 310 -- Fremont, Calif. (San Mateo College/St. Francis HS)
Started every game at right tackle as a sophomore after working into the rotation as a freshman ... San Mateo's rushing attack averaged 245.0 yards per game in 2015, leading all 69 participating California Community College Athletic Association teams ... San Mateo averaged 39.9 points per game, seventh-most in the Association and its 35 touchdowns accounted for on the ground were the second-most rushing TDs scored ... will have three years to play his two remaining seasons of eligibility.
High School: Was invited to participate in the 40th annual Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Football Game after graduating from St. Francis HS -- member of the North team that won 37-3 ... named second-team all-offense by the All-Daily News Prep Football Team as senior (San Jose Mercury News) ... named a team captain as senior.
LB, Trent Soechting -- 6-3, 207 -- Katy, Texas (Blinn College/Cinco Ranch HS)
Was a second-team All- Southwest Junior Football Conference selection ... led the team in tackles with 60 on the year ... his 11.0 tackles for a loss also led the team and ranked in a tie for the fourth most in the conference despite the fact that he played in two fewer games than any player ranked in the top five ... recorded a season-high 13 tackles, including two for a loss, in a 31-30 win over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College on Sept. 12 ... posted seven tackles, two for a loss and one forced fumble in a 49-0 win over Arkansas Baptist College ... he will have three years of eligibility remaining to complete with the Bulldogs.
High School: Played for Don Clayton at Cinco Ranch High School ... named second-team all-district and academic all-district in 2012 ... first-team all-district selection, a Touchdown Top 10 defensive player and second-team All-Greater Houston area in 2013 ... helped lead Cinco Ranch to the playoffs in 2012 and 2013 ... also played basketball, ran track and competed in pole vaulting.
DE Austin Vaimili -- 6-5, 265 -- Torrance, Calif. (El Camino College/Junipero Serra HS)
Garnered second-team All-Central League accolades by the Southern California Football Association ... recorded 43 tackles as a sophomore in 2015 with 6.0 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks ... as a freshman, posted 15 tackles, one sack and 2.5 tackles-for-loss ... also chipped in as a long snapper for El Camino ... comes in with three years left to complete his two remaining seasons of eligibility at Fresno State.
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