Posted by A.P. from sfgate.com on February 5, 2009, 6:16 pm, in reply to "Re: Jake Curtis/Chron: Local Prep player excites Tomey"
66.215.57.194
San Jose State goes for quick fix on signing day
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
(02-04) 18:13 PST San Jose, Calif. (AP) --
San Jose State went for the quick fix at wide receiver, running back and cornerback Wednesday, signing players out of the California Community College program to fill gaps.
Marquis Avery, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound wide receiver out of Anaheim, may be the key to the class. Cornerback Brandon Driver and running back Lamon Muldrow will likely fill immediate gaps.
"He brings an element of toughness to our receiving corps that we really need," San Jose State coach Dick Tomey said of Avery. "We would have been really excited about Marquis last year and we're doubly excited right now. He's more mature. He's stronger, and he's rarin' to go."
Driver, who is a cousin of the Washington Wizards' Juan Dixon, remains in rehab following knee surgery
"Knowing him, we expect him to be ready for the season, but we also realize that if he is not, he has 3-to-play-2," Tomey said.
Muldrow, a two-time All-American at Sierra College in California, chose San Jose State over Arizona, Tomey's former school.
"We had to have at least two and, maybe, three corner prospects that can come in and compete next fall," Tomey said. "We had to have a couple of safety prospects, too. We've signed three junior college transfers that are three of the better ones in the country."
Three of the 14 high school athletes signed by San Jose State Wednesday were named to an all-state football team. Seven were a league Player of the Year either on offense, defense or special teams. The position emphasis was in the lines and the defensive secondary. Four listed defensive linemen, four defensive backs, three offensive linemen, three wide receivers, a quarterback, running back and a kicker make up the recruiting class.
Tomey said the class isn't large because he wants to reward non-scholarship players already on the team with one of the 22 scholarships the team is allowed to offer.
Incoming freshmen include: defensive lineman Pierce Burton; wide receiver/defensive back Noel Grigsby; center Reuben Hasani; cornerback Chris Hill; defensive end/fullback Travis Johnson, a local product out of the San Jose area; offensive lineman Ryan Jones; defensive tackle Anthony Larceval; wide receiver/safety James Orth, whose older brother is planning to transfer into San Jose State from a local JC; offensive lineman Amar Pal; defensive lineman Abasi Salimu; defensive back Jason Simpson; quarterback Dasmen Stewart; kicker Harrison Waid and defensive back Ronnie Yell.
"Travis is an exceptional prospect," Tomey said. "He also has great position flexibility. He also is a very excellent student. He has established himself as one of the fine players in the Bay Area."
40
