February 1, 1995

BEARS FILL NEEDS IN SOLID RECRUITING EFFORT

Head coach Keith Gilbertson announced today the signing of 18 new players
to national letters-of-intent. Included in the group are 16 high school
players and a pair of junior college prospects.

The Bears had a limited number of scholarships available in 1995, thanks
to the return of 50 lettermen and 24 redshirts from last year's team.
Consequently, the Cal coaching staff concentrated on filling specific
needs. With linebacker, cornerback, tailback and placekicking high on the
priority list, the Bears came away with an impressive group in those areas.

"We did exactly what we set out to do," said Gilbertson. "We focused in
on some specific areas and are very pleased with the players who signed
with us. Linebacker was a huge deal for us and we got what we feel will
be three great players. We signed the top two cornerbacks on our list.
The pair of tailbacks on the list have unlimited potential and we got a
kicker who has the type of leg that can have an immediate impact."

The Bears feel like they have a prototype of graduating senior linebacker
Jerrott Willard in local product Nate Geldermann (6-1, 235) out of De La
Salle HS. A player who lives and breathes football, Geldermann is likened
to Willard in his ability to move all over the football field making
tackles from sideline to sideline. The East Bay Player of the Year is
used to winning, having played a huge role in De La Salle's current
39-game winning streak that dates back to his sophomore year at the
school.

"This guy has a chance to follow in Willard's footsteps and be a major
cog in our defense for years to come," said Gilbertson. "He's got
everything you want in an inside linebacker."

Geldermann is joined by a pair of equally talented duo of linebackers,
both with superior size in Matt Beck (6-4, 220) and Sekou Sanyika
(6-4, 215). Beck was a second team all-state selection out of Nevada
Union HS who attracted a lot of recruiting attention after compiling
85 unassisted  tackles in 13 games last fall. Not only does he have the
frame to be a 235-pound linebacker, but the coaches also like his
toughness and eye-catching 4.6 speed. Sanyika was lesser known as he
played at a small academic-oriented school in Monterey, but has the
potential to develop into a blue-chip collegian. He has excellent
agility and athletic ability to go along with his great size. While Beck
will likely end up on the inside, Sanyika is projected as an outside
linebacker.

"These three linebackers were at the top of our lists when we started
the recruiting process last November and getting all three is a major
accomplishment for us," said Gilbertson.

The haul at the secondary positions was no less pleasing to the Cal head
coach with the inking of two top coverage cornerbacks and a safety with
sensational size to go along with fine speed.

The cornerbacks are first team all-state performer Derrick Gardner
(5-11, 180) from Oakland's Skyline HS and Don Lonon (6-0, 180) from
Long Beach Poly HS. Both are regarded as excellent man-to-man coverage
players and figure to contend for starting spots early in their careers.
Gardner only gave up one reception all season long last fall, and that
one was for a five-yard loss. He had a lot of schools battling for his
services, including Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State and San Diego State.
Lonon was also hotly recruited, turning down offers from Arizona and
Oregon. The Cal coaches listed him and Gardner as the top cornerback
prospects in the state of California.

Cal landed a big-time safety prospect in Pete Destefano (6-3, 205) out
of San Jose's Archbishop Mitty HS. Destefano not only has great size,
but isn't afraid to come up and lay the pads on somebody. A versatile
athlete with 4.56 speed, Destefano played virtually every position on
the field last season.

The Bears also landed some marquis names at the tailback position in
Bakersfield superstar Steve Wofford (5-10, 180) and Deltha O'Neill
(5-11, 180), considered the best running back in Northern California.

Wofford, a Parade All-American, was one of the most productive running
backs the state of California has ever produced. He rushed for 7,100
yards in his storied prep career at Bakersfield HS and broke Russell
White's state record with 107 career touchdowns, the first prep in
California ever to score 100 or more TDs in a career. In fact, it was
White's academic success at Cal which convinced this standout to choose
to attend school in Berkeley. With 4.35 speed, Wofford can run with the
fleetest players in all of college football and will have an opportunity
to show his skills early in his college career.

O'Neill may not have the same credentials as Wofford, but he certainly
has the same type of potential with his similar 4.35 speed. A slasher
with break-away abilities, O'Neill ran for over 1300 yards last season,
despite being bothered by a sprained ankle and missing a pair of games.
He also could have an immediate impact as a return specialist as he
returned four punts or kickoffs all the way for touchdowns his senior
year.

If there was one area that needed some attention for the Bears during
the off-season, it was placekicking and the coaches feel good about
signing first team all-state performer Ignacio Brache (5-10, 170) out
of Village Christian HS in Sun Valley. Talk about a major league leg,
Brache had six different field goals of 54 or more yards, including a
60-yarder last fall. He doubles as a top punting prospect as well, but
will get his first opportunity to contribute at Cal with his placekicking
talents.

Cal turned to the "sleeper" category when they signed Mike Murphy
(6-5, 215) out of Santa Cruz county. The Bears started talking to Murphy
in mid-January after reviewing films of his talent and were shocked to
learn that he wasn't being recruited by many major schools. The Aptos HS
product has great size and reminds Gilbertson of one of his former pupils
at Idaho John Friesz in terms of pure arm strength. Murphy didn't get
much of an opportunity to show his wares last season playing in a Wing T
offense, but he has all the potential of another under-recruited and
under-publicized Aptos HS graduate in Trent Dilfer, who went on to become
a NFL No. 1 draft choice.

With an abundance of young linemen on scholarship already in the program,
Cal was very selective in signing line prospects this year. However,
the coaches believe they have a trio of good ones in offensive lineman
John Romero (6-3, 275), defensive tackle John Dyer (6-4, 235) and Jerry
DeLoach (6-4, 250), who can play on either side of the ball.

Romero, from nearby St. Mary's HS, was one of the first players to commit
to Cal in early December as his agility combined with fine size made him
a major signing priority. Dyer was overlooked by most schools because of
his size, but the Cal coaches believe he'll be 250 pounds by the time he
enrolls next fall with potential for much greater growth and liked his
fundamentals and intensity. DeLoach's recruiting stock continued to rise
after a fine senior season as he continued to grow bigger and people
began to realize his vast potential. 

Cal signed a top fullback prospect in Josh Del Prado (6-1, 225) out of
Antioch HS. Del Prado is a rugged runner with excellent hands and seems
to have the maturity to be an early contributor. A three-year starter
at Antioch, he has more than adequate speed with a 4.65 clocking in the 40.

Another prospect who could end up at either safety or fullback is
standout prep running back Petros Papadakis (6-2, 200). One of the
leading rushers in the state last year who gained over 2000 yards, he
has the type of size and athletic ability that could make him a natural
at safety along with the natural running skills that could also get him
a look at fullback. He turned down a late offer from undefeated Penn
State to sign with the Bears.

The Bears dipped into the junior college ranks for a pair of players,
including first team JC All-America receiver Brian Comer (5-11, 185).
Comer had a prolific career at Los Angeles Valley College, where he
grabbed 139 catches for 2656 yards and 26 TDs over the last two seasons.
A player with great hands, he led the entire state with an average of
155 yards per game last fall. Already enrolled in school, he'll have
the benefit of spring practice and will contend for playing time
immediately next year.

The other JC newcomer, who will arrive in the fall, is fullback Brent
Malili (6-1, 230) from Mt. Sac JC. The Samoa native is a rugged, physical
specimen who has excellent hands and is expected to bid for starting
duties this fall.  

In reviewing the group of 18 recruits, Gilbertson clearly was pleased.
"We may not have gotten as many big names as we have the last few years,
but we had some different needs this year," he said. "I'm not sure the
so-called experts will call this a banner year, but I can tell you that
we feel strongly about it. When somebody comes back three or four years
from now, I think they're going to feel like we had a great recruiting
class in 1995."


1995 CALIFORNIA FOOTBALL RECRUITS

HIGH SCHOOL		POS		HT	WT	HOMETOWN
Matt BECK		LB		6-4	220	Grass Valley
Ignacio BRACHE		PK		5-10	170	Sun Valley
Jerry DE LOACH		DL/OL		6-4	250	Elk Grove
Josh DEL PRADO		FB		6-1	225	Antioch
Peter DESTEFANO		SAF		6-3	205	San Jose
John DYER		DL		6-4	235	Bellflower
Derrick GARDNER		DB		5-11	180	Oakland
Nate GELDERMANN		LB		6-1	235	San Ramon
Don LONON		DB		6-0	180	Long Beach
Mike MURPHY		QB		6-5	215	Corralltos
Deltha O'NEILL		TB		5-11	180	Milpitas
Petros PAPADAKIS	SAF/FB		6-2	200	Palos Verdes
John ROMERO		OL		6-3	275	Oakland
Sekou SANYIKA		LB		6-4	215	Hercules
Brian STUMPF		WR		6-2	170	Arcata
Steve WOFFORD		TB		5-10	180	Bakersfield

JUNIOR COLLEGE
Brian COMER		WR		5-11	185	Westlake
Brent MALILI		FB		6-1	230	Bellflower


High School Profiles

Matt BECK		LB	6-4	220
Grass Valley (Nevada Union HS)
One of the most impressive linebacker prospects on the West Coast...has
great size and the frame which will allow him to carry 235 pounds in the
next few years...also has been timed in 4.64 in the 40...coaches like his
toughness and ability to stuff the run...earned second team all-state
honors by Student Sports magazine...earned first team All-Metro and was
the Catholic Athletic League Defensive MVP...first team All-Nor Cal...
registered 136 tackles, including 85 solos, in 13 games...had 5 sacks,
2 fumble recoveries, 1 blocked punt on the season...also played running
back on offense and gained 371 yards on 47 attempts (7.9 average)
including a long of 71 yards...played at the same school as former Cal
center Steve Gordon (1988-91)...was a high hurdler on his prep track
team and was a starter on prep basketball team...chose Cal over UCLA,
Colorado, Washington State and Oregon.

Ignacio BRACHE		PK/P	5-10	170
Sun Valley (Village Christian HS)
A raw talent with an explosive leg...had an incredible prep career with
field goals from 60, 59, 56, 55, 55, 54 and 49 yards last season...set
a new state record with 16 field goals (tying Chris Sailer) and his
shortest miss all season was from 40 yards away...was 75 of 77 on PATs
during his career and put 79 of his 86 career kickoffs into the endzone...
played at a small school and didn't attract a lot of prep honors, but the
Cal coaches took one look at film highlights and offered him a
scholarship...also was a superior punter as a prep earning first team
all-state honors by Student Sports magazine after averaging over 42 yards
a punt last fall.

Jerry DE LOACH		OL	6-4	250
Elk Grove (Valley HS)
A emerging talent with great growth potential...coaches like his athletic
ability, indicating he could  wind up on the defensive line...following
in the footsteps of his uncle Ralph who played defensive tackle for the
Bears from 1976 to '78...chose Cal over Colorado State and UCLA.
		
Josh DEL PRADO		FB	6-1	225
Antioch (Antioch HS)
A player who the Cal coaches have kept an eye on since his sophomore
year...a tough, physical runner with excellent speed...has shown the
ability to catch the ball out of the backfield as well...rushed for 1700
yards on 244 carries during his 3 years as a starter at Antioch...earned
second team Bay Valley Athletic League honors as a fullback his senior
year...also played inside linebacker on defense...extremely strong player
who has a best in the bench press of 390 pounds and squats 450 pounds...
chose Cal over Arizona and UCLA...parents are John and Barbara Del Prado...
born October 6, 1976 in Walnut Creek, CA.

Peter DESTEFANO		SAF	6-3	205
San Jose (Archbishop Mitty HS)
A versatile athlete who may emerge as a blue-chip safety before his
college career is finished...played wide receiver, linebacker, defensive
back, running back and quarterback as a prep...clocks a 4.56 time in the
40...earned honorable mention all-state honors as named by Student Sports
magazine...A Blue Chip Illustrated All-America selection as the No. 10
ranked defensive back in the West...earned first team All-Bay Area, as
named by the San Francisco Examiner...also was first team WCAL and Central
Coast Section as a defensive back...led team with 101 tackles and 5
interceptions as a senior...also accounted for 1640 yards rushing and
receiving on offense...set a school record with 20 career interceptions...
grabbed 10 interceptions as a sophomore in '92, another school record...
committed to Cal in early December, canceling trips to UCLA, Utah and Air
Force...a standout catcher on prep baseball team and plans to play on
Cal's baseball team...hit .363 as a junior, earning team MVP honors...
father, Dennis, played football at San Jose State...born April 16, 1976
in Redwood City, CA.

John DYER		DL	6-4	235
Bellflower (St. Paul HS)
A sleeper with a load of potential...should grow dramatically over the
next few years and could play in the 265-pound range in the next two
years...noted for his solid fundamentals and intense style of play...was
a first team All-CIF (Div. 1) selection...had several impressive games,
including a stellar outing vs. No. 1 ranked Bishop Amat when he had 15
tackles, including 3 behind the line of scrimmage against prep All-America
running back Daylon McCutcheon...didn't attract a lot of recruiting
attention, choosing Cal over Villanova...comes from a multi-cultural
background as his mother is from the Philippines and his father is from
Central America.

Derrick GARDNER		DB	5-11	180
Oakland (Skyline HS)
A first team all-state defensive back with a load of potential...has
excellent coverage skills and a physical style of play...suffered a
slight shoulder separation in the first game of the season, but still
managed a terrific senior year...opponent receivers managed only once
reception against him all season as a senior, and that was for a 5-yard
loss...had 3 interceptions and caused 2 fumbles as a senior while helping
Skyline to a 9-3 record and the OAL title...was also the second leading
rusher in the OAL as a tailback on offense...earned 6 votes on the
prestigious Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West poll...a member of
the SuperPrep All-Far West team as the No. 57 prospect in the region...a
member of the Tacoma News-Tribune Western Top 100 list...choose Cal over
Arizona, Colorado, Arizona State, San Diego State and Utah.

Nate GELDERMANN		LB	6-1	235
San Ramon (De La Salle HS)
First team all-state selection...The East Bay Player of the Year
according to the Alameda Newspaper Group...earned Blue Chip Illustrated
All-West Region honors...a member of the SuperPrep All-Far West team as
the No. 31 prospect in the region...a member of the Tacoma News-Tribune
Western Top 100 list...earned 2 votes on the Long Beach Press-Telegram
Best in the West poll...led De La Salle to an undefeated 11-0 season and
the No. 1 ranking in the state...coaches liken him to Cal All-America
linebacker Jerrott Willard due to his inspirational style of play and his
ability to run all over the field making plays...registered 109 solo
tackles, 32 assists and 11 sacks his senior season...one of only 2 players
(along with Mike Bastianelli) to play in every one of De La Salle's
current 39-game winning streak...has only played football since sophomore
year in high school and has developed quickly...has good strength with a
320-pound bench press and a squat over 500 pounds...choose Cal after
considering offers from Oregon and Arizona...has a twin brother, Jason,
who is slated to play for San Jose State next fall.
 
Don LONON		DB	6-0	180
Long Beach (Long Beach Poly
A talented coverage cornerback who is noted for his advanced technique
and fine speed...comes from a superior Long Beach Poly prep program and
didn't emerge as a major college prospect until his senior season...led
team with 9 pass deflections last season to go along with 33 tackles...
also returned a punt for a touchdown and blocked another punt...earned
first team South Coast League honors...recruited by Arizona and Oregon
before choosing Cal.

Mike MURPHY		QB	6-5	215
Corralltos (Aptos HS)
A quarterback prospect with a major league arm...reminds Keith Gilbertson
of John Friesz with his arm strength but with much better mobility...runs
a 4.9 time in the 40...didn't attract much recruiting attention as he
played in a Wing-T offense that rarely passed the football...comes from
the same high school as NFL No. 1 draft choice Trent Dilfer (Tampa Bay
Bucs) and, like Dilfer, did not earn all-league honors as a senior due
to playing in a running offense...completed 63 of 135 passes for 798 yards
and 8 touchdowns with just 3 interceptions...the Cal coaches were shocked
that he was virtually ignored in the recruiting wars, committing to Cal
in late January after having offers from Nevada-Reno and Wyoming...also a
standout third baseman/pitcher for his prep team, hitting .325 as a and
having a 5-4 pitching record with a 3.71 ERA.

Deltha O'NEILL		TB	5-11	180
Milpitas (Milpitas HS)
Comes to Cal after a spectacular prep career at Milpitas HS...rushed for
1301 yards as a senior, despite a late-season ankle injury which caused
him to miss a pair of games...had 14 rushing touchdowns and one receiving
TD last year...also was a dangerous return man with 4 TDs returning punts
and kickoffs...also was a standout defensive back with 60 tackles, 6
interceptions (one which he returned for a TD) and a fumble recovery and
some schools recruited him as a DB...earned Blue Chip Illustrated All-
America honors as the No. 10 ranked DB in the West...was a second team
all-state selection as a multi-purpose player by Student Sports
magazine...a member of the Tacoma News-Tribune Western Top 100 list...
earned 3 votes in the prestigious Best in the West poll by the Long Beach
Press-Telegram...holds Milpitas school records for most yards rushed in a
game, season and career...prep teammates Clif Scott and David Burnside
are freshmen at Cal this year...recruited by Nebraska, Washington, Oregon
and Arizona before choosing Cal...lists Deion Sanders as his favorite
athlete...has an interest in majoring in psychology at Cal.

Petros PAPADAKIS	SAF/FB	6-2	200
Palos Verdes (Peninsula HS)
An accomplished prep tailback who likely will move to safety in
college...coaches like his size and athletic ability...finished '94 as
the state's No. 14 rusher with 2017 yards on 217 carries (a 9.3 ypc
average) in 13 games...named the Offensive Player of the League in the
South Bay League and was the South Bay Daily Breeze Player of the Year
in that area...was an honorable mention all-state selection...considered
USC, where his brother Taso is on football scholarship, and Penn State
before choosing Cal.

John ROMERO		OL	6-3	275
Oakland (St. Mary's HS)
A first team East Bay selection who was honored as the Alameda-Contra
Costa Athletic League (ACCAL) Lineman of the Year...earned Blue Chip
Illustrated All-America honors as the No. 10 ranked offensive lineman in
the West...a member of the SuperPrep All-Far West team as the No. 67
prospect in the region...a member of the Tacoma News-Tribune Western Top
100 list...likely will play guard or center at Cal...has excellent size
and growth potential to go along with superior agility...could even play
on defense with his type of athletic ability...led St. Mary's HS to a 9-2
record and the ACCAL title his senior year...volunteered in the Big
Brothers program in high school...chose Cal over Washington State, San
Diego State and Fresno State...born Oct. 3, 1976 in San Leandro, CA.

Sekou SANYIKA		LB	6-3	215
Hercules (R.L. Stevenson HS)
A top priority for the Cal recruiting staff this season because of his
fine size and athletic ability...a big-play performer who likely will
play on the outside at Cal...first impressed the Cal coaches during the
school's summer prep camp last June...was wooed by most of the Pac-10
schools, with particular interest from Oregon, before choosing Cal.

Brian STUMPF		WR	6-2	170
Arcata (Arcata HS)
A rangy receiver who could emerge as a major talent once he physically
matures...has good wheels and catches everything in sight...was one of
the leading receivers in the state last fall with 58 catches for 1039
yards in 9 games...best game was 13 catches for 213 yards against Fortuna
HS...earned first team all-state honors for medium schools...chose Cal
after considering Oregon.

Steve WOFFORD		TB	5-10	180
Bakersfield (Bakersfield HS)
One of the top handful of running backs in the country...comes to Cal
with auspicious credentials and unparalleled speed...earned Parade All-
America honors...broke former Cal All-American Russell White's state prep
record with 107 touchdowns, the first California prep ever to score 100
or more TDs in a career...has been timed in 4.35 in the 40...had a fine
senior season in which he led the state by rushing for 2761 yards (on
275 carries) and scored 43 touchdowns, averaging 10.5 yards while leading
Bakersfield to a 13-1 record and the Central Section championship...
rushed for 388 yards against Clovis HS and had 302 yards against Visalia's
Golden West HS...scored 8 touchdowns in game vs. East Bakersfield HS...
finished his prep career with exactly 7,100 yards and 107 touchdowns...
rated by Blue Chip Illustrated magazine as one of the top 10 running
backs in the country, earning a place on their All-America Dream Team...
earned first team all-state honors as named by Student Sports magazine...
a member of the prestigious Long Beach Press-Telegram Best In The West
team with 7 votes...a member of the Tacoma News-Tribune Western Top 100
list...also was a member of the SuperPrep All-Far West Team as the 89th
ranked player in the region...chose Cal over USC and Washington.

Junior College Profiles

Brian COMER		WR	5-11	185
Westlake (L.A. Valley JC)
Put up impressive numbers the last 2 seasons at Los Angeles Valley
College, where he had 139 receptions for 2656 yards and 26 TDs...Led
the state last year with a 155 receiving yards per game average, catching
81 passes for 1752 yards and 15 TDs...earned first team JC Gridwire
All-America honors...also was a first team all-state selection...was
listed as the No. 15 JC prospect in the country by SuperPrep magazine...
caught 3 fourth quarter TD passes as a freshman at Valley in the Western
States Bowl to overcome Moorpark JC 21-19...originally attended
Chatsworth HS where he played quarterback and earned first team all-
city and first team West Valley League honors...attended San Diego State
for one season and redshirted before attending L.A. Valley...his QB
teammate at LA Valley, Jim Arellanes, signed with Fresno State and could
play against the Bears next September...father, Gary, ran track for USC
with a best of 46.6 in the 400 meters....chose Cal over Purdue, Wyoming
and Nevada-Las Vegas...born Sept. 20, 1973 in Westlake, CA.

Brent MALILI		FB	6-1	230
Bellflower (Mt. San Antonio JC)
A muscular fullback with excellent blocking skills and the ability to
catch the ball out of the backfield...will arrive in the fall with the
expectation of making a strong bid for starting duties...a late addition
to the Cal recruiting list after his junior college units were ruled
transferable...originally attended Paramount HS in the Los Angeles area.