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.