Marquis Avery        WR     6-4     205    JR      JC       Anaheim, Calif./Fullerton College

One of the most productive wide receivers in the California Community College system in 2007, Marquis had 60 receptions for 766 yards and seven touchdowns last season for Fullerton College (Coach Gene Murphy). Avery was a 2007 first-team All-Mission Conference who caught 28 passes for 435 yards and seven touchdowns as a freshman. He lettered in football (Coach Tim O’Hara) and basketball at Savanna High in Anaheim, Calif. Avery was a three-time, first-team all-league selection in football. He averaged 9.1 points and 10.9 rebounds a game for the 2004-05 Savanna boys varsity team and had a 21-point, 20-rebound effort in a 2005 win over Anaheim High.

Marquis enjoys writing poetry and won a prize in a 2004 citywide poetry contest. Avery also has performed on stage in Orange County under the stage name, Bishop, as a rap performer. He plans to major in sociology and has an interest in becoming a probation officer or a fire fighter. Marquis was born in Oakland, Calif., on July 9, 1987.

DICK TOMEY: “Marquis was one of the best receivers in the country in 2007. It just didn’t work out that he got everything done in time. He brings an element of toughness to our receiving corps that we really need. 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.”

Pierce Burton         DL      6-7     250    FR      HS      Sacramento, Calif./Rio Americano HS

A two-sport letterwinner during his high school career, Pierce is a candidate for a defensive end position when he joins the Spartans this fall. He was named his team’s Defensive Lineman of the Year for the 2008 Rio Americano High team (Coach Mike Smith) in Sacramento, Calif. Burton helped his team to an 8-3 win-loss record. Currently, a starting forward for the basketball team, he is Rio Americano’s leading scorer and rebounder. As a junior on the basketball team, he made 55 percent of his field goal tries as Rio Americano posted a 22-6 win-loss record.

A one-time Boy Scout, he enjoys sailboat racing. He raced competitively for 12 years out of the Richmond (Calif.) Yacht Club in competitions held on San Francisco Bay. Pierce is considering majoring in business or engineering. He is interested in mentoring young athletes. The native of Sacramento was born on April 10, 1991.

DICK TOMEY: “Pierce is a terrific prospect. He has abilities as an offensive or defensive player. We will start him out on defense, because that is his preference. He is student who has a tremendous work ethic already established in the weight room. We look forward to having him as part of our program.”

Brandon Driver      CB      6-0     185    JR      JC       Baltimore, Md./Santa Rosa College

A 2008 JC GridWire All-America selection, Brandon is rated the #8 community college cornerback nationally by jcfootball.com. Driver was a member of the Santa Rosa College team (Coach Keith Simons) that went to a pair of bowl games. As a sophomore, he was credited with 43 tackles, four pass interceptions and led his team with nine pass breakups. He served his team as a return specialist averaging 15.4 yards per punt return and 24.5 yards per kickoff return.

Brandon is a product of the Baltimore, Md., school system. The two-sport athlete was a point guard on the 2002 Calvert Hall High team. He also attended Blake High in Silver Springs, Md., where he lettered in football and basketball and Parkville (Md.) High where he focused on football. He has an accomplished pair of cousins who still play basketball today. Second cousin Juan Dixon starred at Maryland and is a member of the Washington Wizards. Jermaine Dixon is the younger brother of Juan Dixon and is a guard for the University of Pittsburgh men’s basketball team. Brandon wants to major in kinesiology with an emphasis in sports management. He wants to coach either football or basketball. The Baltimore, Md., native was born on September 9, 1987.

DICK TOMEY: "The more we got to know Brandon, the more impressed we became with his skills as a corner. We are convinced he will be an outstanding corner for us and will be ready to go in the fall."

Reuben Hasani       C        6-3     280    FR      HS      Los Angeles, Calif./Venice HS

A 2007 first-team Los Angeles Times All-City choice, Reuben joins the Spartans this spring as a center prospect. Hasani lettered in football (Coach Angelo Gasca) at Venice High in Los Angeles. Heading into his senior season, he was named one of the top five offensive linemen in the Los Angeles metro area and fulfilled the prediction as a first-team All-Western League and All-City honoree. The two-sport letterwinner also threw the shot put for the track and field team.

Reuben enjoys watching movies and lists Lord of the Rings, Mission Impossible and 300 as three of his favorites. He belonged to Venice High’s Bilingual Business and Finance Academy for two years and also served as a teaching assistant at the 135^th Street Elementary School in Gardena, Calif. while he was a sophomore. He has not declared a major. The native of Los Angeles was born on May 30, 1990.

DICK TOMEY: “Reuben is one of the players who has changed himself dramatically since last fall. He’s in a much better position to compete in the spring than he would have if he came in last fall. At this point, we’re going to start him out at center.”

Chris Hill        CB      5-9     175     FR      HS      Carson, Calif./Carson HS

A 2008 second-team all-city selection for Carson (Calif.) High (Coach Michael Christensen), Chris begins his college career this fall as a cornerback prospect. Hill was a first-team All-Marine League and all-area pick last season who was credited with 13 pass break-ups and three interceptions. He also had three interceptions and was a first-team all-league choice as a junior in 2007. The two-sport letterwinner also is a sprinter and jumper on the track and field team. He was Carson's leadoff runner in the 4x100 meter relay at the California state high school championship meet. As a long jumper, he has a best mark of 23-feet-4. Presently, Chris is a member of the Carson Community Center parks and recreation staff. He plans to major in administration of justice and has an interest in becoming a parole officer. The native of Paramount, Calif., was born on January 5, 1991.

DICK TOMEY: "Chris is an outstanding hitter. He has very advanced cover skills. We're very excited about him. He was coached by the same coach (Coach Caldwell) who coached our Chris Owens (four-year starter) and has a lot of the same characteristics as Chris."

Travis Johnson      DE/FB          6-3     235    FR      HS     San Jose, Calif./The King’s Academy

A two-time All-Central Coast Section and San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro selection, Travis is a defensive end prospect enrolling at San Jose State this fall. Johnson had more than 100 tackles in each of his final two seasons for The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif. (Coach Ron Kellner).  He was one of the top pass rushers in the Northern California high school ranks accumulating 17 his senior season and 21 as a junior for his teams that combined for an 18-4 win-loss record. The 2008 first-team All-Metro pick was his league’s Defensive Most Valuable Player in each of the last two seasons. As a senior, he also was the team’s most effective fullback gaining 593 yards on 61 carries and scoring 12 touchdowns.

The two-sport letterwinner also was a member of the wrestling team. He was sixth in the 189-pound division at the Central Coast Section championships as a sophomore in 2007.  Travis enjoys freshwater fishing in Oregon. The Eagle Scout points to Mel Gibson and Tom Cruise as his favorite actors. Johnson plans to major in kinesiology and is interested in becoming a physical therapist. The San Jose native was born on June 28, 1991.

DICK TOMEY: "Travis is an exceptional prospect. He also has great position flexibility. He has established himself as one of the fine players in the Bay Area. Travis is the finest combination of player and student that we've recruited here in my time (at San Jose State)."

Ryan Jones  OL      6-4     275    FR      HS      San Francisco, Calif./Riordan HS

A 2008 San Francisco Chronicle honorable mention All-Metro choice, Ryan is projected as an offensive line hopeful when he begins his major college career this fall. The first-team All-West Catholic Athletic League pick for Riordan High (Coach Mike Langridge) in San Francisco was his team’s Most Valuable Player in his senior season playing in the offensive and defensive lines. As a defensive lineman, he was credited with 44 tackles and three quarterback sacks.

The three-sport letterwinner is a member of the school’s basketball team and threw the shot put and discus for Riordan’s 2008 track team. Ryan is a member of the school’s African-American Student Union and has contributed more than 200 hours to the American Cancer Society’s annual fund raiser, Relay for Life. His older brother, Rob Jones, is a two-year starting forward for the University of San Diego men’s basketball team. Ryan plans to major in administration of justice and is interested in becoming a police officer. The San Francisco native was born on January 2, 1991.

DICK TOMEY: “Ryan is a young player that has tremendous position flexibility. He played offense and defense. He also plays basketball. When you watch him play basketball, you’re impressed with his athleticism. We believe he is someone who has a tremendous upside, because of his youth. He has a lot of growth potential.”

Anthony Larceval    DT        6-1      265     FR        HS       Spring Valley, Calif./Helix HS

A 2008 first-team Division II all-state selection by CalHiSports, Anthony is a defensive tackle prospect joining the Spartans this fall. Larceval was the 2008 Grossmont League South Division Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-C.I.F. San Diego Section selection in his only season playing in the line for Helix High (Coach Troy Starr). His first two seasons for Helix, he received first-team all-league honors playing linebacker. On offense, he was an offensive lineman for his junior and senior seasons. Interested in pursuing a college coaching career, he has been an assistant coach in his local Pop Warner Football League assisting 10-to-12 year-olds learn the game. The native of San Diego, Calif., was born on November 29, 1990.

DICK TOMEY: “Anthony was a very versatile player in high school. He played linebacker, offensive line and defensive line. He was a highly decorated player in San Diego. He comes from a great league and is somebody we are very excited about.”

Lamon Muldrow     RB      5-9     210    JR      JC       Pittsburg, Calif./Sierra College

A unanimous 2008 California Community College All-America selection and the leading scorer in the 119-school system each of the last two seasons, Lamon is a running back prospect joining the Spartans this spring. The two-time All-America played for Sierra College and was rated as the number-three community college running back prospect nationally. He rushed for 2,915 yards and 44 touchdowns in regular-season competition.  Sierra College won 18 of 22 games and made two bowl appearances in which he ran for 345 more yards and scored two touchdowns.

Muldrow rushed 281 times for 1,227 yards and scored 25 of his 26 touchdowns carrying the football for Sierra College in 2008. He added a 31-carry, 147-yard, two-touchdown effort in the 2008 Bank Bowl. As a freshman, Muldrow led all California Community College players in rushing yards per game in the regular season with 1,688 yards on 305 carries and scored 19 touchdowns.

The graduate of Cordova High in Rancho Cordova, Calif., lettered in football (Coach Max Miller), track and field and wrestling. He carried the ball 296 times gaining 2,303 yards and scored 28 touchdowns as a high school senior. Lamon plans to major in psychology. The native of Pittsburg, Calif., was born on May 7, 1989.

DICK TOMEY: “’Mojo’ brings a toughness, durability, consistency and slashing style of running that was extremely appealing to us. The last two years, he was as good as anybody in the state JC system. He carried the ball more than 600 times and made tough yard after tough yard. He’s an outstanding person who will make us better on the practice field and in games. We’re looking forward to him being our program this spring (2009).”

James Orth    WR/S  6-2     190     FR      HS    Modesto, Calif./Modesto Central Catholic HS

A 2008 first-team all-state utility player for small schools, James played wide receiver, defensive back and was a return specialist for Central Catholic High in Modesto, Calif. (Coach Roger Canepa). As a senior, Orth led his team in scoring with 14 touchdowns, caught 48 passes for 805 yards and nine touchdowns, averaged 6.3 yards per carry and 36.0 yards per kickoff return. On defense, he was credited with 53 tackles and came up with five interceptions in 2008. He was named the Western Athletic League Offensive Most Valuable Player a year ago. Helping his team post a 22-4-1 win-loss record in his two varsity seasons, he averaged 16.7 yards per carry, caught 27 passes for 503 yards and four touchdowns and intercepted four passes as a junior.

The three-sport letterwinner was an honorable mention all-league basketball player in 2008 and plans to compete as a sprinter and hurdler for the track team for the third year in a row. His older brother, Jacob, was an offensive lineman at the College of San Mateo in 2008 and plans to join the San Jose State team for the 2009 season. James has plans to major in kinesiology. The native of Modesto was born on July 5, 1990.

Amar Pal      OL      6-4     275    FR      HS      Santa Monica, Calif./Santa Monica HS

A 2008 All-C.I.F. Southern Section Western Division first-team offensive lineman, Amar is slated for duty in the offensive line when he joins the Spartans this fall. Pal was a two-time All-Ocean league selection who was a first-team pick for Santa Monica (Calif.) High (Coach Zach Cuda) his senior season. As a defensive lineman, he was credited with 21 tackles, three quarterback sacks and a pass interception his senior season as Santa Monica finished with an 8-3 win-loss record. Amar is the first player in 12 years with family ties to the Fiji Islands to join the San Jose State team. The native of Culver City, Calif., was born on April 10, 1991.

DICK TOMEY: “Amar Pal did not come off the field for Santa Monica High School. He is a long snapper. He has a lot of position flexibility. The fact that he is a long snapper is a bonus. We’re excited that Amar will be with us in the fall.”

Abasi Salimu          DE      6-5     245    FR      HS      Los Angeles, Calif./Crenshaw HS

A 2007 second-team Los Angeles Times All-City selection, Abasi joins the Spartans as a defensive end hopeful this spring. Salimu was credited with eight sacks his senior season. He was a two-sport letterwinner in football (Coach Robert Garrett) and track and field at Crenshaw High in Los Angeles. Salimu was a long jumper and triple jumper on the track and field team. While at Crenshaw, Abasi was a four-year member of Volunteers of America Upward bound. He plans to major in electrical engineering. In Swahili, his first name means “Stern.” The native of Newark, N.J., was born on April 14, 1990.

DICK TOMEY: “Abasi, in our mind, was under the radar last year. He was a young football player that had not played a lot. He grayshirted this fall and did not play. When he showed up, he had changed physically in a dramatic way. He gained close to 50 pounds. He was a player who really benefited from taking the time to lift weights and work hard. He has a tremendous frame and we’re looking forward to having him on our team.”

Jason Simpson                DB      6-0     200    FR      HS      Redwood City, Calif./Woodside HS

A two-time first-team all-county selection and San Francisco Chronicle honorable mention All-Metro choice, Jason is a defensive back hopeful coming to San Jose State in the fall. Simpson was a versatile player at Woodside (Calif.) High (Coach Steve Nicolopoulos) serving his team as a linebacker, running back, cornerback, safety, punter and return specialist. As a senior, he gained 912 yards on 157 carries and scored nine times. Adding in three touchdown catches and a pair of kickoff returns for scores, Simpson scored 14 touchdowns en route to his league’s Offensive Player of the Year honors.

As a junior, he was a first-team all-league pick and the Special Teams Player of the Year recognition. At Woodside High, Jason was a member of the school’s mentoring program, Students Offering Support and the State School Ambassadors program. Simpson enjoys watching movies and lists Friday Night Lights, The Matrix and Cool Running as thee of his favorites. He is deciding between being a communications or a business major. Simpson is interested in following the family footsteps by the entering the restaurant industry. The native of Kingston, Jamaica, was born on October 18, 1991.

DICK TOMEY: “Jason was an outstanding offensive player as a running back. He’s a very hard-working, self-reliant student. He reminds us some of Duke (Ihenacho, a 2008 first-team All-WAC linebacker). He can play rover or bandit. Jason has good feet and can hit you. We’re real excited about him.”

Dasmen Stewart    QB      6-4     205    FR      HS      Oxnard, Calif./Oxnard HS

A dual-threat quarterback, Dasmen joins the Spartans this fall. Stewart is enrolled at Oxnard (Calif.) High (Coach Mark Beckham) and accounted for 4,697 yards in total offense during his two-plus seasons as a starter. As a signal caller, he passed for 2,223 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushed for 1,609 yards for a 8.0 average and scored 17 rushing touchdowns. Seven times in his junior and senior seasons combined, he rushed for over 100 yards in a game. Stewart was the Pacific View League Offensive Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008, a first-team All-C.I.F. Southern Section choice as a senior and a two-time second-team all-county selection.

In his spare time, he is learning to play the piano. Stewart also is a member of Young Athletes for Christ. He plans to major in kinesiology and would like to pursue a college football coaching career. His first name is a derivative of the first letter in the family name, David Anthony Stewart – the name of his dad, brother and grandfather. The native of Oxnard was born on October 17, 1991.

DICK TOMEY: "The more we watched Dasmen, the more impressive he became. His team was one of the top teams in his area. He operated in an option offense that highlighted his throwing and running skills. There's no question about his physical ability and his leadership ability. We look forward to watching him develop and grow in our offense."

Harrison Waid                  K        6-1     175    FR      HS      Sunnyvale, Calif./Fremont HS

A placekicking prospect, Harrison lettered in both football (Coach Ron DeMonner) and soccer at Fremont High in Sunnyvale, Calif. Waid (pronounced WADE) was both a kicker and punter his senior season. He was 10-of-13 in field goal kicking with a school-record 51-yard conversion. Waid was 24-of-25 in PAT attempts and placed 34 of his 45 kickoffs in the end zone for touchbacks. As a punter, he boasted a 45.2 average. During his high school career, he made his only opportunity for a game-winning field goal by making a 44-yard try. At Fremont High, he is in his second year on the Roller Hockey Club. Waid is interested in pursuing a sports broadcasting career. Harrison hopes to major either in broadcast journalism or communications. The native of Huntsville, Ala., was born on June 12, 1991.

DICK TOMEY: “As we looked at all the kickers that were available, particularly in Northern California, we thought that Harrison was the best available. He went to the Chris Sailer school (of kicking) as did Jared Strubeck (San Jose State’s kicker the last four seasons). We feel he has a chance to come in and compete for a spot at both positions next year.”

Ronnie Yell            DB      5-9     165    FR      HS      San Diego, Calif./Lincoln HS

A second-team All-C.I.F. San Diego Section pick in 2008, Ronnie joins the Spartans this fall as a defensive back prospect. A quarterback for Lincoln High in San Diego, Calif. (Coach Ron Hamamoto), Yell also was a first-team all-league defensive back his senior season. As a junior, he was a second-team all-league quarterback. The three-sport letterwinner was a guard who led his team in assists in 2008 and a sprinter on the track and field team.

Ronnie enjoys going to the movies and lists “Taken” and “Lovin Basketball” as two of his recent favorites. Currently, he is in his second year as the associated Student Body’s activities commissioner. Yell plans to major in kinesiology and hopes to pursue an athletic training career. His great grandfather, Bobo Henderson was an outfielder for the Kansas Monarchs of the Negro Baseball League. A Los Angeles native, Ronnie was born on April 15, 1991.

DICK TOMEY: “Ronnie is as impressive a young man as I’ve been around. He was a quarterback and defensive back in high school. He’s an outstanding student and has a tremendous way about him. He was an outstanding player in San Diego high school circles. He’s very fast and very athletic and is somebody we are very pleased to have on our team.”