49ER FOOTBALL RECRUITS : Beaming at the Beach

Cal State Long Beach football fans are excited about the team’s chances this fall after the banner recruiting success of rookie coach Mike Sheppard (drawn above). The 49ers picked up several top area players, plus a variety of sought-after athletes from around Southern California. Here’s a rundown of the new recruits and their prospects for the upcoming season. William Amelong (6-2, 219, Wilson HS) Linebacker

One of three linebackers recruited by the 49ers. A resident of Los Angeles. Attended Wilson on special transfer. A Times all-South Coast choice. Also Moore League defensive back of the year. Earned all-Southern Section honors. Richard Barrios (6-2, 236, St. Paul HS) Offensive Line

A Whittier resident and three-year letterman as a Warrior. Times all-Southeast and all-Catholic Athlete selections. Team captain. Spencer Battle (6-4, 279, Monterey. Pen. JC) Offensive Tackle.

An honorable mention JC all-American An all-Coast Conference first team selection. Was the team captain last year. Attended Seaside High School. Roger Beavers (6-2, 186, Porterville JC) Defensive Back

An all-America choice at Porterville. An all-Central Valley first team selection. League most valuable player. Also played basketball. A resident of Pixley. Bob Brandt (6-7, 290, Sacramento CC) Offensive Line.

All-Camino Norte League first team choice. Was chosen Sacramento’s most improved player. A resident of Oakland. Kurt Brown (6-2, 203, Glendora HS) Linebacker

First team all-Baseline League honors. Second team all-San Gabriel Valley and all-Southern Section choice in both junior and senior years. Earned school letters in baseball three consecutive seasons and two in football. Brian Browning (5-9, 160, Inglwood HS) Running Back

Inglewood High School most valuable player last season. Earned all-Ocean League first team honors. A Times all-South Bay first team area choice. Lettered twice in football, once in track and three times in basketball. Darryl Carter (6-4, 218, Merritt JC) Tight End

One of two Merritt JC products to play football at Cal State Long Beach. “Has good size as a tight end,” says the 49er staff. Earned all-league honors in both high school and JC. A resident of Oakland. Lawrence Crayton (6-1, 178, Santa Monica HS) Defensive Back

Earned two football letters as a prep. An all-Bay League first team choice. Earned all-Bay, all-Westside first team honors. Chosen all-Westside defensive back of the year. Team captain and most valuable player as a senior. Stanley Davis (5-9. 150, Inglewood HS) Defensive Back

A two-year letterman in high school. Also lettered in track three times. Earned all-Ocean League honors in football. Was team’s most valuable defensive back. Received national honors in track. Val James (6-0, 183, San Jose CC) Defensive Back

A native of Sacramento. Lettered both years at San Jose CC. A JC all-American. An all-Golden Gate Conference choice. Made seven interceptions, including three in Bay Bowl game. Steven Jenkins (6-4, 264 Saugus HS) Defensive Line

A dual athlete at Saugus High. Lettered four years in football and three in track. A second team all-Golden League selection. Cousin of Chip Banks of the Cleveland Browns and Alfred Jenkins of the Atlanta Falcons. Wesley Jones (6-3, 230 JW North HS) Defensive line

A two-way player. Made first team all-Ivy League on both offense and defense. An all-Riverside County defensive tackle. Also a Southern Section heavyweight wrestling champion as a junior. Earned all-league and all-county honors as a wrestler. Gene Lemmers (6-1, 205, S.J. Bosco) Linebacker/Punter

Recruited for ability to kick as well as play linebacker. An all-Southern Section choice. Also a Times all-South Coast choice. Averaged 41.9 yards per punt. Hit on 13 of 17 field goal attempts, including seven from 40 yards or more. A resident of Long Beach. David McKinnon (6-5, 283, Fullerton HS) Offensive Line

A quick offensive lineman on a high school team which won the Southern Section Central Conference title. An all-Freeway League selection. Tony Necoechea (6-1, 180 Grossmont JC) Wide Receiver.

Also a snapper on punts. Chosen as Grossmont’s most inspirational player. Had 35 receptions for 539 yards and three touchdowns. Will be primarily used for snapping on punts. Michael Roberts (5-9, 165, Poly HS) Wide Receiver

An explosive wide receiver. Also doubled as a runningback in high school. Averaged 12.8 yards a carry. Earned all-Big Five Conference honors. Jeff Scherer (6-3, 265, Fullerton JC) Offensive Line

City of Orange resident was chosen the most outstanding lineman at Fullerton JC. Earned all-Pac 9 Conference honors. Attended Servite High, where he was a member of that school’s 1982 Big Five Conference championship team. Marc Tourville (6-1, 173, Montgomery HS) Defensive Back

An all-Empire League (Santa Rosa) selection. The team captain. Also played basketball, where he was named to several all-tournament teams. Lettered three times in football and track and two seasons in basketball. Nathan Venson (5-11, 206, Poly HS) Wide Receiver

One of two signees from Poly High School. Earned all-Moore League and all-Long Beach honors. Was chosen team’s most inspirational player. Had 32 receptions for 897 yards and eight TD. Derek Washington (6-2, 173, Inglewood HS) “Athlete”

Recruited as a man for all seasons. Tabbed by 49er head coach Mike Sheppard as “The Athlete” for his ability “to play anywhere on the field.” Was a split end in high school. Earned all-Ocean League honors. Lettered in basketball once and volleyball three times. Was voted most improved player on school’s basketball team and most valuable as a volleyball player. Rodney Watson (6-3, 280, Merritt JC) Defensive Tackle

An all-Camino Norte Conference first team choice. One of two players from Merritt JC to choose CSU Long Beach. An Oakland resident. Brian Wiss (6-3, 206, San Gorgonio HS) Tight End

An all-Southern Section choice. Earned all-Citrus League first team honors. Was team most valuable player. Lettered twice in football and basketball and three times in baseball.