SDSU Looks to Sign Experienced Players
Experience was a factor when San Diego State won the Western Athletic Conference football championship in 1986. But lack of experience could be a factor in 1987 because the Aztecs lose six senior starters on both offense and defense.
Hoping to make up for those losses, SDSU is expected to sign at least 18 community college transfers when players begin signing letters of intent today.
The Aztecs’ most pressing needs are at wide receiver, running back, defensive line and linebacker. They are expected to sign five community college wide receivers, three running backs, two defensive linemen and two linebackers.
The receivers are Mike Broome (Chabot), 30 receptions and 7 touchdowns; Robert Claiborne (Southwestern), 62 receptions and 7 touchdowns; DeAngelo Mitchell, (San Diego Mesa), 70 receptions and 14 touchdowns; Tony Nettles (El Camino), 50 receptions and 3 touchdowns, and Randy Peterson (Santa Monica), 38 receptions and 7 touchdowns. Nettles also returns kickoffs.
John Featherstone, Nettles’ coach at El Camino, played wide receiver for SDSU in 1969 and ’70.
“We’ve had a slew of great receivers for many years,” Featherstone said. “I think receivers are crazy not to go to San Diego State because of its tradition. What Denny Stolz (SDSU’s coach) does is tailor-made for receivers.”
SDSU loses three of its top four receivers from 1986, with Alfred Jackson--a converted defensive back--returning. Both starting running backs last season were seniors.
Community college running backs expected to sign with SDSU are Paul Hewitt (Citrus), who gained 1,353 yards rushing; Danny Holmes (Southwestern), 1,024 yards, and LaMont Parks (Palomar), 778 yards.
Mike Merandi, Hewitt’s coach at Citrus, said several recruiters told him that Hewitt was the top community college running back in California.
“Everybody San Diego State plays was after him,” Merandi said. “Every sector of the United States was interested in him. We’ve won 10 championships in 19 years. We’ve had some good ones here, and he ranks right up there.”
Defensively, the Aztecs return two of four line starters, and they lose all three starting linebackers.
They have recruited defensive linemen John Bavaro (6-3, 255 pounds) of Glendale and Todd Coomes (6-6, 230) of Utah’s Snow College. Coomes was second on his team in tackles last season and recorded 10 sacks. Bavaro, who began playing football two years ago, is the cousin of New York Giant tight end Mark Bavaro.
“San Diego State really feels (John Bavaro) can be an impact player,” said John Cicuto, Glendale’s defensive coordinator. “He’s a pro prospect because of his strength and size. He’ll definitely get some looks coming out of San Diego State.”
Linebackers expected to sign with SDSU are Emmett Flores (6-1, 215) of Bakersfield and Derek Santifer (6-2, 228) of Long Beach.
Other community college players expected to sign with SDSU are Tyler Ackerson (Southwestern), kicker; Chris Bahr (Glendale), cornerback; Milton Maples (Riverside), safety; Brad Platt (Southwestern), quarterback; Samida Tuianna (Sacramento City), offensive lineman, and Todd Vradenburg (Glendale), offensive lineman.