CSUN Unearths Junior College Treasure Trove

Cal State Northridge announced the signings of nine more junior college football players Friday, completing what Coach Bob Burt said might be the school’s best recruiting haul.

Northridge has signed 20 JC players in the past month and has a commitment from at least one more--linebacker Ray Brackin of Glendale College.

In 1986, shortly after Burt became head coach, Northridge made a similar catch of junior college players and several of those helped the Matadors to 8-3 and 7-4 records in consecutive seasons.

“It’s hard to project, but the quality of this group is equal if not better in terms of potential,” Burt said. “Of course, these guys still have to produce like the other guys did.”

Of the latest recruits, seven are defensive players. Overall, there are a dozen new defensive players from the JC ranks, and they will be given ample opportunity to win jobs because Northridge will have just two returning starters on defense--outside linebacker Jim Crane and cornerback Reggie Williams.

Among the most-recent players signed are Peni Ahyen, a 6-3, 260-pound nose tackle from San Francisco City College; Allan Chatman, a 6-2, 210-pound outside linebacker from Chabot; Brock Littlejohn, a 5-10, 185-pound cornerback from American River; Guy Sanford, a 6-2, 240-pound defensive tackle from Bakersfield; Barry Voorhees, a 6-5, 280-pound defensive tackle from Santa Barbara; Robert Wilson, a 6-2, 215-pound linebacker from Monterey Peninsula, and Rod Wilson, a 6-4, 215-pound outside linebacker from De Anza.

The offensive players signed were both linemen--Will Gonzales, a 6-2, 255-pound center from Santa Barbara and Mark Fernandez, a 6-6, 260-pound tackle from West Hills. Fernandez, a transfer from Oregon State, will redshirt.

The eight players Northridge has signed on offense are all either linemen or tight ends.

Burt said CSUN would like to sign at least six high school players after Feb. 10, which is the first day incoming freshmen can sign.