24 Players Sign Letters With Titans

Cal State Fullerton began the process of rebuilding Wednesday, when 24 football players signed national letters of intent to enroll in the fall.

Fullerton (6-4-1 in 1989) lost every key player on its record-setting offense of last season, plus a number of key defensive players.

“We’re going to have to rebuild,” Fullerton Coach Gene Murphy said. “With our schedule next year, it will be big-time rebuilding.”

Fullerton plays Mississippi State, Auburn and Hawaii on the road next season.

Murphy, who was a finalist for the Nevada Las Vegas coaching job in December, said he did not believe that had a great effect on recruiting.

“It did a little bit,” he said. “I think we lost some kids and had some kids cancel. That’s what happens when head coaches consider other jobs.”

The players who have signed letters of intent with Fullerton: wide receiver Noel Alex (Fremont High), linebacker Jack Bewley (Grossmont High), wide receiver Sheldon Butler (Banning High), outside linebacker Anthony Dalton (Long Beach City College), center Jim DiFilippo (Fullerton College), outside linebacker Ben Drati (Los Angeles High), defensive back/wide receiver Xavier Foreman (Los Angeles High), defensive tackle Jagade Freeman (El Camino College), running back Marcus Green (Northview High), linebacker Lorenzo Haley (College of the Sequoias), wide receiver Eric Hayes (San Bernardino Valley College), cornerback Leonard Hudson (Mt. San Antonio College), cornerback Malcolm King (Buena Park High), quarterback Chad May (Damien High), defensive end Lenard Mayweather (Sunny Hills High), running back James Mullins (Merced College), running back/linebacker Chris Peery (Canyon Country Canyon High), offensive lineman Jim Perricone (Buena Park High), offensive lineman Tim Rapp (Katella High), offensive lineman Robert Reid (El Camino College), quarterback Mike Simmons (Bellflower High), tight end Gary Stick (Cerritos College), and defensive back Terry Sullivan (St. Bernard’s High).