Little McAfee, a Walk-On, Makes Big Mark at Fullerton

Most freshman walk-ons who show potential are redshirted their first season, but it appears Cal State Fullerton’s Dwayne McAfee, from Lincoln High School in San Diego, will be sporting a jersey of different colors--blue and orange--when the Titans open Sept. 1 against Sonoma State.

McAfee, 5-foot-6, 160 pounds, has so impressed the Fullerton coaching staff that Coach Gene Murphy has scrapped his plans to redshirt him and will use him as a kickoff returner and, possibly, as a wide receiver and punt returner.

McAfee made the most impressive play of Saturday’s intra-squad scrimmage, catching a short pass, eluding several defenders and turning it into a 40-yard gain. He’s extremely quick, has soft hands and is dangerous when he gets some running room.

“He’s an exciting little guy,” offensive coordinator Bill Wentworth said. “We were going to redshirt him, but he has put himself in the picture to play.”

McAfee’s quickness was obvious to Titan coaches in the first week of summer practice, when players wear shorts and T-shirts. Wentworth said he figured McAfee wouldn’t look as good once he got into a helmet, shoulder pads and started hitting.

But McAfee continued to impress coaches.

“Any time a walk-on is ready to play as a freshman, it surprises you,” Wentworth said. “But he’s a tough kid, and the more pressure we put on him, the more he has come on.”