CAL STATE FULLERTON : Titans’ Option: Bolster the Offense

Cal State Fullerton’s switch from a one-back offense to the option is reflected in this winter’s recruiting class, which is heavy on offensive linemen and running backs and includes two option quarterbacks.

Quarterback Mark Wilson of Citrus College signed a letter of intent last month and already is enrolled in school. The Titans added depth at the position when Riverside College Coach Barry Meier announced that Tiger quarterback Jack Manu had signed with Fullerton.

Manu completed 32 of 76 passes for 463 yards and three touchdowns and rushed 95 times for 335 yards and seven touchdowns at Riverside last season. Manu, 6 feet, 205 pounds, led Paramount High to Southern Section Division III championships in 1988 and ’89 and was named the division’s player of the year both seasons.

The Titans bolstered their offensive line with six signees, including five who are already enrolled in school, and added depth to their backfield by signing five running backs, including two who also have started classes.

“There was a definite need for offensive linemen--we had a weak offensive line,” Fullerton Coach Gene Murphy said. “We had to get some option quarterbacks, too, and I think we have some good ones.”

Both quarterbacks from last season, starter Chad May and reserve Terry Payne, decided to transfer--May to Kansas State and Payne to Central Oklahoma--after Murphy announced he was switching offenses.

With 25 players signing letters of intent and two transfers from Cal State Long Beach, the Titans should have a lot more depth than they’ve had in recent seasons. Murphy held a team meeting Monday, and 88 players attended, “the most I’ve had in awhile,” Murphy said.

Only one of the 27 players on Fullerton’s list of recruits played in high school last season, kicker/punter Noel Prefontaine of Oceanside El Camino. No Orange County high school players were signed by the Titans.

Another plus for Fullerton is that of this winter’s signees, 14 are enrolled in school, meaning they’ll be able to participate in spring drills.

Defensively, Fullerton placed much of its emphasis on the secondary, a weakness the past two seasons. The Titans signed four defensive backs, and another, Lester Johnson, transferred from Long Beach after the 49ers dropped their program.

Cal State Fullerton

FOOTBALL RECRUITS

Player Pos. Hgt. Wgt. School Poli Banks WR 5-9 175 Santa Monica College Vince Bonner DB 5-11 185 El Camino College Ron Braxton DE 6-2 225 Sacramento College Lee Brown DB 5-11 185 Sacramento College Tom Cale DL 6-2 265 Taft College Brian Davis RB 5-10 200 Riverside College Dan Erickson OL 6-2 250 L.A. Pierce College Eric Gamble FB 6-0 239 El Camino College Tracey George DE 6-3 260 San Joaquin Delta College Robert Hudson OL 6-2 310 Cerritos College Lester Johnson DB 6-2 210 Cal State Long Beach* Rabinder Khurana OL 6-2 280 Golden West College Eddie Lua RB 5-9 195 Santa Rosa College Jack Manu QB 6-0 205 Riverside College LaMont Mason DE 6-2 225 Sacramento College Alex McTrusty OL 5-11 305 Grossmont College Brian Mele OL 6-4 260 Moorpark College Julio Ocana K 5-10 170 San Bernardino Valley College Tim O’Neil DB 6-0 210 Fresno College Steve Papin RB 5-8 185 West Valley College Michael Peters RB 5-10 185 Cerritos College Noel Prefontaine K/P 5-11 180 Oceanside El Camino High School Jason Stanley LB 6-1 225 Glendale College Ben Siliga OL 6-1 295 San Bernardino Valley College Al Whitten DB 6-0 210 Modesto College Jeff Williamson TE 6-3 230 Cal State Long Beach* Mark Wilson QB 6-2 200 Citrus College

*--Transfer from defunct program.