Quality Among CSUN ‘Leftovers’

Two of Cal State Northridge’s most recent football recruits come to the Matadors with endorsements from former coaches.

Of receiver Jason Sharp, who transferred from California but could not play last season at El Camino College because he was ineligible, Cal recruiting coordinator David Ortega said: “He’s really fast, and in the right system he’ll do a heck of a job.”

And of offensive lineman Will Ford, who started only three games at Rancho Santiago last season because of an injury, Dons’ Coach Dave Ogas said: “He’s a Pac-10 caliber guy who would have been recruited by everyone if he had [not been hurt].”

Recruiting the leftovers from Division I-A programs or players with unusual backgrounds is standard procedure at most I-AA schools, particularly Northridge.

Of the Matadors’ 14 recruits this off-season, three weren’t even part of football teams last fall and a fourth was a I-A redshirt.

But if they can perform the way linebacker Marc Goodson did last season, the Matadors will be fine.

Goodson came to Northridge last season after spending a year out of football and became the team’s most dominant defensive player.

Crunch time: Cal State Northridge (4-19, 2-10 in the Big Sky Conference) heads into tonight’s women’s basketball game against Weber State at home tied with Sacramento State (4-18, 2-10) for the sixth and final spot in the conference tournament.

The Matadors and Hornets each have four games remaining, including a head-to-head matchup Saturday at 7 p.m. at Northridge.