Ponciano Had Some Class as a Recruiter

Ron Ponciano is gone as coach at Cal State Northridge, but his legacy remains in the form of an exceptional freshman class.

Predictably, few true freshmen figure to make a significant impact this season. But the future looks promising for a handful of players expected to flourish.

Travis Campbell, a two-time Times’ All-Ventura County defensive back from Westlake High, is penciled in behind Hassan Abdul-Malik at free safety.

Crayton Milton, a 6-foot, 260-pound fullback from St. Francis, is emerging as a backup for senior Jaumal Bradley.

Nick Longshore, a 6-6, 265-pound tackle from Canyon, is filling in at left tackle for injured Johnny Acosta.

At wide receiver, Joe Gilliam, a three-year starter at Edison High in Fresno, already invokes images of senior Aaron Arnold. They are similar in size--Arnold is 6-1, 185; Gilliam 6-2, 180--and styles.

“He’s one guy you’re going to have to watch out for,” Arnold said. “He’s going to be a good receiver.”

Arnold, who led the Matadors with 65 catches and 1,020 receiving yards last season, likely won’t be slowed by a dislocated middle finger on his left hand.

“He talks to me about running the routes and reading the safeties,” Gilliam said.

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Dave Robinson, in his first season as a Matador assistant and the eldest son of UNLV Coach John Robinson, former coach for USC and the Los Angeles Rams, came to Northridge after one season as quarterback coach at College of the Desert.

Robinson, 35, coaches the defensive line. He played tight end at Cal State Fullerton and Long Beach State, and assisted his father with the Rams in 1991.

“He never really pushed me to do anything athletically,” he said of his father. “He’s always tried to help me. If I have questions about football, I ask him.”

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Taffe Aina, a senior tackle and the Matadors’ offensive rookie of the year in 1997, has not been cleared to practice and has been instructed by the campus compliance officer to stay off the field.

Aina, 6-5, 305, was academically ineligible last season.