June 4, 2009
Fresno, Calif. - Phil Steele's 2009 College Football Preview has released its preseason All-WAC Teams. Eighteen Bulldogs were among the four teams presented for the preseason offense and defense picks.
Phil Steele is one of the many college football preview magazines hitting the stand this fall.
After their 2008 season, the Bulldogs emerged as a team ready and waiting to take on the next great challenge.
Fresno State returns with 17 starters for the 2009 season against UC Davis on Sept. 5 at Bulldog Stadium.
"It's great when the national magazines honor our players in such a way. I expect this group to be making big plays for us and leading our team into the 2009 season. We have over 80 players on campus this summer, working out and getting themselves ready. That's a great commitment. We are excited for the season," said head coach Pat Hill.
The Bulldogs listed as offensive picks are:
Seyi Ajirotutu is listed as a wide receiver for the first All-WAC team. Ajirotutu, a senior from El Dorado Hills, Calif., has emerged as one of the Bulldogs big-play threats after the 2008 season. Ajirotutu was first on the team in the 2008 season, running for 5 touchdowns with 795 receiving yards in 13 games and an average of 16.9 yards a game.
Andrew Jackson, a junior from Grass Valley, Calif., also listed as an offensive pick, was chosen as an offensive guard despite his position as an offensive tackle for the Bulldogs. Jackson has become a presence on the Bulldog offense excelling on and off the field with a hard work ethic while maintaining a nearly 4.0 GPA.
A.J. Jefferson, a senior corner back for the Bulldogs, from Bakersfield, Calif., was selected as Steel's choice for kick return and defensive back. Jefferson is considered one of the fastest players for the Bulldogs and emerged as a game-breaking threat in the 2008 season.
Ryan Mathews, a junior running back from Bakersfield, Calif., was selected as one of Steele's choices for the second-team running back. Matthews has proved to not only be fast on the field but is considered one of the Bulldogs most lethal players. Matthews is being considered one of the best to ever wear the Bulldog uniform.
Lonyae Miller, a senior from Fontana, Calif., serves as a running back for the Bulldogs. Miller teamed up with Ryan Matthews to make one of the best 1-2 tandems in the country during the 2008 season. Miller was Steele's third-team pick for running back. Miller appeared in 12 out of the 13 games in the 2008 season where he was second on the team with 844 yards gained running for seven touchdowns.
Rashad Evans, a sophomore wide receiver from Hayward, Calif., has proven to be a fast and effective player on the Bulldog offense. In his 2008 season, Evans had a total of 13 punt returns over 171 yards with one touchdown. Evans was named MVP of Conference, league captain and rushed 1, 420 yards and passed 200 yards during his high school career. Evans was Steele's pick for the third-team punt return.
Marlon Moore, a senior from Sacramento, Calif., currently sits as one of the Bulldogs top wide receivers. Moore was chosen as Steele's pick for both wide receiver and punt returner. During the 2008 year, Moore proved to be a major weapon for the 'Dogs with his speed and elusive playing.
Joe Bernardi, a junior from Flagstaff, Ariz., has showed great promise as the Bulldogs center despite an injury that ended his season in 2007. Steele's choice of Bernardi as a fourth-team center helps prove his status as a cornerstone in the Bulldog line. Bernardi was recently named on the 2009 Rimington Watch List.
The Bulldogs listed as defensive picks are:
Ben Jacobs, a junior from Las Vegas, Nev., is considered one of the best linebackers in the WAC after a powerful 2008 season. Jacobs has proven to be a fast player with good instincts and the ability to block kicks. The 2008 season proved to be a great showcase for Jacobs who ended the season with 113 tackles, 47 solo and 66 assist.
Kevin Goessling, a sophomore from Placentia, Calif., was listed as Steel's pick for the defensive first-team kicker and is considered to have a strong leg and the potential to be a great college kicker. In his 2008 season, Gosseling was able score 91 points. Gosseling who redshirted his freshman year will join the Bulldogs again for the 2009 season.
Cornell Banks, a junior from Fresno, Calif., and Bulldogs defensive lineman was chosen as Steele's pick for second-team defensive tackle. Banks had a breakout year in 2008 and has proven to be a strong physical presence for the Bulldog defense.
Chris Carter, a junior from Fontana, Calif., was picked as Steele's choice for as a third-team defensive end. Carter, a linebacker, has proved to be one of the best all-around athletes on the defensive line. The 2008 season gave Carter a chance to show his defensive skills. He ended the season with 88 total tackles, 38 solo and 50 assisted.
Nico Herron, a junior from Oakland, Calif., proved to be a significant contribution to the Bulldog's defensive line. Herron, Steele's choice as third-team linebacker, is a strong and fast player that brings size to the linebacking corps. With a total of 65 tackles in the 2008 season, 27 solo and 38 assisted, Herron landed fourth on the team for total tackles.
Desia Dunn, a sophomore from Stockton, Calif., has show great potential as a Bulldogs defensive back. Chosen as Steele's third-team pick for defensive back, Dunn will join the Bulldogs again for the 2009 season.
Mark Roberts, a junior from Modesto, Calif., has proven to be a significant addition to the Bulldog line. The defensive tackle was chosen as Steele's fourth-team defensive tackle pick.
Wilson Ramos, a junior from Woodland, Calif., was Steele's choice as a fourth-team defensive end. Ramos has shown great potential as a defensive end and tackle before a season-ending injury.
Kyle Knox, a sophomore from Los Angeles, Calif., has shown great potential for the Bulldogs' defensive line. Knox, chosen as Steele's fourth-team pick for linebacker, is considered to be one of the Bulldogs' explosive players to watch. Knox appeared in 11 games in the 2008 season making 43 tackles, 20 solo and 23 assisted.
Moses Harris, a senior from Stockton, Calif., serves not only as one of the Bulldogs' defensive back but also as an All-WAC and Academic All-America honors. Harris is Steele's pick for the fourth-team defensive back. In the 2008 season, Harris had a spectacular season at safety with 75 total tackles to rank third on the team.
"We are your team!" The Fresno State Bulldogs will kick of their 2009 season against UC Davis on September 5.
