Big Sky Conference

Sacramento State University 2016 recruiting class

on

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento State football signed 21 players to National Letters of Intent, it was announced today. That group is comprised of 12 offensive players, seven defensive players and two specialists.

The Hornet coaches focused a lot of their recruiting efforts on the offensive and defensive lines. The team signed five defensive linemen, five offensive linemen and a tight end. The defensive linemen include David Falo, Seperine Togiai, Jacob Fineanganofo, Tyler Hawkins and Billy Tuitavake. On the offensive line, Sacramento State added Brandon Boccaleoni, Ulisis Nunez, Paula Hafoka and Alex Dalpe and local product Nick Brand from Del Campo High School. Tight end Steely Smith is the lone junior college transfer of the class and comes to Sacramento State after most recently playing at Butte JC.

“We know that to be a championship-caliber football team you have to be strong up front,” Sears said. “I feel that with the kids we brought in last year and this group we are in a good place on both sides of the ball. Recruiting offensive linemen was a priority for us this season and there were some defensive linemen that were just too good to pass up.”

The offense was also bolstered by quarterback Roman Ale who won a California Div. I-A state title while leading Narbonne High School this past season. He will be joined by wide receivers Allen Perryman, Sean Hamilton and Bryant Perkinson and running Quincy Jountti.

Along with the defensive linemen, Sacramento State also added linebackers Josiah Erickson and Sione Liku and defensive back Isaia Paopao.

Kicker/punter Tanner Kuljian and long snapper Ian Lauvai complete the specialists.

ROMAN ALE
Quarterback | 6-2 | 180 |  Carson, Calif. | Narbonne HS
• Was named the City Player of the Year by the LA Times and was an all-area section by the LA Daily Breeze as a senior.
• During the year, he set the school record with 3,558 passing yards and 45 touchdowns with just six interceptions while completing 69.2 percent of his passes and averaging 222.4 yards per game.
• He helped lead Narbonne to a 14-2 overall record, a LA City Section title and a California State Div. I-A title as a senior.
• As a junior, he threw for 2,803 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Video Highlights
HS Head Coach: Manuel Douglas
“Roman’s a very accurate quarterback and he’s a winner. He’s a little bit of a late bloomer. We had him in camp this summer and just a few months later he’s back on our field playing for a state championship.” – Head Coach Jody Sears

 

BRANDON BOCCALEONI
Off. Line | 6-3 | 275 |  Rohnert Park, Calif. | Rancho Cotate HS
• Named first team all-North Coast Section and was the all-North Bay League Lineman of the Year as a senior.
• Played center on an offensive line which paved the way for 450 rushing yards per game.
• Was also a three-year member of the varsity team.

Video Highlights
HS Head Coach: Ed Conroy
“Brandon has the size and strength but it’s his football IQ that we loved. He’s very smart at making calls on the line and will improve the football IQ of our team.” – Head Coach Jody Sears

 

NICK BRAND
Off. Line | 6-5 | 270 |  Fair Oaks, Calif. | Del Campo HS
• A local product from Del Campo HS, Brand was named all-Sac-Joaquin Section and was a two-time all-Capital Valley Conference as an offensive lineman.
• Helped lead the Cougars to a 9-3 overall record as a senior and a trip to the section playoffs.
• Was a three-year member of the varsity team.

Video Highlights
HS Head Coach: Mike Dimino
“We had Nick in camp and the one thing that really stood out to us besides his size and strength is his competitiveness. He’s an All-American kid off the field but he’s got a little bit of nastiness on the field.” – Head Coach Jody Sears

 

 

ALEX DALPE
Off. Line | 6-3 | 290 | Orange, Calif. | Orange Lutheran HS
• Played center for Orange Lutheran all four years.
• Was the leader of an offensive line which averaged 247.5 rushing yards per game and 143.6 passing yards per game while playing in one of the toughest leagues in California.

Video Highlights
HS Head Coach: Chuch Petersen
“Alex is a tough guy that can play center or guard. He brings some savvy to that group and has the old school mentality.” – Head Coach Jody Sears

 

JOSIAH ERICKSON
Linebacker | 6-3 | 225 | San Dimas, Calif. | San Dimas HS
• Was the Valley Vista League and San Gabriel Valley Defensive Player of the Year and earned Southern Section all-Mid Valley Division honors as a senior.
• Finished the year with 158 total tackles, including 15 sacks.
• Credited with three forced fumbles and recovered the fumbles.
• Was consistent throughout the year as he had at least six tackles in all 14 games, including double digit stops in 10 games.
• Also had 120 total tackles with four sacks as a junior.

Video Highlights
HS Head Coach: Mark Holman
“Josiah’s passion stood out when you watch him. Sure he has some great highlights but when you watch his game film, he plays with that type of intensity on every snap whether the play is coming at him or not.” – Head Coach Jody Sears

 

DAVID FALO
Def. Line | 6-2 | 280 | San Diego, Calif. | Madison HS
• Earned first team all-San Diego Section and all-Western League honors as an offensive lineman as a senior.
• Helped lead the team with an 8-3 overall record and a league title.
• During his final two seasons, his team posted an 8-0 league record.

Video Highlights
HS Head Coach: Rick Jackson
“David brings some strength to the interior of our defensive line. He was an early commit who makes a lot of plays. He already has the size to play for us and should be battle ready.” – Head Coach Jody Sears

 

JACOB FINEANGANOFO
Off. Line | 6-5 | 285 | Paramount, Calif. | Paramount HS
• Played on the offensive and defensive lines for Paramount HS.
• Defensively, he recorded tackles in six games with a total of 35.
• Set his season high against Gahr High School where he had eight stops.
• As a junior, he was credited with 40 tackles.

Video Highlights
HS Head Coach: Matt Howard
“Jacob is a big and long tackle. He’s a little raw but he’s athletic with a very high ceiling. One of the areas that we wanted to target is to get some length on the offensive line and he fills that. You give him a year or two in the weight room and he could be a three-year starter for us.” – Head Coach Jody Sears

 

PAULA HAFOKA
Off. Line | 6-2 | 290 | Corona, Calif. | Centennial HS
• Earned first team all-Southern Section Pac 5 Division honors as a senior where he was the center for a team that reached consecutive California Open Division championship games.
• Helped guide Centennial to a number 7 national ranking in the final USA Today poll and a 27-4 record in his final two years.
• Was a high school teammate of current Hornet quarterback Nate Ketteringham and fellow commit Ian Lauvai.
• Will go on a mission the next two years.

Video Highlights
HS Head Coach: Matt Logan
“We saw him at a showcase last year and his athleticism stood out. He comes from a good football program. He’s very tough and makes up for his size with his strength.” – Head Coach Jody Sears

 

SEAN HAMILTON
Wide Receiver | 6-2 | 170 | Stockton, Calif. | McNair HS
• A standout in the Sac-Joaquin Section, he earned first team all-area honors from the Stockton Record and was a first team all-San Joaquin Athletic Association selection as a senior.
• During the year, he caught 52 passes for 1,006 yards with 14 touchdowns.
• Had two games with at least three receiving touchdowns, including a playoff contest against Sacramento High School.
• As a junior year where he hauled in 68 passes for 1,119 yards with 11 scores.

Video Highlights
HS Head Coach: Terrance Hampton
“Sean is a very good receiver. When you throw the ball out there to play football he’s your first pick. We had him in a couple camps this past summer and he was by far the best kid out there. It was very apparent that he’s a skilled playmaker that is polished.” – Head Coach Jody Sears

 

TYLER HAWKINS
Def. Line | 6-3 | 225 | Palm Springs, Calif. | Palm Springs HS
• A three-star recruit from Scout.com and a two-star recruit from Rivals.com.
• Earned first team all-Desert Valley League honors as a senior after finishing the year with 61 total tackles, including four tackles-for-loss.
• Played three years of varsity football for Palm Springs.

Video Highlights
HS Head Coach: Dan Murphy
“Tyler has a big motor that is athletic. He plays hard on each play and is physical. He will be a good player for us.” – Head Coach Jody Sears

 

QUINCY JOUNTTI
Running Back | 5-11 | 210 | Bakersfield, Calif. | Liberty HS
• Was named first team all-area by the Bakersfield Californian and was a co-Offensive Player of the Year for the Southwest Yosemite League as a senior.
• Rushed for 1,647 yards and 21 touchdowns and also caught 27 passes for 424 yards and four scores.
• Helped Liberty win a Central Section championship and earn a berth in a Northern California championship game.
• As a junior, he had 619 yards of total offense while splitting time between wide receiver and running back.

Video Highlights
HS Head Coach: Bryan Nixon
“Quincy is an extremely productive back. He runs hard and is already 210 pounds. The one thing that stuck out to us is his ability to move laterally and make cuts in and out of the hole.” – Head Coach Jody Sears

 

TANNER KULJIAN
Kicker/Punter | 5-10 | 170 | Temecula, Calif. | Great Oaks HS
• Was named all-Inland Empire by the Press Enterprise and all-Southwestern League honors as a senior.
• Made 11 field goals that season with a long of 52 against Rancho Verde and also made 26 extra points during the year.
• Also served as the team’s punter where he averaged 41.1 yards per attempt with a long of 73 yards.
• As a junior, he was a first team all-Southwestern League selection as a punter after averaging 40.4 yards per attempt with a long of 71.

Video Highlights
HS Head Coach: Robbie Robinson
“Tanner has a big leg and is accurate. We had him in camp and he responded to all the pressure kicking field goals. Looking forward to him coming in and competing.” – Head Coach Jody Sears

 

IAN LAUVAI
Long Snapper | 5-11 | 255 | Corona, Calif. | Centennial HS
• An accomplished offensive lineman in high school, Lauvai will serve as a long snapper for the Hornets.
• While at Centennial High School, he played right tackle on an offensive line for a team that reached consecutive California Open Division championship games.
• Was a high school teammate of current Hornet quarterback Nate Ketteringham and fellow commit Paula Hafoka.

Video Highlights
HS Head Coach: Matt Logan
“Just watching Ian snap at camp you can see his skill. He has great velocity and we’re expecting him to compete for a starting job.” – Head Coach Jody Sears

 

SIONE LIKU
Linebacker | 6-3 | 230 | Stockton, Calif. | Brookside Christian HS
• Despite playing for a small school, Liku was named all-area by the Stockton Record and was the Central California Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year as a senior.
• That year, he led the Sac-Joaquin Section and ranked second in the state with 202 total tackles and also blocked two field goals, forced three fumbles and intercepted a pair of passes.
• Had at least 10 tackles in each of his games and had 20 or more in six contests, including 29 stops against Big Valley Christian.

Video Highlights
HS Head Coach: Simon Gomez
“Sione is very good linebacker and we are excited about his potential. He’s extremely athletic with great size and playmaking ability.” – Head Coach Jody Sears

 

ULISIS NUNEZ
Off. Line | 6-0 | 260 | Tulare, Calif. | Tulare Union HS
• Named all-Tulare County and was the East Yosemite League Lineman of the Year as a senior.
• Served on the front line of an offense which averaged nearly 300 rushing yards per game.

Video Highlights
HS Head Coach: Darren Bennett
“Ulisis is athletic. You watch his film and he doesn’t run like your typical lineman. He’s very light on his feet and has good size. To be that athletic at that size will be an asset to our team.” – Head Coach Jody Sears

 

ISAIA PAOPAO
Def. Back | 6-2 | 205 | Oceanside, Calif. | Oceanside HS
• Was a two-star recruit by Rivals.com despite missing a good portion of his senior season while recovering from an injury.
• Returned late in the year and helped his team with a San Diego Section title after intercepting a pass on the drive of the game.
• In the section semifinal game, he caught a touchdown pass, intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble.
• As a junior, he earned all-Avocado West League honors after catching 40 passes for 640 yards and eight touchdowns.

Video Highlights
HS Head Coach: David Rodriguez
“Isaia can probably play three of four different positions on our team and we’ll see what are needs are at the time. He brings toughness and is physical and make a play on the ball on both sides.” – Head Coach Jody Sears

 

BRYANT PERKINSON
Wide Receiver | 5-11 | 180 | Hawthorne, Calif. | Lawndale HS
• Earned first team all-Southern Section Western Division and first team all-Ocean League honors as a defensive back as a senior.
• Also played running back were he rushed 35 times for 414 yards and five scores and caught 31 passes for 665 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Video Highlights
HS Head Coach: Travis Clark
“BJ can also play both sides of the ball. He’s a good slot and has speed. He has good hands and can make plays.” – Head Coach Jody Sears

 

ALLEN PERRYMAN
Wide Receiver | 6-1 | 175 | Lemoore, Calif. | Lemoore HS
• A first team all-West Yosemite League selection as a senior wide receiver where he caught 43 passes for 763 yards and 14 touchdowns. Also rushed 13 times for 176 yards and two scores.
• In 2015, he helped lead Lemoore to a 10-3 overall record, a West Yosemite League title and a berth in the Central Section Div. II championship game.
• Also played on defense where he had 51 total tackles and three interceptions.
• As a junior, he earned all-state honors with 55 receptions for 1,070 yards and nine touchdowns on offense and 61 total tackles and nine interceptions on defense.

Video Highlights
HS Head Coach: Shannon Pulliam
“Allen is fast and athletic. He’s another guy that has had success on both sides of the ball.” – Head Coach Jody Sears

 

STEELY SMITH
Tight End | 6-4 | 255 | West Albany, Ore. | West Albany HS | Butte JC
• Played two seasons at Butte JC in Oroville, Calif.
• During his career he had 15 receptions for 153 yards and a score.
• While primarily a blocker, he was able to catch seven passes for 86 yards and a touchdown this past season.
• Prepped at West Albany High School where he played tight end, tackle and linebacker.

Video Highlights
JC
Head Coach: Jeff Jordan
“Steely is our one JC transfer. He’s going to come in and compete for a starting job. He’s well-rounded as a blocker and in the passing game. He brings some competitiveness to the position and I expect to see him in the two deep.” – Head Coach Jody Sears

 

SEPERINE TOGIAI
Def. Line | 6-0 | 280 | Hayward, Calif. | Hayward HS
• Earned first team all-East Bay honors from the San Francisco Chronicle and was the West Alameda County Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a senior.
• Finished the year with 64 total tackles, including 26.0 tackles-for-loss and 7.5 sacks.
• Top two games came against Piedmont and San Lorenzo where he had 12 and 11 tackles, respectively, and also had two sacks in each game.

Video Highlights
HS Head Coach: Justin Redemer
“Sepi is a very active defensive tackle. He’s 280 pounds but is running down the field on the kickoff team in high school. Some of the bigger schools may have walked past him because of his height but not us. He has a tremendous heart and will bring a lot of athleticism to the interior group.” – Head Coach Jody Sears

x

BILLY TUITAVAKE
Def. Line |-3 | 240 | East Palo Alto, Calif. | Serra H
• Was named honorable mention all-area by the San Jose Mercury News and first team all-West Catholic League as a senior.
• Had 42 total tackles with 13.0 tackles-for-loss and 6.5 sacks.
• Recorded at least two stops in each of his 10 games with a high of eight against Archbishop Mitty.
• As a junior, he recorded 45 tackles, including 15.0 TFLs and 7.5 sacks and also rushed 25 times for 97 yards and a score during the year.

Video Highlights
HS Head Coach: Patrick Walsh
“Billy is a defensive end with a high motor who can rush the passer. He’s very good with his hands and could grow into a defensive tackle during his time here.” – Head Coach Jody Sears

About Press Release

Recommended for you