Nine new football recruits are headed to Cal Poly next year. The new football class includes three college transfers and six high school seniors filling the three linebacker, two offensive lineman, three defensive lineman, two slotback and one quarterback slot.
Head coach Tim Walsh said the program focused on offensive linemen this year. He said he strongly believes in the new offensive lineman the team signed, Vatulele Finaue from Serra High School and Daniel Machado from Valley Christian High School, because of their athleticism and toughness.
Walsh raved about Jalen Hamler of Lawndale High School, the only quarterback Cal Poly signed. Walsh said the team was lucky to recruit him because he turned down many other offers.
“One thing that struck me about Hamler was that not only was he athletic, not only could he throw it, not only was he smart but one of the things he said to me was ‘I’m going to prove my loyalty to you guys’ and that’s a big thing in the game of football,” said Walsh.
Dusty Frampton from Saint Mary’s High School will be the one slotback playing next season. Walsh described him as an “explosively great player.” The other slotback Xavier Moore from Tracy High School rushed 309 yards and six touchdowns and caught 39 passes for 646 yards, according to Max Preps.
According to Walsh, Matt Wright, a linebacker from Hartnell College gives the Mustangs something they’ve really needed; an explosive pass rusher off the edge.
JoJo Falo, a defensive lineman at 6-foot-1-inch and 290 lbs, was one of the most sought after lineman both offensively and defensively out of Madison High School in San Diego, according to Walsh. Falo left for the Air Force Preparatory after high school, but is now back in California and Cal Poly bound.
Corey Thomas, another linebacker from Upland High School, was named Player of the Year and Walsh believes he can really become something for the team. Lastly, linebacker Anthony Rosales from Mt. San Antonio College who made First Team Junior College All-America also brings a tremendous talent to the team.
“We are extremely excited to add to the five guys we signed in December,” Walsh said.