Hornet football fills the gaps for fall roster with 19 signees

Spring has been good to John Volek.

The Sac State football coach has been busy. After posting the best record (5-6 overall, 3-5 in Big Sky conference play) since he became the head coach in 1995, Volek has been looking to make further improvements on his team.

While returning players are already practicing for next season, the Hornets received 12 letters of intent from high school and junior college athletes last week in hopes of filling the gaps in the roster. The new players join seven recruits that Volek and his staff added to the roster during the semester break.

“This is a very quality group,” Volek said. “This is the first time we've been able to get (such a good group).”

Joining the Hornets next season will be two players from Elk Grove High School. Coming off an undefeated regular season, Elk Grove has posted a 27-1 record over the past two years, earning two CIF Sac-Joaquin sectional titles.

From that squad, the Hornets successfully recruited outside linebacker Jeremy Callaway and tightend Russell Gardner. Callaway earned all-Metro and all-Delta League team honors this season. Gardner was also an all-Delta league member as well as a Cal-Hi all-state selection.

“We needed guys who can really run on the defensive side of the football,” Volek said. “We wanted to get some real athleticism, some complete athletes for defense.”

The Hornets also added the Empire League Lineman of the Year with Cypress High School's Marko Cavka as well as highly recruited free safety Camron Mbewa. Out of Mira Loma High School, Mbewa can also play offense.

Volek said some players will have more time to make the transition into college-level football.

“The biggest thing I can say about this year's recruiting class is that they don't have to come in and start,” Volek said in a press release. “Having said that, I would say half of them will come in and impact right away and the other half will be groomed for the future, but they are all quality athletes. We believe there is a lot of star power in this group.”

While defense seemed to be a concern for the Hornets during the offseason recruiting, the offense secured some quality players as well.

Junior college transfer Ricky Ray and Valencia High School's Brian Hamilton will help replace starting quarterback A.J. Bernhardt, who just completed his senior season.

“We had to add to our quarterback depth,” Volek said. “Ray and Hamilton will bring some good competition and depth to that position.”

Although the Hornets lost one wide receiver (senior Jeff Kool), Volek said he did not have to go far to find any replacements.

“We didn't have to recruit that position,” he said. “We have four guys who red-shirted last year in that spot. Those four guys can really compete.”

There was only one position that was not filled.

“We need to get a punter,” Volek said. “We need a guy who can replace a First Team all-Conference (senior Steve Thorns) player.”

While being in the Big Sky conference since 1996 has proven to be a difficult task on the field, the recruiting has benefited.

“When you compete in the Big Sky conference, it definitely helps us out in recruiting,” Volek said.

Winning games also helps grab the local talent. Of the 19 new players, seven of them are from the Sacramento area. All seven have earned some kind of post season honor.

“That's key,” Volek said of having local talent on the team. “But we've also been able to get some proven talent out of southern California as well.”

Volek said that he is looking forward to next season.

“We need a good spring and a good offseason,” he said. “We've been training at 6 a.m. every morning. The offseason is critical.”