The article below originally appeared on MercuryNews.com and is being reprinted with permission.
The football staff at Tarleton State did not have to sweat out a verbal commitment from College of San Mateo running back Vaughn Smith this morning.
That’s because the recruiting guidelines used in high school don’t match those at the junior college level.
“This quote-un-quote signing day doesn’t really apply to junior college,” CSM coach Bret Pollack said. “It’s just when everyone thinks you should ask. That’s the bottom line because it’s when high schools are signing.”
The 6-foot, 185-pound Smith, a Menlo-Atherton graduate, is already enrolled at Tarleton State, a member of the Texas A&M University system.
Same goes for quarterback Miles Freeman (6-2, 195) at Carson-Newman College in Tennessee and kicker/punter Kenny Anderson (6-1, 190) at Hastings College in New England.
That’s just a few of the Bulldogs who have taken advantage of the opportunity to transfer to four-year programs right away.
“You’re already getting acclimated,” Pollack said. “You’re getting used to their system, you’re getting used to their way of life. You’re going to be able to play in spring ball. And for a lot of the young men it’s staying in a structured environment so they don’t get lazy, so they don’t get out of shape. They stay on top of their classwork.”
CSM commitments:
- Signed: Linebacker DJ McDonough (6-1, 230) and wide receiver Antoine Turner (6-1, 195) to Faulkner University; offensive lineman Craig Hartford (6-1, 245) to Menlo College; offensive lineman Johnathan Murphy (6-2, 295) to Southeastern Louisiana; defensive lineman Barrett Wangara (6-2, 285) to Cal Poly.
- Verbal: cornerback Ron Fields (6-2, 185) to Hawaii, offensive lineman Chuck Ragland (6-7, 285) to Colorado State; safeties Alex Hubbard (5-10, 185) and Lucky Dozier (5-11, 195) to Cal Poly.
That list will grow in the coming months as four-year programs look to fill vacancies with JC players. “It’s an ongoing process,” Pollack said.
