PHOTO BY JAMES CHOY - UCLA's Eddie Williams prevents USC's Hebron Fangupo from getting any entry to the quarterback during a Mt. SAC practice in 2008.
The two former Mounties very well may go head-to-head this season come Nov. 28 when they face each other at the coliseum.
MISTAKE: On the previous stories regarding Bruce Irvin, he was written as standing at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds. That information is incorrect. Irvin said he stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 235 pounds.
An ESPN article written by David Duffey stated a list of his 10 worst college football teams entitled ‘The Bottom 10′ and placed the University of Tennessee as the 5th worst team in college football. Future Tennessee Volunteer Bruce Irvin responded the article by acknowledging that the Volunteers are in the process of rebuilding but cares less about the negative information said about the team.
“I don’t expect them to be a national title contender this year,” Irvin said. “The team is rebuilding so it’s probably going to take another year of recruiting but the run will start in 2010 and I’m proud to be a part of that 2010 class.”
But before all that is considered, Irvin still has one full season to play at Mt. San Antonio College and has said that he’s ready and prepared to help the Mounties go all the way.
“I think we have the team to win state,” Irvin said. “But by not having much depth in the lineup, it could be an issue for us.”
The Georgia native said the Mounties would have to go to work early and attack quick in the first half to put themselves over the opponents to be in a comfortable position.
“I think we’re capable of doing that,” Irvin said.
The Mounties will be at home playing against Pasadena Community College on Sept. 5, with kickoff at 1:00 p.m.
A pancake breakfast will take place at the football field house Saturday, Aug. 22 from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. followed by a scrimmage that will take place until noon. For more information on fees, location and parking, log on to http://athletics.mtsac.edu.
PHOTO BY JAMES CHOY - Hebron Fangupo stands and salutes during the playing of the national anthem before a Mt. SAC game.
JC: Talk to me about your childhood … how was life growing up with the family?
HF: We were a very close family growing up. My parents were the kind of parents that were always there for me. My mom was my emotional side. My dad was my beast side. He brought that tough love, beating me at times you know, because I wasn’t a good kid at all growing up. When I was 8, before I moved to Tonga, I burned the garage of our house by carelessly playing with matches. One of my sisters was in the house during the fire and had almost died. It was just bad now that I look back. At school, I was always getting into fights and getting bad grades. I use to forge my mom’s signature when report cards were sent home because I didn’t want to let them see how bad I did with my grades. Most of my family around me was involved in gangs and it eventually looked that I would get caught up in it as well. My parents decided to get me away from gangbanging and go to Tonga, not just from that but also to learn the culture and the language.
JC: How long did you stay there?
HF: I stayed there till 2001 before I moved back here in Santa Ana where I went to Century High School. I started playing football in my sophomore year.
JC: I heard that there were some problems with you trying to play football, tell me more about that?
HF: I didn’t know what football was. I only knew how to play rugby football back in the islands. And over there you didn’t wear shoes or cleats when you were in the field so when I went to run barefoot during practice, the coaches were looking at me like, ‘Loni, what are you doing?’ They would laugh about it. My English was bad at the time so I wasn’t able to communicate with my coaches real well. I had to get use to the American culture because I wasn’t speaking or learning too well. My body was so use to rugby training, the distance training … the agility.
JC: How hard was it not being able to speak English?
HF: There were many things about American culture that I didn’t know. With that my friends and family were laughing at me saying, ‘Look at him, he’s making himself look stupid!’ It made me mad. And because of that I grew apart from them and didn’t get along with many of them so I started to make trouble and become more involved with gangs.
JC: What kind of trouble did you get into and how bad did it get?
HF: During high school, guys who were taller would bully me and try to take my lunch money—you know little kid stuff. I use to fight kids all the time. There was a time in which I realized that I wasn’t doing much with my life. At times, I would go home and my mom would be at the dinner table waiting for me. I would come home, go straight to my room and go to sleep. My mom would bring the dinner to my room and set it next to me before she went to sleep. I just got tired of the hassles from my family and friends and the things I was doing wrong.
JC: What did you do?
HF: I started to learn English and did whatever I can to learn. I would listen to the radio, watch TV, and learn songs to popular music. That’s how I adapted to the people in my community. My English got better during my senior year, but I slipped sometimes. People in the neighborhood use to call me FOB-LOC, FOB meaning “Fresh Off the Boat.” (laughs)
JC: When did you come to Mt. SAC? How did it happen for you to play for the Mounties?
HF: I came in 2003. At that time my defensive line coach at Mt. SAC, Iona Uiagaleilei saw me playing one time and he invited me to the school. I played real well for him and the more I played, the more I became better and I started to realize, ‘I can do this! I can go to the next level if I wanted to.’ That was the turning point.
JC: From there, you started your football right?
HF: No, Coach Fisk (head coach) wanted me to join but my mom wanted me to go on a church mission.
JC: Why?
HF: I was immature and didn’t know what I wanted in life. I didn’t know how to set goals to make it in the future.
JC: What is this mission that you’re talking about?
HF: Well, I’m a Mormon and the Mormon Church believes that when you’re young, it’s the best time to go on a mission, to go do God’s work. It’s a two-year process. All males who went would preach the gospel and learn the language.
JC: Where did you go and what were some things you did there?
HF: I went to the Philippines and studied their culture and went to many different places preaching. Going over there was a great experience. It really changed my life. It taught me how to study, how to set goals. It taught me how to adapt to situations to reach my goals.
JC: What kind of things did you do there?
HF: The leader of our mission took me to the many lower-economic areas around the country and had me preach to the people there. When I was involved in gang life, I learned about the importance of never backing down and not being afraid. Much of what I been through at home was similar to what was going on around there. During my life around gangs, I had this mentality towards others thinking, ‘I don’t respect you until you earn my respect.’ And when I went on the mission, I used that negative mentality in a positive way. The mission was a light for me. It changed me as a person.
JC: During your two years there, something happened with your family, what was it?
HF: Well in our mission, we weren’t allowed to talk to family at all except Christmas and Mother’s Day. We spent everyday preaching and meeting with people all around the Philippines—that was all we did. So during one of those days I called my mom and during one of our conversations, I told her that I been praying a lot and I wanted her to tell dad that with the smoking and drinking he was doing, I had a feeling that something will happen to him if he doesn’t change his ways. My mom got angry at me and told me, ‘Son don’t you ever say anything like that about your dad.’ But I said, ‘Mom I’m sorry… but this is what I feel the Spirit is telling me.’ And afterwards, he didn’t heed my word.
JC: So what happened?
HF: One day, the leader of the mission came to me and told me that my dad was in a coma. I called to talk to my mom and she said he had a stroke and later on, a number of heart attacks.
JC: Oh man that’s horrible … what happened after that?
HF: My mom was scared and overwhelmed with everything but I said calmly, ‘Mom, why do you lack faith? Faith is what makes this world go around. Be strong, be there for him. If this is God’s will then let this be done.’
JC: Did you leave the mission?
HF: No, I decided to stay because my father once said to me, ‘You never start something and then stop without finishing it,’ so I stayed.
JC: After the mission, your life must have changed from how you were raised and then hearing the tragic news of your dad. When you went to meet your dad in Tonga, what happened, what was the mood?
HF: When I got off the plane and went to go see him, he was lying in bed and the first thing he said to me was, ‘Son, I love you.’ He told me that he didn’t see his old son from a long time ago—the son that gave him so much sadness. No, he saw a man come to him.
JC: And how is he today?
HF: His condition has improved and he’s happier now. We use to go take walks together—father and son. We never did that before. The change that he’s seen in me was something he was so amazed with. And he said something that almost brought me to tears … he said that the mission I went to was a place, “where boys became men.”
JC: When you reflect on your younger days and how everything turned out, what was going through your mind?
HF: Ohh, I was a bad kid. I didn’t realize the things that my dad had done for me. He would go to work every day cutting trees and working till late nights and coming home tired and exhausted and find that I had been getting into trouble. I didn’t see the sacrifice that he made to help raising me. I didn’t see it. You know sometimes it takes faith to understand it, and one day I was thinking, ‘Who changed my diapers? Who fed me? Why am I still alive today?’ And I realized it was my mom and dad. My father would tell me, ‘You bring dishonor to the family … you are a disgrace to me.’ Those words before hit me in a bad way, it made me think he was the bad guy. But in reality it was me.
JC: And all this must have been a big motivation for you as you came to Mt. SAC to play football?
HF: Most definitely. I told him, ‘I’m a man now. The last guy he doubted was a little boy.’ I took the Fangupo name and I brought it to Mt. SAC and as I walked onto the stadium there, I said to myself, ‘My name will be known here—everyone on this field will respect my name, and when I go on the field, everyone in this league will respect my name, and now at USC, I want America to know my name.’
PHOTO BY JAMES CHOY - Fangupo smiles and laughs while taking time out from football chatting with friends.
JC: How did the USC coaches react when hearing about this story?
HF: They said, ‘Loni, I want to meet your dad and I want to shake his hand.’ They were amazed at how mature I was and how fast I was for a guy who was 340 pounds. They knew that my dad was the reason why I am what I am today. Coach Carroll told me, ‘Loni you got big shoes to fill when you come play for us,’ and I said, ‘Well Coach I got big feet so hopefully those shoes will fit me!’
JC: Wow … (shakes his head in amazement) How did you get in touch with USC?
HF: On the night before, I had two schools I was prepared to verbally commit to—Tennessee and Oregon. I got a call from my mom that night and she said to me, ‘Son, your sister’s coming. I don’t want you to leave California. I want you to stay so you can look after her… we’re going to make this agreement. I talked to God, and this is the deal. The first school who calls you, that’s the team who you’ll commit to. If it’s Cal, UCLA, San Diego, even a Division II school, that’s the school that God has chosen for you to go to.’ I was like wow, but I was scared and I didn’t want to do that but my mom told me, ‘Son do not disobey me,’ and I did what she said.
JC: And then?
HF: The next morning at 9 a.m. Pete Carroll called and said, ‘Hebron Fangupo, how would you like to be a part of the USC Trojans football team?’
JC: And how did you react?
HF: I was like, ‘Oh my gosh!!!!!! What the Heck!! This is the sign!”
JC: You actually said that?
HF: No, I just grumbled, ‘Ohhhhhh… heeeeey…’
JC: Hahaha.
HF: He woke me up so I was a little tired. Hahaha.
JC: With all this happening, what are your plans for the future?
HF: My plan is this. I will go to USC for a year and a half and pursue in getting my Bachelor’s degree in Sociology because while my body won’t last forever, my learning will. I’ll leave for the NFL and whenever my career’s done, I’ll come back to get my Master’s degree in Counseling, come back to Mt. SAC and be a counselor and coach there.
JC: Have you been always staying in shape?
HF: Oh yeah, I was putting in four hours at Mt. SAC everyday at the gym and on the field. Sometimes I wasn’t able to because I had study groups so I left early to get that taken care of. I want to make sure I stay busy and do things I want to do. You see I want to live life, not watch it.
JC: We’re coming to the endpoint of our interview. One random question that I want to ask you … How important is it to be an American?
HF: Oh, it’s very important to me. For my religion it’s big, I mean this is where it started. It’s a blessing that America provides you the freedom of choice and freedom of religion. A lot of people say that it’s not free, but I don’t see chains tied in anyone’s hands or feet. A lot of people complain about living but you’re free.
JC: How about America as a nation?
HF: To be a good American is a way of honoring the soldiers in the past. I don’t want to be the guy that bends the law or breaks the law that people died for. When I watched the movie “Patriot” it broke my heart, but it also lifted me up because I see people who fought so hard for freedom, freedom that you can’t see, touch or feel.
JC: What do you value most about America?
HF: America is great because they provide us with technology, great people, different customs and culture for us to see and to learn from—everyone brings in their two cents and I think that adds to money in the bank.
JC: With the Tongan culture and its way of life … how do you exhibit yourself here in America as a Tongan-American?
HF: When you go to another man’s house, you’re under his roof, you’re under his rules. But then again I’m still the same person walking thru that door. I come to America. I respect America’s laws and ways and teachings, but I don’t forget who I am when I came here. I’m still Tongan and I’ll forever keep my culture going. I’ll speak my language.
——-
Fangupo is currently practicing with his new team at USC and is accompanied by another Mt. SAC teammate, Jacob Harfman. By having more players getting looks from USC, Fangupo said that he doesn’t want the filter between both schools to be a pipeline.
“I want it to flow through wide open,” he said. “I want to be able to help these student-athletes to be able to move to the next level and with academics, that’s what’s most important about all this.”
For more questions or comments regarding this interview, email James Choy at James909@gmail.com.
After a heartbreaking loss to Butte last year in the state championship game, the Mt. San Antonio College Mounties will be seeking atonement as their first game of the 2009 season approaches with less than a month away.
Former quarterback Nick Lamaison (Now at Tennessee) led the Mounties to a big start in the 2008 season delivering a MVP-like performance with quick pass attacks and the ability to put points on the board early in games. With his contribution the Mounties provided offense that many opposing teams could not handle. However, it wasn’t until the latter half of the season when Lamaison suffered a leg/ankle injury that limited his playing time.
By watching from the sidelines, his teammate and backup quarterback Tyler Vanderzee stepped in and gave an impressive debut and performance against Fullerton and a better-than-expected contribution throughout the rest of the season. Lamaison was able to put in some minutes fighting his injury but Vanderzee took the load and helped carry the Mounties to the state championship game.
Vanderzee’s ability to bob, weave and scramble inside and outside the pocket provided key plays to help the offense come through for the team but unfortunately came short as the team sputtered in the end.
Along with Vanderzee, the class of ’09 consists of many great weapons that Mt. SAC has to offer. As one coach put it, “This team has probably 14-15 players who will make it to D1 easy.”
The following is a list of the first of many players who will help in getting that state championship for Mt. SAC:
PHOTO BY JAMES CHOY - Sophomore wide receiver Lester Thomas leans out for a one-handed catch during a run-and-catch drill at practice.
JAMES’ ANALYSIS: Thomas is a humble person and a ‘to-himself’ kind of guy. He is low-key, speaks very little but let’s his game speak for itself. Clearly he has the best hands on the team and almost always catches any pass that comes to him. He moves well enough to beat his defender in receiving the short 5-15 yard pass or the long 20-50 yards. He loves to run deep and go for the long bomb.
On a few occasions, Thomas has made some spectacular catches, a couple of them with one hand leaving teammates in oohs and aahs. Despite not being with the team last year, Thomas is definitely one of the weapons that will contribute in giving Mt. SAC that chance to go far in the post-season.
PHOTO BY JAMES CHOY - Sophomore wide receiver Jesse Canada pushes away a Golden West defender while running for a touchdown.
JAMES’ ANALYSIS: The receivers’ coach said Canada and teammate Lester Thomas are two players who will be significant and pretty much the goto guys for the upcoming season. Canada stands (from my guess) about 6’2″, has nice acceleration in his speed but uses his height well in receiving catches.
Although at times he has missed some passes during practice (what receiver doesn’t), Canada plays on a whole different level and raises his game noticeably during the games.
Despite the stats showing him only with 70 receptions, 927 yards receiving with 8 touchdowns, Canada is more than what is shown on paper. Offensive coordinator Tom Craft has a philosophy in bringing a balanced offense attack giving not one or two receivers the extra yardage but anyone who is open to receive and to get the extra yards. Lamaison completed many of his passes not targeting on one receiver alone but to everyone–picking his spots and delivering the passes.
With teammates Matt Austin and Gabe Tuata both moving on (both were the top two receivers statistically last season), Canada will be one of the first group to get that opportunity.
NOTE: The University of Utah called with interest in signing Canada but there was no word if any further talks went on with that. Canada said Tennessee had called him at the end of last season with interest but nothing had resumed afterwards.
Lane Kiffin was named head coach for Tennessee on Dec. 2 last year which gives the possibility that his staff was interested with Canada considering the final game of the season for Mt. SAC ended on Dec. 13.
It’s obvious Canada likes Tennessee. But does Kiffin like Canada?
Will Kiffin revisit contact with Canada if he comes through with an impressive sophomore year? If it happens, there surely will be more D1 schools knocking at his door.
PHOTO BY JAMES CHOY - Sophomore running backs Burton & Lancer Iosefa will work together to help the Mounties' running game this year.
JAMES’ ANALYSIS: Lancer said this past spring BYU offered a package deal to have both brothers come to the team.
There hasn’t been word if the Iosefas are willing to break up and go separate ways. If they choose to leave together to other schools, it’ll be a tough call for those schools interested to consider it. But if BYU is offering that package, then there really is no option but to go that way.
On the field, the two athletes are quick. They love to swerve and run and turn and speed away from the pocket and take off to the end zone on every play/drill. While it’s hard to determine the difference between both in their running style, Burton has been impressive throughout last season with his quickness. He rushed for 780 yards with 143 carries and 10 touchdowns, three of those games he rushed for 100+ yards.
Lancer on the other hand had limited touches with the ball during his time in 2007 playing alongside Kevin Craft. During that year, the emphasis was more on gaining passing yardage than with the running game.
After that season Coach Tom Craft organized some plays and schemes to incorporate a running game in the offense. With a bad leg injury in the beginning of last season, Lancer was unable to play and had to sit out. This year he has the opportunity to redeem himself and work with his brother together for the first time at Mt. SAC and deliver a 1-2 punch against the defense.
While their heights might seem problematic against the toughness of the opposing defense, the two brothers find no major problems dealing with the Mt. SAC defense during the drills and move swiftly through the pocket almost every time.
From jcfootball.scout.com:
The Iosefas’ So Cal Combine Results from Spring 2009
Burton Iosefa
5′8 1/2″, 183
Forty: 4.63, Shuttle: 3.97, Vertical: 35.4, Bench: 15 reps of 225
Lancer Iosefa
5-7, 180
Forty: 4.67 (laser), Shuttle: 3.91, Vertical: 39, Bench: 18 reps of 225
NOTE: If both can share and breakout with some good statistics on paper, they will also find many D1 schools knocking at their door.
PHOTO BY JAMES CHOY - Sophomore offensive lineman Joe Unga will help defend the Mt. SAC offense this fall.
JAMES’ ANALYSIS: Unga is 6’6″ 310 pounds. His twin brothers, Kevin and Devin are playing at Oregon State. If Unga chooses to stay close with family (which might be all the more reason to consider Oregon State as his first choice) it’s pretty evident where he would want to go. However, with UCLA calling and his cousin Eddie Williams playing for the Bruins this year, it might require some more time in deciding where he’ll go. But then again, maybe not.
“If UCLA calls, I want to come play–I love Southern California,” he said.
With former teammate Dominique Gaisie up at University of Washington as well as former Mt. SAC assistant coach Demetrius Martin, the sweepstakes for Unga become more interesting. Having played with Williams beside him and going head-to-head against USC’s defensive tackle Hebron ‘Loni’ Fangupo numerous times during practices, Unga will be prepared and ready for whatever comes his way for the Mounties this year.
“My mission this year is to help the offensive line, work as a team and work as a brotherhood,” Unga said. “The more we talk, the more comfortable we’ll be.”
Unga has the perfect height and body to be a presence in the offensive line. His strength will allow anyone playing beside him to aid in warding off the charging defensive line. Despite the exceptional job Unga has provided in protecting Lamaison last season, he said he also wants to get better physically and work on his mechanics more.
“I think I’m in good shape but I can be better,” he said.
Unga’s So Cal combine workout results this past Spring:
Joe Unga
6′6″, 310
Forty: 5.04 (h), Shuttle: 4.5, Vertical: 27.8, Bench: 10 reps of 225
PHOTO BY JAMES CHOY - Defensive end Bruce Irvin will help lead the frontline defense to give opposing teams problems.
JAMES’ ANALYSIS: Irvin is a monster. The six-foot five-inch sophomore has been working hard during the summer to get into shape. While it’s hard to tell, Irvin seems the same on his upper body but looks more defined. My guess is that the coaching staff is looking for him to utilize more quickness when playing on the defensive end. Irvin has spent time in the summer working real hard with his academics to make an easy transition out of Mt. SAC and into wherever he goes.
The rumor with USC is that head coach Pete Carroll was interested in Irvin but talks may have died down. According to sources, Carroll was impressed with Irvin’s combine results and loved Irvin’s speed. By being accompanied with the rest of USC’s defense, Irvin would be an instant and effective chess piece in the Trojan’s lineup.
From my opinion, it really looks like Irvin is on his way to Tennessee. He seems set on it for sure and is making no mention of conflictions with his choices. But Irvin has all that left aside for now and is locked in for the upcoming Mt. SAC season. Irvin said there’s some unfinished business that needs to be done at the junior college.
“I’m pumped about everything that’s going on and I’m ready,” he said. “There’s business to handle at Mt. SAC–people think we’re a joke but we got a lot to prove this year.”
Bruce Irvin
6′5″, 240
Forty: 4.36 (h), Shuttle: NA, Vertical: 34.3, Bench: 20 reps of 225
The following story/feature will be a first of many profiles of Mt. SAC football players to be looked at. For more questions, email James Choy at James909@gmail.com.
PHOTO BY JAMES CHOY: USC kicker Jacob Harfman kicks a 38-yard field goal during a game against Allan Hancock on Nov. 22, 2008. The Mounties won by a score of 52-14.
Once upon a sunny November afternoon during football practice, a 19-year-old Jacob Harfman stood focusing his eyes at the uprights, about 67 yards away from the field goal. He planted his worn-out cleats onto the ground, gazing at the two poles. Both of his legs were straightened, his 198-pound body positioned at a 45-degree angle slanted forward, arms hanging downward on his sides, his fingers jiggling.
The heat from the radiant sun glistened on his sweat-filled forehead. And within a second, Harfman approached, swung back his right leg as far back as he could and pummeled the dirt-filled pigskin high into the smoggy Southern California sky, going, going, going … his teammates all looking on.
Did he get it?
Harfman gazed as the football cleared right down the middle, easily over the horizontal bar. The players stared in amazement. Harfman’s Trojan teammate, (also a teammate at Mt. SAC) Hebron ‘Loni’ Fangupo stood beside the uprights jumping up and down in excitement.
Harfman kicked a 67-yard field goal on a routine day at practice on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College.
Joe Unga, an offensive lineman for Mt. SAC saw the kick and was in awe.
“You never have to worry about Jake,” Unga said. “He would always do that every time I see him kick a field goal.”
On Aug. 7, The Trojans will begin camp in preparation for their 2009 college football season. Like Harfman, many other incoming players will get down and dirty with the ‘official’ start of Trojan football.
For Harfman, being at USC is something that still surprises him.
“It still seems surreal being here practicing at USC,” he said. “But I’m enjoying it and doing what I wanted to do and that’s help in anyway I can.”
With teammates Joe Houston and Jordan Congdon kicking alongside, Harfman is competing to start for all the kicking jobs.
“I’m kicking good right now,” he said. “I’m looking to get more accurate and also focusing on punting a lot more.”
Harfman spent most of his time at Mt. SAC kicking field goals last year. The longest Harfman kicked during the season was a 56-yard boot that took place during a night game against Riverside.
Harfman hopes to take the position in kicking field goals for the Trojans but will have to perform above his two teammates.
“I know I have a bigger leg and get a lot of height with the ball, but I just need to be more accurate,” he said.
With assistance from former Raiders special teams coach Brian Schneider as well as head coach Pete Carroll overseeing progress, Harfman finds himself in good company in improving his performance.
At Mt. SAC, luck wasn’t always on Harfman’s side. On a number of occasions, he had the misfortune of missing some easy field goals, a few of his missed kicks coming from touchdown field goals. In one instance, he had missed from 20 yards.
Harfman said that the reason for his misses came from being too comfortable.
“It was more me being too relaxed and taking it for granted,” he said. “I wasn’t focusing and working on my fundamentals.”
But Harfman’s progress improved as the season went on. Harfman helped Mt. SAC make it all the way to the state championship game despite losing to Butte 17-9.
With his football season completed at the junior college, Harfman proved to be good enough to get looked at by Carroll and later signing on to play for the Trojans for the 2009 season.
Harfman said that his time at Mt. SAC was worthwhile and a great experience.
“The coaching staff treated me well most definitely,” he said. “I loved being at Mt. SAC, I’m really glad I went there.”
Harfman is one of the many Mt. SAC football players who will be playing for key division I schools.
Including Harfman, Fangupo (his teammate) played defensive tackle for the Mounties last year and will be doing the same this year at USC. Offensive lineman Eddie Williams recently was signed and is currently playing for UCLA. Mt. SAC’s quarterback last season, Nick Lamaison, is at the University of Tennessee this year playing under former USC assistant coach Lane Kiffin. Mt. SAC’s defensive end, Bruce Irvin is currently verbally committed to also play for Kiffin at Tennessee next year and is rumored to be headed that way after he completes his season with Mt. SAC this year.
Harfman recognizes the success that Mt. SAC has provided him and the other players and commends the program for their job well done.
“I think it says alot about Mt. SAC football to be that successful and get all the athletes out to bigtime D1 schools,” he said.
Harfman said he hopes that his former teammates all perform well at their respective schools.
“I’m happy for Nick and Bruce (if he goes to Tennessee) and I think they’ll fit in and do great, especially with the big-name coaches they got over there,” Harfman said.
The Trojans will start their season Sept. 5 when they host San Jose State with the game starting at 12:30 p.m.
For the past number of years, Mt. San Antonio College has noticeably pushed out quality football players and helped them move on to four-year universities with a handful of them going to the pros.
The following is a list of former Mt. SAC players currently in the NFL:
1. Antonio Pierce – Linebacker – New York Giants
2. Alphonso Boone – Defensive Line – Kansas City Chiefs
3. Chris McAlister – Defensive Back – Baltimore Ravens
4. Donte Nicholson – Defensive Back – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. Delanie Walker – Tight End – San Francisco 49ers
6. Rulon Davis – Defensive End – Denver Broncos
—
7. Anthony Calvillo – Quarterback – Montreal Allouettes
In college football, 9 players took part in the 2008 bowl games while a handful of other players represented but did not partake in the bowl matchups. The following names are those who participated:
- Allstate Sugar Bowl – Aiona Key – WR – Utah
- Allstate Sugar Bowl – Aaron Tonga – DT – Utah
- Allstate Sugar Bowl – Viliami Nau – OL – Utah
- Rose Bowl – Greg Woidneck – P – USC
- Pacific Life Holiday Bowl – Tyrell Irvin – LB – Oregon
- Emerald Bowl – Rulon Davis – DE – California
- Champs Sports bowl – Joe Tonga – OL – Florida St.
- Poinsettia Bowl – Garcia Day – S – Boise St.
- Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl – Bernard Afutiti – DL – BYU
* NOTE: Some players were not mentioned in the list above.
* Kevin Craft – UCLA – QB — With a stellar year at Mt. SAC, Craft was the 2007 State Offensive Player of the Year and J.C. Gridwire Offensive Player of the Year completing 61% of his passes with over 4,200 yards passing with 44 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Despite a tough year last season with UCLA, Craft remains as one of the quarterbacks on the roster under Bruin head coach Rick Neuheisel and may see some action in the 2009 season.
After the 2008 season, the Mounties re-established their roster with a combination of freshmen and sophomores going all the way to the state championship game for the second year in a row, but falling once again as runner-ups. The following is a list of the 2008 class that have moved on to four-year schools:
Nick Lamaison – QB – Tennessee
Hebron Fangupo – DT – USC
Jacob Harfman – K – USC
Eddie Williams – OL – UCLA
Dominique Gaisie – DB – Washington
Vincent Federico – DT – New Mexico State University
Blake Cornalino – OL – Old Dominion
Matt Austin – WR – Utah State
Bobby Alt – DE – University of Montana
Bruce Harris – DB – Nebraska-Omaha
Alfred Rowe – LB – Fort Valley State University
Uafaileeimoo Uelese – DT Fort Valley State University
Dalton Etimani – TE – West Texas A & M
Jonathan Joe – TE – East Central Oklahoma
Justin Hunt – DE – Western New Mexico
Kendall Price – OL – Western New Mexico
Roland Foumai – DE – Western New Mexico
Paul Koloa – DT – NW Oklahoma State
Robert Mata – P – NW Oklahoma State
Jason Cohen – DB – NW Oklahoma State
* NOTE: Some players were not mentioned in the list above.
With many Division I schools sending their scouts over to the junior college, the talent pool at Mt. SAC has risen in the last decade with the credit of staff networking, media presence and the players themselves.
Earlier this year, a number of athletes from the 2009 Mt. SAC football team took part in the JCfootball.com Southern California Combine at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, Calif. on May 2.
During the workouts, a number of Mt. SAC players performed in a variety of tests with many faring well. The following is a list of the athletes that stood out:
From http://jcfootball.scout.com:
QUARTERBACKS
Tyler Vanderzee
6’6″, 198
Forty: 4.71 (h), Shuttle: 4.39, Vertical: 30.1, Bench: 8 reps of 185
** Attended unsigned sophomore camp on Friday due to scheduling conflict. Only two combine tests were run on Friday.
Kolby Arendse
6’3″, 227
Forty: 4.77 (h), Shuttle: 4.21, Vertical: 29, Bench: 27 reps of 185
RUNNING BACKS
Bryce Mahmud-McBride
5’6 1/2″, 186
Forty: 4.52 (h), Shuttle: 4.22, Vertical: 36.3, Bench: 15 reps of 225
David Bart
5’5 1/2″, 154
Forty: 4.53 (h), Shuttle: 4.0, Vertical: NA, Bench: 18 reps of 185
Burton Iosefa
5’8 1/2″, 183
Forty: 4.63, Shuttle: 3.97, Vertical: 35.4, Bench: 15 reps of 225
Lancer Iosefa
5-7, 180
Forty: 4.67 (laser), Shuttle: 3.91, Vertical: 39, Bench: 18 reps of 225
OFFENSIVE LINE
Joe Unga
6’6″, 310
Forty: 5.04 (h), Shuttle: 4.5, Vertical: 27.8, Bench: 10 reps of 225
Bruce Seumanutafa
6’4″, 397
Forty: 5.31 (h), Shuttle: 5.22, Vertical: 17.9, Bench: 30 reps of 225
Manase Fuketi
6’5 1/2″, 313
Forty: 5.19 (h), Shuttle: 5.29, Vertical: 27.6, Bench: NA
Desmund Farris
6’2″, 269
Forty: 5.19 (h), Shuttle: 4.69, Vertical: 27.1, Bench: 17 reps of 225
Thomas Sherman (Special Acknowledgment)
5’10″, 174.
Vertical: 38.6
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Bojay Filimoeatu – DT
6’1″, 275
Forty: 4.97 (h), Shuttle: NA, Vertical: 25, Bench: 20 reps of 225
Bruce Irvin
6’5″, 240
Forty: 4.36 (h), Shuttle: NA, Vertical: 34.3, Bench: 20 reps of 225
Terry Battle
6’1 1/2″, 215
Forty: 4.46 (h), Shuttle: 4.18, Vertical: 35.2, Bench: 22 reps of 225
Michael Willis
6’1″, 222
Forty: 4.64 (h), Shuttle: 4.16, Vertical: 29.6, Bench: 20 reps of 225
LINEBACKERS
Nate Vaiomounga
5’11″, 226
Forty: 4.75 (h), Shuttle: 4.33, Vertical: 33.2, Bench: 20 reps of 225
DEFENSIVE BACK
Arness Ikner – CB
5’6 1/2″, 168
Forty: 4.41 (h), Shuttle: 4.17, Vertical: 33.7, Bench: 11 reps of 225
Manoa Latu – CB
6’0 1/2″, 196
Forty: 4.59 (h), Shuttle: 4.1, Vertical: 32.1, Bench: 15 reps of 225
Isaiah Williams
5’8″, 167
Forty: 4.57 (h), Shuttle: 4.4, Vertical: 33.2, Bench: 13 reps of 185
Malcolm Murray – FS
6’1″, 199
Forty: 4.4 (h), Shuttle: NA, Vertical: 33.8, Bench: 13 reps of 225
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With the high level of competition in Southern Calif., JUCO football consists of talented athletes across the area. With other schools like El Camino, Fullerton, College of the Canyons and Saddleback to name a few, Mt. SAC is one with the rest as one of the top junior colleges in football.
If four-year schools are pondering and wondering of where to find that talent, one of the places to be is that campus just aside the small hills of Walnut, Calif.
———-
Other former Mt. SAC students/players/staff:
- Rocky Seto – USC Defensive Coordinator
- Dewayne Walker – Head Coach-New Mexico State, former Defensive Coordinator-UCLA
- Ron English – Head Coach-Eastern Michigan University, former Defensive Coordinator – Michigan, former Defensive Coordinator – Louisville
* More others to be named.
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