Cal Poly Football Signs 13 Players During Early Signing Period
2/1/2024 5:49:00 PM | Football
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly football announced that they have added 13 future student-athletes to the program during the early signing period.
Included in the class are six defensive players and seven offensive players. Those include two defensive lineman, a linebacker, three defensive backs, four wide receivers, a tight end, a running back, and an offensive tackle.
The early signing period runs from Dec. 20 until Dec. 22. Another signing period will open Feb. 7 and last until the beginning of April.
More about the signees:
Jake Vorhees
DE
San Marcos, CA / San Marcos High School
A four-year defensive end at San Marcos High School, Vorhees recorded 11 sacks this year as a senior and helped San Marcos win its first league title since 1986. In the league title game, the 6-4 Vorhees had 4.5 sacks to help lead them to victory. He's also played basketball for four years and in track & field as a junior where he competed in the shot put, recording the 10th best throw in school history.
Vorhees comes from parents who attended and played sports at Cal Poly. His dad Tom played football while his mom played soccer. He also has a cousin, Andrew Vorhees, who played football at USC and in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens.
Coach Wulff comment: "Jake's a guy that is still a little underdeveloped physically but has a lot of potential. He has a really nice frame, he's athletic. He played both sides of the ball in high school but we really view him as an explosive player as a defensive lineman with a big upside."
Trevor Newkirk
OT
Ladera Ranch, CA / San Juan Hills High School
A three-year starter and letterwinner at San Juan Hills HS (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) under head coach Andy Jacobs, the 6-7 Newkirk was named to the All-Sea View League first team for his 2023 senior season after helping the Stallions to an 11-2 record and a runner-up finish in the CIF Southern Section Division III playoffs. With Newkirk on the line, San Juan Hills HS averaged 35.5 points per game last fall.
Newkirk also earned All-Sea View League second team praise for his 2022 junior season after appearing in all 12 games.
Coach Wulff comment: "Trevor will be the biggest player we sign this year at 6-7, 300 pounds and was really a late bloomer. He gained some weight and height in the last year and has athletically come into his own his senior year. Very excited about this young man. We see him playing tackle but has tremendous upside and is still developing."
JT Houston
DE
Downey, CA / Warren High School
Houston had a breakout senior season at Warren High School in 2023, recording 20 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, 17 quarterback hurries, and 69 total tackles. He helped lead Warren High School to an appearance in the CIF Southern Section Division 3 championship game this season.
Coach Wulff comment: "JT is very physical and I'm excited to watch him because of his physicality. He's going to play defensive end and has the ability to get after the quarterback but is a very naturally strong individual that we expect to be an explosive player from the defensive line position."
Aiden Hall
WR
San Bernardino, CA / Etiwanda High School
Hall has been a four-year varsity starter at Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. As a junior in 2022, the 6-4 receiver earned All-League honors after recording 27 receptions for 408 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games.
Hall chose the Mustangs after having several other offers from other schools, including Washington State and Air Force. He comes from an athletic family as his dad, Andre Hall, played baseball at Grambling State and was drafted by the Boston Red Sox.
Coach Wulff comment: "We're very excited to have Aiden, we've been recruiting him for six, seven months and he's just a big, tall, athletic wide receiver that has a bright future in front of him. I'm excited to see him develop and I think there's an opportunity that he could have an impact as a freshman."
Reese Leonard
WR
Manhattan Beach, CA / Mira Costa High School
Leonard was a three-time All-Bay League honoree while playing at Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, Calif. He was also a two-time All-Area selection and was Co-Bay League Offensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2023.
The 6-3 Leonard also holds the Mira Costa High School record for most receiving yards in a game with 252. A well-rounded athlete, he also participated in basketball, volleyball, and track in high school.
Coach Wulff comment: "Very happy to have Reese join our team. He's a big, tall, competitive wide receiver that helped lead his team deep into the state playoffs. He will be a key player for the future of Cal Poly football."
Devin Cerda
RB
Oceanside, CA / El Camino High School
A three-year letterwinner for El Camino HS (Oceanside, Calif.), Cerda produced 692 rushing yards as a senior in 2023, averaging 6.0 yards per carry and compiling two 100-yard rushing games and three touchdowns. He also caught 38 passes with two receiving touchdowns and averaged 84.7 all-purpose yards per game.
As a junior in 2022, Cerda scored seven times and finished with 575 rushing yards. In three seasons and 35 games, Cerda averaged 48.9 yards per game while scoring 13 touchdowns.
Coach Wulff comment: "We had Devin in football camp and really thought highly of him as a person and his work ethic. He's shown the ability to run with power and between the tackles and is a high-level individual we're very excited to add to our team."
Justus Woods
DB
Oceanside, CA / San Marcos High School
Woods was named the 2023 Palomar League Defensive Player of the Year and to the All-CIF San Diego Section team at cornerback after producing 35 tackles, two fumble recoveries and blocking a field goal. With Woods in the lineup, San Marcos HS (San Marcos, Calif.) finished 9-3, captured the Palomar League title and reached the quarterfinals of the CIF San Diego Section Division I championship.
The 6-1 Woods, who received offers from several schools including Arizona, BYU, Nevada, Colorado State and San Diego State, was also selected to the Avocado League All-Defense first team during his 2022 junior season at Carlsbad HS (Carlsbad, Calif.) after helping the Lancers to a 10-2 mark, a league title and a runner-up showing in the CIF San Diego Section Open Division championship.
Coach Wulff comment: "Justus gives us some size and physicality at the position. He's a talented young man that has a lot of potential and in particular just his size and physicality is something we need more of and he definitely gives us that."
Jeremiah Bernard
DB
Tracy, CA / Modesto Christian High School
A two-way standout for Modesto Christian HS (Modesto, Calif.), Bernard – for his three-year letterwinning career – caught 188 passes for 3,076 yards and 36 touchdowns. As a defensive back, he amassed 125 tackles and five interceptions in 25 career games.
Named Trans Valley League Most Outstanding Wide Receiver, Bernard is a two-time All-TVL selection on offense and defense as well as a two-time All-CIF Sac Joaquin Section and All-California honoree. Intending to major in business, the 6-0 Bernard has finished on the Modesto Christian HS honor roll for 15 successive quarters.
Coach Wulff comment: "Jeremiah is a physical, long-levered defensive back that has the ability to be a safety. He's got excellent ball skills and his someone who we think has the maturity to play in his first year."
Bain Eiseman
WR
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA / Inglewood HS
In three seasons playing varsity at Inglewood High School, Eiseman had 82 receptions for 1,516 yards and nine touchdowns in addition to two rushing touchdowns. In eight games as a senior, he averaged 22.7 yards per reception as he finished with 21 receptions for 477 yards, three receiving touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns.
Coach Wulff comment: "We really like Bain and his speed. He's got the ability to truly stretch the defense and create big plays for us. He works extremely hard and very happy he's joined us. He's a big play potential guy that we're hoping makes an impact very early in his career."
Calvin Moore
DB
Moreno Valley, CA / Orange Vista HS
Moore played three seasons at Orange Vista High School, totaling five interceptions, 27 pass deflections, and 144 tackles in 33 career games. In his senior season, he had 48 tackles, two interceptions, nine breakups, a blocked field goal and a fumble recovery.
Coach Wulff comment: "Calvin is untapped potential that has a lot of ability. His attitude and work ethic is very impressive and I think just who he is impressed us just as much as his athletic ability. Very happy to have Calvin and excited to watch him develop."
Alek Marshall
TE
Menlo Park, CA / Menlo-Atherton HS
In two seasons at Menlo-Atherton, the 6'7" Marshall totaled over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was named First Team All-League as a junior and his league's Wide Receiver of the Year this past season. In 2023, he had 61 receptions for 809 yards and 10 touchdowns. Marshall, who is ranked as the No. 115 tight end in the country by 247sports.com, had several other offers including from Houston, Air Force, San Jose State, Sacramento State, and Idaho.
Coach Wulff comment: "He had several other offers but he just felt Cal Poly was the perfect fit academically and athletically. He's very big at 6-7 and athletic and will be a weapon in the run and pass just because of his great ball skills and catch radius."
Josiah Lamarque
WR
Newport Harbor, CA / Newport Harbor HS
Four-year varsity letterwinner at Newport Harbor High School. Named First Team All-Sunset League in 2023 and Team MVP. For his career, totaled 190 receptions for 2,836 yards and 22 touchdowns. In 11 games as a senior, caught 70 passes for 983 yards and 11 touchdowns.
As a junior, he finished with 69 catches for 989 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown.
Coach Wulff comment: "Josiah is a competitor and I am very happy about adding him. He's a great athlete who's got great quickness. He can return the ball, he can play slot receiver, he can play outside. He's a very versatile offensive weapon. I'm excited to watch him continue to develop."
Mikey D'Amato
LB
Mission Viejo, CA / Saddleback Community College
D'Amato spent this past season at Saddleback Community College after transferring there from Montana State. In 10 games this season at Saddleback, D'Amato racked up 67 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, seven pass breakups, and one forced fumble on his way to earning First Team All-League honors.
His top game this past season came against Ventura College in which he had 13 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and an interception. D'Amato, who will enroll at Cal Poly in time to participate in spring ball, comes from a football legacy as his dad played football at Utah State before going on to play professionally.
Coach Wulff comment: "We expect Mikey to be an immediate contributor and for him to be enrolled this spring quarter. He's a physical, hard-nosed tough young man who's just got a lot of things we were looking for. He's going to help the linebacker room immediately."
Included in the class are six defensive players and seven offensive players. Those include two defensive lineman, a linebacker, three defensive backs, four wide receivers, a tight end, a running back, and an offensive tackle.
The early signing period runs from Dec. 20 until Dec. 22. Another signing period will open Feb. 7 and last until the beginning of April.
More about the signees:
Jake Vorhees
DE
San Marcos, CA / San Marcos High School
A four-year defensive end at San Marcos High School, Vorhees recorded 11 sacks this year as a senior and helped San Marcos win its first league title since 1986. In the league title game, the 6-4 Vorhees had 4.5 sacks to help lead them to victory. He's also played basketball for four years and in track & field as a junior where he competed in the shot put, recording the 10th best throw in school history.
Vorhees comes from parents who attended and played sports at Cal Poly. His dad Tom played football while his mom played soccer. He also has a cousin, Andrew Vorhees, who played football at USC and in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens.
Coach Wulff comment: "Jake's a guy that is still a little underdeveloped physically but has a lot of potential. He has a really nice frame, he's athletic. He played both sides of the ball in high school but we really view him as an explosive player as a defensive lineman with a big upside."
Trevor Newkirk
OT
Ladera Ranch, CA / San Juan Hills High School
A three-year starter and letterwinner at San Juan Hills HS (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) under head coach Andy Jacobs, the 6-7 Newkirk was named to the All-Sea View League first team for his 2023 senior season after helping the Stallions to an 11-2 record and a runner-up finish in the CIF Southern Section Division III playoffs. With Newkirk on the line, San Juan Hills HS averaged 35.5 points per game last fall.
Newkirk also earned All-Sea View League second team praise for his 2022 junior season after appearing in all 12 games.
Coach Wulff comment: "Trevor will be the biggest player we sign this year at 6-7, 300 pounds and was really a late bloomer. He gained some weight and height in the last year and has athletically come into his own his senior year. Very excited about this young man. We see him playing tackle but has tremendous upside and is still developing."
JT Houston
DE
Downey, CA / Warren High School
Houston had a breakout senior season at Warren High School in 2023, recording 20 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, 17 quarterback hurries, and 69 total tackles. He helped lead Warren High School to an appearance in the CIF Southern Section Division 3 championship game this season.
Coach Wulff comment: "JT is very physical and I'm excited to watch him because of his physicality. He's going to play defensive end and has the ability to get after the quarterback but is a very naturally strong individual that we expect to be an explosive player from the defensive line position."
Aiden Hall
WR
San Bernardino, CA / Etiwanda High School
Hall has been a four-year varsity starter at Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. As a junior in 2022, the 6-4 receiver earned All-League honors after recording 27 receptions for 408 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games.
Hall chose the Mustangs after having several other offers from other schools, including Washington State and Air Force. He comes from an athletic family as his dad, Andre Hall, played baseball at Grambling State and was drafted by the Boston Red Sox.
Coach Wulff comment: "We're very excited to have Aiden, we've been recruiting him for six, seven months and he's just a big, tall, athletic wide receiver that has a bright future in front of him. I'm excited to see him develop and I think there's an opportunity that he could have an impact as a freshman."
Reese Leonard
WR
Manhattan Beach, CA / Mira Costa High School
Leonard was a three-time All-Bay League honoree while playing at Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, Calif. He was also a two-time All-Area selection and was Co-Bay League Offensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2023.
The 6-3 Leonard also holds the Mira Costa High School record for most receiving yards in a game with 252. A well-rounded athlete, he also participated in basketball, volleyball, and track in high school.
Coach Wulff comment: "Very happy to have Reese join our team. He's a big, tall, competitive wide receiver that helped lead his team deep into the state playoffs. He will be a key player for the future of Cal Poly football."
Devin Cerda
RB
Oceanside, CA / El Camino High School
A three-year letterwinner for El Camino HS (Oceanside, Calif.), Cerda produced 692 rushing yards as a senior in 2023, averaging 6.0 yards per carry and compiling two 100-yard rushing games and three touchdowns. He also caught 38 passes with two receiving touchdowns and averaged 84.7 all-purpose yards per game.
As a junior in 2022, Cerda scored seven times and finished with 575 rushing yards. In three seasons and 35 games, Cerda averaged 48.9 yards per game while scoring 13 touchdowns.
Coach Wulff comment: "We had Devin in football camp and really thought highly of him as a person and his work ethic. He's shown the ability to run with power and between the tackles and is a high-level individual we're very excited to add to our team."
Justus Woods
DB
Oceanside, CA / San Marcos High School
Woods was named the 2023 Palomar League Defensive Player of the Year and to the All-CIF San Diego Section team at cornerback after producing 35 tackles, two fumble recoveries and blocking a field goal. With Woods in the lineup, San Marcos HS (San Marcos, Calif.) finished 9-3, captured the Palomar League title and reached the quarterfinals of the CIF San Diego Section Division I championship.
The 6-1 Woods, who received offers from several schools including Arizona, BYU, Nevada, Colorado State and San Diego State, was also selected to the Avocado League All-Defense first team during his 2022 junior season at Carlsbad HS (Carlsbad, Calif.) after helping the Lancers to a 10-2 mark, a league title and a runner-up showing in the CIF San Diego Section Open Division championship.
Coach Wulff comment: "Justus gives us some size and physicality at the position. He's a talented young man that has a lot of potential and in particular just his size and physicality is something we need more of and he definitely gives us that."
Jeremiah Bernard
DB
Tracy, CA / Modesto Christian High School
A two-way standout for Modesto Christian HS (Modesto, Calif.), Bernard – for his three-year letterwinning career – caught 188 passes for 3,076 yards and 36 touchdowns. As a defensive back, he amassed 125 tackles and five interceptions in 25 career games.
Named Trans Valley League Most Outstanding Wide Receiver, Bernard is a two-time All-TVL selection on offense and defense as well as a two-time All-CIF Sac Joaquin Section and All-California honoree. Intending to major in business, the 6-0 Bernard has finished on the Modesto Christian HS honor roll for 15 successive quarters.
Coach Wulff comment: "Jeremiah is a physical, long-levered defensive back that has the ability to be a safety. He's got excellent ball skills and his someone who we think has the maturity to play in his first year."
Bain Eiseman
WR
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA / Inglewood HS
In three seasons playing varsity at Inglewood High School, Eiseman had 82 receptions for 1,516 yards and nine touchdowns in addition to two rushing touchdowns. In eight games as a senior, he averaged 22.7 yards per reception as he finished with 21 receptions for 477 yards, three receiving touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns.
Coach Wulff comment: "We really like Bain and his speed. He's got the ability to truly stretch the defense and create big plays for us. He works extremely hard and very happy he's joined us. He's a big play potential guy that we're hoping makes an impact very early in his career."
Calvin Moore
DB
Moreno Valley, CA / Orange Vista HS
Moore played three seasons at Orange Vista High School, totaling five interceptions, 27 pass deflections, and 144 tackles in 33 career games. In his senior season, he had 48 tackles, two interceptions, nine breakups, a blocked field goal and a fumble recovery.
Coach Wulff comment: "Calvin is untapped potential that has a lot of ability. His attitude and work ethic is very impressive and I think just who he is impressed us just as much as his athletic ability. Very happy to have Calvin and excited to watch him develop."
Alek Marshall
TE
Menlo Park, CA / Menlo-Atherton HS
In two seasons at Menlo-Atherton, the 6'7" Marshall totaled over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was named First Team All-League as a junior and his league's Wide Receiver of the Year this past season. In 2023, he had 61 receptions for 809 yards and 10 touchdowns. Marshall, who is ranked as the No. 115 tight end in the country by 247sports.com, had several other offers including from Houston, Air Force, San Jose State, Sacramento State, and Idaho.
Coach Wulff comment: "He had several other offers but he just felt Cal Poly was the perfect fit academically and athletically. He's very big at 6-7 and athletic and will be a weapon in the run and pass just because of his great ball skills and catch radius."
Josiah Lamarque
WR
Newport Harbor, CA / Newport Harbor HS
Four-year varsity letterwinner at Newport Harbor High School. Named First Team All-Sunset League in 2023 and Team MVP. For his career, totaled 190 receptions for 2,836 yards and 22 touchdowns. In 11 games as a senior, caught 70 passes for 983 yards and 11 touchdowns.
As a junior, he finished with 69 catches for 989 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown.
Coach Wulff comment: "Josiah is a competitor and I am very happy about adding him. He's a great athlete who's got great quickness. He can return the ball, he can play slot receiver, he can play outside. He's a very versatile offensive weapon. I'm excited to watch him continue to develop."
Mikey D'Amato
LB
Mission Viejo, CA / Saddleback Community College
D'Amato spent this past season at Saddleback Community College after transferring there from Montana State. In 10 games this season at Saddleback, D'Amato racked up 67 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, seven pass breakups, and one forced fumble on his way to earning First Team All-League honors.
His top game this past season came against Ventura College in which he had 13 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and an interception. D'Amato, who will enroll at Cal Poly in time to participate in spring ball, comes from a football legacy as his dad played football at Utah State before going on to play professionally.
Coach Wulff comment: "We expect Mikey to be an immediate contributor and for him to be enrolled this spring quarter. He's a physical, hard-nosed tough young man who's just got a lot of things we were looking for. He's going to help the linebacker room immediately."
Cal Poly Football Linebacker Kenny Olson Postgame Press Conference - UC Davis (Oct. 4, 2025)
Sunday, October 05
Cal Poly Football Head Coach Paul Wulff Postgame Press Conference - UC Davis (Oct. 4, 2025)
Sunday, October 05
Cal Poly Football Locker Room Speech by Josh Ngaluafe After Win Over No. 21 Sacramento State
Sunday, September 28
Coach Wulff Postgame Interview - Western Oregon (9-13-25)
Sunday, September 14
