Photos By Brianna Campbell and Matt Weir / Collegian File Photo
Six former Bulldogs prepare for battle at the NFL Scouting Combine, Saturday through Tuesday
Chastin West
Wide Receiver 6’ 1” 215 pounds
West was a three-year starter for the Fresno State football team. He became the team’s leading receiver during the 2006 season while making 33 catches for 365 yards and three touchdowns. He missed the 2007 season after suffering a season-ending injury.
West bounced back in 2008, starting 11 games while making 18 catches for 214 yards and a touchdown. As a senior, West went on to make 30 receptions for 472 yards and two touchdowns.
West finished his career catching 81 passes for 1,061 yards and six touchdowns.
Photos By Brianna Campbell and Matt Weir / Collegian File Photo
Seyi Ajirotutu
Wide Receiver 6’ 4” 210 pounds
Ajirotutu broke on the scene during his sophomore year in 2007 and went on to start over 20 games in his Bulldog career. During the ’07 season he caught 29 passes for 491 yards.
Ajirotutu established himself as an every down player early in 2008. In the first game of the ’08 season against Rutgers, Ajirotutu had three receptions for 116 yards. He finished the season as the ‘Dogs leading receiver catching 47 passes for 795 yards and five touchdowns.
As a senior in 2009, Ajirotutu set career highs in receptions and touchdowns. He caught 49 passes for 677 yards and seven touchdowns. Ajirotutu closed out his career with 129 receptions for 1,991 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was a second-team All-Western Athletic Conference (WAC) selection by the coaches as a senior.
Photos By Brianna Campbell and Matt Weir / Collegian File Photo
Ryan Mathews
Running Back 5’ 11” 220 pounds
Mathews arrived at Fresno State as the leading rusher in the nation as a high school senior and left as one of the best ever to wear a Bulldog uniform.
Mathews shattered numerous school records during his time as a ‘Dog, as he rushed for a single-season best 1,808 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2009. He left as the school’s all-time rushing touchdown leader, reaching the end zone 39 times. For his career, Mathews ran for more than 3,200 yards in three years.
Mathews’ legacy will be remembered best for scoring three long touchdown runs against Boise State in 2009 and hopping over a UCLA defender on his way to the end zone in 2008. He closed out his career as arguably one of the best players to ever play at Fresno State.
Photos By Brianna Campbell and Matt Weir / Collegian File Photo
A.J. Jefferson
Cornerback 6’ 1” 190 pounds
Jefferson holds the school record for most career kickoff return touchdowns with three.
Jefferson had a breakout year as a sophomore in 2007, returning two kickoffs for a touchdown while leading the NCAA in kickoff return yardage, averaging 35.8 yards a return. He was named WAC Special Teams Player of the Week three times during the ’07 season. Jefferson also played a role as a cornerback making 37 tackles and breaking up three passes.
Jefferson hopped into the starting lineup in 2008 and went on to start every single game as a senior in 2009. For his career, Jefferson made over 100 tackles while appearing in over 40 games.
Photos By Brianna Campbell and Matt Weir / Collegian File Photo
Lonyae Miller
Running Back 5’ 11” 220 pounds
Miller had many memorable moments during his Bulldog career. He holds the school record for the longest rushing touchdown at 90 yards. As a Bulldog, he ran for over 2,000 yards and scored 20 touchdowns while averaging over five yards a carry.
Miller started 11 games as a ‘Dog and played in over 40 games.
Photos By Brianna Campbell and Matt Weir / Collegian File Photo
Robert Malone
Punter 6’ 2” 215 pounds
Malone finished his career as one of the finest punters in the nation during the 2009 season. He averaged over 45 yards a punt in ’09. Malone was voted by the coaches as a first-team All-WAC performer.
Malone started at punter for two years and was the holder on field goals for all four years as a Bulldog. He closed out his career averaging more than 42 yards a punt.