Fresno State lands NorCal RB

Fresno State was hoping to bring in two running backs this year and after landing Lonyae Miller earlier in the year, has now picked up their second commitment from Turlock (Calif.) Pitman standout Anthony Harding.

Harding, 6-0, 205 pounds is a power back and one of the most physical backs in the state. The athlete put together very solid back to back seasons and as a junior and senior and is also one of the better runners coming out of the backfield.

As a junior, Harding rushed for 1,710 yards and17 touchdowns and also caught 23 balls for 314 yards and four scores. This past season, the running back rushed for 1,646 yards and 25 touchdowns and caught 15 balls for 225 yards and two more scores. He earned league offensive player of the year, all-district and honorable mention all-section honors for his efforts.

"I tripped to Fresno State this past weekend and committed on the visit," Harding said. "They offered me while I was there and I jumped on it. I was looking at Nevada too and I was going to visit there this weekend but I really like Fresno State and feel it's the best place for me.

"I'm real comfortable with the coaches there and I like the program a lot. Coach Settle recruited me and he's a good guy and I like Coach Hill a lot too. He told me they have some good running backs already in the program but he said he wants me to come in with the attitude of competing for playing time right away. Coach Hill said they play the best players there so I would love to have a chance to play as a true freshman.

"If I have to redshirt, that's fine too. It will give me an extra year to get bigger and stronger and then I'll have a chance to compete for playing time the following year. I'm excited about my decision, I think Fresno State is a great program and it was a pretty easy decision for me once they offered."