Templeton High lineman Ross Berry signs with Cal Poly

Posted: Feb 6, 2013 5:23 PM by Andrew Masuda
Updated: Feb 7, 2013 12:12 AM

Templeton lineman Berry signs wtih Cal Poly

Templeton High offensive lineman Ross Berry officially committed to Cal Poly on Wednesday, the start of the Regular National Signing Period. The 6-4, 290 pound lineman, verbally committed to the Mustangs last July, but inked a national letter of intent on Wednesday.

Berry chose the Mustangs over offers from San Jose State, Nevada and Sacramento State. Berry earned All-CIF and All-Los Padres League honors in 2011 and 2012.

"I've always wanted to go to Cal Poly because I know what a great place it is. It's been my pick since the beginning. I really felt like I fit in with them, I felt like they're a good coaching staff and I feel like the program's on the rise," said Berry moments after signing his NLI to become a Mustang. Berry will be a third generation Mustang as his grandfather, stepfather and mother are Cal Poly grads.

Ross is just the third football player in Templeton High history to sign an NLI. Jake Romanelli went on to have a successful career at fullback for Cal Poly, while linebacker Tyler Gray signed last year with Boise State.

Berry said Cal Poly coaches want him to play guard for the Mustangs. He anchored the Templeton offensive line that finished 7-4 his senior year in 2012 and reached the CIF Semifinals in 2010 and 2011.

According to his recruiting web page, he was clocked in the 40 yard dash in 5.3 seconds, bench pressed 315 pounds and recorded a vertical leap of 25.4 inches.

Berry joins San Luis Obispo High's Jack Ferguson in Cal Poly's recruiting class of 2013.

The Mustangs are coming off an 9-3 season that included a share of the Big Sky title in their first season as part of the powerhouse conference. Cal Poly also earned a spot in the FCS playoffs for the third time in program history. After receiving a first round bye, the Mustangs lost in the second round 18-16 to eventual national runner-up Sam Houston State