College Football: Former Poway High sack artist Guendling commits to Texas State University
By Michael Bower
The Poway High record holder for sacks in a season is headed to the up-and-coming NCAA Division I program Texas State University.
Brian Guendling, the 2011 Defensive Player of the Year in the Palomar League, verbally committed to play for the Bobcats on Saturday during his official visit to the campus. He can officially sign between Feb. 5 and April 1.
The 6-foot, 4-inch, 230-pound defensive end will make the transfer from Palomar College, where he recorded five and a half sacks in only three games before a season-ending hamstring injury last year.
“When I went to Texas for my visit I had regular expectations, but then I was just blown away,” said Guendling, who out of Poway High signed with the University of Nevada and redshirted a season before transferring to Palomar. “It’s a great town and they have great coaches that understand football and the college life.
“The thing I liked the most was the players. All of them were super respectful and humble. I am looking forward to hanging out with the guys, making new friends and playing football.”
Guendling, who registered a Poway-school record 15 sacks his senior season in 2011, said he will be leaving for Texas State, which is in San Marcos, Texas, on June 1. The Bobcats, which made the move from NCAA Division I-A to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2012, became the second fastest program in history to become bowl eligible last year.
“It’s exciting to be part of an up-and-coming program,” Guendling said. “To be able to say I was apart of a football team as they are building and becoming really strong would be awesome.”
Guendling, who also had an offer on the table from Utah State, said he hopes to make an immediate impact at Texas State.
“Coach said he wants me to come out right away and start,” Guendling said. “He said I am not sitting so I have to start working really hard on the weights and getting ready. I want to gain about 15 or 20 more pounds. I know if I do that there is a good chance I get a lot of playing time.”
Guendling has three years of college eligibility left, but is hoping the NCAA approves a medical redshirt for last season at Palomar College since he only participated in three games. That decision is still pending. Either way, he says he is ready to be part of Texas football.
“People are nuts about football in Texas and I love it,” he said. “There are fans everywhere you go and it’s just awesome. After I announced on Twitter I was committed to Texas State, I had about 60 followers in the next 20 minutes. It’s crazy.”