Stanislaus District football standouts turn dreams to reality on signing day
Wednesday was the day hundreds of thousands of high school football players dream of, but fewer than 5% see turn into reality.
Stanislaus District prep football players made good on verbal commitments, signing on the dotted line to play college football at any level. Everyone prioritizes Division I but in reality, any chance a student athlete gets to play after high school is an opportunity worth jumping into.
Local athletes from running backs to defensive backs to linemen held ceremonies across the Stanislaus District, joined by coaches, family, friends and school faculty members to celebrate their accomplishments.
In addition to the Wednesday football signings, Central Catholic had two student athletes sign. Wrestler Alex Gutierrez signed with Cal Baptist University, and multi-sport athlete Max Medina signed to play baseball at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Wes Burford, RB, Oakdale
College: Air Force
Meet the player: The Sac-Joaquin Section’s all-time leading rusher, Burford signed with the Air Force Academy at 7 a.m. Wednesday. The three-year varsity running back is also a state qualifier in wrestling and a Sac-Joaquin Section Masters finalist in the hurdles. Burford finished his high school career with 7,363 rushing yards. Burford and the Mustangs went to back-to-back section title games.
Daniel Mataele, OL, Patterson
College: Sacramento State University
Meet the player: Mataele will join his brother, former Patterson and College of San Mateo star running back Lolo Mataele, at the Division I level. Lolo is at Western Michigan and Daniel will head to Sacramento State. Daniel, nicknamed Tiny, has been an All-Valley Oak League lineman selection and helped lead an offensive line that blocked for multiple 1,000-yard rushers.
Bryce McDaniel, TE, Hughson
College: Fresno State University
Meet the player: McDaniel switched from receiver to tight end in his senior year to get a head start on the position he will play at Fresno State. He worked tirelessly with a tight ends coach all season and put on 20-plus pounds to assist in blocking. He learned techniques in the trenches but did not shy from the pass-catching abilities that made him an All-District performer. He caught 33 passes for 529 yards and seven touchdowns. McDaniel plans to enroll early at Fresno State, like his brother Robert did last year when he attended UCLA before transferring to San Jose State. Bryce plans to be on campus in Fresno in mid-January.
Chase Perino, WR/DB, Central Catholic
College: Fresno State University
Meet the player: Perino is one of the most dynamic receivers to play at Central Catholic and was a playmaker on defense and in special teams. At the end of the regular season, Perino was the section’s leader in receiving yards. Now, he is fifth (1,184) and is 10th in the section in kickoff return yards average (28.93). All signs are pointing toward him playing safety at Fresno State. In the spring, Perino starts in the outfield for the Raiders’ baseball team.
Zane Gerbo, TE/DE, Davis
College: Fresno State University
Meet the player: Gerbo was an offensive and defensive playmaker for Davis at tight end/receiver and defensive end. He finished with 43 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. On the season, he was the only Spartan to recover multiple fumbles (4). He also added an interception and a forced fumble.
Other seniors who have received interest
These Stanislaus District football players have received college interest at any level:
Amos Cady, WR/DB, Ripon Christian
Carter Meeks, RB/DB, Central Catholic
Lawson Aviles, WR, Hughson
Wynn Brazil, TE/DE, Turlock
Braxten Durkee, OL, Turlock
This story was originally published December 4, 2025 at 4:48 PM.
