Post all comments or questions below. Will post updates all day.
Uncommitted targets left on board
Kyavah Tezino will be announcing at 10:20 AM. I'll be getting there early to set the scene here on the board and still might try to stream it for you guys if I'm able to figure it out.
The skinny: Tezino, a former Washington State commit, visited SDSU for a game last season with a few teammates (including Kevin Scott), and at that point all it looked like was a courtesy visit to help Tezino's teammates get recruited. I found out that those group of guys actually showed up to San Diego the day prior to the game, so they got a lot of one-on-one time with the staff including Rocky Long during a solid unofficial visit. Long, being a defensive minded coach and all, Tony White, considered one of the best evaluators and recruiters for the L.A. area, and potential early playing time have all kept Tezino interested for the past several weeks. Add in that he officially visited during the weekend that SDSU had double-digits commits on campus to get in his ear, and Tezino is now perhaps favoring the Aztecs.
Assessment: With his physical build and pure football ability, it's hard to find a prospect with more potential that SDSU has landed in quite a few years. He's a two-way player at Salesian but projects as a linebacker in college due to his instincts and tackling ability. He has the frame to see playing time immediately. Miles Burris type impact without as much needed development.
Jeremy Kelly is likely going to Colorado, but I'll be right there during his ceremony and wouldn't be shocked if he chose SDSU.
The skinny: He wasn't part of the group of Salesian players that unofficially visited during the season, but he did receive an early offer from the Aztecs and he also tagged along with Tezino during his official visit on Jan. 23rd.
Assessment: Kelly, another two-way standout, is getting recruited by the Aztecs as an athlete but I definitely see him as a defensive player. He's very rangy and has good hands. Also heard comparisons with Damontae Kazee for his play-making ability with Billy Vaughn Jr. size.
DeSean Holmes is going to announce at Fox Sports Studios and other media outlets aren't allowed to attend, I'm told. Will definitely report anything I hear with him, though.
The skinny: Once a USC commit, Holmes and USC parted ways (grades) during the season and he's looked at a lot at MW schools. Fresno State, Hawaii and SDSU were in consideration. It's now an SDSU-UH battle, but the belief is UH's likelihood of providing early playing time are high, if he qualifies, and tha'ts the game changer. He'll announce around 1:20 I believe.
Jordan Murray's recruitment has gone up and down and there's really no way of knowing what happens next, but it's likely he sticks with UNT.
The skinny: Murray was committed to North Texas, but a visit to SDSU in mid-December eventually led to a flip in early January. This past weekend, though, UNT managed to convince him to stay close to home. The Aztecs staff have given him one last run but I'm not sure if he'll flip a third time.
Antione Albert has had San Diego State looming over him since he wasn't able to enroll early at Cal due to a bad grade in a class. There is no recent indication he's signing with SDSU, but he's still a name to keep an eye on. His physical, pressing style would be a perfect fit at corner as an Aztec.
Greg Long from El Paso, Texas is also a possibility. May grab a spot if SDSU has one available, but that's a long-shot.
Midyear guys
P Tanner Blain - I doubt many of you have watched film of him punting, but by all accounts, he's legit. Gets some serious hang time.
DE Michael Peoples - Possibly the steal of the class. Very good, clean feet with impressive strike power and a lot of muscle should be added to his frame, making him an every better prospect. Gets up too high off the snap at times. Definitely worthy of an Alex Barrett comparison.
OL Ryan Pope - My pick for the most upside in this class. Reminds me a lot of USC signee Roy Hemsley, who SDSU was on very early. Pope would have ended up at a mid-to-high Pac-12 school but a find in his transcripts gave Tony White an edge. I've been told that Mike Schmidt saw him in person during an in home and described his frame as "beautiful." Will need a redshirt but can fill in for Pearce Slater after next season for sure.
The transfers
Kentucky QB Maxwell Smith - Huge guy with a big arm. Earned a starting role during his freshman year in the SEC. He's probably the player I'm most excited to watch this spring.
Diablo Valley College QB Adam Wood (walk-on) - As good as SDSU can get to walk-on here.
The expected signees
QB Ryan Agnew - Still haven't found much senior film but I like what I saw during his junior clips. Chase Favreau body with a little more accuracy and feel in the pocket.
RB Jatory Sparks Brown - He's probably the biggest unknown in this class coming off a torn ACL but SDSU is so stacked at the position that he's worth the risk. Jay Ayaji type runner.
RB Juwan Washington - There's no reason why Washington can't be a DJ Pumphrey type running back as long as he shows he can excel at using his vision when SDSU runs power like they do so much. Can expect him to make plays outside the hash marks during his career but that can be taken away unless he progresses/surprises us between the tackles like Pumphrey did.
WR Jerry Chaney - Stays on his feet after the catch and keeps his head up to earn as many yards as possible. Not an electric athlete per se but has solid quick twitch running style and runs hard routes. I think SDSU should give a long hard look at trying him at safety though. Reacts very naturally at DB, just needs to learn it more and get experience.
WR Jack Bailey - Have loved him ever since I first saw him. Really attacks the ball like no other receiver in San Diego. It also says a lot about his character to not transfer schools after spending his entire high school career in a run-based offense.
TE Hasani Smith - Probably will end up being a taller version of Robert Craighead and come in during 3rd and short scenarios. His progress will be entirely dependent on his weight. I've heard he's even a little more than 275 pounds right now.
TE/H-back John Carroll - I'm picturing him more and more on offense every time I watch his film. Has same frame as Adam Roberts and is just as smart as him too. Blocking skills are questionable but that can be taught.
OL Terrell Battle - He'll probably compete for a tackle spot right away. Great understanding of balance and leverage in pass pro and a mean mauler when he reaches the second level.
OL Nick Gerhard - Another Texas recruit, Gerhard might me the best utility lineman of the class. Will add depth at a number of spots on the OL.
OL Daishawn Dixon - Wasn't too high on his senior film but you can't teach power and Dixon's got it. I know some folks aren't too pleased with this class and I'd be lying if I said the high school OL prospects in this class weren't reaches. Every other spot looks solid other than maybe WR, but OL recruiting could definitely have gone better. Unless, of course, the staff can hang onto..
OL Will Tui - His senior film shows some serious upside. Mobility will only improve in SDSU's conditioning program. Nico Siragusa type talent with the mean streak from the get go.
DL Myles Cheathum - Love his motor, flexibility and feet. Very active in the backfield although he'll be asked to take on blockers more at SDSU and that's the biggest question. You also gotta think that with him playing games with both Texas St and SDSU up until this week, he'll be on a tight leash from the get go.
Stand up end Randy Ricks - He was my favorite defensive recruit when he signed out of high school and he's the player to watch in 2015. Incredibly rangy for his size and his development at DE for two years at Arizona Western College has only helped improved his physicality and eye discipline in the trenches Couldn't ask for a better fit.
LB Austin Thayer - I've already posted my comparison to Micah Seau but even more athletic on here. He can be a very key player this year backing up Jake Fely. (Note: He's been busy since his commitment but I will be talking to him later today hopefully).
LB Reggie Murphy - Murphy doesn't get talked about at all but he's a big kid that should be much more bigger in college than I think people realize. He has a TON of room to add muscle. Solid replacement for Donavin Buck quitting in my eyes.
LB Ronley Lakalaka - Pretty undersized but as athletic and and reactionary to the ball as the come out there on the island.
S Jeff Clay - Best utility player on defense. Can literally play at all three levels if he grows enough but his quickness and tackling ability scream Aztec position.
S Parker Baldwin - Honestly haven't seen too much of his film but he's the guy all Aztec fans should keep an eye on to figure out how good of an evaluator Bobby Hauck can be for this staff.
S/N Ron Smith - He may be the fastest player in the secondary when he arrives in the fall. Incredibly bright kid, too.
N/S Dwyane Parchment - Very talented athlete that can play warrior or corner. Think he fits in more at corner in this class. Hands aren't anything special but the best man-to-man cover guy in this class.
Signing Day flips?
The majority of commits are rock solid sans Will Tui, Ronley Lakalaka and maybe Myles Cheathum. I think Tui is the guy to worry about but Lakalaka and Cheathum should stick. Nick Gerhard's signing day should be interesting since his family will have to approve of his choice to sign with San Diego State. I'm not sure if he's 18 yet so I'm guessing his parents will have to sign his NLI for SDSU to accept it. Reaching out to Gerhard on this now.
This post was edited on 2/4 7:04 AM by RubenMeza
