News Summary
The San Diego State University football program has reached a remarkable milestone by securing a record 22 commitments for the Class of 2026 ahead of the NCAA dead period. This week alone, the Aztecs received 16 commitments, marking the highest total for this time of year in the program’s history. The aggressive recruiting strategy aims for a 25-man signing class by the official early signing period. Last year’s total was 15 commitments, underscoring the significant progress made. The influx of recruits is a response to the evolving landscape of college football, particularly the transfer portal.
San Diego — The San Diego State University (SDSU) football program has made a significant leap in their recruiting efforts by securing a record 22 commitments for the Class of 2026, ahead of the NCAA mandated dead period. This week alone, the Aztecs received 16 new commitments, marking the highest total at this time of year in the program’s history.
With just one week left in June, the Aztecs are working towards a 25-man signing class, which will become official during the early signing period starting December 3. This aggressive recruitment strategy has resulted in a dramatic increase in commitments compared to previous years; at this same time last year, SDSU had 15 commitments, whereas only six were made by the end of June in 2021.
The previous record for early commitments was set in 2017, when SDSU managed to secure 12 commitments, all of which came after the last week of June that year. The recent push for commitments appears to be a response to the challenges posed by the transfer portal—an increasingly significant aspect of college football—by building a stable roster with promising high school recruits.
Recruiting Activities and Commitments
Last week, SDSU hosted nearly three dozen high school recruits on official visits, providing them the chance to tour Snapdragon Stadium and the university campus. Highlights of the visit included an evening cruise on San Diego Bay, which showcased the local culture and lifestyle.
The incoming recruits hail from diverse backgrounds, with some local talent such as Carson Diehl, a wide receiver from La Jolla High School, who had an impressive season featuring 52 receptions for 769 yards and 10 touchdowns. Moreover, the recruiting class includes several players from Texas and Washington, complemented by recruits from various parts of California.
Player Highlights
The class of commitments features a balanced distribution between offensive and defensive players. Notably, Texas standout Derek Stevenson, a 6-foot-1 wide receiver, had a successful season with 37 receptions for 566 yards and six touchdowns. The tallest player among the commitments is 6-foot-6 tight end Elijah Muliufi from Washington, while the largest players in the group are offensive linemen Jarvis Williams and Harlem Nellum, who stand at 6-foot-5 and weigh 340 lbs and 366 lbs, respectively. Nellum recently announced his commitment to SDSU after decommitting from UNLV.
While SDSU is still in search of a commitment from a quarterback to round out the class, earlier this year, the Aztecs welcomed quarterback Derek Garcia but saw him decommit in April, opting for a commitment to UNLV instead.
Current Recruiting Landscape
The recent spurt of commitments has exceeded updates from national scouting services, which were still listing SDSU with 14 commitments earlier in the week. In a broader context, approximately 45 players in the Mountain West Conference have made commitments this week, with many schools seeing at least one new recruit join their ranks.
A dead period for recruiting has now begun, which will last until the start of the season. This period prevents face-to-face interactions, although digital communications remain permissible. SDSU’s summer practice is set to begin in the last week of July, and the football season opener is scheduled for August 28 against Stony Brook.
The ambitious recruiting efforts by SDSU, paired with substantial early commitments, reflect the program’s momentum and aim to bolster its competitiveness in collegiate football. This record-breaking achievement not only enhances the football team’s future prospects but also aligns with the desires of young athletes eager to solidify their commitments before entering their senior year.
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Additional Resources
- MWC Connection: Mountain West Football Recruiting Roundup
- San Diego Union-Tribune: SDSU Football Recruiting Tracker
- MSN: Aztecs Get 2026 Football Recruiting Class Buttoned Up
- Go Aztecs: SDSU Football Announces 2025 Early Signing Class
- Wikipedia: San Diego State Aztecs Football
