Fresno State's Football Recruiting Class: Building a Foundation for the Future
Fresno State is entering a new era of football, with high expectations. Matt Entz steps in as the Bulldog head coach, bringing with him a successful track record from North Dakota State, where he achieved a 60-11 record and two FCS National Championships. The anticipation is high to see where Entz will lead the Bulldogs, and it all starts here in the 2025 season. A crucial aspect of building a successful program is recruiting, and Fresno State's recent recruiting class offers a glimpse into the program's future. This article will analyze the key components of Fresno State's recruiting efforts, highlighting the players, strategies, and overall philosophy that will shape the team's trajectory.
A Balanced Approach to Recruiting
Fresno State's recruiting strategy focused on balance, with the Bulldogs securing at least one player in each position group on offense and defense. This approach reflects the developmental nature of the program Entz and his staff are building. The Bulldogs' recruiting class demonstrates a commitment to addressing specific needs and position upgrades rather than simply filling roster spots.
The Skinny on the Class
- Recruits Signed: 43
- High School: 25
- JUCO: 5
- Transfers: 13
- Offensive: 24
- Defensive: 16
- Athlete: 1
- Special Teams: 2
- Number of 3-stars per 247 rankings: 22
- Players with a rating over 88: 1
- Players with a rating over 85: 8
- Players with a rating over 82: 13
- Breakdown by state (excluding transfers):
- California: 18
- Nebraska: 3
- Missouri: 2
- Hawaii: 1
- New Mexico: 1
- Utah: 1
- 247 Rankings:
- Recruiting: 75
- Transfer: 119
- Overall: 81
Quarterback Additions: Chambers and Rose Headline the Class
The quarterback position is one that the Bulldogs would like to grow and get back to having pro prospects. Fresno State added two promising quarterbacks to their roster: Jacob Chambers and Deagan Rose. The addition of two quarterbacks in one class is an intriguing piece to Entz’ first full recruiting class. Both Chambers and Rose have the skill sets and the maturity to play early. Entz said that 12 of them would enroll in school for the spring semester and that group includes the two quarterbacks in the class, Jacob Chambers from Rancho Cucamonga and Deagan Rose from Clovis. That sets up one interesting storyline for spring practices, no matter who or how many quarterbacks in the program return.
- Jacob Chambers: A dual-threat quarterback with the ability to make accurate throws along the sidelines, excel at escaping pressure, and make quick reads. Chambers is a dual threat and has that extra run game element.
- Deagan Rose: A traditional pocket passer with pinpoint accuracy, a quick release, and the ability to make throws all over the field. Rose is a traditional pocket passer with a big arm, and can be the most significant quarterback prospect Fresno State has signed since Derek Carr, said Brandon Huffman, national recruiting editor for 247Sports.
Fresno State could still add a veteran quarterback through the transfer portal, but the outcome of that competition could impact the program for some time.
"As it all sorts itself out, it will kind of drive who we are offensively a little bit,” Entz said.
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Fresno State has five scholarship quarterbacks on its 2025 roster. E.J. Warner is a senior, but Carson Conklin and Jayden Mandal are third-year sophomores and Jonathan Craft and Brendan Turner are freshmen taking a redshirt season and can return. The group is likely to be trimmed during the NCAA transfer portal window, which opens Jan. 2 and runs through Jan. 16.
“It will be a competitive room,” Entz said. “That’s the best way to do it, I think. Give them both equal opportunity, make sure we do a really good job with equal reps. They’ll hear it all firsthand from (offensive coordinator Josh Davis) and our offensive staff. …“We pride ourselves on being a developmental program. Let’s go.”
Running Back Depth: Luckey and Merrill Bring Versatility
The backfield is stacked with talent. Seriously, this depth chart has four potential starters on it. Bryson Donelson is the lead back, having come on strong at the end of the season with 263 yards over the final two regular-season games and the bowl game last season. Rayshon Luke will back up Donelson, and he has a ton of speed, coming from Arizona. Elijah Gilliam will also see carries; he led the Bulldogs overall last season in rushing with 466 yards and eight touchdowns. Johnathan Arceneaux also returns; he ran for 104 yards last season and has size and speed as well to boot. That is clearly the best group on the offensive side of the ball.
To add to the depth, Fresno State also secured commitments from two talented running backs:
- Jhadis Luckey: A dynamic returner with impressive speed, elusiveness, and the ability to navigate traffic in the trenches. Jhadis Luckey is the kind of quick running back that Entz loves. He gives off Bryson Donelson vibes. Very tough to bring down like Donelson and will provide a nice thunder in the backfield to pair with some lightning.
- Maddox Merrill: A superb athlete with excellent acceleration, balance, and the ability to catch out of the backfield.
Wide Receiver Additions: Owens and Young Offer Playmaking Potential
At receiver, the Bulldogs will have to replace a ton of productivity. The top three receivers from a year ago in Mac Dalena, Jalen Moss, and Raylen Sharpe are all gone, with it their 163 combined receptions for over 2100 yards. Gilliam is the leading returning receiver, but he’s in the backfield. The top receiver returning from last season is Josiah Freeman, who caught just eight passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Jahlil McClain will see action; he last played at Louisville. Another transfer expected to see lots of action is Luke Jones, who transfers from Purdue.
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The Bulldogs have brought in some playmakers in this recruiting class. To add some context, the Bulldogs had 31 explosive pass plays in 2016 when going 1-11 and 27 in 2020 when playing only six games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That obviously isn’t all on the wideouts - Warner (6 of 20) and Conklin (0 of 14) are a combined 6 of 34 on passes that traveled 20 or more yards downfield, 17.6%, and struggle to make those throws consistently. But Fresno State needed more big play-making ability in this group.
Fresno State added two intriguing wide receivers to their roster:
- Xavier Owens: A receiver with tremendous hands, great body control, and the ability to adjust his route to catch the ball in stride. The Bulldogs do add Xavier Owens, a tall and fast three-star recruit who, dare I say, might be giving some fans a flashback to Davante Adams.
- Maxwell Bunchie Young: A speedy and elusive player with strong hands and the ability to break tackles.
Young had a scholarship offer when he was in elementary school and was featured in an NFL commercial that aired prior to Super Bowl LIV. “A lot of pressure, a lot of expectations,” Huffman said. “I saw him at a number of events this offseason and really liked the gamer he is.”
Owens was one of seven players at Narbonne High in Harbor City to be ruled ineligible last November due to transfer violations by the school, and moved to New Orleans Edna Karr High where this season he teamed up with highly-recruited quarterback John Johnson.
“We were really concerned we were going to lose him, because he plays on such a high-caliber football team,” Entz said. “I mean, the quarterback that plays there is a 5-star. Eventually, people are going to ask, ‘Hey, who is he throwing to?’ But he honored his commitment. He and (receivers coach DelVon Hardaway) have a tremendous relationship. Relationships still do matter in recruiting, especially with the parents.”
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Tight End Focus: A Versatile Group of Pass Catchers and Blockers
Fresno State this season has utilized two and three tight end formations, but Entz on his first day on the job also said somewhere out there was a 6-foot-5 tight end who had no idea he would be the Bulldogs’ starting left tackle someday.
The Bulldogs added a diverse group of tight ends, each with unique skill sets:
- Bryce McDaniel: A matchup nightmare for opposing secondaries with long arms and the ability to create separation.
- Dallas Gaius-Anyaegbu: A willing blocker with plus hands and the ability to slip off the line.
- Zane Gerbo: A two-way athlete with a high motor, nice footwork, and impactful blocking skills.
- Brayden Ford: A developed route-runner with great ball-tracking skills and hard-nosed blocking ability.
- Sylas Austin: A towering target with straight-line speed and solid blocking skills.
Offensive Line Reinforcements: Rivera and Siuloa Bring Strength and Agility
Fresno State bolstered their offensive line with the addition of two promising prospects:
- Alex Rivera: An athletic blocker with an explosive first step and sound footwork in pass protection.
- Efren Siuloa: An aggressive blocker who plays through the whistle and moves well laterally in pass protection.
Defensive Line Additions: Plummer and Huddleston Lead the Charge
On the line, Jahzon Jacks and Korey Foreman return at defensive ends. Jacks had 21 tackles last season, while Foreman had 24, with three sacks. Transfer Martin Owusu is expected to anchor the nose tackle spot, with Deijon Laffitte next to him.
Fresno State added two talented defensive linemen:
- Jake Plummer: A lengthy edge rusher with the ability to disrupt plays and get his hands on quarterbacks.
- Brendan Huddleston: A violent tackler with an array of pass-rush moves and the ability to cause havoc in the backfield.
Edge Rushers: Baker and Willoughby Add Pressure
- Solomon Baker: Strong in run support and able to generate a steady pass-rush.
- Cooper Willoughby: Skilled at finding holes in the line and generating pressure on the quarterback.
The Bulldogs signed four edge players, but in a year or two one or more could slide inside to tackle.
Linebacker Corps: Sesay, Sutko, and Ausmus Bring Versatility and Play Recognition
At linebacker, transfer K’Vion Thunderbird is expected to make a splash this season. The 6-foot, 225-pound sophomore has the speed and size to cover tight ends and backs on routes. He’s also quick enough to cover a ton of ground against the run. He was my pick to be the top new player on the Bulldogs this season. Flanking him at the linebacker spots is Simeon Harris, with his 59 tackles from last season. Jadon Pearson, who transferred from Utah Stat,e will also be a starter.
Fresno State added three linebackers with diverse skill sets:
- Zephaniah Sesay: Excels at run fits and demonstrates great play recognition.
- Jaydon Sutko: Plays well in zone coverage and displays good speed and vision.
- Bo Ausmus: Strong coverage skills and a big hitter in space.
Defensive Backfield: Perino, Bell III, and Lucero Bring Ball-Hawking Abilities
Three out of the four returning starters are in the defensive backfield, with Al’Zillion Hamilton leading the way. The fifth-year senior had 52 tackles last season, but it was his 13 pass break-ups that wowed coaches and concerned opponents. Hamilton has a realistic chance of being a Jim Thorpe Award finalist this coming season. Jomarion Briggs starts at the opposite corner spot. Briggs was a starter in 2023. RL Miller and Camryn Bracha will be at the safety spots for a very confident defensive secondary.
Fresno State added three defensive backs with a knack for making plays on the ball:
- Chase Perino: Diagnoses plays well and is an excellent blitzer.
- Truly Bell III: Does a good job stepping into passing lanes and is a violent hitter.
- Isaiah Lucero: A ballhawk with big-play potential and the ability to out-jump wide receivers. On defense, Isaiah Lucero is the kind of defensive back that Entz and his defense love. His versatility, size, and speed will allow him to play any receiver, which will be huge in the Pac-12. While the players on the offensive side might get all the glory with this class, Lucero might be the the steal of this class.
Special Teams: Rossetti Handles Long Snapping Duties
- Ethan Rossetti: Will handle long snapping duties for the Bulldogs.
Transfer Portal Additions: Addressing Needs and Enhancing Depth
Fresno State was relatively light on transfer players this cycle, at least compared to the other eleven teams in this series. With the transfers they did add, they were able to address nine different positions, with only edge rusher, linebacker, and punter the only spots not filled in this cycle. Adding a quarterback was a top priority, and restocking the running back room will help their scheme. Taking some wide receivers will hopefully make the passing game more dynamic. Defensive line and defensive back were a clear focus in the portal and will hopefully pay dividends. It’s quite the accomplishment for the Bulldogs that after only one season, they can use the transfer portal to make specific additions rather than casting a wide net to merely fill spots.
Fresno State utilized the transfer portal to address specific needs and enhance depth at various positions:
- QB: Khristian Martin
- RB: Jalen Harris, Andrew Chavez, Tariq Thomas
- WR: Tyler Becker, Darrian Anderson
- TE: Jake Appleget
- OL: Bode Stoddard, Patrick Barnett, Oscar Weigel
- DL: Dylan Hampsten, Micah Mosley, Maverick Noonan
- DB: Preston Okafor, Taylor Powell, Croix Stewart
- K: Manaki Watanabe
- LS: Ethan Rossetti
Recruiting Beyond California
Eight of the Bulldogs’ recruits are from out of state, and from states where they have not ventured much in the past. The class includes three players from Nebraska, two from Missouri. Fresno State has had a spotty record when recruiting away from California, but Huffman sees it as a plus moving forward.
“Entz has that Midwest connection,” he said. “As you’re moving into the Pac-12, you’ve got Washington State and Oregon State that have recruited California pretty well. You have Colorado State and Jim Mora coming in, and he obviously has recruited California. Boise recruits California. If you’re smart, you expand your reach and give those guys from the Midwest an opportunity to come out here. I think that’s a good strategy.“The game is becoming so national. You have an opportunity to kind of go recruit some of those guys that maybe didn’t get recruited by the Big 12 schools and put some of those kids with a chip on their shoulder with the West Coast kids that didn’t get recruited by the Power Four schools and I kind of like that. Fresno State has always prided itself on those kids that have been kind of overlooked on the West Coast, and now they’re expanding it and getting some of those kids in Nebraska and in Missouri.”
Early Enrollment: A Head Start on Development
Entz said the Bulldogs will likely have around 90 players in spring practices with the incoming freshmen graduating from high school early and another 10 to 12 players they are expected to add on the traditional signing day in February.
The early start is significant, and a factor in evaluating and recruiting players, Entz said. “It doesn’t break the deal, but it is an emphasis because everyone wants to play early,” he said. “Everyone wants to say, development, development, development. Well, then, get here. Show us.“It takes a special individual. Some of them are giving up track or basketball. They may not be able to get to their senior prom. We’ll make sure they all get the opportunity to get back and walk, graduate with their class. It does take a more mature individual to do that, but we’re excited about the guys that will be here. We have a good plan for them and a good process of development that will take them through the semester and the summer.”
Fresno State left tackle Brayden Walton, a Buchanan High graduate, is example No. 1. He participated in spring ball and was in the starting lineup in the Bulldogs’ opener at Kansas.“It’s eight months of development versus eight weeks,” Entz said. “If you come in the summer it’s only eight weeks - by midyear you might be able to help us. But if you come in January, you might be able to help us game one and Brayden Walton is a great example of that.”
Undervalued Assets: Luckey and Perino
Huffman said the Bulldogs may have landed two players other schools might have missed on in running back Jhadis Luckey from Hayward Clayton Valley Charter and defensive back Chase Perino from Modesto Central Catholic.“The two guys in this class that I absolutely love, that didn’t get a lot of attention,” Huffman said.
Luckey had scholarship offers from Mountain West and future Pac-12 schools, but Perino didn’t have a ton of offers before the Bulldogs got involved. He received a scholarship offer, made an official recruiting visit and committed to the Bulldogs all within about one week in June.“Just a fantastic football player,” Huffman said. “He won the MVP at a 7 on 7 tournament with something like four touchdowns and three interceptions in his last two games.”
Looking Ahead: Anticipation in the Valley
The keyword in the Valley this season is anticipation. Matt Entz enters as the Bulldog head coach after a year as an assistant coach at USC, but also after a five-year run as head coach at North Dakota State, where he went 60-11 and had two FCS National Championships. So, the anticipation is high to see where Entz will lead the Bulldogs, and it all starts here in the 2025 season.
Offense
Despite losing Mikey Keene at quarterback, the Bulldogs will have a lot of experience at the signal-caller position this year as transfer EJ Warner takes over. This is Warner’s third team in three seasons, having played at Temple in 2022 and 2023 and Rice last season. Warner has started 32 games over the last three seasons combined. He became more accurate last season, completing nearly 62% of his passes with the Owls.
Reason For Optimism
Entz’s NDSU teams relied a lot on the power running game, and with a stacked backfield for the 2025 season, it appears that could be the way that the Bulldogs go. Given the experience at quarterback, but the inexperience at receiver, there will be growing pains there, but the sky is the limit with the offense this season.
Reason For Concern
Despite Warner’s experience, he does have a tendency to put the ball in bad spots. His 37 career interceptions is definitely a cause for concern. Mix that in with the inexperience of the receiving corps, and it could spell trouble in the turnover department for Warner again in 2025.
Defense
This unit is on the rebuild. Just four returning starters to the Bulldog defense this season might be a reason for concern. Quite the opposite, the youth and experience are there; they just have to put it together.
Reason For Optimism
This will also go down as the key stat later on, but the Bulldogs’ defense allowed just 216 yards through the air last season. This season, they return a ton of experience, and a Jim Thorpe Award watch list player in Hamilton. This could lead to a big season for the Bulldogs here in 2025.
Reason For Concern
Outside of Hamilton and Foreman, who are the only two seniors, a lot of youth comes with the 2025 Bulldogs defense. There are some players who are heading into this season looking to prove themselves. Just like with the receiving corps, that might come with some growing pains early in the season.
Key Stat
In a day and age of spread offense and throwing the football, allowing just 216 yards passing in 2024 is uniquely old school of the defense. He did inherit a great defensive backfield, but the ability to coach them up even more will be the task for 2025.
Schedule
The non-conference slate does have tough tasks, such as traveling to Kansas in Week Zero and Oregon State on September 6th. Georgia Southern is not to be overlooked either in Week One. However, if the Bulldogs can come out of the non-conference portion of the schedule at 2-2 or better, this could be a team that could produce nine wins if not more. The two key conference games for the Bulldogs this season sandwich the ends of November. A trip to Boise State at the start and then San Jose State at the end will show whether Entz has a team that can contend for the MWC title in year one.
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