SAN DIEGO – San Diego State football head coach Rocky Long announced that 13 student-athletes have committed to the Aztecs on the first day of the early signing period on Wednesday.
The NCAA launched the early signing period in 2017, which runs this year from Dec. 19-21. The mid-year 2-4 (junior college) transfer signing period also commenced today and lasts through Jan. 15, 2019, while the regular signing period is slated for Feb. 6-April 1, 2019.
SDSU's early signing class includes seven on offense and six on defense. The 13-player early class also features eight from the state of California, two apiece from Arizona and Texas, and one from Washington. In all, 12 of the prospects are high school seniors, while one has Division I starting experience. Additional signees could be added later in the coming days.
"We're very excited about the recruiting class that we signed this year," said Ron Caragher, the Aztecs' on-campus recruiting coordinator and offensive quality control coach. "I think there's a lot of balance—all positions, all across the board. I think we've added depth to our team and there's geographic balance.
"I feel some have the ability to help us right away, while some will be in the developmental category. They have the size, the frame, the speed, but need maybe a spring practice, a fall camp under their belt to be able to assist the program."
Out of the seven signees on offense, four are linemen – Jacob Capra (Auburn, Calif./Placer HS/Univ. of Oregon), Joey Capra (Auburn, Calif./Placer HS), Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson (Inglewood, Calif./Narbonne HS) and Kyle Trombley (Yorba Linda, Calif./Yorba Linda HS). SDSU also landed quarterback Joe Green (Sammamish, Wash./Skyline HS), running back Justin Dinka (Flower Mound, Texas/Marcus HS) and tight end Anthony Landphere (Mountain View, Calif./St. Francis HS).
Of the six players on defense, the Aztecs inked three linemen – Shawn Nielsen (Newport Beach, Calif./JSerra Catholic HS), Nassir Sims (Saskatoon, Goodyear, Ariz./Desert Edge HS) and Daniel To'oto'o (Mesa, Ariz./Carlsbad HS), two linebackers – Garret Fountain (Turlock, Calif./Turlock HS) an and Michael Shawcroft (San Diego/Helix HS), as well as one defensive back – Kyron White (Fort Worth, Texas/Arlington HS).
"I like the early signing period," Caragher added. "It allows our staff to focus as we move into the month of January and finish strong with our last five, six positions in there. If you don't have the early signing period, you are sweating it out until the first Wednesday in February. You want those guys to come along, but sometimes the Power 5 schools can try and pluck your better players. I think with the early signing period, it gives us the ability to (zero in) on those guys we want to get in the long (run)."
San Diego State (7-5) will square off against Ohio (8-4) in the DXL Frisco Bowl tonight at 7 p.m. CT/5 p.m. PT.
"There's a lot juggling in the 48 hours before the game," Caragher concluded about the overlap between the early signing day and bowl preparations. "Getting the paperwork to our prospects, so they can sign and get those in properly while balancing the game plans offensively and defensively. But all in all, our coaches have done a great job in handling that ... It's fortunate we have this position where I don't have a direct on-the-field responsibility to be able to manage the recruiting so the coaches can coach and prepare for the game."
Aztec Football Reveals 2019 Early Signing Class
