SAN DIEGO – Head coach Ryan Hopkins and his staff announced the signing of seven players to National Letters of Intent. The Aztecs' 2022 recruiting class is ranked as the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer and includes five four-star recruits.
"Overall, we feel this group addressed a lot of positional needs as well as bringing some very unique qualities as well," Hopkins explained. "Obviously they carry with themselves the #1 2022 recruiting class in the nation title, but as I always say, we won't know what the ranking truly means until they prove it on the pitch. We know they will bring a competitive spirit and push our returners to make everybody better. Ultimately, they are all wonderful people and buy into the core values of our program, which should allow us to help prepare them for life after college wherever their dreams lead them."
The 2022 class includes three midfielders, two forwards and two defenders with five Californians and two Texans. The Aztecs only lose two current players to graduation: Tevenn Roux and Laukoa Santos.
MEET THE NEW AZTECS
Alex Borsos – Midfielder – 5'9" – 160 lbs. – Houston Dynamo Academy – Houston, Texas
Coach Hopkins' Take: "Simply put, Alex is a competitor. He is a first guy in, last guy out of the building type of guy and his hunger to succeed and better himself is what drew us to him. He is gaining valuable experience with the Houston Dynamo's U-23 team that is a great stepping stone for college soccer. His work rate, positioning, and mentality will add a lot to our defensive midfield group, and we look forward to watching him put his body on the line with his tackling while having the composure to construct our attacks from deeper positions."
Borsos is a four-star recruit, who is ranked as the No. 104 player in the nation and 11th in Texas by Top Drawer Soccer. A Houston Dynamo Academy product, Borsos was the team captain on their U-15 and U-17 squads. He received a call up the U.S. U-15 National Team, has been training with the Dynamo's First Team and was in the Generation Adidas Supergroup in 2020.
Javier Camargo – Midfielder – 5'7" – 155 lbs. – Oceanside, Calif. – San Diego Loyal Select –
Oceanside HS
Coach Hopkins' Take: "Javi is an under the radar guy from Oceanside that burst onto the scene with his work with the San Diego Loyal and Oceanside Breakers. His engine and ground coverage makes him a more modern-day No. 10 and his vocal leadership will be a welcome addition to the group. He absolutely loves San Diego State and is thrilled to represent his hometown Aztecs."
Camargo has been a standout at Oceanside HS and has also made waves on the local club scene with the San Diego Loyal Select and Oceanside Breakers. A two-time All-Avocado First Team selection, he helped his school with two league championships and the 2019 CIF DII title. He was also on the 2019 Oceanside Breakers squad that won a state championship
Berin Droemer – Forward – 5'9" – 150 lbs. – Dallas, Texas – Solar S.C.
Coach Hopkins' Take: "Berin has one of the best attributes you can look for in an attacking player, the guy can score goals. At every level he has been at, he puts the ball in the back of the net. In our sport where scoring is at a premium these type of players are worth their weight in gold. Berin also adds a speed component to our attack and work rate that will suit our pressing style very well on defense."
Another four-star recruit out of Texas, Droemer is ranked No. 74 in his class by Top Drawer Soccer, the No. 14 forward in the nation and No. 9 in Texas. He scored 29 goals while playing for the FC Dallas Academy and 20 last year with Solar S.C. He has been called into the most recent U-18 US National Team Training Camp this past spring.
Reid Fisher – Midfielder – 6'3" – 180 lbs. – Huntington Beach, Calif. – Slammers FC – Huntington Beach HS
Coach Hopkins' Take: "Reid is another guy in our class that has a competitive motor that never stops. He can play a variety of positions and is always willing to do whatever it takes for his team to get results. He plays with a chip on his shoulder that we absolutely love and will serve him well as he strives to be the best version of himself daily."
Fisher is a two-time All-CIF selection at Huntington Beach HS and is their school's all-time leading scorer in the playoffs with five goals. A standout in the classroom as well, he is a two-time scholar athlete and two-time Sunset League All-Academic selection. Fisher also is a kicker on his school's football team.
CJ Fodrey – Forward – 6'2" 170 lbs. – San Diego, Calif. – San Diego Loyal – Coronado HS
Coach Hopkins' Take: "CJ is a local guy that has all the attacking qualities we look for in our offensive organization. He has pace, can take players on 1v1, a powerful strike and can play in combinations. He has gained wonderful experience playing with the first team of the San Diego Loyal in the USL Championship and these experiences will help prepare him for the rigors of the college game and the Pac-12."
Fodrey is another four-star recruit ranked in the top 75 nationally. played with local San Diego based clubs Albion Pros Club, San Diego Surf and the San Diego Nomads before joining the LA Galaxy Academy in 2019. After being invited for a tryout with the San Diego Loyal, he joined their academy last December and then scored against the Galaxy in a preseason fixture. This past spring, he made his debut for the Loyal's first team and scored his first professional goal.
Dylan Presto – Defender – 5'8" – 150 lbs. – Los Angeles, Calif. – LAFC Academy
Coach Hopkins' Take: "Dylan is a player that has played a variety of positions in his youth career but has settled in nicely as a wing back in the USL Championship for the Las Vegas Lights. He is a complete two-way player that is comfortable on the ball with a wide range of passing while also being able to get to end lines for quality service. He also is a tenacious defender with great timing in his tackles coupled with a massive engine to cover the ground we require in his position."
Presto is a four-star recruit ranked No. 86 nationally by Top Drawer Soccer. He has experience in the LAFC Academy system as well with the Las Vegas Lights of the USL. In the 2018-19 DA season, he scored 20 goals in 23 matches.
Tristan Viviani – Defender – 6'0" – 150 lbs. – Redwood City, Calif. – San Jose Earthquakes Academy
Coach Hopkins' Take: "Tristan was a late addition to the group who has extensive experience with the U.S. U20 team and with the San Jose Earthquakes U-23 team. He has really started to make his mark as an attacking left wing back with his ability to transition quickly from his defensive duties. What really stood out for us in the recruiting process was his tactical understanding of the game and his ability to apply that to game situations. That tactical acumen will serve him well in one of the most important positions in our system of play."
Viviani is ranked No. 30 in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer and No. 2 in the Northern California/Hawaii region. He has been part of the U.S. National Team's U-17 and U-20 squads, most recently at the 2021 Revelations Cup in Mexico. He currently plays for the San Jose Earthquakes U-23 team.