2020 Football Signing Day Central

 

Jelani Whitmore
Defensive Back
6-0, 170
Rialto, Calif. (Carter High)
Played on both sides of the ball at Carter High School in Rialto, Calif., the past two seasons … According to MaxPreps, on defense had 63 tackles (60 solo), nine interceptions, 18 pass breakups and a forced fumble … On offense, meanwhile, caught 72 passes for 1,233 yards (17.1 avg.) and nine touchdowns … Also returned kicks in 2019 as a senior, returning 16 for 566 yards (35.4 avg.) with two touchdowns … Also a track and field star, who won a league title in the 400 as a junior in 2019 … A three-star recruit by 247sports, where he received a scout grade of 81.

Kobah Fuamatu
Linebacker
6-1, 200
Santa, Ana Calif. (Mater Dei High)
Earned three letters at powerhouse Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif. … Helped the Monarchs to two state titles and No. 1 national rankings (2017-18) in his three seasons at MDHS (team was No. 2 in the other season in 2019) … Over his three years, Mater Dei HS went 40-3 and 16-1 in league play … Made the Cal-Hi Sports all-state team … According to MaxPreps, totaled 165 tackles over the last three seasons, including 21 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, 39 quarterback hurries, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and five pass breakups … A three-star recruit by Rivals, 247sports and ESPN … Received a scout grade of 85 by 247sports and 74 by ESPN … Picked the Aztecs over offers from Arizona State, Fresno State, Hawai’i, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV, Utah State and UTEP.

Cassius Savage
Athlete
6-1, 175
Buena Park, Calif. (Western High)
Earned three letters at Western High School in Anaheim, Calif. … Led the Pioneers to a 21-5 record over the past two seasons, including a 12-3 mark and state championship appearance in 2018 … Is a three-time first-team all-league selection … According to MaxPreps, finished his three-year career with 121 catches for 2,066 yards (17.1 avg.) and 31 receiving touchdowns … On the defensive side of the ball racked up 181 tackles (149 solo), eight interceptions, 39 pass breakups and three fumble recoveries … Finished with 34 overall touchdowns, while racking up 2,621 all-purpose yards … Had 51 catches for 790 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2019 … In 2018 had 59 receptions for 1,041 yards and 15 scores, while adding 112 tackles (81 solo), four interceptions and 31 PBUs … Also a track and field star with personal bests of 10.89 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.54 in the 200 … Is a three-star recruit by 247sports and ESPN, and a two-star recruit by Rivals … Received a scout grade of 82 by 247sports and 72 by ESPN … Twin brother, Caine, also played at Western HS and is expected to play Division I football for another school … Picked SDSU over other offers from New Mexico and San Jose State.

Dezjhon Malone
Defensive Back
6-2, 190
Fresno, Calif. (Edison High)
Was a three-year letter winner at Edison High School in Fresno, Calif. … Was a two-time first-team all-league selection … Also a captain and team MVP … A three-star recruit by both 247sports and ESPN, and a two-star recruit by Rivals … Received a scout grade of 82 by 247sports and 73 by ESPN … Picked the Aztecs over offers from Oregon State, Brigham Young, Fresno State and UNLV.

Aidan Finney
Offensive Line
6-6, 280
Chico, Calif. (Pleasant Valley High)
Earned three letters at Pleasant Valley High School in Chico, Calif. … The best season for the Vikings while Finney was there was 2018, when they were 10-3 and won a state championship … The 2019 team, meanwhile, were the section champions … Was an all-league selection … Also plays baseball and basketball at PVHS … A consensus three-star recruit by Rivals, 247sports and ESPN … Received a grade of 84 by 247sports and 74 by ESPN … Picked San Diego State over offers from Arizona State, Oregon State, Washington State, Fresno State, Nevada, UNLV and Utah State.

Jay Rudolph
Tight End
6-4, 215
Scottsdale, Ariz. (Horizon High)
Prepped at Horizon High School in Scottsdale, Ariz. … Made the all-state second team as a senior, when he captained the Huskies to a 9-2 record, a league title at 6-0 and an appearance in the state championship game … Also made all-region and all-league … According to MaxPreps, totaled 88 catches for 1,453 yards (16.5 avg.) with 15 touchdowns over the past two years, including 57 receptions for 903 yards and seven touchdowns in 2019 … Is a three-star recruit by 247sports and ESPN, and a two-star recruit by Rivals … Received a scout grade of 82 by 247sports and 72 by ESPN … Picked San Diego State over offers from Oregon State, Air Force, Army West Point, Abilene Christian, Colgate, Georgetown, Lehigh, Montana State, Northern Arizona and Northern Colorado.

Jonathan Harrison
Offensive Line
6-5, 290
Carlsbad, Calif. (Carlsbad High)
Comes from local powerhouse Carlsbad High School, where current regular starters Troy Cassidy, Cameron Thomas and Zachary Thomas attended, along with SDSU’s all-time winningest quarterback Christian Chapman … Was named KUSI’s “Iron Hog,” making him the third San Diego State commit to every win the award (also Nico Siragusa and current Aztec Dominic Gudino) … Helped the Lancers to a 10-2 record in 2019 and an appearance in the CIF San Diego Section championship game … Carlsbad HS also captured the league title with a 6-0 record.

Brody Hughes
Defensive Back
6-1, 190
Temecula, Calif. (Temecula Valley High)
Earned three letters at Temecula Valley High School in Temecula, Calif. … Led the Golden Bears to an impressive turnaround from 0-10 in 2017 to 12-3 and a state championship berth in 2019 … Over his career (according to MaxPreps), totaled 229 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four interceptions, 15 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and four blocked field goals … Also exceled on offense, rushing 303 times for 2,050 yards (6.8 avg.) and 30 touchdowns, while adding 34 catches for 458 yards (13.5 avg.) and four scores … Best season was 2019 as a senior when he had 100 tackles, two interceptions, eight pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and three blocked field goals on defense, and 1,694 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns on 248 carries (6.8 avg.) on offense … Received three stars from 247sports with a scout grade of 82 … Picked San Diego State over offers from Air Force, Colorado State, Fresno State, Hawai’i, San Jose State, UNLV, Utah State, Wyoming, Montana State and Yale.

Dallas Branch
Defensive Back
5-11, 175
Redondo Beach, Calif. (Salesian High/Long Beach City College)
Spent one season at Long Beach City College and will have three years left at San Diego State … Was first-team all-league selection in his lone season in 2019, leading the Vikings to a 7-3 record and 20-16 win over Southwestern in the 2019 Southern California Bowl … Had 50 tackles (34 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, six interceptions, nine pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery … His six interceptions were tied for the fourth most in the Southern California Football Association and the sixth most in California Community College Athletic Association … Finished his high school career at Salesian High School, the same school as current Aztec and two-time all-MW first-team selection Kyahva Tezino … Prepped at Redondo Union High School prior to Salesian HS … Is a two-star recruit by both Rivals and 247sports … Received a scout grade of 79 by 247sports … Chose San Diego State over Arkansas State, Brigham Young, Hawai’i, UNLV and UTEP.

Vai Kaho
Linebacker
6-1, 205
Reno, Nev. (Bishop Manogue High)
Was a three-year letter winner at Bishop Manogue High School in Reno, Nev. … Played with incoming recruit Joey Wright … Led the Miners to a pair of regional championships and a state runner-up finish in 2018 with an 11-4 record … Bishop Manogue HS was 20-8 over the last two seasons … Was a second-team all-state selection … Was a first-team all-section and all-league pick … An athlete who played linebacker, running back, wide receiver, tight end, quarterback and punter at BMHS … According to MaxPreps, totaled 134 tackles the last two years, including 29 tackles for loss, six sacks, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and two pass breakups … Also ran for 204 yards on just 21 carries (9.7 avg.) with three touchdowns and caught 15 passes for 186 yards (12.4 avg.) and three touchdowns … Also plays basketball and lacrosse … Brother, Ale, plays linebacker at Alabama … A consensus three-star recruit by Rivals, 247sports and ESPN … Received a scout grade of 85 by 247sports and is listed as the sixth-best recruit in the state of Nevada … Also listed with a scout grade of 75 by ESPN and the seventh-best recruit in Nevada … Picked San Diego State over offers from Colorado, Tennessee, Brigham Young, Nevada, New Mexico, UNLV, Utah State and Sacramento State.

Joey Wright
Offensive Line
6-5, 300
Reno, Nev. (Bishop Manogue High)
Earned three letters at Bishop Manogue High School in Reno, Nev., with fellow incoming recruit Vai Kaho … Helped the Miners to a pair of regional championships and a state runner-up finish in 2018 with an 11-4 record … Bishop Manogue HS was 20-8 over the last two seasons … Was a first-team all-state pick … Led an offensive line that had its running backs rush for 3,188 yards and 39 touchdowns, averaging 245.2 yards per game and 7.2 yards per carry … A consensus three-star recruit by Rivals, 247sports and ESPN … Rated as the fourth-best recruit in the state of Nevada by Rivals, and the fifth-best recruit by Rivals and 247sports … Received a scout grade of 85 by 247sports and a 77 by Rivals … Picked SDSU over offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Nebraska, USC, Washington State, Eastern Michigan, Fresno State, Nevada and Utah State.

Nolan Givan
Tight End
6-3, 255
Berkley, Mich. (Berkley High/Ball State)
Comes to the Aztecs after spending the last three seasons at Ball State … Played in all 36 games over the last three years with 22 starts at tight end … Registered 51 catches for 352 yards (6.9 avg.) with six touchdowns … Had a catch in 25 of his 36 games played … Had 12 catches for 92 yards (7.7 avg.) last year, starting seven of the team’s 12 games … Came up with 14 receptions for 101 yards (7.2 avg.) and two touchdowns in 2018, starting eight times … Had 25 catches for 159 yards (6.4 avg.) and four touchdowns as a freshman in 2017, starting seven games and playing in all 12 … Redshirted the 2016 campaign … Was a three-year letter winner at Berkley High School in Berkley, Mich. … Was a team captain and a two-time all-conference selection … Finished with 46 catches for 1,028 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior, including a school-record five touchdown receptions in a single game … Also tallied six rushing touchdowns and two defensive scores … Helped the Bears win the 2015 district championship and reach the regional finals, both firsts in school history … Earned the team’s leadership award … Was a member of the school’s honor roll … Out of high school was a three-star recruit by 247sports and a two-star recruit by Rivals … Picked the Cardinals out of high school over offers from Army West Point, Temple, Austin Peay, Fordham, Illinois State, Lafayette, Princeton, Southern Illinois and Youngstown State.

Aaron Greene
Tight End
6-4, 255
Prescott, Ariz. (Prescott High)
Earned four letters at Prescott High School in Prescott, Ariz. … Led the Badgers to a 21-11 record over the past three seasons … Was selected as the 2019 Grand Canyon Region Defensive Player of the Year … Also was a two-time first-team all-region pick (2018-19) and a first-team all-state honoree in 2018 … Finished his career at PHS with the most blocked kicks (field goals/punts) … Also had the most blocked kicks (field goals/punts) in a season and the most in a single game (2) … Also played on the basketball and baseball teams at PHS … Is a two-star recruit by Rivals … Chose SDSU over Abilene Christian, Northern Arizona, Ottawa, South Dakota State and South Dakota School of Mines.

Sebastian Hernandez
Offensive Line
6-4, 290
Norwalk, Calif. (La Mirada High/Cerritos College)
Comes to The Mesa after spending the past year at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif., and the year before at Long Beach CC … Helped Cerritos beat Ventura College, 46-39, in the 2019 Joe Kapp Real Estate Beach Bowl … Was a first-team all-conference pick and the team’s offensive MVP … Prior to Cerritos College, earned four letters at La Mirada High School in La Mirada, Calif. … Led the Madaroes to a state championship in 2015 … Was named to the Long Beach dream team (first team), and was also an all-league selection and the team’s offensive line MVP … A two-star recruit by Rivals.

Isaiah McElvane
Defensive Back
6-2, 180
San Jose, Calif. (Valley Christian High)
Was a three-year letter winner at Valley Christian High in San Jose, Calif. … Led the Warriors to a 31-8 record over his three years, including a 18-3 mark in league games … VCH was 11-2 in 2019, 11-3 in 2018 with a loss in the state championship game and 9-3 in 2017 … Was a two-time all-league pick … Also an all-Bay Area honoree, and the running back of the year as a junior … According to MaxPreps, totaled 2,861 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on 396 carries (7.2 avg.), while adding 23 catches for 473 yards (20.6 avg.) and four touchdowns … Had back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons to end his career, rushing for 1,204 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior in 2018, and 1,141 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior in 2019 … Had six interceptions on the defensive side of the ball for his career … Also a track and field star, competing in the 100, 200, long jump and triple jump … Played baseball for the Warriors as well … Is a three-star recruit by ESPN at running back and 247sports as an athlete, and a two-star recruit by Rivals … Received a scout grade of 82 by 247sports and a 72 by ESPN … Chose San Diego State over offers from Brigham Young, New Mexico and Wyoming.

Hunter Kaupiko
Linebacker
6-0, 230
Las Vegas, Nev. (Faith Lutheran High)
Earned four letters from Faith Lutheran High School in Las Vegas, Nev., the same high school as current junior Aztec wide receiver Elijah Kothe … Was a two-time first-team all-state linebacker in Nevada and a two-time first-team all-region selection … Also was chosen as the defensive MVP in 2019 and the Nevada all-decade team in 2019 … According to MaxPreps, totaled 386 tackles over his four years, including 39.5 tackles for loss, 25 sacks, five forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries and two interceptions … Set the FLHS’s all-time record in both tackles and sacks … Older brother, Reyn, played football at Navy … A three-star recruit by 247sports and ESPN, and a two-star recruit by Rivals … Is rated as the 10th-best recruit in the state of Nevada by ESPN and the 12th-best recruit by ESPN … Received a grade of 81 by 247sports and a 72 by ESPN … Picked the Aztecs over offers from Fresno State, New Mexico, UNLV, Northern Arizona and Portland State.

Jaylon Armstead
Running Back
6-0, 220
Los Angeles, Calif. (Serra High)
Was a three-year letter winner at Serra High School in Los Angeles … According to MaxPreps, rushed for 1,230 yards and 17 touchdowns on 165 carries (7.5 avg.) over his career, while adding 22 catches for 237 yards (10.8 avg.) and three touchdowns … Also ran track and field at Serra High … A three-star recruit by both Rivals and 247sports … Received a scout grade of 83 by 247sports … Ended up picking the Aztecs over offers from Arizona State, Nevada, UNLV and Northern Arizona.

Darrell Masaniai
Linebacker
6-2, 205
Honolulu, Hawaii (St. Louis School)
Earned three letters at Hawaii powerhouse St. Louis School … Led the Crusaders to a remarkable 34-1 record over the last three years, including a perfect 19-0 league record … Ended up playing on four state championship teams and four league champions … The last three years, St. Louis School finished ninth in the nation in 2019 (12-1, 8-0 league), sixth in 2018 (11-0, 7-0) and fifth in 2017 (11-0, 4-0) … Was a two-time all-state defensive end … A three-star recruit by 247sports and ESPN, and a two-star recruit by Rivals … ESPN rated him as the 12th-best recruit with a scout grade of 74 … 247sports, meanwhile, ranked him as the 13th-best recruit with a scout grade of 85 … Picked San Diego State over offers from Air Force, Army, Hawai’i, Navy, UNLV and Northern Arizona.