San Diego State Recruiting Outlook

Even though school is out it’s time for a little summer studying for Aztec football fans. There are 207 days until signing day but the early numbers are in and it seems to be promising news.

Let’s start with a little “meet and greet” for the recruiting class of 2018.

Starting with the basics: there are 50 total offers out with 11 verbal commits, including top target J.R. Justice from Saint Augustine in San Diego. Justice is notable due both to his immense skill as well as the national interest he has received – 22 D1 offers including schools from the Pac-12, ACC and SEC. Being able to keep a talent like Justice from being poached by a power-five conference school would be a sign that the landscape of SDSU recruiting is changing, allowing them to compete with the “big boys” of college football for prospects more often.

Justice is also a great launching point because he represents an early emerging trend in the 2018 class - versatility. Four of the 11 commits (Justice, Cedarious Barfield, Jordan Byrd and Josh Bornes) list their roster position simply as “Athlete”, meaning that they contribute to their high school teams in too many ways to list. This type of flexibility can translate into depth and the ability for a growing offense to have more weapons in what will be the post Rashaad Penny era.

The Aztecs also have three wide receiver verbals for 2018 in the form of: Demajay Williams, Elijah Kothe and Rashad Scott. All of whom represent vital playmakers for whoever is taking the snaps in 2018 and beyond.

On the defensive side of the ball the first two names to know are Mikel Oliver and Cameron Thomas, who are both products of San Diego High schools. Even though they are both listed as weak-side defensive ends, their athleticism and experience will allow them to make an impact in many ways for the Aztecs. Allan Mwata is the other addition to the defense - a physical and hard hitting safety who fits the 3 - 3 - 5 scheme perfectly.

At this moment this ranks among the top recruiting classes in the Mountain West, setting the Aztecs up for yet another run at a Mountain West title - summer studying has never been so fun for Aztec football fans.