MWC Recruiting Roundup 1-15

This week brought recruiting back to a normal pace, as the Dead Period has died and the Contact Period resumed late last week. Recruits were able to take on-campus visits, teams handed out some last minute offers as well as some offers to 2019 and 2020 recruits in hopes to get a head start for the future. This week also saw 6 players commit to Mountain West Conference schools, with 3 of those going to the Air Force Falcons. Read below to hear from some of the commits and visitors from across the conference.

Commitment Spotlight:

JUCO LB Alexander Vainikolo (New Mexico)

“It was just the atmosphere that sealed the deal for me! The coaches and the love they’ve shown in just a small amount of time. My host Eva Tohi gave me a real look on how things are and New Mexico is just a great place. They all welcomed me with an open heart. The coaches like that I can play in space and think I have good awareness and instincts. It all happened so suddenly. Some things fell through with other schools but Coach Saga Tuitele got the process going, it all happened really quickly. I have a son (Nehemiah) and I’m doing all this for him. I’ve ben very blessed at Mt. Sac JC and now here.”

JUCO DE Joah Robinett (SDSU)

“One of the biggest reasons for committing was staying local. Plus, the staff was mainly full of people I knew in the recruiting process back in my high school days so it was comforting. Currently, with how many great athletes are graduating and leaving on the defensive side it provides opportunity for me to come in and play. The relationship I have with the coaches is an honest one. Throughout my recruitment in they have been straight forward. What they like the most about me is that I have size and mobility combination, which isn’t seen that too often with guys 6”8. They also liked how I’m an active player always around the ball. I feel I bring a competitive high-monitor mentality. Not only that but I take great pride in being a football-minded player, knowing my playbook, watching film, trying to find tendencies and ensure I can gain an advantage.”

DL Johnson Hansen (Utah State)

“I committed because of the mission program they have there, and the overall atmosphere. Plus it’s just the right distance from home, not too far and not too close. The vibe from the player and coaches are great! The coaches really like my size and length on the D-line, they think I will fit in well there. They want me to play DE.”

LB Isaak Togia (SJS)

“I felt as if it was Home. I really like coach BoJ he’s the LB cool coach and I feel like ya together can turn around the program.”

DT Mike Eziuloh (Air Force)

“The school was overall the complete package for me. It offered me great education and the chance to play D1 football. I also saw the Academy as a stepping stone for greater things to improve myself on for the future. The coaches and I have a good relationship, especially on the defensive side because of our similar defensive mindset. The coaches liked my size and ability to defeat run blocks to get tackles in the backfield. I bring big size and long limbs and length on the line to make a difference on defense.”

S Caden Perry (Air Force)

“It was just the best place for me. It was the best opportunity I had to better myself not only as a player but as a person too. It also gave me the opportunity to look beyond college by having a job set up for me after graduation. I’ve become pretty close with coach Calhoun and coach lobo. They really care about you as a person rather than just a player.”

Visit Recap:

DE Michael Azevido (Air Force)

“The visit was a pretty incredible experience without a doubt. I’d say my favorite experiences were eating dinner in the stadium pressbox, and seeing the facilities. I really liked spending time with the coaches, they’re all great people. The coaches all spent alot of time talking to me. They said they are saving me a spot, so it’s nice and I think it shows that they really want me there. We talked about where I fit in and they see me making an immediate impact playing a 5 technique DE.”

QB Brock Purdy (Boise State)

“Boise was amazing. The coaches greeted me with open arms and got an great feeling in the city. I love the facilities and what Coach Harsin and Hill have to offer offensively. My high school offense is fairly similar, so I’d pick it up pretty well. They think my decision making and ability to extend plays with my legs would be very beneficial. Brett Rypien and Chase Cord were great to talk to. They said I’d fit in great with the QBs and told me that Boise felt like home to both of them. I can see myself playing there, no doubt about it.”

Recruiting Tidbits:

Offers:

• JUCO DE Joah Robinett was offered by SDSU
• JUCO DL Tristan Nichols was offered by Nevada
• 2020 LB Justin Houston was offered by Nevada
• 2019 OL Jason Rodriguez was offered by Nevada
• 2020 WR Jalen McMillan was offered by Nevada
• JUCO CB Robert Hayes Jr was offered by New Mexico
• QB Brock Purdy was offered by Colorado State
• OL Thomas Wade was offered by Colorado State
• 2019 TE/DE DJ Heckard was offered by UNLV
• ATH John Torchio was offered by SJSU
• 2020 QB Jay Butterfield was offered by SJSU
• 2019 LB Maninoa Tufono was offered by Fresno State
• DB/WR Justin Ross was offered a preferred walk-on spot by Wyoming

Commits:

• LB Isaak Togia committed to SJSU
• DT Mike Eziuloh committed to Air Force
• QB Warren Bryan committed to Air Force
• S Caden Perry committed to Air Force
• JUCO DE Joah Robinett committed to SDSU
• JUCO LB Alexander Vainikolo committed to New Mexico

Visits:

• DB Malik Putney visited Air Force
• DE Michael Azevedo visited Air Force
• QB Brock Purdy visited Boise State
• TE Brayden Willis visited Utah State
• WR Deven Tompkins visited Utah State (commit)
• DL Johnson Hansen visited Utah State (commit)
• JUCO LB Alexander Vainikolo visited New Mexico

For all the latest recruiting news throughout the conference, follow @Mike_SBN on twitter.