Fresno State Athletics
`Dogs 2016 signing class points to bright future
2/3/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 3, 2016
Signing day central page with recruit bios and highlights
By Jason Clay
jaclay@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - Head coach Tim DeRuyter and the Bulldog football coaching staff announced its 2016 recruiting class on Wednesday, the fifth one in the DeRuyter tenure at Fresno State.
Fresno State's 2016 class is comprised of 21 total student-athletes, 16 that signed with Fresno State on Wednesday and five mid-year transfers that inked with the `Dogs back in December. Those five are already on campus attending classes and working out with the team.
"We are really excited about the quality student-athletes we signed today and how our coaching staff was able to make connections with these young men and their high school coaches in putting together a tremendous class," DeRuyter said. "We were able to address a number of needs between the early signing period and now."
Breaking down Wednesday's signees, the `Dogs inked nine defensive prospects and seven on offense. This class featured signees from six different states and three local prospects from right here in the San Joaquin Valley.
"Recruiting is changing with social media and your outreach is vast now," DeRuyter said. "Those guys, because we are on TV all the time, they know what Fresno State football is all about and we've got coaches that have relationships all over the country. You have to take advantage of those and try to get the best talent we can coming in here, but at the same time I'm really proud of the three local kids we have coming in."
Defensive back Juju Hughes (Hanford HS) and running back Justin Rice (Modesto's Central Catholic HS) both led their teams to state championships and with tight end Johnny Rojas (Clovis West), the three all chose to stay close to home looking to add their pedigree to the proud winning tradition at Fresno State.
Hughes was one of two defensive backs in this class, being joined by Jaron Bryant from Duncanville, Texas that has the athleticism to play safety or corner. Hughes was also a standout on offense and in the return game in high school.
The `Dogs got just what they were looking with a big defensive class, adding four linebackers and three defensive linemen Wednesday to go with their junior college additions at each position from back in December.
The four linebackers -- Jeffrey Allison (Faiburn, Ga.), Tainoa Foster (Honolulu, Hawai`i), Lukas McKenzie (Reno, Nev.) and Andrew Wright (Buena Park, Calif.) -- all add a mix of different skill sets inside and on the edge. At defensive line, Kevin Atkins, Elijah Piper and Austin Vaimili join early signee Malik Forrester as the foundation of the Bulldog defense up in the trenches under new defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward.
DeRuyter dipped in to some of his own roots with this class, signing quarterback Quentin Davis from his high school alma mater St. John Bosco. Davis threw for 3,612 yards and 40 touchdowns with just four interceptions his senior year at the powerhouse program under coach Jason Negro.
Rojas was one of two tight ends signed Wednesday, being joined by Donte Coleman from West Mesquite High School in Texas. Coleman was a highly sought after recruit who had multiple offers from Power 5 programs, but inked with the Bulldogs and will be reunited at Fresno State with his former high school teammate in quarterback Chason Virgil.
A total of three running backs were in this class, helping fill the holes left at that position due to graduation. Deonte Perry, who is also a track star, and Saevion Johnson who was his district's offensive MVP at Pearland Dawson (Texas) High School, join Rice and all bring their own flavor.
"With our new offensive scheme where there is going to be a much greater emphasis on running the ball, we brought in the two tight ends and three running backs," DeRuyter said.
Murrieta Valley (Calif.) offensive lineman Quireo Woodley joins the three mid-year signees on offensive line that look to make the Bulldogs go in 2016 under new offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau.
With the all-important National Signing Day now complete, the coaching staff will turn their attention to spring football that begins on Monday, Feb. 29.
"Be Bold" - The official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs is 940 AM ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes 1600 AM.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateFB
Instagram: Fresno_State_Football
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat: FSAthletics
