Full Circle: Childhood Friends Reunite to Lead Fresno State Defense

FRESNO, Calif. - Football is a starting point for many young athletes. They are put in pop warner or some sort of youth camp at a young age, and either grow to love or hate the game. That time is also a pivotal time in a kid's life for friendships. Some of those interactions made as kids blossom into lifelong friendships.

For Simeon Harris and Croix Stewart, the pair grew up together as kids in the same neighborhood and played sports together all through high school. When the time came to go to college, their paths separated as Harris went to Colorado and Stewart headed to UCLA. The stars would align five years later as the two were reunited at Fresno State.

"It is a full circle moment now that we are back here playing ball together at Fresno State," said Harris on being reunited with Stewart.

For Stewart, he never thought that football would be his future. He was a well-rounded athlete growing up and saw a future in track. It wasn't until 2020 when he began to take football a little more seriously and joined KT Prep, a developmental organization for young athletes to get to college. It was Harris who encouraged Stewart to attend.

At Benicia High School, they made plays as a pair of physical athletes. Some even highlight worthy, including a tipped ball by Harris that was later intercepted by Stewart in a key rivalry game.

"We see ball and we go get ball. That's how we play," said Harris on the playing style.

Being a Bulldog was never not an option for both players as Fresno State was their first offer in high school. The two would go their separate ways out of high school with Stewart committing to UCLA and Harris committing to Colorado, despite the offer to be Bulldogs together.

Harris spent one season at Colorado before entering the portal the first time. Fresno State called again, but he ultimately chose to go to Utah State. After two seasons with the Aggies, he entered the portal again and this time answered the call from Fresno State. Harris praises Bulldogs' cornerbacks coach J.D. Williams for his consistent recruitment.

"Coach JD was a big focal point in getting me to come here," said Harris. "He had been recruiting me since I was 16 or 17 years old. Him still recruiting me and seeing the value in me as a football player and a person, and seeing me grow, that was a big thing that I liked about Fresno State."

After an exciting debut season at Fresno State, Harris led the team with five interceptions and was an All-Mountain West honorable mention selection as one of the most influential players on the top defense in the conference. With options on the table to leave, Harris faced another decision with his final year of eligibility. His choice to stay was because of the culture around the Bulldogs' program.

"The family level here is so high," said Harris on deciding to return to Fresno State. "It is nothing like I have ever felt before. I have been to two other schools. The staff here, the family here and the environment here – I have joy coming to the locker room and seeing my teammates. It is a really good feeling to have."

His mindset has been contagious. Harris isn't the only Bulldog who made the decision to stay as Fresno State was one of the top schools in the FBS to retain its talent headed into 2026. His mindset also played a role in getting one of his closest and oldest friends to join the program with him.

"Him having options to leave because he did really well last year and him staying shows a lot about this program," said Stewart on Harris influencing his decision to come to Fresno State.

Stewart was already familiar with the Fresno State football program as his older brother Anthony Riggins Jr. was a wide receiver and defensive back for the Bulldogs from 2010-13.

The college football world has changed quite a bit since his older brother was a Bulldog. For Stewart, he may not have had as many experiences in the transfer portal as others but he battled injuries at UCLA that offered a new perspective in the game.

"I would say it comes from within myself," said Stewart when asked where his motivation comes from. "Not playing this past year and having to take a medical year, took a lot from me truthfully. I didn't realize how much I poured into football until I didn't have it anymore. That was something I had been told since my freshman year. The older guys always said don't take advantage of it. Having to take that year off reshaped my whole perspective and I realized I have to do this for me."

Stewart felt the family atmosphere that Harris preached. Immediately upon his arrival to campus, he saw the culture built by head coach Matt Entz. Specifically on the defensive side of the ball and with the safeties, he appreciated the culture that Nick Benedetto has created in that room.

"The first spring practice, Coach Benedetto said 'it is easy to coach you guys because you guys love football and I am not telling you guys anything that you don't want to do'. That alone, and his coaching style really resides with me and makes me want to be a part of this," said Stewart on Benedetto.

The family culture extends deeper now as literal families are reunited. Harris' mom, Kelly, who is already a passionate member of the Red Wave and loudly supports her son each week as a former Bulldog cheerleader herself, will be back in the stands this fall with some added support. Kelly and Stewart's mom, Qwen, have already put together a group chat looking forward to games this fall. The support for #5 and #24 will be loud and proud as they reunite on the field for the first time since high school.

See the family environment for yourself this fall, and be a part of the excitement. Season ticket renewals and deposits are available now.

Fresno State Athletics

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Simeon Harris

Croix Stewart

Full Circle: Childhood Friends Reunite to Lead Fresno State Defense

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