Built in the Valley. Built to be Bulldogs.

FRESNO, Calif. - Football means something to the Central Valley. From any level, starting with pop warner all the way through high school, stadiums are filled with passionate fans across the Valley. That same passion rolls into Fresno State, and how the Central Valley supports its flagship university.

When the passion for Central Valley football and Fresno State collide, it is the perfect mix.

There are roughly 300 high schools in the Central Valley, and Fresno State has made it a point to hit every one of them in recruiting efforts. Under head coach Matt Entz, the Bulldog football program has prioritized relationships with each high school in the area. These efforts prove the commitment to getting the star talent to stay home and play at the next level.

Staying home means something to many athletes in the Central Valley.

The Bulldogs' 2026 roster is full of Valley natives, including all those who list their hometowns as cities from Modesto to Bakersfield. Each of those athletes have had different journeys to and from Fresno State, but they are all proud to represent their hometowns.

Junior running back Bryson Donelson was one of the top high school players in the state of California, right out of Central Valley Christian in the south Valley. Donelson was the state's leading rusher with 3,297 rushing yards and 58 total touchdowns in 2023. He was second nationally in those categories. He was just a kid from Visalia. He piled up seven Division I offers, and chose to be a Bulldog.

Donelson made an impact immediately. He has been a two-year starter and has compiled over 1,000 rushing yards in that time, earning national and conference-level recognitions.

About 30 miles west from Donelson's hometown, Kiontre Harris had a different high school experience at Lemoore High School. The current Bulldog defensive back stepped away from football in the middle of his sophomore season, just after being pulled up to varsity, due to personal reasons away from football. It was the encouragement from the Lemoore coaching staff to get Harris back to the gridiron. The belief they saw in him helped him along his path to Fresno State as cornerbacks coach and former first round draft pick J.D. Williams mentors him in his college years. Williams is a Valley native himself.

"Football has given me a lot. It has taught me that toughness wins," said Harris. "Especially since becoming a father, I have realized that anything difficult, whether playing football, raising a baby or being a good partner in life, is going to require resilience, persistence and perseverance to become successful. Becoming a father was a big reason for staying close to home. That was important to me. Balancing life as a student-athlete and a dad can be challenging but it becomes much more manageable with the support of our families close by."

Although Visalia and Lemoore are somewhat small towns when compared to the city of Fresno, freshman tight end Bryce McDaniel knows "small town" on another level. McDaniel is from the city of Hughson, about 20 minutes outside of Modesto. The population of Hughson is just over 8,000 people and Hughson High School has around 800 students enrolled.

McDaniel proves that you can be found if your talent shines bright enough.

"Coming from a smaller town, your recruitment is probably going to be a little slow and under the radar just because the town isn't that well-known to coaches or programs," said McDaniel. "What that says about Fresno State's recruiting is that they are going to find you. They do a really good job recruiting the Central Valley, especially. They will look at every school, no matter how big or small. They are going to look at the people that they want to develop in their program and they are going to give them a chance. Fresno State was a school I wanted to go to for the longest time, so I was happy that they gave me the chance to come develop here and play football. I think it says a lot about the recruiting staff that they will find you, no matter how big your school is. They will take the time to evaluate you as a player and a recruit."

For some, the recruitment wasn't as difficult because the Bulldog coaches were just a few miles up the road. Wide receiver Harold Duvall attended Clovis East High School, which is an eight and a half mile distance from Valley Children's Stadium. Duvall did it all for the Timberwolves. He was a standout receiver, defensive back and return specialist for football. He got all the honors – All-State, All-League, All-Star, Player of the Year, you name it. It doesn't stop there. He was also the captain of the basketball team and a school record holder on the track and field team. Duvall did it all.

With all that on his resume, he was getting looks from rival schools but chose to stay home and be a Bulldog.

"I chose Fresno State over the other schools because it is just different playing in your backyard," said Duvall on his choice to be a Bulldog. "Growing up and going to all the Fresno State games at the stadium, and just having the closure that you are home. You have always been home. You don't have to go anywhere else to feel home. It made me feel secure, and like this decision to play for Coach Entz was a good one for me and my family. On my other visits, it was nice and they had all this nice stuff, but it didn't feel like I was home. Fresno State always felt like home to me."

The Clovis schools produce Bulldog talent across the board, whether recruited athletes or walk-ons. Junior Jaden Carrillo was a three-sport athlete at Clovis High School, and was named the Male Athlete of the Year as a senior. Carrillo had recruiting interest from schools at the FCS level, but remained certain he was going to be a Bulldog.

"I chose Fresno State over other programs because of the love from the coaches and the pride and tradition that surrounds this university," said Carrillo on his decision to be a Bulldog. "Starting with the coaches, our coaching staff is incredible. It consists of fatherly love and NFL knowledge that they pour into us day in and day out. Being from Fresno, I grew up going to these games and watching the 'stars'. To be able to strap up the red helmet and lace up the cleats, and step on the same field that they did is a true honor. What we have here in the Valley, we are very proud of it. We love our community. We may not have the nicest things or flashiest facilities, but one thing is for sure, when you leave Valley Children's Stadium, you are going to know that you played the Bulldogs."

A fellow Clovis High Cougar, freshman Deagan Rose flipped his commitment late to come to Fresno State. Rose was a four-time All-League quarterback and set the school record for passing yards. He had offers from schools across the country from Oregon to Auburn. In July 2024, Rose committed to another program but decommitted in October of 2025, and shortly after, he became a Bulldog.

Sophomore offensive lineman Brayden Walton had a similar path to Fresno State. He committed to a program in July of 2024 while attending Buchanan High School, but flipped his commitment to the Bulldogs that September. Walton became the first true freshman to start at left tackle in Fresno State program history.

For some, being a Bulldog was always the dream. Buchanan High School graduates Jayden Mandal and Logan Studt grew up together. The duo had attended Fresno State football games together since they were six years old. They were close friends all throughout school, playing football and baseball together. Both parents of Mandal and Studt are Fresno State graduates, and Studt's younger sister is a current Fresno State spirit squad member. Being a Bulldog is in their blood.

"We started together in 6u baseball growing up," said Mandal. "I was at Clovis North, then transferred to Buchanan and started playing football with him. We have always talked about it. We grew up going to the games, and we always wanted to play for the Bulldogs. That dream became a reality and it has been awesome."

These players each play for their families, their hometowns, and the entire Valley community. The program is special because of the community it resides in. Be a part of the environment this fall. Season ticket renewals and deposits are available now.

Fresno State Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Jaden Carrillo

Bryson Donelson

Harold Duvall

Kiontre Harris

Jayden Mandal

Bryce McDaniel

Deagan Rose

Logan Studt

Brayden Walton

Built in the Valley. Built to be Bulldogs.

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