Aztecs welcome Class of 2026 to program as NCAA early signing period begins

National Signing Day has lost some of its luster in recent years, getting overshadowed by the transfer portal.

It’s another example of an instant-gratification society, in this instance the focus going to plug-and-play players from the portal rather than high school signees who usually need to develop before they’re prepared to take the field.

San Diego State coach Sean Lewis still regards high school signings as the lifeblood of a program.

“High school recruiting and what we did throughout the whole year beyond today is going to be the core and the backbone of what your roster is,” Lewis said. “That’s like the NFL Draft.

“Then you utilize the portal as free agency, to know, hey, where are the holes as we round out our signing class and we get a feel for what the stablization of our roster and rentention is going to be, as other people are still actively trying to steal away our really, really good players. So we need the community to help us finish the climb and make sure we have the resources to retain our players, because they’re not going to stay here for free.”

SDSU’s “draft” opened Wednesday morning, when the Aztecs began getting signatures from players who had verbally committed in the months leading up to this day. Lewis’ third recruiting class for the Aztecs includes 23 players. All are high school seniors, except for two junior college transfers.

“I still believe in building (the roster) through high school recruiting,” Lewis said. “You’re always looking to acquire the best talent that you can for your club, wherever that comes from. Today, it’s the high school ranks. We work very, very diligently at that.

“As we move through the next (month and a half) here, there’s going to be an evaluation of the guys on our roster and as we go forward there’s going to be guys who go into the portal starting Jan. 2. You only have 85 scholarships and you only have 105 roster spots, and you need to maximize each and every single one of those.

“So our guys know that. We’re very transparent about it, and it’s our job to take care of the program … to assemble the best roster that can go win a Pac-12 chamopionship, and that’s what I intend on doing.”

Most of the players signed by SDSU come from California, although they’re also hitting up Hawaii, tapping into Texas and winding up in Washington. Lewis said the group includes 17 multi-sport athletes and 12 members of the class will be mid-year transfers who will be on campus to participate in winter workouts and spring football.

Lewis said there’s an appreciation for multi-sport athletes because “you want guys that have a lot of those abilities across multiple arenas. If you’re a competitive dude, you’re going to find ways to step into the competitive arena … you’re going to be hyper-competitive and you want to compete year-round. That’s important for us.”

La Jolla High School wide receiver Carson Diehl, who was among the county’s top receivers in catches, yards and touchdowns, and Lincoln High School defensive back Cammeron Purnell are two local players in the class.

The early signing and winter portal windows overlapped last year, but the NCAA pushed the portal into the new year, with the 10-day portal period opening Jan. 2. The spring portal window was eliminated.

SDSU Class of 2026 signings

Brian Borjon, OT, 6-foot-6/275 pounds, La Puente Bishop Amat HS

Notable: Younger brother of SDSU offensive tackle Joe Borjon, who helped Bishop Amat to the CIF Southern Section Division III quarterfinals.

Brady Campbell, QB, 6-3/225, Bakersfield Frontier HS

Notable: He passed for 3,687 yards, 38 touchdowns during his high school career.

Dominic Coelho, Edge, 6-4/235, Rocklin HS

Notable: He totaled 88 tackles over prep career, with 8 1/2 sakcs among 18 tackles for loss.

Daishaun Davis, WR, 5-11/170, San Jacinto HS

Notable: Speedy wideout 31 catches for 479 yards and five touchdowns this season. Also rushed for 115 yards and three TDs. He was on campus over summer with his team for passing camp and ran a 4.42 40.

Carson Diehl, WR, 6-3/195, La Jolla HS

Notable: A local member among the 2026 recruits is among San Diego Section’s top receivers after catching 65 passes for 1,009 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Vikings. Boosted numbers in every category from junior year, when he had 52 catches for 769 yards and 10 touchdowns. Also had 25 carries this season for 118 yards and three TDs. DB on defense for La Jolla.

Dareon Edmonds, CB, 6-2/180, Eastvale Eleanor Roosevelt HS

Notable: Chose SDSU over offers from Boise State, UCLA and Washington State, among others. He had 23 tackles and 10 passes defended this season.

Jack Ellis, TE, 6-6/230, Petaluma St. Vincent de Paul HS

Notable: He had 33 catches for 458 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Also has played basketball and lacrosse for the Mustangs.

Rahmeer Henderson, S, 6-2/195, Ontario Colony HS

Notable: He had 41 tackles as a juinor with three sacks and two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

Crosby Kelly, Edge, 6-6/255, Moraga Campolindo HS

Notable: Collected 33 receptions for 484 yards and three touchdowns in three seasons on the Cougars varsity.

Alijah Lash, LB, 6-2/230, Fort Worth (Texas) Eaton HS

Notable: He plays edge for Eaton, where he totaled 10 sacks coming into senior season. The Aztecs are looking at him at linebacker.

Robby Lavata’i, Edge, 6-5/250, Washington Curtis HS

Notable: Two-sport standout also plays on the Vikings basketball team. Takes advantage in both sports with 82-inch wing span, 10 3/4-inch hands.

Tainoa Lave, S, 5-11/175, Hawaii James Campbell HS

Notable: Plays wide receiver and defensive back, but profiles on defense in college. Chose SDSU over Boise State, Hawaii, Nevada, San Jose State and UNLV.

Jeramiah Lewis, LB, 6-3/230, College of San Mateo

Notable: San Jose native who had 45 tackles and 21/2 sacks as a freshman this season for 10-1 Bulldogs team.

Josiah Lucas, RB, 5-9/190, Texas South Grand Prairie HS

Notable: He rushed for 2,661 yards and 42 touchdowns the past two seasons for South Grand Prairie. SDSU has turned to Texas for several running backs in recent years, including Cam Davis, Kaegun Williams and Juwan Washington.

Elijah Muliufi, TE, 6-7/270, Spanaway (Washington) Bethel HS

Notable: He is a two-way standout for Bethel, also playing on the defensive line, but the Aztecs like him at tight end.

Javari Nash, LB, 6-2/215, Irvine Crean Lutheran HS

Notable: He had 71 tackles this season with four interceptions, six passes defended and two forced fumbles. Played free safety, but projects at linebacker for Aztecs.

Harlem Nellum, OL, 6-5/350, Bakersfield Frontier HS

Notable: Recorded 36 tackles, including 10 1/2 tackles for loss, two sacks and two forced fumbles. He originally committed to Mountain West rival UNLV before flipping to the Aztecs.

Roman Paseka, DT, 6-4/275, Long Beach St. John Bosco HS

Notable: He can aspire to the success of another St. John Bosco alum, SDSU nose tackle Malachi Finau.

Cammeron Purnell, S, 6-1/180, Lincoln High School

Notable: Cornerback who figurds at safety in college. He had 82 tackles and three interceptions this season for the Hornets. He had 45 tackles this season, with 18 tackles for loss, five sacks and 15 quarterbqack hurries.

Jamison Starks, CB, 6-2/195, Foothill College

Notable: Had 37 tackles, three interceptions and 13 passes defended this season for Foothill. Also had offers from Colorado State, Fresno State and Hawaii.

Derek Stevenson, WR, 6-2/195, Katy (Texas) Paetow HS

Notable: Houston native is also a standout sprinter. He had 33 catches this season for 884 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Koi Taiese, DL, 6-3, 320, Oakland McClymonds HS

Notable: He was in rare company among Aztecs recruits with 82-inch wing span and 10 3/4-inch hands.

Jarvis Williams, OL, 6-5/330, Moreno Valley Valley View HS

Notable: His 84-inch wing span is widest among 2026 recruits. Impressed during camp drills in June, highlighted by a 4.89 time in the shuttle.