TWO HELIX HIGH STANDOUTS AMONG SDSU FOOTBALL 2018 EARLY SIGNING CLASS

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo:  Carson Baker via Youtube

December 20, 2017 (San Diego) - San Diego State head football coach Rocky Long announced the signing Wednesday of 16 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent or Offers of Aid, including two Helix High School football players.

The class of 16 is the first-ever class during the early signing period, which the NCAA approved this past year and goes from Dec. 20-22. The midyear 2-4 (JUCO) transfer signing period also started today and lasts through Jan. 15, 2018, while the regular signing period takes place from Feb. 7-April 1, 2018.

The Aztecs’ early signing class includes eight on defense, seven on offense and one kicker/punter. The 16-member early class also features nine from the state of California, three from Nevada, two from New Mexico, and one apiece from Texas and the country of Canada.

SDSU is currently 10-2 ahead of Saturday’s Armed Forces bowl game with Army West Point. San Diego State has won two of the past three Mountain West championships, has three consecutive 10-win seasons for the first time in program history and has advanced to eight straight bowl games

All 16 in the class are out of high school. Additional signees could be added later in the coming days.

Of the eight defense players, the Aztecs inked three on the defense line - Keshawn Banks (Rio Rancho, N.M./Rio Rancho HS), Daniel Okpoko (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada/St. Joseph’s HS) and Cameron Thomas (Carlsbad, Calif./Carlsbad HS) and three defensive backs - Cedarious Barfield (El Paso, Texas/El Dorado HS), Allan Mwata (Las Vegas, Nev./Liberty HS) and Rashad Scott (San Diego/Helix HS, photo right via Hudl). SDSU also added two linebackers in Andrew Alves (San Diego/St. Augustine HS) and Josh Bornes (San Marcos, Calif./San Marcos HS).

Out of the seven signees on offense, three are wide receivers - JR Justice (San Diego/St. Augustine HS), Elijah Kothe (Las Vegas/Faith Lutheran HS) and TJ Sullivan (San Diego/Mt. Carmel HS). San Diego State also added quarterback Carson Baker (San Diego/Helix HS), running back Jordan Byrd (Albuquerque, N.M./Manzano HS), tight end Daniel Bellinger (Las Vegas/Palo Verde HS) and offensive lineman William Dunkle (Chula Vista, Calif./Eastlake HS).

The Aztecs rounded out their class with kicker/punter Matt Araiza (Rancho Bernardo, Calif./Rancho Bernardo HS).

SDSU’s Saturday game against the Black Knights is set for 12:30 p.m.