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, comparing National Signing Day to the NFL Draft and the portal to free agency.
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 is expected to number two dozen players before the three-day early signing window closes.
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.
The Class of 2026 will be updated throughout the day, with players moving from the committed list to the signings list as they make their commitments official.
SDSU Class of 2026 signings
Brian Borjon, OT, 6-foot-6/290 pounds, La Puente Bishop Amat HS
Notable: Younger brother of SDSU offensive tackle Joe Borjon.
Dominic Coelho, Edge, 6-4/240, Rocklin HS
Notable: He totaled 28 tackles as a junior, with two sacks among eight tackles for loss.
Daishaun Davis, WR, 5-10/166, San Jacinto HS
Notable: Speedy wideout was on campus earlier in the month with his team for passing camp and ran a 4.42 40.
Carson Diehl, WR, 6-3/187, La Jolla HS
Notable: Only 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.
Dareon Edmonds, CB, 6-2/175, Eastvale Eleanor Roosevelt HS
Notable: Chose SDSU over offers from Boise State, UCLA and Washington State, among others.
Jack Ellis, TE, 6-5/235, Petaluma St. Vincent de Paul HS
Notable: He had 24 catches for 328 yards and five touchdowns as a junior. Also has played basketball and lacrosse for the Mustangs.
Rahmeer Henderson, S, 6-3/180, Ontario Colony HS
Notable: He had 41 tackles as a juinor with three sacks and two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
Crosby Kelly, Edge, 6-6/235, Moraga Campolindo HS
Notable: Collected 33 receptions for 484 yards and three touchdowns in three seasons on the Cougars varsity.
Alijah Lash, LB, 6-1/225, 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, 6-5/242, Washington Curtis HS
Notable: Two-sport standout also plays on the Vikings basketball team. Takes advantage in both sports of 82-inch wing span, 10 3/4-inch hands.
Josiah Lucas, RB, 5-8/187, 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.
Jeramiah Lewis, LB, 6-3/225, College of San Mateo
Notable: San Jose native who had 45 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks as a freshman this season for 10-1 Bulldogs team.
Elijah Muliufi, TE, 6-6/259, 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, 6-1/208, Irvine Crean Lutheran HS
Notable: He had 71 tackles this season with four interceptions and six passes defended. Played free safety, but projects at linebacker for Aztecs.
Harlem Nellum, OL, 6-5/366, Bakersfield Frontier HS
Notable: He originally committed to Mountain West rival UNLV before flipping to the Aztecs.
Roman Paseka, DT, 6-3/272, Long Beach St. John Bosco HS
Notable: He can aspire to the success of another St. John Bosco alum, SDSU nose tackle Malachi Finau.
Derek Stevenson, WR, Katy (Texas) Paetow HS
Notable: Houston native is also a standout sprinter. He had 37 catches as a junior for 566 yards and six touchdowns.
SDSU Class of 2026 commitments
Tainoa Lave, ATH, 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 and UNLV.
Peyton “Prince” McCutcheon, LB, 6-2/225, Long Beach Millikan HS
Notable: Aztecs went back to Millikan for a defender after getting freshman quarterback JP Mialovski there last year. McCutcheon had 26 tackles as a junior, half of them coming in a 51-0 win over Compton.
Koi Taiese, DT, 6-3, 318, 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, 6-5/340, Moreno Valley Valley View HS
Notable: His 84-inch wing span is widest among 2026 recruits. Impressed during camp drills earlier this month, highlighted by a 4.89 in the shuttle.