![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_FRS_dogcalpoly007__1_3_1_H5POJ4K2_L865356718.JPG\" "\\"The")
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The sun sets on Valley Children’s Stadium during Fresno State’s season-opening game against Cal Poly on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022.<\/p>\n
Fresno<\/p>\n
The Fresno State coaching staff is making a strong push to keep the area\u2019s top football talent at home \u2014 and it\u2019s paying off.<\/p>\n
The latest addition to the Bulldogs\u2019 2027 recruiting class is Central East wide receiver Bayon Harris, who announced his commitment recently. He joins a growing list of local standouts who have pledged to Fresno State, including Tulare Union receiver Demaje Riley, Clovis West receiver AJ Williams, Buchanan safety Grant Moser, Central East receiver Relando Jefferson IV and Clovis East offensive lineman Austin Plaza.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s an encouraging trend for Fresno State and its fan base.<\/p>\n
Fresno-area football fans have watched many of these players develop under the Friday night lights and know exactly what they\u2019re capable of bringing to the next level.<\/p>\n
National recruiting analyst Brandon Huffman of Rivals believes the Bulldogs are building the right foundation, but says sustaining that momentum will be critical.<\/p>\n
\u201cFresno State needs to continue to show that the players aren\u2019t just coming to Fresno State, but flourishing while there,\u201d Huffman said. \u201cSo it\u2019s imperative they keep targeting the local kids, especially the big-named kids who might be getting Power 4 love, because you can\u2019t beat proximity. Several of their local commits had Power 4 offers but ultimately chose Fresno State. That\u2019s why you continue to target them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The common thread among Fresno State\u2019s recent commitments is obvious: they\u2019re playmakers.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s exactly the type of talent the Bulldogs need to build both for the present and the future while continuing to energize the Red Wave at Valley Children\u2019s Stadium.<\/p>\n
Keeping every elite local prospect home isn\u2019t realistic. Many players understandably dream of competing in a Power 4 conference and chasing a national championship.<\/p>\n
Still, Fresno State is landing players who have consistently produced against top competition and should have opportunities to contribute early in their college careers.<\/p>\n
Harris helped lead Central East to a 42-28 CIF State championship victory over Pacifica, finishing with 11 catches for 173 yards and a touchdown in the title game.<\/p>\n
Riley was one of the Central Section\u2019s most productive receivers, totaling 1,519 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns for Tulare Union.<\/p>\n
Williams recorded 896 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns at Hanford High before transferring to Clovis West for his senior season.<\/p>\n
Jefferson produced 508 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in seven games for Clovis West during the 2025 season before transferring to Central East.<\/p>\n
Moser has emerged as one of the top defensive playmakers, recording 40 tackles, eight tackles for loss, six pass breakups and two interceptions for Buchanan.<\/p>\n
Plaza, listed at 6-foot-2 and 295 pounds, has the versatility to play on either side of the line but projects as a physical offensive lineman who excels in pass protection.<\/p>\n
Given those r\u00e9sum\u00e9s, it\u2019s easy to understand why Fresno State\u2019s coaching staff should be excited about this recruiting class. The Red Wave has reason to be optimistic as well.<\/p>\n
For Fresno State, recruiting locally isn\u2019t just a strategy \u2014 it\u2019s a necessity.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve seen a renewed emphasis and focus on keeping the local kids home,\u201d Huffman said. \u201cNot just offering, but aggressively recruiting them, getting them to spring practices, multiple junior days, meet-and-greets, getting them to camp.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere isn\u2019t just an \u2018offer so they have an offer\u2019 mentality, but an \u2018offer them, then go get them to commit.\u2019 Kids want to be recruited and feel the love, and the Bulldog staff doesn\u2019t just offer and disappear, but constantly pursues them up until a decision. Previous staffs may have \u2018offered and go,\u2019 but this staff is all about \u2018offer, recruit and land.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Anthony Galaviz<\/a><\/p>\n The Fresno Bee<\/p>\n Anthony Galaviz writes about sports for The Fresno Bee. He covers the Las Vegas Raiders, high schools, boxing, MMA and junior colleges. He\u2019s been with The Bee since 1997 and attended Fresno City College before graduating from Fresno State with a major in journalism and a minor in criminology.\u00a0
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