Fresno State football: Bulldogs add new JC recruit in time for fall

A second late-deciding community college football player is poised to transfer to Fresno State in time for fall camp.

Kilgore (Texas) College defensive back Jerrell Sykes committed to the Bulldogs this week, with Contra Costa College defensive back Jackson Finch having said in early June that he would join the program.

“I just felt like they were the best fit for me,” Sykes said. “After visiting, I realized it was a program I would love to be a part of.”

Fall camp begins Aug. 5 ahead of the Sept. 3 opener at Nebraska.

Sykes made an official visit to Fresno State on June 21 and was told by coaches he would play cornerback.

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Sykes was named to the All-Southwestern Junior College Football Conference first team and finished with a nation-leading 10 interceptions.

“I was impressed with the facilities, as well as the coaches,” Sykes said. New defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward “is the type of coach I would love to play for. He’s the type of coach that’s going to bring the best out of you.”

Sykes said he had a few offers from Division II schools, as well as Division I Louisiana-Monroe.

“I’m the type of player that’s going to give his all on every play,” he said. “Going to compete to the fullest every day.”

Looking ahead to the recruiting class of 2017, Fresno State has a potential quarterback of the future lined up.

Mark Salazar of Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego committed to the Bulldogs in June.

Salazar is the second 2017 commit, joining defensive back Cody Watson of Hollywood, Fla.

Per NCAA rules, college coaches are not allowed to comment on prospective student-athletes until a national letter of intent has been signed and validated. Signing day for prep football players is Feb. 1.

Salazar, a 6-foot-3, 185-pounder, completed 147 of 218 passes for 2,248 yards and 21 touchdowns with eight interceptions for the Broncos last season. He said the Bulldogs began targeting him in late April.

Fresno State invited Salazar to its satellite camp at Cathedral Catholic in San Diego on June 13 and offered him a scholarship on Father’s Day. That week, Salazar gave his pledge and said he is fully committed.

“It was kind of crazy to get the call, and I was like, ‘Whoa – first offer,’ ” he said. “I just felt like it’s the right decision, not only for myself, but for my family as well.

“Just want that perfect college that is not too far from home where family can see me play. Great football program with amazing coaches, and (I’ll) be able to major in business and play the game I love. I think it’s a great fit.”

▪ Former Fresno City College defensive back Ka’Lonn Milton (Buchanan) will join Fresno State as a preferred walk-on in the fall. Rams teammate Christian Rossi (Clovis North) also will have the preferred status.

Kickoffs set, changed for TV – Fresno State’s Sept. 24 home game against Tulsa has been moved to a 1:30 p.m. start instead of 7:30 p.m., and rather than be shown on CBS Sports Network, it will be webcast via the Mountain West Network on Campus Insiders.

Fresno State’s Nov. 5 game at Colorado State also has been added to the Mountain West television package as one of eight matchups selected by ROOT SPORTS for exclusive regional telecasts. The kickoff will be at 12:30 p.m.

It will be Fresno State’s first appearance on ROOT in the four years that the network has been the official regional television partner of the Mountain West and gives the Bulldogs three day games in 2016.

The game at Toledo on Sept. 17 will start at noon and be available online through ESPN3.

Future schedules – A previously scheduled 2019 game at Colorado now will be played there on Sept. 12, 2020.

The Bulldogs will host Sacramento State at Bulldog Stadium on Sept. 21, 2019, and Sept. 3, 2022.

This story was originally published July 2, 2016 at 5:27 PM with the headline "Fresno State football: Bulldogs add new JC recruit in time for fall."