As Fresno State prepares to enter Pac-12, off-season Bulldogs player news has ramped up

Since the Bulldogs clinched victory at the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl and ended their season on a high note, plenty has happened — uplifting and dramatic — for Fresno State football.

The program has seen a number of key players return, boosting its ranks, along with a flurry of activity through the transfer portal and recruiting trail. Rumors and controversies over tampering allegations have charged an already lively offseason.

Here’s are recaps of the most important off-season developments, highlighting portal news and returning Bulldogs players:

Is Fresno State football star target of tampering? Bulldogs’ NIL deals include protections

Reports surfaced that Ole Miss made impermissible contact with Fresno State wideout Josiah Freeman, prompting an NCAA tampering investigation. Freeman, who recently announced his return, provided screenshots of communications as evidence. Fresno State’s NIL agreements aim to deter poaching by binding athletes with strict clauses. Click here for full story.

Inside the Fresno State recruiting class: Two QBs, a Super Bowl ad and more

Fresno State signed 20 recruits, including quarterbacks Jacob Chambers and Deagan Rose, and achieved balance across all position groups. Early enrollees will impact spring practices, and the class features several out-of-state players, including highly regarded wide receivers Xavier Owens and Maxwell Young. Click here for full story.

‘Just pure dominance’: Social media reacts to Arizona Bowl win

Fresno State clinched the Arizona Bowl with a dominant defensive performance, beating Miami (Ohio) 18-3 under new coach Matt Entz. The win capped a strong 9-4 season—ending their Mountain West run. Fans and analysts alike praised the Bulldogs’ “pure dominance.” Click here for full story.

Freshman Offensive Tackle Brayden Walton Among Bulldogs Returning

Standout left tackle Brayden Walton announced he’ll return next season, joining returning Bulldogs guard Edward Fonua, defensive tackle Deijon Laffitte, and wideout Ezekiel Avit. Walton, a true freshman starter, earned elite pass-blocking grades. These retentions were bolstered by strong fundraising success. Click here for full story.

Why wideout Josiah Freeman and others return to Fresno State

Wide receiver Josiah Freeman is returning after receiving an extra year of eligibility. In addition to Freeman, key Bulldogs back for 2026 include Ezeiel Avit, Harold Duvall, Jordan Malau’ulu, Jahlil McClain, Jayon Farrar, Brayden Walton, Edward Fonua, and Deijon Laffitte—collectively boosting experience on both sides of the ball. Click here for full story.

Fresno State welcomes a new face at quarterback: Khristian Martin

Quarterback Khristian Martin transferred to Fresno State from Maryland, bringing a strong arm and championship pedigree. He’ll compete for the starting role among several contenders. Martin, a former top Virginia recruit, has three years of eligibility for the Bulldogs. Click here for full story.

Fresno State offense gets boost with Rayshon Luke returning

Running back Rayshon “Speedy” Luke will return after leading the Bulldogs in rushing in his debut season. He joins an influx of transfers—Maverick Noonan (Nebraska), Tyler Becker (Southwestern), Preston Okafor (Nebraska), Taylor Powell (Northern Illinois), and more—further strengthening Fresno State’s roster. Click here for full story.

This story was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by Fresno Bee journalists. This content was edited by journalists in the newsroom.

This story was originally published January 31, 2026 at 10:52 AM.