Bulldogs land another commit for 2021 in cornerback Alzillion Hamilton
College recruiting is considerably different from past years when it comes to communication, evaluations and official visits due to COVID-19. But Fresno State continues to deploy everything in its arsenal in landing a 2021 class.
With Hayward High cornerback Alzillion Hamilton, who made a commitment to the Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon, it was about more than football.
The athletic department’s recent partnership with Opendorse and similar programs definitely piqued his curiosity. “Since COVID, since we couldn’t do campus visits, it shows what schools are really doing,” Hamilton said. “What stood out about Fresno, it’s not just about football.”
Opendorse will provide the Bulldogs’ 500-plus student-athletes with the education and hands-on guidance to maximize the value of their name, image and likeness rights as the NCAA continues to move toward adopting NIL legislation.
Every student-athlete will be able to take advantage of individual assessments of social media accounts and guidance in building and marketing a personal brand.
“That’s just a game-changer,” Hamilton said.
Fresno State was the first athletic department from a Group of Five conference to partner with Opendorse, which has since added fellow Mountain West Conference school San Diego State to its lineup and also works with a number of Power Five conference departments including Indiana, Nebraska and Clemson.
Football, obviously, also played into the equation.
Hamilton, who is 5 feet, 11 inches and 180 pounds, was a popular recruit among Mountain West teams. He had scholarship offers from Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State, San Jose State and Wyoming.
He joins a class with a mix of in- and out-of-state recruits including San Joaquin Memorial High running back Jordan Hornbeak, who had Pac-12 offers from Cal and Colorado.
Fresno State also has commitments from offensive lineman Rolan Fullwood (6-5, 305) and running back Johnathan Arceneaux (6-0, 185) from Lawndale High, quarterback Jaylen Henderson (6-3, 205) from Chaminade High in West Hills, safety Julian Neal (6-4, 195) from Mission High in San Francisco, defensive tackle Julius Lewis (6-5, 280) from Central Catholic in Modesto and defensive back Joshua Meredith (6-0, 180) from Valhalla High in El Cajon.
Its out-of-state commitments are from outside linebacker Frankco Gratton Jr. (6-4, 185) from Rainier Beach High in Seattle, defensive back Charlotin Charles (6-0, 195) from Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas; tight end Tre Watson (6-5, 222) from Cleveland High in Rio Rancho, N.M.; offensive tackle Braylen Nelson (6-5, 310) from Vista Peak High in Aurora, Colo.; and running back Malik Brooks (6-2, 205) from Desert Pines High in Las Vegas.