Matt Entz builds Fresno State roster with 15 additions, still plans to ‘broaden the pool’
Fresno State coach Matt Entz spent 10 seasons at North Dakota State, five as defensive coordinator, five as head coach.
He was part of six national championship teams, and it’s no secret where all of that winning was rooted: the line of scrimmage.
In those 10 years, the Bison landed in the school’s top 10 single-season best performances in rushing yards seven times, in rushing touchdowns six times and yards per rush six times. It was the same on the defensive side of the football. They hit the Top 10 in fewest yards per rush allowed six times, in sacks six times and in tackles for loss five times.
Few of those linemen were ready made, when hitting Fargo. They came from all over, and when Entz at his introductory news conference in Fresno said that there’s a 6-5, 250-pound basketball player running around the Valley somewhere that doesn’t know he’s the Bulldogs’ next starting left tackle, he was not kidding.
“That’s what we did,” Entz said. “We gave them to our strength coaches, and in three years they came back and they were 310 pounds. They had shoulders that were ax-handle wide and they were ready to roll and they were ready to play.”
That’s what Entz and his staff will do at Fresno State as well, recruiting the Valley and California with plans to expand the recruiting pool to some unfamiliar places while searching for pieces that can develop into productive players, particularly along the line of scrimmage.
There were some hints where they’ll be looking in a 2025 recruiting class that added 15 new members on Wednesday, the traditional first Wednesday in February national letter of intent signing day, and includes 21 mid-year transfers already enrolled in spring semester classes.
Fresno State’s new coach mentioned Omaha, for one.
“There is no Group of Five school in that region,” Entz said. “That’s why you see places like North Dakota State, South Dakota State have Group of Five caliber players on their football team.”
He mentioned Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City, all linked to Fresno by direct flights.
“We’re going to broaden the pool, not necessarily looking for more skill kids,” Entz said. “How do we increase the population and the recruiting pool for big kids, the big long kids, the defensive ends, the defensive tackles, the offensive line, tight ends and linebackers? Where do we find more length, so we can have that developmental program that we want? Where can we find more of those 6-5 kids?
“They’re here in the state of California, but everyone in the country wants them.”
Fresno State in its 2025 class addressed those areas — the class includes six offensive linemen with three signing during the early signing period in December and three mid-year additions, and seven defensive linemen including six mid-year transfers.
The Bulldogs last season averaged 3.3 yards per rushing play and 2.6 yards per play against Mountain West Conference opponents, ranking last in the league in both statistical categories. The 3.3 yards per rushing marked the Bulldogs’ lowest output since averaging 3.2 in a 1-11 season in 2016, and those numbers are more distressing considering five of seven conference opponents allowed at least 4.5 yards per rush.
Fresno State signing class
Here is a breakdown on the Fresno State high school signing class:
LB Lucas Blumling, Desert Mountain: This past season, he finished with 66 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and two forced fumbles.
DB Jonavon Darrington, Clovis West: He played two-way for the Golden Eagles, but the Bulldogs will play him defensive back after he finished the 2024 season with five pass breakups and 24 tackles.
OL Jonah Leaupepetele, Desert Mountain: He played guard and is 6-4 and 325 pounds. He picked Fresno State over Arizona, Cal, Cal Poly, Colorado State, and Wyoming.
OL Brayden Walton, Buchanan: Key tackle for the Bears this past season until he was sidelined for the season. Should be good to go by the start of the season. Listed at 6-7 and 325 pounds, Walton had committed to Washington State in July 2024.
QB Jonathan Craft, El Cerrito: Just played in five games as a senior, but threw for 21 touchdowns and 1,711 yards as a junior. He also ran track.
WR Isaiah Dillon, Pacifica: Keyed Pacifica’s CIF Division IV state title after finishing the season with 49 receptions for 849 yards and nine touchdowns.
DB DaJhon Hall, Oak Hills: Listed at 6-foot, he had 111 tackles during his time at Oak Hills and had 43 tackles in 2024 with three tackles for loss and one interception.
QB Brayden Turner, Monte Vista: He’s 6-3 and had 1,698 passing yards and 14 touchdowns. He ran a plenty for Monte Vista. Coincendatlly, he attended the same high school as Jake Haener.
DL Robert James III, Serra Gardena: Finished the season with 74 tackles and six tackles for loss. James also had 5.5 sacks.
OL Malcolm Polu Jr., Tafuna: Listed at 6-5 and 310 pounds and recently played in the Polynesian Bowl where he reportedly “turned heads.”
WR Harold Duvall, Clovis East: He was a big star for the Timberwolves where his catching ability was lights out. 247 Sports upgraded his rating to a four-star. He had 48 receptions for 908 yards and 11 touchdowns.
WR Keynan Cotton, Omaha Westwide: He’s a speedster. He finished his senior year with 45 receptions for 706 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also ran the ball for 61 yards and a touchdown on just two carries.
RB Julius Gillick, Edison-Huntington Beach: Led his team to a win over Central in the state championship. Difficult to tackle and was the reason why his team won state. He finished with 2,488 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns.
DB Elisha Canales, JSerra Catholic: He had 20 tackles and one pass deflection.
LB Niko Baumgartner, De La Salle: Good size at 6-3 for a linebacker and he showed that in high school in his senior year, finishing with 85 tackles with 14.5 tackles for loss in 11 games. He also had 2.5 sacks and an interception.
This story was originally published February 5, 2025 at 1:28 PM.
