Fresno State football coach Matt Entz recaps spring practices and what he is seeing
Matt Entz’s first spring practice as the Fresno State football coach concluded Saturday afternoon at Valley Children’s Stadium.
He said he is “super excited” how spring practices turned out for the Bulldogs, though he admitted they didn’t treat Saturday’s spring game as such because he didn’t want significant injuries occurring.
“The thing that I can’t say enough about with our young men on our team is their resilience, their ability to listen, to focus and to get locked into the details,” Entz said. “We had a tremendous offseason. Coach Andy Ward, Kelly Csernica, our new nutritionist, have a huge part of that. We’ve gotten bigger, stronger and faster.”
Entz signaled out former Buchanan High standout linebacker Logan Studt, who came into the program weighing 201 pounds on Jan. 4. He now weighs 218.
“Probably a better version of himself,” Entz said. “I think he could be our fourth linebacker. He can really provide a lot of depth on special teams.”
Perhaps the position Fresno State needs to figure out first is the starting quarterback. That wasn’t determined in the spring, but Entz expects the competition to heat up during the summer and fall camp.
The Bulldogs have five quarterbacks on their roster: Joshua Wood, Jayden Mandal, Rice transfer E.J. Warner and Jack Jacobs. Two more QBs will come in, with Jonathan Craft from El Cerrito and Brayden Turner from Danville Monte Vista.
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Mandal, Jacobs and Warner each threw touchdown passes in the red zone periods.
“We have to keep moving forward,” Entz said. “A lot of new terminology, new coaching. Pleased where they are. I think there’s more in the tank.”
Who was Entz impressed with?
Entz named several players who stood out during spring practices.
He identified running back Bryson Donelson, defensive linemen Martin Owusu and Finn Claypool, defensive backs Al’zillion Hamilton, Ethan Tierney, RL Miller and nickel Simeon Harris, defensive lineman Ezra Christensen, and linebackers K’vion Thunderbird and Tim Thomas for having a solid spring.
Entz also included former Buchanan High standout Brayden Walton, who is playing left tackle, for adding 10 pounds on lean mass.
“He’s doing everything you want,” Entz said. “He’s going to be a really good offensive lineman and if there was a hunk of wood right here, I’d be knocking on it because I think he’s pretty dang special.”
He noted that the running backs “continue to have success” led by Doneslon, The Fresno Bee Player of the Year in 2023.
At the wideout position, he’s been impressed with Jayon Farrar “who said “is a really good player.” He mentioned Josiah Freeman is also good, but wants to see more out of the group.
“We just need to see more consistency,” Entz said. “But there are some talented players.”
Former Bulldogs visited
Former Fresno State quarterbacks Derek and David Carr were in attendance at Valley Children’s Stadium.
David Carr’s son, Tyler, is a junior tight end.
Also at Valley Children’s Stadium were Charles Washington, Arron Mosby, David Perales, Jalen Cropper-Moreno, Levelle Bailey, Evan Williams and Morice Norris Jr.
Entz spent time talking to the players and welcomed them back.
This story was originally published April 5, 2025 at 6:55 PM.
