Fresno State freshman Brayden Walton, offensive tackle standout, makes decision on portal

Fresno State left tackle Brayden Walton, who started 12 of the Bulldogs’ 13 games this season as a true freshman and would likely be a coveted target for power conference programs, if he entered the NCAA transfer portal, said in a social media post on Tuesday that he would be back next season.

“From the Valley, for the Valley, and back to represent it against next year!” he said.

Walton, a Buchanan High product, is one of only 11 offensive tackles in the 2029 NFL Draft class to play 700 or more snaps this season, according to Pro Football Focus. Among that group, the 6-foot-7, 325-pound tackle ranked as the fifth-highest graded pass blocker. Walton allowed just 19 total pressures (sacks, hits and hurries), protecting the blind side of quarterbacks E.J. Warner and Carson Conklin.

With that early success, Walton would likely field more than a few offers, if entering the transfer portal, which opens on Friday and runs for 15 days, closing on Jan. 16.

He also retains a redshirt season, which only adds to his value.

Fresno State guard Edward Fonua, defensive tackle Deijon Laffitte and wideout Ezekiel Avit are among players that also have committed to return next season.

Fonua started all 13 games at left guard. Laffitte started all 11 of the games that he played in and logged 433 snaps, leading the Bulldogs’ interior defensive linemen.

The Bulldogs’ recruiting and player retention efforts got a boost just before Christmas, with the Bulldog Foundation announcing it had hit the $1 million Valleo Co-Op matching gift challenge that was established in July by longtime donor Jami Hamel De La Cerda.

The BDF also announced it had received a $1 million gift from an anonymous donor.

The gift from Hamel De La Cerda directly supports the Bulldogs’ football program and its efforts to recruit, retain and develop its roster.

This story was originally published December 30, 2025 at 5:26 PM.