5 Critical Ways Matt Entz Is Reshaping Fresno State Football Recruiting For The 2025 Season
The Fresno State Bulldogs football program is in the midst of a pivotal transformation, a complete cultural and strategic reset orchestrated by new Head Coach Matt Entz. As of December 19, 2025, the focus is squarely on the trenches and securing elite local talent, signaling a new era of aggressive recruiting designed to restore the Bulldogs to the top of the Mountain West Conference standings after a challenging 6-7 season in 2024. Entz's blueprint, honed by a championship pedigree, is not just about signing players; it’s about identifying "Fresno State men" who embody pride, academic discipline, and a commitment to the Central Valley.
The 2025 recruiting class and transfer portal activity are the first tangible results of this shift, demonstrating a clear focus on addressing depth and positional needs, particularly on the offensive and defensive lines, which struggled significantly last season. The Bulldogs have successfully navigated the early signing period, securing a large group of high school commitments and making crucial, experience-driven additions via the transfer portal, laying the foundation for a roster built for immediate competition and long-term stability.
The Matt Entz Blueprint: A Cultural and Talent Pipeline Reset
The arrival of Head Coach Matt Entz, succeeding the respected Jeff Tedford and interim coach Tim Skipper, marked an immediate and philosophical shift in how the Bulldogs approach roster construction. Entz’s strategy is less about chasing national rankings and more about maximizing the unique strengths of the program's geography and culture.
Here are the five critical pillars of the Entz recruiting philosophy:
- 1. Maximizing Central Valley Talent: The primary emphasis is on locking down the talent-rich Central Valley, establishing a metaphorical fence around the region to ensure top local athletes choose to stay home and represent Fresno State.
- 2. The "Fresno State Man" Profile: Entz is vocal about recruiting young men who will represent the university with pride, focusing on character, performance in the classroom, and commitment in the weight room, not just on-field ability. This commitment to a cultural reset is paramount.
- 3. Prioritizing the Trenches: A direct response to the 2024 team's struggles—which saw the run game rank near the bottom of the Mountain West—the 2025 class has a clear focus on adding "big linemen" to both the offensive and defensive fronts.
- 4. Aggressive Transfer Portal Management: Recognizing the need for immediate experience, the staff has been highly active in the transfer portal, balancing the influx of new talent with the significant roster exits (around 20 ex-Dogs) that followed the coaching change.
- 5. Positional Depth and Competition: The staff has targeted specific positions to create fierce competition, notably securing five wide receiver pledges in the 2025 class to rebuild depth and versatility in the passing game.
The 2025 High School Recruiting Class Overview: Securing the Future
The Bulldogs’ 2025 high school recruiting class has shown strong momentum, especially during the early signing period. The class is ranked around 4th or 5th in the Mountain West Conference, placing them highly despite the late coaching change, with a current class rating of 83.40. The national rank hovers around 92nd, but the regional impact is what truly matters for the program.
The class, which saw 20 recruits sign with 12 enrolling early, is heavily tilted toward addressing the immediate needs of the roster.
Key High School Commits (LSI Entities):
- Harold Duvall: A significant local commitment from Clovis East, highlighting the success of the Central Valley focus.
- Isaiah Dillon: Hailing from Pacifica, Dillon is another key piece of the local strategy.
- Gavin Correia: A commit from Rocklin, Correia is one of the players expected to bolster the offensive or defensive line depth.
- Julius Gillick (RB): A running back pledge, Gillick is part of the effort to revitalize the ground game, which was a statistical weakness in 2024.
- Keynan Cotton (WR): One of the five wide receiver commits, Cotton is crucial for rebuilding the receiving corps.
- Sebastien Boydell (TE): Adding size and versatility at the tight end position.
- Niko Baumgartner (LB): A linebacker commit who will add depth and competition to the defense.
- Elisha Canales (DB): A defensive back who is part of the secondary's future.
The staff’s aggressive approach led to a recruiting tear, securing five verbal commits in a 13-hour span and seven total commitments in just four days, demonstrating the immediate impact of the new coaching staff’s energy and vision.
Transfer Portal Impact: Immediate Replacements and Experience
Modern college football success hinges on effective transfer portal management, and the Fresno State Bulldogs have been exceptionally busy on both the incoming and outgoing fronts. The 2024 season's conclusion saw significant roster movement, but Coach Entz and his staff quickly moved to secure experienced replacements to fill crucial gaps.
The transfer portal has become a vital tool for the Bulldogs to acquire players with Power Five experience or proven production at the Group of Five level, providing an immediate boost to the depth chart. The team has focused on defensive and skill positions to offset the exits.
Key Incoming Transfer Portal Additions (LSI Entities):
- Sammie Hunter (Cornerback): A high-priority addition, Hunter transfers from Oregon State, bringing proven Pac-12 experience to bolster the secondary.
- Phoenix Jackson (Linebacker): An experienced linebacker transfer who is expected to compete for a starting role and provide veteran leadership to the defense.
- Gavriel Lightfoot (Defensive Lineman): A key addition to address the need for size and disruption on the defensive front, aligning with the focus on the trenches.
- Nathan Acevedo (Wide Receiver): An experienced wideout who adds immediate depth and a reliable target to the newly committed group of freshmen receivers.
The balance of the 2025 roster is taking shape through a calculated mix of developing the high school class and utilizing the transfer portal for instant upgrades. The Bulldogs' strategy under Entz is clear: build a foundation of local talent while strategically injecting experience to compete immediately for the Mountain West crown, challenging rivals like Boise State, San Diego State, and UNLV for recruiting supremacy in the conference.
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