FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno State Head Coach Tim DeRuyter could hardly contain his enthusiasm talking about the next class of future Bulldogs.
"This year for whatever reason we probably signed more guys that had more attention on them and bigger offers," said DeRuyter. "But they decided that Fresno State felt like the right place for them and their futures."
Coach DeRuyter said the 16-member class adds much-needed depth in all areas for the Bulldogs. An eye-opening seven recruits are from Texas.
"I'd love to sign an entire class from within 20 miles," said DeRuyter. "It would be a lot easier on our coaches and us. But it's not reality. There's really good football in the Valley and unfortunately it's not a secret anymore."
Three players in this year's class come from the Central Valley. Edison high star A.J. Greeley is staying home to play defensive back, excited to be around family and play for the hometown Bulldogs.
"Being around family is a great feeling, the best feeling in the world," said Greeley. "Me being here and guiding little brother also is something that's big for me as well."
Kingsburg's big number 77 Isaiah Trevino will anchor the offensive line in a couple years. And Modesto-Central Catholic's Jared Rice will play tight end.
"It's close to home," said Trevino. "I've been a fan since I was a little kid. My parents have had season tickets since Coach DeRuyter came. So I've been around the program. I've seen what they're about, I've seen how they play. So I'm excited to be a part of the program."
Both players are hoping start a trend of keeping the Valley's top talent at home to play in front of the red wave for years to come.
"Everybody wants to go out of state, to the LSU's, to the Oregon's, to the Oregon State's," said Greeley. "But if you're already in the Valley, and you feel like you can make a change in the Valley and go to Fresno State, and bring other young athletes along with you, then it would be better."
"I've gone through a lot of their Hudl films, watched all their films, and I know that they're good players," said Trevino. "So I'm excited to get to work and see what we can get out of it."
FRESNO STATE 2015 CLASS
OLB James Bailey (Lake Travis HS)
DB Mike Bell (Citrus Hill HS)
DE Mason Bradley (Archbishop Murphy HS)
K Jimmy Camacho (Riverside CC)
DL Jaleel Carter (Alief Elsik HS)
DB A.J. Greeley (Edison HS)
OL Donnie Greene (Upland HS)
OL Zack Kinninger Cypress, Texas (Cypress Ranch HS)
OL Ben Northup (Glendora HS)
RB Bryson Oglesby (Fort Bend Austin HS)
TE Jared Rice (Central Catholic HS)
DB Jalen Smith (St. Pius X HS)
OL Isaiah Trevino (Kingsburg HS)
OL Jacob Vazquez (Butte CC)
QB Chason Virgil (West Mesquite HS)
S Alan Wright (Blinn College)
KINGSBURG HIGH SCHOOL
DL Ben Olson (Sacramento St.)
EL DIAMANTE HIGH SCHOOL
QB JC Robles (Colorado St.)
LINDSAY HIGH SCHOOL
Men's Soccer Jonathan Gutierrez (SJSU)
SUNNYSIDE HIGH SCHOOL
LB Malcom Williams (Eastern Washington)
WR Alfredo Vasquez (Minot State)
CLOVIS NORTH HIGH SCHOOL
RB Boluwatife Olorunfunmi (UCLA)
OL Eric Besalda (Minot State)
DB Noruwa Obanor (Navy)
DL Jacob Daniel (USC)
LB Hayden Haupt (Army)
Girls Soccer Kelsee Pottorff (UC Irvine)
BUCHANAN HIGH SCHOOL
Swimming Lauren Holden (Pacific)
Water Polo Catarina Villanueva (SJSU)
Baseball DJ Martinez (Sonoma State)
Soccer Taylor Ehresman (UC MERCED)
Soccer Caitlyn Kreutz (Cal Poly SLO)
Soccer Haylee Lopes (Westmont)
Soccer Morgan Cruce (Stanislaus State)
Wrestling Kai Dill (Chadron State)
EDISON HIGH SCHOOL
DL Vance Sams (Humboldt State)
DB Juwan Murphy (Humboldt State)
RB Khai Williams (Humboldt State)
DB Tyler Horton (Boise State)
LEMOORE HIGH SCHOOL
OL Matt Cole (Minot State)