A quick look at San Diego State’s ability to bring local talent home and who they are.
For what seems like decades, new San Diego State football coaches have emphasized the need to recruit well locally. Like most football fans, they know San Diego County produces outstanding high school football players every single year. We’re talking guys that go on to win Heisman Trophies and Super Bowl championships.
Some coaches have even dared to suggest they would “build a fence around San Diego” to keep the immense local talent in town.
SDSU’s current Head Coach Sean Lewis didn’t quite go that far upon his arrival in November 2023, but he has made it known that identifying the best talent among San Diego’s finest gridiron stars remains a goal of the program under his watch.
In talking about La Jolla High School wide receiver Carson Diehl last December, among the top signees of last fall’s recruiting class, Lewis made that point clear.
“(I’m) excited to keep him home, and we want to keep all of our hometown heroes home,” Lewis is quoted as saying in an article by Bernie Wilson published on SI.com.
“He was one that very early on we identified, going all the way back to last summer.”
As Lewis enters his third year as the head man of San Diego State football, Sons of Montezuma thought we’d take a look and see if the 2026 roster offers more local flavor than previous ones.
For comparison’s sake, we looked at the roster of the 2023 Aztecs squad as listed by GoAztecs.com, the last season before Coach Lewis landed in San Diego.
On that team, a total of 15 players hailed from San Diego County, either as their hometown or where they played high school football. Interestingly, 38 players came to SDSU from out of state that season.
In looking at the 2026 roster, again with details listed on GoAztecs.com, Aztecs fans will find 14 former local high school athletes on the sideline. For out-of-state players, the figure sits at 39.
So, in essence, nothing’s changed.
Three years ago, the local guys making big contributions included Noah Tumblin at cornerback, Jack Browning at kicker, Mekhi Shaw at wide receiver, offensive lineman Russ Ulugalu-Maseuli, and then-freshman EDGE Trey White.
This season, five local products have earned their spots on the early season two-deep roster. Leading the charge is Cathedral Catholic High School alumnus Lucky Sutton at running back. The senior enjoyed a productive 2025 campaign and enters 2026 as one of the keys to Coach Lewis’ offensive unit.
Sutton rushed for 1,297 yards and 10 touchdowns last year, earning first team all-Mountain West recognition. That success has led him to be named as a preseason pick for first team all-Pac 12 honors.
Former Helix High star Christian Washington serves as Sutton’s backup. The shifty runner flashed his talents last year in his first season in the Red and Black. The transfer from Coastal Carolina racked up a career best 577 rushing yards across all 13 games the Aztecs played a year ago.
The team will look to Washington for chunk plays on the outside, some pass catching out of the backfield, and perhaps as a threat in the return game.
Nathan Acevedo, the senior receiver from Lincoln High, has established himself as a reliable pass catching threat from the slot. Acevedo played in 12 games in 2026, making five starts. The current two-deep roster lists him right behind playmaker Jordan Napier.
Returning from injury to fill the starting middle linebacker spot, Tano Letuli, a two-time captain from Cathedral Catholic High, brings veteran experience and demonstrated leadership to the Aztec defense. The ball-hawking force in the middle will need to stay on the field if this year’s defense is to match the lofty standards set by the 2025 side.
At back-up punter, San Diego State lists former Rancho Bernardo High and Palomar College player Camden Cowgill. The junior fashioned a 38.4 punting average on 48 punts in 2025 at Palomar.
Several other San Diego high school standouts are battling to make a significant contribution on this year’s team.
On the offensive side of the ball, keep an eye on the aforementioned freshman receiver Carson Diehl. The guy Lewis described as the best-two player in the County when he signed last year continues to impress the coaching staff with his work ethic and pass catching ability.
Also competing for time at receiver for SDSU is Will Cianfrini. The former Carlsbad Lancer appeared in nine games for the Aztecs in 2025 catching five balls for 40 yards. The 6’4” sophomore will likely be counted on for more production in his third year on Montezuma Mesa.
Another receiver quietly making his return to San Diego is Ayo Shotomide-King an Oklahoma State transfer. The 6’3″ 225 pass catcher out of Chula Vista spent his high school years at St. Augustine high. In a stacked receiver’s unit Shotomide-King has the chance to be a big contributor with two years of eligibility remaining.
For the defense, don’t be surprised to see safety Josiah Cox (Lincoln High) flying around and making plays. The transfer from New Mexico State starred locally and would love to do the same in his senior year.
Forecasting a bit into the future, Coach Lewis continues to identify and bring in local talented footballers. The Aztecs have landed early commitments from three of the top 25 high school players from San Diego, according to the UT.
Diego Botron, a 6’4” tight end from La Costa Canyon High, receiver Isaac Cook of Cathedral Catholic High, and two-way player Kyle Cooper from San Diego High highlight what could be an exciting wave of local newcomers to don the iconic red Aztec calendar-inspired helmet in front of hometown family, friends, and fans next season and beyond.
But for now, we have a handful of outstanding former high school “hometown heroes” to cheer on once the season kicks off on Saturday, September 5 against Portland State at Snapdragon Stadium.
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2 Responses
Would be nice if you identified the players whose pictures are at the beginning of this article. I recognize Tano and Lucky, but I don’t know who the others are.
Great recruiting Coach Lewis! Onward, Upward and Beyond, Jeffrey Clark, Class of 1968!