The Spartans continue to reap their rewards.
On the back of a successful 5-7 season, San Jose State football and head coach Brent Brennan looked to build on it through a successful signing day.
According to 247Sports, the Spartans have the 4th rated recruiting class in the Mountain West, after being dead last in that regard last season. Here’s a quick dive into each of the 16 commits on early signing day.
Shamar Garrett, RB, De La Salle HS
The 5-foot-9, 185-pound RB ran for nearly 800 yards and scored 12 touchdowns for De La Salle this season. One of the biggest question marks coming into next season is the Spartans’ run game. The team finished dead last in the Mountain West last season on the ground, and will be facing the departure of leading rusher DeJon Packer. They Spartans need all the rushing talent they can get.
Lamar Barrett, OT, Independence C.C.
The 6-foot-4, 320-pound tackle from Bartow, Fla. spent his first two seasons at Independence C.C., which was featured in Netflix’s “Last Chance U” in his first season. He signed with the Spartans over offers from Morgan State University, University of New Mexico, Stephen F. Austin University and Southeast Missouri State University.
Malik Welch, CB, Long Beach C.C. (Torrance, CA)
The 6-foot-0, 181-pound defensive back from Torrance, Calif. is in the top-25 in 247Sports’ CB rankings. He caught two interceptions and had six PBU’s this season for the LBCC Vikings. Welch chose SJSU over the University of New Mexico.
Sam Olson, TE, Redwood High School (Visalia, CA)
Olson caught 33 passes this season for nearly 600 yards and 11 touchdowns. The 6-foot 3, 225-pound incoming freshman was named the best high school TE in Tulare County by the Visalia Times Delta.
Elijah Lawson, LB, Stellar Prep High School (Hayward, CA)
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound linebacker will join the Spartans in the Spring 2020 semester as a freshman. Lawson also played quarterback, running back, wide receiver, cornerback and safety during his time at Stellar Prep.
Jalen Apalit-Williams, S, Las Lomas HS (Walnut Creek, CA)
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound defensive back was an all-league pick and an all-Bay Area News Group pick with the Las Lomas High School Knights. He also had offers from Colorado State, Dixie State, Idaho State and the University of Northern Colorado.
Dion Leonard, LB, Foothill College (Milpitas, CA)
Leonard is a 6-foot-3, 210-pound outside linebacker from Milpitas, Calif. This season, he was tied for second on his Foothill College team in solo tackles (34) and PBU’s (4). Leonard, who is 12th in 247Sports’ OLB rankings, went to Foothill out of high school, after declining a walk-on offer from Fresno State.
Chance Johnson, S, Steele Canyon HS (Spring Valley, CA)
Johnson is a 6-foot-0, 185-pound defensive back, wide receiver and kick returner from Spring Valley, Calif. Johnson chose the Spartans over Southwest Minnesota State University and Northern Arizona University.
Grady Manley, DE, Lincoln High School (Lincoln, CA)
Manley is a 6-foot-4, 265-pound defensive end from Lincoln, Calif. He recorded 73 total tackles, with 18 tackles for loss and nine sacks this year for the Fighting Zebras. Manley chose the Spartans over UC Davis.
Mikale Greer, CB, Lawndale HS (Lawndale, CA)
Greer is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound defensive back from Lawndale, Calif., who chose the Spartans over Oregon State. He was recruited on defense but also played as a receiver for the Lawndale Cardinals.
Jalen Bainer, CB, San Marcos HS (San Marcos, CA)
Bainer is a 5-foot-11, 180-pound ATH from San Marcos, Calif., who did a little of everything for the San Marcos Knights this season. He accumulated nearly 900 all-purpose yards this season, with two rushing touchdowns, seven touchdown catches, an interception and a 37-yard kickoff. Bainer also received offers from Air Force, Army, Dartmouth College and the University of Idaho.
Zavion Reese, CB, San Marcos HS (San Marcos, CA)
Reese, Jalen Bainer’s high school teammate, is a 6-foot-0, 175-pound defensive back from San Marcos. He recorded 23 tackles this season along with over 400 receiving yards. Reese chose the Spartans over Utah State.
Elijah Wood, OLB, Saint Mary’s HS (Stockton, CA)
Wood is a linebacker from Stockton, Calif. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound incoming freshman recorded 53 total tackles with three interceptions, and also served as the full-time punter for the Saint Mary’s Rams. Wood chose SJSU over Howard University, Utah State and William & Mary.
Noah Wright, DT, College of the Sequoias (Lemoore, CA)
Wright won Defensive Player of the Year in the Valley League this season by racking up 56 total tackles — with 21 tackles for loss, four sacks, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery. The 6-foot-5, 330-pound incoming junior is 25th in 247Sports’ JUCO defensive tackle rankings.
Kenyon Reed, CB, Kansas State University (Long Beach, CA)
Reed put his name in the transfer portal midway through his first season at Kansas State University. The 6-foot-0, 170-pound freshman went to Long Beach Poly High School, accumulating nearly 300 total return yards in his senior season with the Jackrabbits. He’s expected to retain his freshman standing going into his first season at SJSU.
Jay Kakiva, DT, Fresno City College (Fresno, CA)
The fifth-ranked 247Sports JUCO defensive tackle prospect is coming off another all-conference selection with Fresno City College. The 6-foot-5, 325-pound defensive lineman recorded 24 total tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble this year with the Rams. The incoming junior chose the Spartans over the University of Colorado and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.