Brooklyn Bailey Interview: Aztecs’ growing 2027 class offers glimpse of Pac-12 future
SDSU Athletics
As San Diego State prepares for its first season in the rebuilt Pac-12, Sean Lewis and his staff have assembled a 2027 recruiting class from more than a dozen high school players.
SDSU has landed commitments from players across California, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and Illinois, giving the Aztecs an early foundation as they continue building for the future.
One of the headliners is wide receiver Brooklyn Bailey, a 5-foot-11 playmaker from Mountain Vista High School in Colorado who caught 57 passes for 1,312 yards and 20 touchdowns last season.
“I was planning on it even before I got there,” Bailey said. “But just getting back is what made me for sure want to go here.”
Bailey is originally from San Diego, giving his recruitment a homecoming feel despite playing high school football in Colorado. His relationship with wide receivers coach Matthew Middleton also played a role in the decision.
“They started recruiting me a few months ago,” Bailey said. “What had me believe it was a right fit was just already having connections with the wide receivers coach before the offer and originally being from San Diego.”
Bailey said Lewis’ staff sees him as “a true speed slot” and wants to “use my speed and get into open space.”
Bailey is one of several offensive additions in the class. Quarterback Jack Devine threw for 55 touchdowns and rushed for 12 more last season at Regents High School in Texas, while Cathedral Catholic standout Isaac Cook hauled in 49 receptions for 1,242 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Liberty High School (Arizona) wide receiver Braxton Huynh adds another productive target after posting 65 catches for 1,094 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The Aztecs also added size with Diego Botron, a 6-foot-5 tight end from La Costa Canyon High School, and Carlos Rios, a 6-foot-6 offensive lineman from Brother Rice High School in Chicago.
On the defensive side, Kemper Castro emerged as one of the class’s biggest recruiting wins. The 6-foot-4 edge defender from Herriman High School in Utah committed following his official visit to San Diego.
“It was kind of like wow at first sight,” Castro said. “The coach-player connection stood out to me.”
Castro said SDSU sees him as a hybrid defender capable of rushing the passer, dropping into coverage, and playing multiple roles within the defense.
“They told me it’s probably one of the funnest positions in their defense,” Castro said. “You can rush off the edge, drop into coverage. Really just the hybrid for them, it does a little bit of everything.”
His background in rugby has also helped him develop reaction skills and the ability to adjust quickly.
“In rugby, obviously, there’s rarely any breaks,” Castro said. “You have to learn how to flow, and you have to learn how to react on the spot.”
Castro is one of several defensive additions in the class. Rancho Cucamonga defensive lineman Johnny Fortune, Las Vegas defensive lineman Roman Pulefaasisina, and San Pedro defensive lineman Lotu Taufa add size to the front, while Oxnard linebacker Isaiah Phelps brings production from both sides of the ball.
Anaheim athlete Ayden Paine adds versatility after starring on offense and defense during his high school career.
In the secondary, San Diego defensive back Kye Cooper, Texas defensive back Jayden Ghee, and Arizona defensive back Nasim Eason provide length and flexibility. Cooper is a local two-way athlete from San Diego High School who also produced as a receiver, while Ghee arrives from Steele High School in Texas with experience at safety, cornerback, and nickel. Eason gives the class another defensive back prospect from Gilbert, Arizona.
The expectations are already high among the recruits themselves.
“Get ready to win a Pac-12 championship,” Bailey said.
