The future of San Diego State football’s roster could be taking shape. Twenty athletes from the Class of 2025 are on official visits to SDSU this week.

Sources told EVT that WR Marcus Mozer, TE DJ Asiasi, OL Ashdon Wnetrzak, EDGE Cole Cogshell, and CB Trey Glasper arrived on Wednesday and left on Friday. 

As they departed, 15 more visitors rolled in, highlighted by RB Quaid Carr, the lone athlete already committed to the program. The Aztecs hope a handful of the other recruits on the trip will join Carr by giving their pledge in the coming weeks.  

WR Jaylon Hawkins, TE Gavin Garretson, TE Jacob Alvarez, OL Jett Thomas, OL Chase Duarte, OL Delon Craft, DL Sidney Dupuy, DL Kal-EL Togafau, LB Etene Pritchard, LB Alexander Green, DB Tre Harrison, DB Chase Shumate, DE Kameron Brown, and DE Jaden Williams were expected to be on campus this weekend. 

This article is the fourth in a series detailing the 20 recruits coming to town this week. The first featured three of the athletes above. The second and third showcased six others. This final article looks into the last five on the list. 

Etene Pritchard, Linebacker

Rank: 3 Star

A few inches and 30 pounds is the only reason Pittsburg High School (CA) star Etene Pritchard (6-foot-2, 190 lbs) is not a four-star prospect and a national recruit. His production is outstanding. As a sophomore, he had 101 tackles (68 solo) and 13.0 tackles for loss. He followed that up last season with 74 more (57 solo) and 13 more TFLs, according to Max Preps. 

Pritchard has proven adept in coverage (three interceptions in 2022) and as a blitzer (six sacks in 2023). In January, CalHiSports.com named Pritchard to its All-State Juniors team. 

SDSU rebuilt its program on the play of athletes like Pritchard. Organizational memory and CBs coach Demetrius Sumler’s insight will educate the new staff on the history of atypical defenders thriving on The Mesa. Eric Schmidt also has personal experience that shaped his view of undersized linebackers.  

In 2015, Schmidt recruited a 6-foot-1, 215-pound LB from Woodbury, Minnesota, to North Dakota University named Donnell Rodgers. After redshirting, Rodgers played four seasons under Schmidt. His senior year, he set the school record with 126 tackles on his way to earning All-American honors. Pritchard has that potential.

Despite his thin frame, Pritchard dominated as a middle linebacker for Northern California powerhouse Pittsburg High. The Pirates went 13-1 last year. Their only loss came in the state semifinals. Pittsburg played quality teams led by coaches who could properly scheme, but Pritchard thrived anyway. 

Instinctual is the best term used to describe players who always seem to be a step ahead of everyone else on the field. It’s an imprecise word for a skill that can be honed but not taught. Pritchard has “it” and if the Aztecs can beat out Washington, Arizona, and others for his services, they will be rewarded for years to come. 

Tre Harrison, Defensive Back

Rank: 3 Star

In 2023, SDSU finished No. 16 in the country on Forbes Magazine’s List of Top 25 Public Colleges in the United States. Highlighting the school’s prowess as Forbes’ No. 43 overall school in the nation might seem unnecessary, but Junipero Serra High School DB Tre Harrison’s 4.8 GPA makes it noteworthy. The Aztecs’ competition for Harrison includes the University of California (No. 5), Notre Dame (No. 38), and his pick of Ivy League Institutions (all in the top 16). 

Football and school intelligence do not always equate, but Harrison has both. Like most top players in high school, he roamed the middle of the field for Serra in Gardena, California. On film, Harrison showed excellent recognition of the opposition’s designs, often making plays outside of his responsibility.

A stud on the field and in the classroom, he has the making of a stud in SDSU’s defense. SDSU DC Eric Schmidt asks the hybrid defensive back at that position to play nickel, free safety, linebacker, and blitz the quarterback. Harrison’s versatility and IQ suggest he would be a great fit for this marquee position, but he can play all three safety positions. 

The Aztecs have done well recently in attracting athletes from Southern California. In the Class of 2024, they added Jason Mitchell, Cincere Rhaney, Prince Williams, and Tayten Beyer from there. This year, both of their current commitments, Quaid Carr and JP Mialovski, reside within 125 miles of The Mesa. Among Harrison’s offers, SDSU is the only one in SoCal. 

In a recent interview, Harrison listed his parents as role models. He is smart enough to understand how proximity to them will impact his family’s quality of life. Harrison might also want to reunite with former Serra teammates Mitchell and Rhaney. 

Chase Shumate, Defensive Back

Rank: Unranked

This weekend, the temperature in San Diego is projected to rise over 80° for the first and only time in June. For natives, the heat will be oppressive, but for Chase Shumate coming into town for an official visit, it will be paradise.

Shumate’s roots are in Detroit and Phoenix. Highs in the Motor City are expected to be in the 90’s on Saturday. Shumate left The Valley of the Sun, his current home, as it reached 115° on Friday. 

The talented defensive backs’ recruitment picked up in 2024. He came into the year with no DI offers but now boasts five. On film, it is easy to see why the Aztecs are interested in him. He has elite speed. 

Shumate glides on the field, almost like he’s jogging, as he effortlessly races past people. He played both ways for Mountain Pointe High School, starring as a cornerback and wide receiver. Physicality and aggressiveness also mark Shumate’s game. His suddenness as a defensive back allows him to make plays most do not. 

Schools in the Midwest like Central Michigan, Kent State, and Marshall are SDSU’s competition for Shumate’s services. 

Kameron Brown, Defensive End

Rank: 3 Star

Norco High School’s Kameron Brown has been on an official visit tour this month. The first weekend in June, he tripped to Boston College, went to Nevada June 7-9, and Washington State from the 14th-16th. He arrived in America’s Finest City yesterday. If SDSU is fortunate enough to be his college choice, Brown could make an immediate impact in 2025. 

Effort above everything is a catchphrase thrown around SDSU to communicate that how one goes about his work is more important than what he does. “Want-to” is the greatest attribute that jumps out from Brown’s film. His athleticism is terrific, but what makes him special is the passion he competes with.

This is seen most in his pursuit of ball carriers. Good defensive ends catch QBs who scramble or roll out in the opposite direction. Great ones run down wide receivers 20 yards downfield. Brown did both last season. 

He was also one of two players to average double figures for Norco’s basketball team. On the court, he showed good burst to drive past defenders, decent form on his jumper, and the same effort that sets him apart on the gridiron.  

Since Lewis was hired, the staff has broadened the definition of “staying home.” Compared to the other schools he visited, SDSU is a short distance from Brown’s community. His family and friends are only a few hours drive away.   

Quaid Carr, Running Back

Rank: 3 Star

Quaid Carr committed to SDSU in early May. An EVT article at the time detailed how the Servite running back perfectly fit the Aztecs. His blend of size, speed, vision, and advanced techniques in every aspect needed for the position should allow him to compete for time early in his college career. 

Other schools already want to pry him from SDSU. Carr chose the Aztecs over committable offers from Power 4 programs. If he contributes early, more schools will try to entice him to transfer. This is the reality of college athletics. 

The staff’s task this weekend is to celebrate Carr’s decision while continuing to build their relationship with him. Despite attempts to take variability out of the process, development continues to be a personal endeavor. Trust and communication are critical so the process can be tailored to the coach’s and player’s personalities. Deepening that bond is important for Carr’s future as a player and to keep him in San Diego long-term. 

A secondary aspect of Carr’s visit is the chance to influence the other visitors on the trip. Bonds are formed over common experiences. Whoever makes up the Class of 2025 will live a formative part of their lives together and establish relationships that will last long after football.  

As a member of the Los Angeles area football community, Carr grew up around or played against some of the SoCal athletes on the visit. A familiar face can only help SDSU’s chances of landing more recruits. 

Paul Garrison

My earliest sport’s memory involve tailgating at the Murph, running down the circular exit ramps, and seeing the Padres, Chargers and Aztecs play. As a second generation Aztec, I am passionate about all things SDSU. Other interests include raising my four children, being a great husband and teaching high school.