SDSU up to 4 commitments as Matt Razzano steps down
Credit: Twitter @jaynapier20,@youngbull2023,@ryansilver05,@RatcliffeMarcus,
San Diego State is on the lookout for a new Director of Player Personnel. Matt Razzano has resigned from his position, and the program confirmed to EVT. No timetable was given for hiring his replacement. Craig Smith, the assistant to the Director of Football Operations, has taken over Razzano’s role for the time being.
Razzano guided the reorganization of the recruiting department following the team’s internal audit of every aspect of the program at the end of 2018. At the time, Razzano was the only member of the coaching staff dedicated solely to recruiting. Over the next few years, SDSU hired three recruiting analysts to work under Razzano.
An SDSU alum, Razzano’s passion for the team and the university were evident during interviews or side conversations. He is leaving the program on good terms to pursue a career outside of football. While replacing Razzano will not be easy, the timing of his departure is advantageous.
In the coming years, SDSU’s football budget is expected to increase. Aztecs head coach Brady Hoke has said adding more recruiting analysts to the staff will be one of the benefits of the extra revenue. The person hired to replace Razzano should have more ownership of the department as it expands.
Smith’s assumption of Razzano’s duties while Hoke searches for a replacement should allow for minimal disruption to the team’s recruiting efforts. The team’s three analysts support the coaches in their respective recruiting areas and position. With Smith assuming Razzano’s role, it allows the day-to-day operation to remain in place.
The Aztecs have four verbal commitments for the class of 2023.
OL Ryan Silver Junipero Serra, San Mateo, CA
Teammate of incoming freshmen Hassan Mahasin and Drew Azzopardi, Silver is a three-star recruit. In 2021, he lined up next to Azzopardi to form one of the strongest ride sides in high school football. He selected SDSU over offers from Army and three other Mountain West Schools.
S Marcus Ratcliffe, Cathedral Catholic, San Diego, CA
Ratcliffe was the second verbal of the 2023 class and the first from San Diego. A dynamic athlete with great size, he fits the mold of the taller defensive backs the Aztecs have recruited the past few years. Playing for one of the top schools in the county, the 6’3” 190 safety choose SDSU over offers from Air Force, Arizona, BYU, and CAL. He is a three-star athlete.
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ATH Tyson Berry, Chapel Hill High School, Tyler, Texas
A speedster from Texas, Berry fits the mold of the slot receiver in Jeff Hecklinski’s offense. SDSU was Berry’s first offer, and it was enough to land his verbal commitment. Berry is a 3-star recruit. He chose the Aztecs over in state offers from Houston Baptist and Texas Southern.
S Jordan Napier, Jurupa Hills, Fontana, CA
The fourth verbal of the class to date, Napier is the most highly recruited players on this list. He spurned offers from the SEC (Arkansas and Texas A&M), Pac 12 (Colorado, Oregon, and Washington), and the MW (SJSU and UNLV). Listed at 6’2” 190 with good size and quickness, he is an outstanding wide receiver but is listed as a safety on his commitment announcement. He could excel at either position.
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.