John Carroll

Headlined by a quintet of players from the two-time state champion Oceanside Pirates, Brady Hoke announced a class of 27 recruits yesterday on National Signing Day.  The largest Aztecs recruiting class since 2005 is the latest sign of Hoke’s attempt to cleanse the program of its losing ways.

“All programs have a blueprint of what they want to be,” said Hoke at a Montezuma Mesa press conference (video below), “The biggest thing for us is to recruit guys who have character.  We want to recruit guys who come from winning programs.”

In that case, reaching out to John Carroll and Oceanside High is a natural start.  The six-time defending CIF champions and two-time state champs are coming off a 13-0 season.  The late addition of speedy cornerback/slotback Jerry Whittaker (who decommited from Arizona) to a group that already included linebacker Rene Siluano, cornerback King Holder, linebacker Jake Fely, and defensive lineman Kenneth Galea’i gives Hoke his first clear win in local recruiting.

Yes, the biggest fish in what might have been the best year for prep talent in San Diego history still left the pond.  There are no obvious superstars like Tony Jefferson, Ricky Seale or Thomas Molesi in Hoke’s class.  But you’ve got to start somewhere, and the class of 2010 for SDSU reflects months of hard work reconnecting with local prep coaches who had backed away in the Craft/Long era.

Watch video of Hoke’s press conference, an interview with Rocky Long and more after the jump: Continue Reading →

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