San Diego, CA

The 2024 Recruiting Road So Far: San Diego State

Published

2 years ago

January 1, 2024

Welcome to the eighth piece of our twelve-part series that hopefully makes the dead period go by a bit quicker. These articles aim to provide a detailed look at what each team has done thus far on the recruiting trail and what work still needs to be put in before NLI day in February. One team a day will be featured this year in alphabetical order. Today will look at San Diego State.

San Diego State:

San Diego State was boasting a new-look offense and were expected to be one of the top teams in the conference and potentially even compete for a conference championship. Instead, they put together their worst campaign since 2009. After beating Ohio and Idaho State to begin the year, the Aztecs suffered four straight losses, including two in conference play. They rebounded to beat Hawaii, but then had another four-game losing streak, including an embarrassing one to Nevada in which they went scoreless. Somehow, they beat Fresno State with one of their best games of the season, but it was too little, too late. An announcement was made that Brady Hoke would be retiring and SDSU was at a crossroads to end the season.

Sean Lewis was hired shortly after, and he kept most of the recruiting class intact and then had a great few weeks leading up to signing day, putting together a very strong class. Read why below.

The Road So Far:

San Diego State signed 25 players in the December signing period, the highest in the conference aside from Air Force. 16 play on offense, while 9 are coming to play defense. As usually, most of the signees come from California, although not as much as usual with 10 players this cycle. They also dipped into Washington, Arizona, Texas, Indiana, and even American Samoa. This class was a heavier than normal on transfers once Coach Lewis came in, with 9 plus a junior college player. The other ten are from high school.

Starting with the offense, they signed both a high schooler, Danny O’Neil, and transfer, AJ Duffy, and both are talented enough to assume the starting role. Similar things hold true at running back where it’s hard to say who is more talented, Anthony McMillian, or Cincere Rhaney. The wide receiver room features a trio of talented but different high school players. Will Cianfrini possesses height and great hands, Isaiah Buxton is dynamic and can make big plays while Ben Scolari had a very productive high school career as someone who can do a bit of everything. This doesn’t even count the two transfers at the position, Nate Bennett and Ja’Shaun Poke. It’s safe to say the WR room will be very different next season. A similar influx of talent occurs at tight end, where Arthur Ban and Ryan Wolfer both have great size and Gabe Garretson from junior college will bring the experience. The offensive line boasts four signees, two high schoolers and two transfers. Kai Holec is as solid as they come for future tackles, while Saipale Fuimaono will be a bit raw as he adjusts to playing stateside. To help bridge the gap, transfers Brayden Bryant and Nate Williams are being brought in to play early.

Jumping over to the defense, Kodi Cornelius and transfer Marlem Louis will man the interior of the defensive line in both the immediate and not-too-distant future. Meanwhile, Ryan Gaea will play on the edge and has the prototypical size for that spot. Danny Niu is a quick linebacker, but the real focus by the coaching staff was defensive back, where they added six players. Prince Williams and Tayten Beyer should have no issue at the corner spots while the crown jewel of this class, Jason Mitchell II can play anywhere in the secondary but might thrive in the Aztec position if they continue that scheme. A trio of transfers fills out the defense, with Bryce Phillips, Zach Morris, and William Nimmo Jr all likely being penciled in for immediate playing time at different spots in the secondary.

Number who signed in December: 26

Number who will enroll early: 11

247 Composite Rankings:

Overall: 81st
Recruiting: 79th
Transfer: 74th

The Road Ahead:

Top Targets Remaining: EDGE, LB

San Diego State did some tremendous work in the class of 2024, but some work still remains. They currently have one of the best classes in the Mountain West thanks to their work over the course of the year and the past few weeks, and have a nice balance of talented transfers and now look to finish things off.

There are a few positions that the Aztecs can add to between now and February, even though the bulk of the work is done. The offense is pretty much complete, although the team likely wouldn’t say no if the right transfer player at any position came along. However, the Aztecs are short on edge rushers in this class so far. Good defenses can never have enough players getting after the quarterback, so look for them to add one, or maybe two EDGE players in the transfer portal. Likewise, the class is noticeably light on linebackers and adding either a high school player or a transfer makes sense.

All in all, San Diego State has assembled a great class so far. While they do need additions to finish off the class, there is nothing wrong with the 25 signees at this point. The 2024 version of the Aztecs should be much improved from what was seen in 2023.

Previous Posts: Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico

Coming next: San Jose State

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San Diego, CA

Barricaded individual in custody following police response in Mission Valley

Published

1 hour ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Barricaded individual in custody following police response in Mission Valley

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — San Diego Police responded to a barricaded individual in the Mission Valley area Thursday afternoon, prompting a heavy law enforcement presence.

The Nexstar Media video above details resources for crime victims

The department confirmed around 1 p.m. that officers were on scene in the 1400 block of Hotel Circle North, and are working to safely resolve the situation. Authorities asked the public to avoid the area and allow officers the space needed to conduct their operations.

Police described the incident as a domestic violence restraining order violation. At this time, it’s unknown if the person is armed.

No injuries have been reported.

The suspect was taken into custody within an hour.

Further details about the barricaded person were not immediately released. Police say updates will be shared as more information becomes available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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San Diego, CA

Padres roster review: Luis Campusano

Published

13 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Padres roster review: Luis Campusano – San Diego Union-Tribune

LUIS CAMPUSANO

Position(s): Catcher
Bats / Throws: Right / Right
2026 opening day age: 27
Height / Weight: 5-foot-10 / 232 pounds
How acquired: Second round of the draft in 2017 (Cross Creek HS, Ga.)
Contract status: Will make $900,000 after agreeing to a one-year deal to avoid arbitration; Will not be a free agent until 2029.
fWAR in 2025: Minus-0.4
Key 2025 stats: .000 AVG, .222 OBP, .000 SLG, 0 HRs, 0 RBIs, 0 runs, 6 walks, 11 strikeouts, 0 steals (10 games, 27 plate appearances)

STAT TO NOTE

1 — The number of plate appearances for Campusano while in the majors between June 1 and June 13 and the one at-bat resulted in a weak, pinch-hit groundout against a position player (Kike Hernandez) on the mound in mop-up duty. Campusano was recalled to the majors four times in 2025 but did not get a real opportunity get settled after he went 0-for-6 with four walks and a strikeout in three straight starts as a DH in early May. Of course, hitting .227/.281/.361 with eight homers over 299 plate appearances after getting the first real chance to start in 2024 likely informed how the Padres viewed his opportunity in 2025.

Down — Called up a final time on the last day of the regular season, Campusano balked at the idea that the season did not go the way he wanted. “I had a great season,” he said as he and his teammates packed for the NL Wild Card Series in Chicago. And he did … for Triple-A El Paso. He hit more home runs than ever (25), drove in more runs (95) and finished with a career-high 1.036 OPS, tops among all qualifying Triple-A hitters. The disappointment inferred in the question posed to Campusano was that he was not able to impact the big-league team in any way in 2025, which began with the team choosing to bring in a 40-year-old Yuli Gurriel a chance on the opening day roster over a homegrown product. Once billed as the catcher of the future, Campusno did not catch a single game in the majors, nor did he get any hits, although the opportunity to play was sporadic after getting three straight starts as a DH in early May (see stat to note). The Padres even lost back-up catcher Elias Díaz to an oblique injury over the final weekend of the regular season, but Campusano — who played out the string for a Triple-A El Paso team that did not make the playoffs rather than participate in the majors as a September call-up — was added to the postseason roster more as a right-handed bat than a third catcher (Martín Maldonado was also re-added to the team for the playoffs as the defensive back-up to Freddy Fermin). Campusano, of course, was not asked to help the team in either capacity before the Padres were eliminated in three games.

2026 OUTLOOK

Campusano is finally out of minor league options this year, so the Padres will either have to carry him on the roster, trade him or expose him to waivers. He has fans in the organization, but two big-league staffs headed by Bob Melvin and Mike Shildt seemingly lost faith in his ability to catch a game and all the responsibilities that come with that. It remains to be seen what impact the arrival of robo umps will have on how new manager Craig Stammen views Campusano’s ability behind the plate, but he’s been a potent minor league hitter who has yet to truly get on track in the majors beyond the second half of 2023 (.875 OPS, 6 HRs). Campusano has dabbled at first base in recent years in the minors (12 starts total), so perhaps he settles into a role as a second catcher/right-handed DH/first base option to start 2026.

Luis Campusano #15 of the San Diego Padres and Nick Pivetta #27 walk to the dugout during a practice before the Wildcard series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Sept. 29, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

ROSTER RANKINGS

22. C Luis Campusano
23. LHP Yuki Matsui
24. INF Sung-Mun Song
25. RHP Matt Waldron
26. OF Bryce Johnson
27. RHP Ron Marinaccio
28. RHP Bryan Hoeing
29. LHP Kyle Hart
30. RHP Jhony Brito
31. INF Will Wagner
32. OF Tirso Ornelas
33. RHP Garrett Hawkins
34. RHP Miguel Mendez
35. RHP Daison Acosta
36. RHP Ty Adcock
37. RHP Alek Jacob
38. INF Mason McCoy

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San Diego, CA

2 San Diego Eateries Named Among ‘Most Beautiful New Restaurants’ In America

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2026

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2 San Diego Eateries Named Among ‘Most Beautiful New Restaurants’ In America

SAN DIEGO, CA — Two San Diego County eateries were named among the most beautiful restaurants that opened last year in the country.

Carlsbad-based Lilo was ranked No. 4 and La Jolla-based Lucien was ranked No. 9 on Robb Report’s list of the most beautiful new restaurants in the U.S. for 2025.

Lilo, which opened in April, features a multi-course tasting menu served around a 24-seat chef’s counter.

The restaurant, co-owned by Chef Eric Bost and John Resnick, earned a Michelin star just months after opening its doors. The eatery was also the only one in San Diego to land on The New York Times list of the 50 best restaurants in America.

Lucien, which opened in July, also offers a chef’s tasting menu, with more than a dozen courses. The 30-seat restaurant, is owned and helmed by Northern California native Chef Elijah Arizmendi, along with partners Brian Hung and Melissa Lang.

“I’m very grateful for the recognition from Robb Report,” Arizmendi told Patch. “Lucien is deeply personal to me, and the space was designed as an extension of my philosophy — one centered on intention, hospitality and the joy of sharing something meaningful to others.”

The list spotlights 21 restaurants in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City and other cities across the country. View the full report here.

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