Recruits make Aztecs bulk up

By: MICHAEL KLITZING - Staff Writer | Wednesday, February 6, 2008 11:25 PM PST ∞

SAN DIEGO -- As a 6-foot-3, 290-pound high school student, Jimmy Miller is the kind of guy who draws attention -- even in a San Diego State football signing class chock full of bulky linemen.

Miller, a player rated as a three-star recruit by scouting service Rivals.com, was among the Aztecs' most prized hauls on Wednesday's national signing day. And the product of Denver Mullen High may have helped the Aztecs haul in even more players. Like center Alec Johnson, Miller's teammate at the Colorado prep power. 

"I didn't even have the offer until Jimmy committed," said Johnson, who shunned interest from UCLA and Arizona State. "Jimmy told the coaches about me, I think, and that's how I got the offer. And that's how I became interested."

Added Miller: "I never really wanted to pressure him into following me there. I think we both just made the decision based on what's best for us.

"It's going to be fun going out to San Diego with a good friend."

Once they arrive, they'll have plenty of sizeable company.

"This is the biggest offensive line we have signed to date," Aztecs coach Chuck Long said, "averaging about 300 pounds."

Miller and Johnson are among a bounty of six linemen who signed national letters of intent Wednesday.

That counts El Camino College transfer Taylor Wallace, who signed a month ago but had to re-sign because he still has classes to complete towards his associate's degree. He will join the team in the summer.

A late but notable commitment in the group is 6-6, 300-pound Helix High tackle Brian Milholland. The late bloomer gained 120 pounds during his four years in high school and chose the Aztecs over an offer to walk-on at USC.

Long, who has now loaded up on linemen two straight years because of low numbers in previous classes, said players such as Milholland, Miller and 6-3, 305-pound Lake Elsinore Temescal Canyon center Erik Quinones might be ready to contribute immediately this fall.

The Aztecs also picked up a Rivals.com three-star recruit at linebacker, with 6-2, 225-pound Las Vegas product Colin Shumate, who was also on the radar of Arizona State and Boise State, among others.

"We were watching his tape, and he was knocking guys out of games -- several games," Long said. "The helmet would come off and the whole thing. He's a tough guy who puts his nose to the football, and those are the guys that end up being leaders."

The addition of Milholland makes a total of five players the Aztecs nabbed from CIF San Diego Section schools. As expected, none came from programs in the North County Conference, though they did ink Cathedral Catholic punter Brian Stahovich.

While the class is heavy on offensive linemen, the Aztecs covered every position on both sides of the ball.

Early reports indicated they were set to sign as many as three running backs in the class, but Beverly Hills High's Ramon Judkins turned out to be the only one. So far, that is.

"I will say there might be one (scholarship) in my pocket right now, just to hold and see what comes out of this spring," Long said. "There's still some guys out there that need a test score, for example."

Becvar to USD

Executive associate athletic director Steve Becvar has left San Diego State to become associate athletic director for marketing and sponsorship at the University of San Diego, USD announced Wednesday.

Becvar had been at San Diego State since 2003. The Valley Center resident also served as interim athletic director after Mike Bohn's departure for Colorado in 2005, and was a finalist for the job when current AD Jeff Schemmel was hired.

-- Contact staff writer Michael Klitzing at mrklitzing@gmail.com.

Aztecs football 2008 signing class

Rob Andrews?LB?6-2?225?PleasantonFoothill - J.J. Autele?LB/DB?6-1?240?HonoluluPunahou

Aaron Brewer?LS?6-5?210?FullertonTroy

Malcolm Culver?WR?6-2?190?Palmdale

Nik Embernate?OT?6-4?285?Yucaipa

Alec Johnson?C?6-3?290?DenverMullen

Ramon Judkins?RB?6-0?205?Beverly Hills

Jerome Long?DL?6-5?250?MorroBay

Davion Mauldin?DB?5-10?175?Las VegasCimarron-Memorial/Cerritos College

Brian Milholland?OT?6-6?300?Helix

Jimmy Miller?OG?6-3?290?DenverMullen

Erik Quinones?OL?6-3?305?TemescalCanyon

Dominique Sandifer?WR?6-0?180?Beverly Hills

D.J. Shields?TE?6-4?230?Bonita Vista

Colin Schumate?LB?6-2?225?Las Vegas

Henry Simon?DL?6-3?275?Eastlake

Brian Stahovich?P?6-0?170?Cathedral Catholic

Josh Wade?DB?6-0?175?Fr.?Point Loma

Taylor Wallace?OT?6-5?290?Encino Crespi Carmelite/El CaminoCollege.

Drew Westling?QB?6-2?220?Alisa Niguel/Southwestern College

Ross Williams?LB?6-3?200?Mission Viejo