Aggie football welcomes 28 newcomers for 2025 campaign

19 freshmen and nine transfers lift Aggie hopes on signing day

With a look to the future but an eye on the present, UC Davis head football coach Tim Plough welcomed a recruiting class that features nine transfers and 19 freshmen as the Aggies look to make another deep playoff run in 2025.

The 2024 Aggies finished No. 5 in the nation and second in the Big Sky Conference after reaching the quarterfinal round of the FCS playoffs before losing to South Dakota State.

Tim Plough

Plough said afterward that anything short of a conference title and a national championship is below his expectations as he attempts to build a national championship program at his alma mater.

Among the incoming freshmen on the offensive side are four quarterbacks, three wide receivers, one tight end and one running back.

On the defensive side are four defensive backs, three linebackers and three linemen.

All incoming transfers are on defense, with seven of the nine being graduate transfers who have already earned their college degrees elsewhere.

The transfers include five defensive backs, three linemen and a linebacker.

One name familiar to longtime Aggie fans is Bo Eason, a UCD Hall of Famer who was the Aggies' Most Valuable and Inspirational Player in 1983 and went on to play for the Houston Oilers in the NFL.

Eason's son, Axel, is among the 19 freshmen in the 2025 class after a standout high school career as a quarterback at Oaks Christian in Agoura Hills.

Said Plough of the incoming class, "Recruiting is the lifeblood of any program. We knew we would have a large endeavor this year with the number of graduates we had, coupled with the ongoing change in the college landscape with the transfer portal. We're thrilled with the class we were able to assemble.

"The staff deserves all the credit, including our external staff for all the hard work they put in to get this accomplished. I believe UC Davis football has the unique ability to attract young men with UCDNA. All these young men have the drive to become the best version of themself. They know they can do that here in our environment. We're going to continue to focus on identifying student-athletes who want to be developed on and off the field. UC Davis Football has been elite at that for a long time and we hope to continue with that trend."

The entire recruiting class:

TRANSFERS

Josiah Allen, DB (UTEP / Elk Grove)

Transferred to UTEP from Sacramento City College ahead of the 2022 season … In three years at UTEP posted 120 total tackles, 11 defended passes, 7.0 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries … Ended 2024 with 61 total tackles, finishing sixth on the team and fifth among defensive backs … Second-most sacks by a defensive back with 2.0 in 2024 … Tied for eighth in Conference USA following the 2024 season with six pass break ups … Made a season-high nine stops against Sam Houston.

Cole Batson, DB (Boston College / San Clemente)

Batson returns to the west coast after 30 games played at Boston College in the Atlantic Coast Conference … Racked up 69 total tackles, broke up five passes and made two interceptions during his time in Chestnut Hill, Mass. … Posted a career-high 37 total tackles in 2023, adding one interception and one forced fumble.

Trey Carr, Jr., DB (Fresno Community College / Fresno)

Played eight games in 2024 at Fresno Community College … Racked up 15 total stops, snagged a pair of interceptions and had one fumble recovery during the 2024 season … Added four pass break-ups … Native of Fresno … Attended Clovis West.

Ike Ikegbu, Jr., DL (American River College / Sacramento)

In 10 games played for American River College during the 2024 season, finished with 24 total tackles, 2.5 sacks and 5.0 tackles for loss … Made a season-high seven total tackles, with 1.5 sacks, against Shasta.

Derrell Porter, DL (Dartmouth / Pittsburgh, Pa.)

- 2024 All-Ivy League

In three seasons and 26 games played, Porter racked up 52 total tackles, nine tackles for loss and one forced fumble … Had a career high 34 total tackles in 2024 and added six tackles for loss … Racked up six total tackles in Dartmouth’s comeback win at Yale … Member of three Ivy League championship squads … Three-year letter winner at powerhouse Penn Hills in Pittsburgh prior to attending prep school Worcester Academy … National Honor Society … class president.

Jacob Psyk, DL (Harvard / Sugarland, Texas)

- 2024 All-Ivy League

Finished the 2024 regular season ranked 29th in the nation in sacks … Ended 2024 All-Ivy season with 26 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks … Led the Ivy League in sacks during the 2024 season … In four seasons with the Crimson finished with 41 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery … Saw action in 24 total games while at Harvard … Member of the 2022 and 2024 Ivy League champions … Was a four-time letterwinner in football and two in wrestling in high school … Two-time unanimous first-team all-district and defensive MVP in district … National Honor Society … Academic all-district.

Ty Richardson, DB (Tufts University / Menlo)

- 2024 Walter Camp Division III All-American

- 2024 AFCA Division III All-American

- 2024 AP Division III All-American

- 2024 First Team All-League

- 2024 First Team All-Region

In 14 games at Tufts University, he accumulated 32 total tackles, six interceptions, 12 pass break-ups and racked up 116 interception return yards … Had a career-high two interceptions in the 2024 season opener against Bowdoin … Attended Menlo School in Atherton … Named First Team All-League as a junior and senior … Earned Second Team All-State honors.

Khalani Riddick, DB (Southeast Missouri State / Elk Grove)

- 2024 All-Big South-OVC

Finished career at Southeast Missouri State with two seasons under the belt … Racked up 124 career tackles, two interceptions and six pass break ups … Has 248 career punt return yards … Earned 2024 All-Big South-OVC honors as a defensive back and a punt returner … Tied for second on the team with 87 tackles … Led the team in punt return yards with 222 on 20 attempts … Posted at least 10 total tackles in three games during 2024, including collecting nine solo tackles at Tennessee State (Nov. 23) … Spent time at Sacramento City College where he racked up 62 total tackles, on interception and on fumble recovery … Attended Elk Grove High School.

Nate Rutchena, LB (California)

Played in 25 games over four seasons at Cal … Made 31 stops in freshman season, including snagging three interceptions … Racked up a total of 63 tackles, five tackles for loss, three interceptions and six passes defended in four seasons at Cal … Made a career-high 11 stops at Stanford in 2021 … Attended Monte Vista High School where he was a two-way player and helped lead his squad to a pair of playoff appearances.

FRESHMAN AGGIES

Marquis Bradley, Fr., WR (Charter Oak / Glendora)

- Two-time All-League

- All-CIF

- All-California State

- All-Area

Three-star recruit out of Charter Oak High School … Dual-sport athlete, playing basketball at Charter Oak … Had a season-high 1,323 receiving yards, the 16th-most in the state, and 19 touchdown receptions following the 2023 season … Caught 69 balls for 981 yards and 13 touchdowns in senior year … Ended career with 176 receptions, 3,036 receiving yards and 41 receiving touchdowns … Played both ways, finishing career with 136 total tackles and 14 interceptions playing defensive back … Three-time All-League in basketball.

Treynor Cleeland, Fr., QB (Jesuit / Portland, Ore.)

- 2024 Metro League Offensive Player of the Year

Three-star recruit out of Jesuit High School in Portland, Ore. … Three-sport athlete, playing football, basketball and baseball … Tossed 1,029 passing yards and ran for 204 yards in 2024 senior season … Racked up 1,233 total yards in that senior year, averaging 154.1 yards per game … Member of the National Honor Society … Nine-time All-Academic honors in football, basketball and baseball.

Drew Cofield, Fr., DB (Newbury Park / Thousand Oaks)

Three-star recruit out of Newbury Park High School … Made 141 career stops, 89 of them solo, in three seasons … Had 10 interceptions and 43 passes defended during high school career.

JJ Cravin Jr., Fr., DB (Chaparral High / Murrieta)

Three-star recruit out of Chaparral High School … Totaled 21 tackles at Chaparral High School … Racked up 20 of those tackles in the 2023 season, making 10 solo stops …

Axel Eason, Fr., QB (Oaks Christian / Agoura Hills)

- 2023 Junior of the Year

- 2024 Acorn All-Star

- Tough Guy Award (County dual sport award)

Three-star recruit out of Oaks Christian … Dual-sport athlete playing football and basketball … Passed for 1,005 yards and chucked four touchdowns while at Oaks Christian … Helped lead the 2023 and 2024 Marmonte League Championship teams … Two-time All-Academic.

Jaden Few, Fr., DL (St. Bonaventure / Ventura)

- 2023 All CIF Southern Section Division Three

- 2023 All Ventura County

- 2023 First Team Marmonte League

Three-star recruit out of St. Bonaventure High School … Finished career with 183 total tackles, 89 solo and 94 assisted … Added 20.5 sacks, three recovered fumbles and four forced fumbles … Member of the 2023 CIF State Division IA runners up.

Luke Givens, Fr., LB (La Jolla Country Day / San Diego)

- Three-time All-League

- All-CIF

Four-sport athlete out of La Jolla Country Day (track and field, lacrosse, basketball, football) … Collected 223 career tackles, making 86 solo stops … Had 19.5 sacks over four seasons with a career-high 7.5 sacks in his senior season (2024) … Helped team win the 2023 Division III championship in football … Finished second in the long jump in California … Member of lacrosse Division I CIF championship team in 2022.

Xzavior Guess, Fr., QB (El Modena / Huntington Beach)

- 2023 North Hills League MVP

- 2022 North Hills League Offensive Player of the Year

- All-CIF

Three-star recruit out of El Modena … Owns single-game school records in passing yards and completions; Single-season school records in completion percentage (67.2) and total yards (3,953); Career school records in completions (458), passing yards (6,133), touchdown passes (61) and total yards (9,131) … Owns the school record in the 100-meter dash … Helped team to a 10-0 season in 2022 … Member of two-time North Hills League championship squads.

Tyler Hennessy, Fr., WR (Orange Lutheran / Garden Grove)

Three-star recruit out of Orange Lutheran … Dual-sport athlete (track & field) … Named as the top player in Orange County … Collected 1,148 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns in three-year career … Earned scholar athlete honors.

Devin Huegel, Fr., DL (University Prep / Redding)

- All-California State

- NAL Defensive Player of the Year

- Three-time NAL All-League

Three-star recruit out of Redding … Two-sport athlete playing both football and basketball … Owns the University Prep school single season sack record having made 14.0 sacks during the 2024 season … Member of two league champion football and basketball squads … Owns school all-time blocks record in basketball (62) … Earned a pair of All-League honors in basketball.

Aden Jackson, Fr., RB (Lincoln [San Diego] / El Cajon, Calif.)

Three-star recruit out of Lincoln High School in San Diego, Calif. … Rushed for 1,462 in senior season (2024), scoring 20 rushing touchdowns and averaging 112.5 rushing yards per game … Rushed for 2,233 career yards and scored 35 career rushing touchdowns.

Edward Khutsishvili, Fr., TE (Esperanza / Anaheim)

- 2024 All-Kappa League

- 2023 North Hills League

Three-star recruit out of Esperanza High School … Dual-sport athlete, running track for three seasons … Hauled in 548 receiving yards on 40 catches adding eight touchdown receptions.

Christian Knoos, Fr., LB (Oaks Christian / Thousand Oaks)

- Two-time MaxPreps All-American

- Four-time All-California State

- Two-time Marmonte League Linebacker of the Year

Three-star recruit out of Oaks Christian … Two-sport athlete (track & field) … Owns school’s all-time tackle record (520) and single season tackle record (162) … Finished career with 19.0 sacks and snagged a pair of interceptions during senior season (2024) … Four-time named a scholar athlete.

Cory McEnroe, Fr., LB (Thousand Oaks / Thousand Oaks)

- 2023 All-California State

- 2024 Conejo Coast League Linebacker of the Year

- 2023 Ventura County Defensive Player of the Year

- 2023 Coastal Canyon League Linebacker of the Year

- Two-time All-CIF

- 2024 All-Ventura County

- 2022 All-Palm Beach County

Three-star recruit out of Thousand Oaks … Three-sport athlete running track and playing baseball along with football … Ended career with 238 total tackles and 12.5 sacks … Finished 2024 senior season with 8.0 sacks … Member of three CIF semifinalist squads … Helped teams to the 2023 Coastal Canyon League championship and the 2022 District 6-2 Metro championship … Two-time Ventura County Scholar Athlete.

Ty Miller, Fr., QB (Clovis East / Sanger)

Three-star recruit out of Clovis East … Threw for 10,005 passing yards and 111 passing touchdowns … Rushed for 2,404 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns … Ended high school career with 12,451 total yards.

Tyler Parker, Fr., DL (Crean Lutheran / Watts)

- Two-time All-League

- All Section

HIGH SCHOOL: Three-star recruit out of Crean Lutheran … Three-sport athlete (football, wrestling, basketball) … Racked up 148 total tackles in three seasons … 70 of those career stops are solo … Had 6.5 career sacks and had a career-high 4.0 sacks in junior season (2023) … Earned All-Academic honors and scholastic award honors.

Albert Richardson, Fr., DB (Hanford / Hanford, Calif.)

- All-Conference

Three-star recruit out of Hanford High School in Hanford, Calif … Tied school record for interceptions in a single season, snagging eight during his senior season … Snagged 15 career interceptions and defended 26 passes … Played both ways, racking up a career 2,512 total yards.

Owen Scott, Fr., WR (Sam Ramon Valley / Danville)

- Two-time All-League

- 2023 All-California State

- 2023 All-Norcal

- 2023 All-Area

Three-star recruit out of Sam Ramon Valley … Three-sport athlete (football, basketball, track) … Set school records in 2023 with 1,405 receiving yards and receptions (84) … Set single-game school records with 228 yards and 12 receptions in one game … Recorded back-to-back seasons (2023/24) with at least 1,000 receiving yards … Ended career with 2,531 receiving yards, 24 receiving touchdowns and 165 receptions … Member of team that reached three-straight California State championship games … Both an honor roll student and scholar athlete throughout high school.

Kameron Totton, Fr., DB (Folsom / Folsom)

Three-star recruit from Folsom High School … Racked up 160 total tackles and snagged six interceptions in three seasons at Folsom.