DAVIS, Calif. – After an historic run to the NCAA Division I Football Championship quarterfinals and a program-best No. 5 finish in the final polls, UC Davis football looks to reload for another run announcing the addition of 30 Aggies on signing day as part of the incoming class ahead of the 2025 season.
20 incoming Aggies will come to Davis as freshmen, while 10 come to Davis as transfers, seven of those will enter the UC Davis graduate school upon joining Shredville. 18 of the 20 incoming freshmen were part of the early signing day period announced on Dec. 4, 2024. And while most Aggie transfers made their moves during the transfer portal period, a few announced on Feb. 5, 2025.
Among the incoming offensive freshmen there are four quarterbacks; three wide receivers; one tight end and one running back while on the defensive side, four will join the secondary, three will look to add depth to the linebacking corps and four more incoming Aggies will take spots up front among the defensive line.
All the incoming transfers sit on the defensive side of the ball, except for one, and with eight of the 10 being graduate transfers there could be an immediate impact felt in Shredville. Five transferring Aggies will head to the secondary, with three sitting up front and one looking to bolster the linebackers. While one will look to compete for a spot on the offensive line.
WHAT HEAD COACH TIM PLOUGH HAD TO SAY:
"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 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 that 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"
TRANSFERRING AGGIES
Josiah Allen, Gr., DB (UTEP / Elk Grove, Calif.)
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 (Oct. 3).
PERSONAL: Son of Mark and Lori Allen … Born in Sacramento, Calif. … Has two brothers.
A San Clemente, Calif., native 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, Calif.)
Played eight games in 2024 at Fresno Community College … Racked up 15 total spots, snagged a pair of interceptions and had one fumble recovery during the 2024 season … Added four pass break ups … Native of Fresno, Calif. … Attended Clovis West.
Henry Fanua, Jr., OL (Foothill Junior College / San Jose, Calif.)
- 2024 All-Bay 6 Conference
Junior transfer out of Foothill Junior College … Comes to Davis listed as 6 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 340 pounds … Anchored an Foothill Junior College offensive line that opened holes for an average of 123.4 rushing yards per game in 2024.
Ike Ikegbu, Jr., DL (American River College / Sacramento, Calif.)
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 (Oct. 19).
Derrell Porter, Gr., DL (Dartmouth / Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- 2024 All-Ivy League
- 2024 Phil Steele 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 on Oct. 12 … Member of three Ivy League Championship squads … Three-year letter winner at powerhouse Penn Hills in Pittsburgh prior to attending prep school Worcester Academy … All-WPIAL 5A Conference first team selection … National Honor Society … class president.
PERSONAL: Born in 2002 in Pittsburgh, Pa., to parents Bryan Porter and Denita Smith … Has two brothers and two sisters … employs meditation in his free time.
Jacob Psyk, Gr., DL (Harvard / Sugarland, Texas)
- 2024 All-Ivy League
- 2024 Phil Steele 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 Honors Society … Academic all-district.
- 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 played at Tufts University the San Mateo, Calif., product 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, Calif. … Named First Team All-League as a junior and senior … Earned Second Team All-State honors … California State Champion.
PERSONAL: Parents Damon and Nkia Richardson...has one sibling, brother Jaden was a teammate at Tufts and currently plays at USC ... mother Nkia also attended Tufts ... father Damon ran track at UC Riverside … Plans on getting graduate degree in human development.
Khalani Riddick, Gr., DB (Southeast Missouri State / Elk Grove, Calif.)
- 2024 All-Big South-OVC (x2)
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.
PERSONAL: Born in 2022 … Son of Koma Riddick and Teia Sullivan
Nate Rutchena, Gr., LB (California / Danville, Calif.)
Played in 25 games over four seasons in Berkeley, Calif., as a member of the Cal Bears … 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.
PERSONAL: Born in 2002 … Son of Robert and Kelly Rutchena
FRESHMAN AGGIES
Marquis Bradley, Fr., WR (Charter Oak / Glendora, Calif.)
- 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.
PERSONAL: Born in 2006 … Son of Valerie and Michael Bernal … Has three siblings … Football brought family together thanks to step father being football coach … Recruited by Arkansas, Montana, Portland State and Cornell … Went with UC Davis because "of the strong relationship built in the short time spent with the coaching staff, it made me want to be a part of the team and it made things feel like a family environment" … Plans on majoring in business.
Treynor Cleeland, Fr., QB (Jesuit [Portland, Ore.] / Vancouver, Wash.)
- 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.
PERSONAL: Born in 2007 … Son of Mindy and Cameron Cleeland … Has two siblings … Father, Cameron, played football at Washington and spent eight years in the National Football League as a tight end, playing for the New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots and the then-St. Louis Rams … Mother, Mindy, played softball and basketball at Washington … Brother, Roice, plays football at Washington …Received recruiting attention from Big Sky schools Eastern Washington, Idaho, Idaho State, Montana State and Portland State … Chose UC Davis because "it has the best coaches, program and academics, giving me the best fit I could have asked for" … Plans on majoring in business.
Drew Cofield, Fr., DB (Newbury Park / Thousand Oaks, Calif.)
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 (Chapparal High / Murrieta, Calif.)
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 … Totaled, in just seven games played, six passes defended.
Axel Eason, Fr., QB (Oaks Christian / Agoura Hills, Calif.)
- 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.
PERSONAL: Born in 2006 … Son of Dawn and Bo Eason … Has two siblings … Father, Bo, played football and graduated from UC Davis and spent four seasons playing for the Houston Oilers in the NFL … Uncle, Tony Eason, played football at Illinois and spent eight seasons playing quarterback in the NFL … Recruited by fellow Big Sky schools Northern Arizona and Portland State, along with LSU, Utah, Kansas State and Oregon State … Chose to attend UC Davis because "I have complete faith in the coaches and program to make me a great player and man and UC Davis has a strong reputation for developing quarterbacks" … Plans on majoring business.
Julian Fernandez, Fr., DL (Corcoran High School / Corcoran, Calif.)
Multiple sport athlete out of Corcoran High School … Played basketball and football … Went both ways in football, playing tight end and on the defensive line … Totaled 132 tackles, 101 solo, and 15 sacks in three years of varsity football at Corcoran High School … Finished 2024 season with 62 tackles, 43 solo, and 6.0 sacks … Scored three touchdowns on fumble recovery over 33 games played … While playing tight end, hauled in 1,398 receiving yards on 64 receptions and caught 21 touchdowns during senior season.
Jaden Few, Fr., DL (St. Bonaventure / Ventura, Calif.)
- 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.
PERSONAL: Born in 2006 … Son of Thomas and Cari Few … Has one brother … Earned several academic honors, including being named the 2021 Student of the Year and earning a GPA better than 3.0 in three different school years … Enjoys surfing and has been riding waves since 10 months old … Received recruiting interest from Oregon State and Portland State … Went with UC Davis because "I want to attend where I am wanted and the coaches and current players at UC Davis made me feel welcomed and showed they will care about me" … Major is undeclared.
Luke Givens, Fr., LB (La Jolla Country Day / San Diego, Calif.)
- 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 a 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.
PERSONAL: Born in 2006 … Son of Chad and Erika Givens … Has two siblings … Father, Chad, played basketball at Brown … Has spent the last five years working at Master Sports summer camps … Recruited by Army, Navy and Wyoming to name a few … Chose UC Davis because "Coach Plough's philosophy stood out to me and I can easily see myself thriving as an Aggie as both a student and an athlete … Plans on majoring in Managerial Economics.
Xzavior Guess, Fr., QB (El Modena / Huntington Beach, Calif.)
- 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 football team to a 10-0 undefeated season in 2022 … Member of two-time North Hills League champion squads.
PERSONAL: Born in 2005 … Son of Melo and Racquel Guess … Has three siblings … Received recruiting attention from a pair of Big Sky schools, Eastern Washington and Portland State, along with New Mexico … Settled on UC Davis "because of the great academics, family vibe and amazing campus" … Intends on majoring in business.
Tyler Hennessy, Fr., WR (Orange Lutheran / Garden Grove, Calif.)
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.
PERSONAL: Born in 2005 … Son of Russell and Beverly Hennessy … Has one sibling … Received recruiting attention from Penn, Columbia, Idaho, Portland State and Kentucky … Went with UC Davis because "I get to stay home in California while going to one of the top public schools in the country and I get to be a part of an elite program with a staff that I connected with" … Major is undecided.
Devin Huegel, Fr., DL (University Prep / Redding, Calf.)
- All-California State
- NAL Defensive Player of the Year
- Three-time NAL All-League
Three-star recruit out of Redding, Calif. … 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.
PERSONAL: Born in 2006 … Son of Kaitlin Huegel and Joseph Peterson … Has two siblings … Has spent summers working on grandfather's ranch … Received recruiting attention from several Big Sky schools, including Montana and Sacramento State … Chose UC Davis because of "the great team atmosphere and amazing opportunity for a top tier education that is close to home" … Intends to major in business.
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, Calif.)
- 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.
PERSONAL: Born in 2007 … Son of Jurate Orinaite … Has one sibling … Mother, played basketball at Cal State Los Angeles … Garnered recruiting attention from several Ivy League schools, Sacramento State and Wyoming … Decided to attend UC Davis "because I experienced a friendly and welcoming atmosphere when visiting and saw a team that supports each other like family" … Plans to business management.
Christian Knoos, Fr., LB (Oaks Christian / Thousand Oaks, Calif.)
- 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.
PERSONAL: Born in 2005 … Son of Mandy Jacob and Joakim Knoos … Has two siblings … Is a first generation American and the first in family to play football … Father, Joakim, was ranked as high as seventh in native Sweden in the decathlon … Has spent time volunteering with Xtreme athletics working with underprivileged children … Received recruiting attention from numerous schools including Army, Stanford, UCLA and four Ivy League schools … Went with UC Davis because "the business school and agribusiness opportunities the school provides swept me off my feet and the chemistry between the coaches and current players was great" … Plans on majoring in business.
Cory McEnroe, Fr., LB (Thousand Oaks / Thousand Oaks, Calif.)
- 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.
PERSONAL: Born in 2006 … Son of Kami and Ben McEnroe … Has two siblings … Father, Ben, played football at Lutheran … Sister, Kylie, played basketball at Cal Lutheran … Football is in the family blood, sister Kylie serves as high school strength coach and father Ben has been coaching football since 1994 … Has spent time volunteering for Alex Singleton Youth Football Camps … Recruited by UCLA, Wyoming, three Ivy League schools and fellow Big Sky program Portland State … Went with the Aggies because "it aligned the most with what I look for in a college, and I felt a great sense of community and family where I feel I will become a better man and football player" … Major is undecided.
Ty Miller, Fr., QB (Clovis East / Sanger, Calif.)
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, Calif.)
- 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.
PERSONAL: Born in 2007 … Son of Dawnielle Powell and Larry Parker … Has three siblings … Brother, Ashton Sanders, played football at Oklahoma … Received recruiting attention from Cal Poly, USC, Washington State, New Mexico State and Alabama … Went with UC Davis because "of the location to home, the culture and the school" … Has not declared a major.
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, Calif.)
- Two-time All-League
- 2023 All-California State
- 2023 All-Norcal
- 2023 All-Area
Three-start 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 squad that reached three-straight California State championship games … Earned No. 7 ranking in the country in KT PPREP 7 on 7 Football … Both an honor roll student and scholar athlete throughout high school.
PERSONAL: Born in 2006 … Son of Tyler and Bridget Scott … Has two siblings … Mother, Bridget, ran track and cross country at Wisconsin-La Crosse … Older brother, Trevor, is a wide receiver at Boise State … Has been on three missions trips through church to Mexico, helping build 40 homes for families in need over the trips … Garnered attention from Harvard, Army, Princeton, Idaho, Portland State and Air Force … Went with UC Davis because "of a chance to be a part of a special football program with a unique culture and brotherhood while receiving a great education" … Plans on majoring in communications.
Kameron Totton, Fr., DB (Folsom / Folsom, Calif.)
Three-star recruit from Folsom High School in Folsom, Calif. … Racked up 160 total tackles and snagged six interceptions in three seasons at Folsom High School.
