‘Everything Goes Right’ for the Aztecs This Time

Doug Scovil, who is entering his fifth season as head coach at San Diego State, said this is the first year he would compare an Aztec recruiting class in quality to the recruits BYU got during his tenure there.

“I can’t explain why,” Scovil said, “but everything just seemed to go right this year. We had 80% of our recruits committed three weeks ago.”

On Wednesday, the Aztecs announced that six junior college transfers had come to SDSU and 19 high school seniors had signed letters of intent. For the first time since Scovil started at SDSU, the Aztecs have the NCAA maximum number of 95 players on scholarship.

Three high school seniors from the San Diego area opted to attend SDSU. They are tight-end/offensive lineman Brad Burton and tight-end Mitch Burton of El Capitan High, and linebacker Cisco Combs of Sweetwater. The Aztecs plan to use Brad Burton at tackle.

“The Burtons are not outstanding players right now,” Scovil said, “but they have outstanding potential. They are both real smart with good size. Even though he played linebacker in high school, we hope to use Cisco at strong safety because he has the speed to play man-to-man.”

The Aztecs concentrated primarily on defense in this recruiting class. Eight of their recruits are linebackers, four are defensive lineman, and two are defensive backs.

Scovil is particularly high on linebacker Dan Allen (6-1, 230), an honorable mention All-American from Merced College. SDSU recruited Allen two years ago out of high school, but his grades weren’t good enough to enter SDSU at that time.

Allen was credited with 72 tackles and 42 assists this year, and was the captain of a team that went 10-1 and a defense that ranked second in the state.

Offensively, Scovil feels that tight-end Robert Awalt--a junior college transfer from Sacramento Community College--will be able to provide the Aztecs with immediate help at a postion where they can use it.

“He has the quickness to help out and is a good blocker,” Scovil said. Scovil thinks that Awalt was the best tight-end prospect in the state this year.

Running back Brian Brown of Elk Grove High near Sacramento ran for 1,817 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior. He gained 3,269 yards, had 32 touchdowns and 19 100-yard games during his high school career. Brown chose the Aztecs over Oregon and Oregon State.

Wide receiver Colin Sumner (6-3, 180) of Miramonte in Orinda caught 50 passes for 738 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. He is the son of Oakland Invader Coach Charlie Sumner.

“I know that BYU wanted him as a defensive back,” Scovil said. “He is tall, fast and can jump and we want him as a receiver.”

The only quarterback joining the Aztecs is 6-5 Desmond Cerceo of Granada Hills High. That’s the same school John Elway went to, but that’s probably where the similarity ends.

In his only season as quarterback, Cerceo threw for 1,170 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior. He also started at safety, and was named to the all-Los Angeles City section team in both football and basketball.

“He wasn’t really highly recruited,” Scovil said. “We took him on potential. He has enough speed to play quarterback, defensive back or wide receiver. As a quarterback, he reminds me of Marc Wilson at the same age.”