Football Signs Five High School Recruits During Second Signing Period
2/4/2026 2:11:00 PM | Football
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly football and head coach Tim Skipper announced that five high recruits have signed with the Mustangs.
The five players are all from California and are represented by two defensive linemen, one offensive lineman, a wide receiver, and a kicker.
These five join 34 other high schoolers and collegiate transfers the Mustangs have already signed to this point.
“We are very excited about our entire 2026 recruiting class,” Skipper said. “We’ve added size, physicality, and experience in the trenches. We’ve also found skill players that are fast and explosive. They will complement our current.”
The Mustangs will start spring ball practices April 1 and go for the entire month, culminating May 2.
“I’m very pleased with the progress of winter workouts and look forward to seeing everyone compete during spring practices.”
More about the signees:
Oreste “JJ” Yong
Wide Receiver
Roseville High School
6-4, 205
Yong is a big wide receiver from up north in Roseville near Sacramento. In 20 career varsity games at Roseville High School, Yong had 73 receptions for 1,553 yards and 20 touchdowns. He was a Sacramento All-Section First Team honoree this past season after totaling 38 receptions for 843 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Izak Simpson
Defensive Tackle
Simi Valley High School
6-2, 250
The 250 pound Simpson played three seasons of varsity at Simi Valley High School down south. There, he played 39 career games and had 280 career tackles, 70 tackles for loss, 40 sacks, and 27 hurries. This past season, he was named Marmonte League Co-Defensive Lineman of the Year and First Team All-League. He also held offers from schools such as UNLV and San Diego State.
Owen Neill
Offensive Line
Mater Dei High School
6-3, 305
The 6-3 305 pound Neill played center at national power Mater Dei High School in southern California. He was a three year varsity player there and helped the Monarchs to a top three state ranking in each of his seasons. Neill also had offers from Air Force, Delaware State, and Sacramento State.
Somto Nwude
Defensive End
Crespi High School
6-3, 220
Nwude comes to Cal Poly after playing three varsity seasons at Crespi High School in southern California. In 32 career games, he had 231 tackles, 38 tackles for loss, and 23.5 sacks. He set the school record with six sacks in one game. This past season, he was named his league’s Defensive MVP after finishing with 65 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 24.5 tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles.
Noah Thayer
Kicker
J Serra High School
5-9, 170
In two years at J Serra High School in southern California, Thayer was 100 percent on field goals from under 50 yards. He also holds their school record for longest field goal made at 56 yards and had the top two longest field goals made in California in 2025. He was also a punter for them, with a career average of 42.8 yards per punt on 13 punts as a senior. He also handled kickoff duties with a career average of 59.6 yards per kickoff and 25 touchbacks in 36 kickoffs.
