San Diego State’s quarterback competition is heating up sooner than expected, with a junior college transfer arriving Wednesday when SDSU’s spring semester begins.

SDSU head coach Rocky Long said three weeks ago he expected to bring a graduate transfer quarterback in for fall camp, but the Aztecs have received a commitment from a QB who will be on campus for spring practice.

Jordon Brookshire, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound quarterback from Santa Rosa, committed during his recruiting visit to SDSU over the weekend.

Brookshire, who will be a junior, guided Oakland’s Laney College to a state championship last month, passing for three touchdowns and rushing for two more in a 40-35 win over Ventura.


Brookshire will be among those competing with SDSU senior Ryan Agnew, who started seven games last season for the Aztecs, to be the team’s 2019 starting quarterback. Both players are dual-threat QBs whose abilities fit SDSU’s desire to move to a spread formation on offense.

Although this is Agnew’s fifth year in the program, Brookshire believes he can compete immediately for the starting spot.

“I definitely do,” Brookshire said by phone, shortly after returning home from his visit. “I have confidence in myself and feel I can do that. ... Coming into spring ball I’m going to be ready to compete. Try my best. Work hard in the weight room. Be a leader. Get in good with teammates.”

Other returning quarterbacks for SDSU include sophomore Mark Salazar (Rancho Bernardo High) and redshirt freshman Carson Baker (Helix High). In addition, SDSU’s 2019 recruiting class includes Joe Green, a high school quarterback from Washington.


Brookshire said there was not too much discussion during his visit about upcoming changes to SDSU’s offense, but he believes his skill set fits well with what the Aztecs are looking to do going forward.

What does Brookshire, who has played in spread formations since high school, bring to the table?

“A little more of athletic quarterback,” he said, allowing a team to “maybe introduce some quarterback runs. Maybe get in the spread a little bit more, try to make the offense a little more dynamic and open things up a little bit.”

Those are the kind of things he did for Laney College this past season, completing 180-of-285 passes (63.2 percent) for 2,181 yards and 22 touchdowns with seven interceptions. He also rushed 142 times for 750 yards (5.3 yards/carry) and 15 TDs.


Brookshire’s recruiting trip was his first visit to San Diego.

“It’s way better than I pictured it to be,” he said.

He saw enough of the city, the campus and the football program from Friday through Sunday morning to convince him that it’s the place to continue his college career. Brookshire returned to Santa Rosa in time to pack his things, say some goodbyes and return to town on Tuesday, a day before classes begin.

SDSU coaches can’t comment on transfers, like Brookshire, until they have officially started school.


The Aztecs expected to add 5-6 players — JC transfers and/or high school signees — to its 2019 recruiting class. The regular signing period begins Feb. 6. SDSU signed 14 players during December’s early signing period.


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kirk.kenney@sduniontribune.com / on Twitter: @sdutkirKDKenney