Bulldogs Bolster Backfield with a Recruit, Transfer and Gilliam's Return in One Weekend

Fresno State Sports

By Steven Sanchez

Published 8 months ago on

January 5, 2025

The Fresno State football team retrieves running back Elijah Gilliam from the transfer portal and sign a high school recruit and transfer all at the RB position in one weekend. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)

Elijah Gilliam returns to Fresno State after briefly entering transfer portal, bolstering the Bulldogs' backfield.
High school standout Julius Gillick commits to Fresno State, bringing impressive stats and championship experience.
Arizona transfer Rayshon "Speedy" Luke joins the Bulldogs, adding depth to the running back position.

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In one weekend, the Fresno State football team retrieves senior running back Elijah Gilliam from the transfer portal and sign a high school recruit and transfer all at the RB position.

Running back Elijah Gilliam gallops into the end zone against Hawai’i at Valley Children’s Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2004. (GV Wire/Steven Sanchez)

Gilliam withdrew from the portal on Sunday after declaring to leave the program last Sunday for his last year of eligibility. He’s the latest Bulldog to leave and come back to the program following cornerback Alzillion Hamilton and wide receiver Josiah Freeman.

In 2024, Gilliam accumulated 466 rushing yards with eight touchdowns and had 32 receptions for 203 yards. During his Bulldog career (2020-2024) he was a fill-in for the often-injured Malik Sherrod, who committed recently to Boise State for his final year of eligibility.

This puts the number of Bulldog transfer players at 15.

Julius Gillick Commits to Fresno State

RB Julius Gillick of Huntington Beach (Calif.) Edison High School announced on Friday his commitment to play for Fresno State. Becoming the first new HS prospect and back for the program since Matt Entz became the new head coach.

Fresno! Let’s get to work!!!
Im home…❤️🐶@CoachPrier @Coach_Entz @RegJones20 @HeirFootball @EdisonChargerFB @BrandonHuffman @GregBiggins @latsondheimer pic.twitter.com/aM85g9MmKx

— Ju (Julius) Gillick (@GillickJulius) January 4, 2025

Gillick joins the 11 recruits of the incoming Freshman class of 2025. He had offers from Sacramento State and Idaho State.

In 2024, the 6-foot, 210-pound three-star back accumulated 302 carries for 2,488 yards and 37 touchdowns for his senior campaign.

With the Chargers they beat the Central Grizzlies of Fresno, 21-14, in the California CIF Division 1-A state championship on Saturday, Dec. 14. He finished with 123 yards in 26 carries and two touchdowns.

Rayshon Luke Joins the Bulldogs

Junior RB Rayshon Luke from the University of Arizona announced his commitment to play for the Bulldogs on Sunday.

@FresnoStateFB @CoachPrier @Coach_Entz @On3sports @247Sports @247SportsPortal @RivalsPortal @BrandonHuffman @GregBiggins @PeteNakos_ @JacksonMoore247 @SeaTownKev pic.twitter.com/IDe73hHJZq

— Rayshon “Speedy” Luke (@_doughboyspeedy) January 5, 2025

Luke, whose nickname is “Speedy,” spent three seasons with the Wildcats and has two years of eligibility left. He only played four games in 2024 and collected 56 carries for 271 yards and one touchdown in his Wildcat career.

These three acquisitions will beef up Entz’s running back room for the upcoming year. Fresno State returns Visalia native and true freshman Bryson Donelson, junior Johnathan Arceneaux, redshirt freshmen Devon Rivers & Brandon Ramirez and sophomore Ryan Warkentin.

New Incoming Players from the Transfer Portal

So far Entz has signed five transfers from Power 4 conference programs and two junior college prospects. Here’s the list of the new incoming players and where they came from:

Incoming Transfers

LB Jadon Pearson (Utah State)
DB Simeon Harris (Utah State)
OL Gino Quinones (USC)
OL Kyson Van Vugt (Iowa)
RB Rayshon Luke (Arizona)
DL Logan Goodspeed (Bakersfield College)
OL Braylan Henderson (Snow College)