This Clovis West DB is the latest to commit to Fresno State. There was a big reason
Family is a big deal to Clovis West senior defensive back Jonavon Darrington.
Just not his immediate family, but his football family.
Only this time it’s Fresno State.
Darrington made his commitment to the Bulldogs citing “it was just family and culture” as to why he pledged to Fresno State coach Jeff Tedford and defensive backs coach J.D. Williams.
“Even before the offer, Fresno State was always showing love,” Darrington said. “They’re already showing me love and coach (Tim) Skipper and coach Williams came to spring practice my sophomore year and it was just like ... a bond.
“It was really special and I knew that’s really what separated it, and that’s really what made me like being somewhere playing football that has your back. You don’t want to be putting question marks behind where you’re going and it just felt really good and especially my family being Fresno State fans.”
Darrington already saw some of his Golden Eagles teammates signing with Fresno State.
They are wide receiver Jordan Pierro and linebacker Tytus Khajavi.
Marshel Sanders also committed, but will enroll at Fresno City College in the spring with hopes of joining Fresno State in 2025.
Darrington will also join his best friend Tommy Nix, who played at Clovis East. In fact both played together when they were at San Joaquin Memorial before transferring.
“I talked to him just to see how it was,” he said. “When I came to Clovis West, there were guys like Tytus, Landon (Wright), Marshel Sanders.
“When I see all of them go there and I’m asking questions like you had all these offers and I didn’t see what they meant about culture and family ... I really didn’t understand that until it was my turn. To be able to step onto the field and play with these guys again, it’s going to really mean a lot especially playing in front of my family, it’s going to be special.”
