Hunter Haines’ last football game was at Snapdragon Stadium. His next one is, too.
Haines was a freshman safety last season for Washington State, which played Syracuse in the 2024 DirecTV Holiday Bowl at Snapdragon. Haines participated in the game on special teams.
The 6-foot-1 Haines, from West Linn, Ore., opted to enter the spring transfer portal two weeks ago. He found a new home on Sunday when he signed with San Diego State, which opens the 2025 season at Snapdragon Stadium against Stony Brook. Haines can act as tour guide in Week 2, when the Aztecs travel to Washington State.
He is the third transfer signed by the Aztecs in recent days, ing Syracuse offensive lineman Kalan Ellis and Charlotte defensive lineman Kainoa Davis.
While Ellis is a graduate transfer expected to step into the starting lineup, Davis and Haines are redshirt freshmen who could help the Aztecs now and well into the future. And, like Davis, Haines’ decision also was influenced by a coaching change at his school.
Washington State’s visit to San Diego in late December was touched by turmoil. Cougars coach Jake Dickert accepted the job as Wake Forest’s coach just days before the team traveled here for the game. Assistant head coach Pete Kaligis was acting head coach for the Holiday Bowl. He ed Dickert at Wake Forest a day after the game, when South Dakota State coach Jimmy Rogers was named as Washington State’s coach.
“The new staff came in and brought a bunch of guys,” Haines said. “It kind of pushed all the old dudes out, so I got stuck in a bad situation.
Haines started five games on special teams late in the season for Washington State, preserving his freshman year as a redshirt.
He was a standout at West Linn High School, earning Three Rivers League Defensive Player of the Year as well as co-state Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. He was a leader on the 2022 Class 6A state championship team his junior year. High school highlights include eight interceptions and three touchdowns as a kickoff returner.
“I really connected well with the (SDSU) coaches, sounds like the locker room is really close and they want to win,” said Haines, adding, “San Diego is paradise.”
SDSU has three returning starters at safety in seniors Deshawn McCuin and Eric Butler and junior Dalesean Staley. There also are several experienced backups, including juniors Josiah Cox, Dwayne McDougle and sophomore Jelani McLaughlin.
Haines will compete to be part of the mix, but also provides younger depth at the position. McLaughlin and redshirt freshman Prince Williams were the only underclassmen at the position on the spring roster.
“I think I can come in and compete to get on the field and get on all the special teams,” Haines said. “I’ll be doing everything I can to earn snaps.”
