Fresno State adds JC defensive lineman John Sniffen

The Fresno State Bulldogs have added a late junior college recruit to the 2022 football roster. Santa Maria (Calif.) Allan Hancock College defensive lineman John Sniffen committed to the Bulldogs this weekend.

The 6-foot-3 and 275-pound D-Lineman helps the Bulldogs address an offseason need at defensive tackle. Last season Sniffen posted 40 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in nine games.

Sniffen missed the 2020 year as junior colleges did not play amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019 he had 24 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 10 games. Sniffing is originally from Kailua, Hawaii.

Sniffen comes to Fresno State with two seasons of eligibility and a redshirt year if needed. Sniffen projects as an immediate contributor for the Bulldogs with only one returning scholarship player at defensive tackle this season.

The Bulldogs lost starter Kevin Atkins and contributor Ryan Boehm to graduation – Atkins is now with the San Francisco 49ers. Projected starter Evan Bennett recently left the team and reserve Julius Lewis entered the transfer portal this spring.

The Bulldogs do return starter Leonard Payne and walk-on Elijah Gandy. The Bulldogs also welcome several newcomers including junior college addition Johnny Hudson, Stanford transfer Joshua Pakola and three-star high school commits Gavriel Lightfoot and Jacob Holmes.