SAN FRANCISCO – USF head baseball coach Nino Giarratano announced the signing of six student-athletes from the class of 2016 to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period. The early signing class consists of RHP Jon Mullis, OF Tyler Villaroman, C Kevin Hwang, RHP Brendan Jenkins, INF Matt Campos and LHP Grant Young.
 
Mullis posted a 3.20 ERA and a 2-2 record in 23.1 innings his junior year at Cambridge High School (Milton, GA). He limited hitters to a .225 batting average against while striking out 16 batters. Mullis was the first freshman in Cambridge High history to start a varsity game. During summer ball with the Windward Braves, Mullis went 5-3 with a 2.40 ERA in 50.2 innings pitched and was named to the 17U Perfect Game WWBA National Championship All-Tournament Team. Mullis boasts a 3.6 GPA while being named to the honor roll and earning scholar athlete honors each year.    
 
"Jonathan is a perfect fit as a Don," said Giarratano. "He is a great student that will help build a pitching staff with depth and stuff. We look forward to his success in this program."
 
Villaroman was a second-team All-WCAL performer at Junipero Serra High School (San Mateo, Calif.) as a junior in 2015, hitting .279 with 12 RBI, 20 runs scored and a .356 OBP in 28 games.
 
Villaroman's head coach at Serra, Craig Giannino, said, "Tyler is a baseball rat who loves to play the game and has good instincts. Villaroman is an athletic, hard-nosed, throw-back type player. He is an all-around baseball player who can play all three outfield positions at a high level."
 
"Tyler will be a great addition to the USF baseball program," added Giarratano. "He brings speed, strength, and the ability to run it down in the outfield. He has a great chance to come in and contribute as a true freshman."
 
Hwang earned first-team All-South Coast League honors the past two years at Capistrano Valley High School, helping lead his squad to back-to-back league titles. An AP Scholar holding a 4.3 GPA, Hwang hit at a .343 clip and was a team captain as a junior. He was named to the 16U Perfect Game WWBA National Championship All-Tournament Team after leading his summer team, BPA Demarini Elite, to the tournament title. He also picked up Perfect Game Underclassmen All-America High Honorable Mention honors in 2015. 
 
"We have won the tough South Coast League the past two years," said Hwang's high school coach, Bob Zamora. "Kevin called all the pitches as a sophomore and junior catcher in these campaigns. He is an outstanding high school player who will be even better in college. Congratulations to the Dons, you got a gem."
Giarratano offered his take on Hwang: "Kevin is a very talented baseball player who has the ability to be a top notch Division I catcher. We are very excited to have his baseball skills in our program."
 
Jenkins (Cuesta College) is the lone junior college early signee in the group. A first-team All-Western State Conference selection as a redshirt freshman in 2015, Jenkins went 7-3 on the mound and posted a program-record 37 consecutive scoreless inning streak en route to a 1.80 ERA that ranked third in Cuesta history. Jenkins also struck out 50 batters while limiting hitters to a .213 batting average against over his 85 innings. Jenkins, who maintains a 3.34 GPA working toward his degree in mathematics, prepped at Amador Valley High School (Pleasanton, Calif.).   
 
Cuesta head coach Bob Miller said, "We think very highly of Brendan and are very excited to have him here for one more year.  Brendan is a big frame right- hander with a lot of upside. Brendan is a strike thrower, who possesses a true out pitch in his slider and has tremendous make-up and is a team guy. He will make a great addition to the USF program." 
 
"Brendan is a big guy with a strong, powerful arm that will help in many ways," commented Giarratano. "He has the potential to compete for a Friday starter spot as a junior college transfer."
 
Campos will come to the Hilltop from 'Iolani High School (Honolulu, HI) where he earned first-team Division 1 All-State, All-Hawaii, and ILH All-Star recognition as a second baseman in 2015. Campos hit .273 with five doubles and four RBI in 44 at bats as a junior.  
 
"USF is getting a high quality baseball player who works his tail off and loves to compete," said 'Iolani HS head coach Kurt Miyahira. "USF baseball fans will be in for a treat."
 
"Matt is the top middle infielder in the state of Hawaii," added Giarratano. "He will contribute with his glove, bat and work ethic as a young player. Look for Matt to be a middle of the order hitter."
 
Young will be a four-year varsity letterwinner at Acalanes High School (Lafayette, Calif.), helping lead his team to the 2013 NCS Division III championship. Young, who earned a 3.5 GPA his junior year, played summer ball with Zoots Baseball, where he helped his team advance to the Elite 8 of the 2014 USA Baseball 17U National Championships. He is also a team captain offensive lineman and linebacker on the Acalanes football team.
 
Acalanes High head coach, Justin Santich-Hughes, said, "Grant is a tremendous teammate and amazing competitor. Catching at the D1 level, I haven't seen many secondary pitches as good as his. I can't say enough great things about him and I can't wait to watch his changeup spin WCC hitters into the ground."
 
Giarratano added, "Grant is a great addition to the USF program as a person and competitor. He has great stuff and will compete for a starting job as a freshman."
 
The Dons open the 2016 season with a three-game road series at 2015 NCAA No.1-seed UC Santa Barbara Feb. 19-21.