La Costa Canyon High linebacker Jacob Driver, selected to the Cal-Hi all-state junior second team last year, has given an oral commitment to San Diego State.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Driver, named to last year's Union-Tribune All-San Diego Section first team, was the Palomar League Defensive Player of the Year. He is the fifth San Diego County high school player to commit to the Aztecs this summer. Kearny receiver Marvin Jones, Oceanside receiver Osmond Nicholas, Mira Mesa receiver Brandon Chambers and El Camino quarterback Colton Morrison are also part of SDSU's 2009 recruiting class.

“I have gotten to know many of the other top players in San Diego, and they question why I would go to SDSU when I could have gone to (other schools),” Driver said. “But my question to them is, given the opportunity to play at SDSU, why would they ever voluntarily leave a place like San Diego?”

The Aztecs open fall camp Aug. 5. The team's first two practices are scheduled to take place at Camp Pendleton.

– MICK McGRANE