The NCAA’s February signing period is here.

For four decades it was celebrated as National Signing Day.

Now they just call it Wednesday.

The December early signing period, which began seven years ago, has made the regular signing period all but an afterthought.

In December, San Diego State announced a 26-man recruiting class during the three-day signing window. The Aztecs added a dozen more players thereafter from the transfer portal.

SDSU signed just two players in the February period.

The Aztecs received commitments within the past week from Modesto Junior College offensive lineman Tyler McMahan and Austin (Texas) Westlake High School wide receiver Heath McRee.

Both players officially signed Wednesday morning.

McMahan earned All-America honors this season at Modesto. McRee caught 28 passes for 503 yards and six touchdowns this season, according to MaxPreps.com.

It brings the 2024 recruiting class to an unprecedented 37 players. That’s 15 more than last year.

The higher number can be explained, in part, by changing coaches from Brady Hoke to Sean Lewis, and the turnover that comes with transition.

Even more impactful, however, is the transfer portal. It was open for four weeks in December and will be open again the last two weeks of April. That’s the time frame for players to enter the portal. They can still sign with new schools in the weeks thereafter.

The Aztecs signed 18 transfers from four-year schools. They signed 23 in the previous five years combined.

They anticipate adding half a dozen more transfers during the April/May period.

Signing classes, which traditionally included 25 players, were always confirmed the first Wednesday of February. This is the fourth straight year the Aztecs have added only 1-2 players in February.

How impactful the transfers are remains to be seen. Two years ago, SDSU had six players transfer in who became starters. Last year, only one transfer was a regular starter.

SDSU is in the middle of its strength and conditioning program in preparation for spring workouts that begin March 12. The 15 practices culminate with the annual spring game, which will be played in mid-April at Snapdragon Stadium.

Points of emphasis during the spring will include identifying a new starting quarterback after the departure of Jalen Mayden.

There’s also replacing most of the starters on the offensive line.

The defense, employing a new 4-2-5 alignment, is looking for starters at more than half the positions.

A replacement for punter/kicker Jack Browning also must be found.

All this while introducing Lewis’ uptempo “AztecFAST” offense.

It makes for a spring with several story lines.

The 2024 team will benefit from having 27 players — four freshman and 23 transfers — enroll early in order to participate in spring football.

One of the most productive recruits, Colorado tight end Michael Harrison (31 catches, 284 yards, five TDs) is not among them.

Harrison announced his commitment to SDSU on social media two days before the December signing window open, but he did not officially join the program.

He still is expected to join the team, but is not expected to arrive on campus until the summer.

The roster is bolstered by five players — running back Kenan Christon, defensive linemen Wyatt Draeger and Garret Fountain and safeties Davaughn Celestine and Deshawn McCuin — who are using their “COVID year” of eligibility.