San Diego State’s search for a starting quarterback is an annual affair.
In the past 13 years, the Aztecs have opened the season with 11 different starting quarterbacks, Christian Chapman (2016-18) being the only returning starter.
True freshman Danny O’Neil earned the starting job last season, creating the possibility of providing SDSU with a multi-year starter, before transferring to Wisconsin over the winter.
And the search for a starter began again.
Spring practice started this week with four scholarship quarterbacks — junior transfers Jayden Denegal (Michigan) and Bert Emanuel Jr. (Central Michigan), junior returner Kyle Crum and true freshman JP Mialovski (Long Beach Millikan High School) — in the QB room.
Most observers view this as a two-man competition between Denegal and Emanuel, though SDSU offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Matt Johnson said after Tuesday’s practice that “at this point, I’m not ruling anything out … There is nothing that is set in stone.”
It will be surprising, though, if SDSU’s starter this fall is not either Denegal or Emanuel. They are dual-threat QBs who bring the most experience to the field and figure to receive most of the reps in the spring.
“I’m excited once we get the pads on and in a scrimmage situation, having those guys be able to run around,” Johnson said. “I think we got more athletic in the (quarterbacks) room. … What Jayden and Bert bring is something that we’re looking for.
“Being able to extend plays, whether they are called for rollouts or whether we’re doing any of our naked game or if there’s just a play that breaks down, those guys bring something to the table that we didn’t have last year. They can just go out there and make a play.”
Johnson said Denegal is processing plays better than Emanuel right now, “but Bert is right there. They’re both in a really good spot.”
SDSU settled on a starter last year two weeks before the season opener. Johnson said they won’t necessarily wait that long this year.
“For me, if a guy emerges in spring, there’s no need to wait,” Johnson said. “If there’s a guy that shows he can do it, I don’t want to wait and have the team wonder who the guy is. You want to know who the leader of the offense is going to be, and you want to get it done as quick as possible.
“If a guy emerges and it’s clear cut, myself and Coach (Sean) Lewis have no issue doing that before spring is over.”
Here’s a glance at the three newcomers to the program:
Jayden Denegal, 6-5, 235, Apple Valley
He spent the past three seasons as a reserve quarterback for Michigan, appearing in six games during the Wolverines’ 2023 national championship season.
Denegal didn’t get a lot of playing time behind 2024 NFL Draft first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, completing 4 of 5 attempts for 50 yards and throwing a touchdown against Nebraska.
Denegal said he learned several things while playing behind McCarthy.
“The biggest thing I could say is, in my opinion, he has one of the greatest one-play mindsets out there,” Denegal said. “He doesn’t really care. Last play isn’t going to affect his next play.That part of his game is something that I ire.”
Former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh praised Denegal, saying he “throws the ball extremely well” and is “pretty darn athletic.”
Denegal said his approach to winning the job at SDSU is to “be consistent and have a growth mindset everyday, try and get better everyday.”
Asked what he wants to do on the field, Dengeal said, “Throw a lot of touchdowns and run some people over.”
Johnson on Denegal: ”The thing I’m impressed with the most is his retention. He’s able to go three, four, five plays and we’re able to still talk about what happened on play two. The way that he has retained things has been really good. The way that he’s been able to take what we’re doing in the meeting room and apply it to the field. Every rep isn’t perfect, but there’s growth in each rep.”
Bert Emanuel Jr., 6-3, 235, Houston
SDSU got a glimpse of Emanuel in September, when the Aztecs visited Central Michigan.
Emanuel, who subbed for Central Michigan starting quarterback Joe Labas in certain instances, attempted one while rushing six times for 32 yards in a 22-21 Chippewas victory.
Emanuel has been most impressive running the ball during his career, carrying 145 times for 844 yards (6.1 ypc) and 12 touchdowns. The highlight was a 2022 game against Buffalo, when he rushed for 293 yards and three touchdowns. Emanuel is 27 of 51 ing for 439 yards and five touchdowns with three interceptions.
“People definitely see me more as a runner than a er,” Emanuel said, “but the way I show both is to constantly put the work in with the guys, with the coaches. … (The key is) just getting the ball into my other playmakers’ hands.”
Emanuel’s career has been sidetracked by injuries. He’s healthy now and sees the setbacks making him stronger. He said key to overcoming injuries is “your mental (approach), protecting your mind, telling yourself that it’s going to be OK.”
“You’re not going to be able to bounce right back to everything,” Emanuel said. “You’ve got to take your time and know that eventually you’re going to get right back to where you’re at.”
Emanuel is the son of Bert Emanuel, who was a college quarterback at UCLA and Rice before playing eight seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver.
Johnson on Emanuel: “Bert’s ability to run … That’s where he is at his strongest. I’m very excited to see us in a situation where we get to some of the quarterback run-game stuff.”
JP Mialovski, 6-1, 200, Long Beach
He completed 62% of his es the past two seasons at Millikan, ing for more than 4,000 yards with 46 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, according to MaxPreps.com.
Mialovski’s performance during the 2024 season earned him Co-Offensive MVP of the Moore League, but he put high school behind him almost as soon as the season ended.
Enrolling early at SDSU gave Mialovski an opportunity to be acclimated to his surroundings by the time the season arrives.
While the odds are slim that the Aztecs will open the season with a true freshman at quarterback for the second straight year, Mialovski said in December after he signed that “I’m confident in my ability, but we’ll have to see how things play out. The goal is to hit the field as soon as I can, and I am looking forward to competing.”
Mialovski is most noted for a strong arm and ing accuracy, though he does possess some mobility.
“I can deliver the ball anywhere on the field and I can extend plays when needed,” Mialovski said.
Johnson on Mialovski: “JP is an extremely accurate er. .. His ability also is to retain information. He’s a guy who will come out here, things are still moving a little quick for him right now. But once he feels something, he’s able to it and process it for the next rep. That’s something that I’ve really been impressed with him.”
