San Diego State’s football team has put spring practice in the rearview mirror. Spring portal comings and goings are all but done as well.
The Aztecs’ Aug. 28 season opener against Stony Brook is now fewer than four months away. They’ll have some time to focus on finals, then enjoy a couple weeks off before preparing in earnest for the season.
Several weeks of summer conditioning will lead into the four weeks of practice before the opener.
“That preparation is going to be the separation from where we are now to where we’re capable of going,” SDSU coach Sean Lewis said, “and how we (set) ourselves apart from our opponents that we’re going to see in the fall.”
Here’s a position-by-position look at the Aztecs — with an unofficial depth chart — following spring practice and spring portal pickups:
Quarterback
First team: Jayden Denegal (junior)
Second team: Bert Emanuel Jr. (junior)
Comment: The Aztecs aren’t expected to name a starting quarterback until midway through summer camp, but Denegal was the clear leader in the spring. He processed things quickly and displayed both arm strength and accuracy. Emanuel is too athletic not to find a way on the field in some capacity.
Offensive line
First team: LT Christian Jones (senior), LG Kalan Ellis (senior), C Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli (senior), RG Tyler McMahon (senior) and RT Bayo Kannike (senior)
Second team: LT Saipale Fuimaono (senior), LG Dallas Fincher (senior), C Ikbahl Kassim (freshman), RG Mason Baker (sophomore) and RT Ashdon Wnetrzak (freshman)
Comment: The O-line should show substantial improvement. Ellis, a spring transfer from Syracuse, is expected to step into the starting lineup. Senior Joe Borjon (knee), the starter at left tackle before suffering a season-ending injury in the 2024 opener, and junior transfer Cam May (foot), sidelined in the spring as well, figure to challenge for starting spots once the team reconvenes. SDSU also added Washington redshirt freshman Michael Watkins from the spring portal. All of this means the O-line will have experience and depth that was lacking a year ago.
Running back
First team: Lucky Sutton (junior)
Second team: Christian Washington (junior)
Comment: Lewis seemed to praise Sutton at every opportunity in the spring, complimenting the Cathedral Catholic High School graduate for the progress he made the past year. Washington, a Helix High School graduate who transferred in the winter from Coastal Carolina, also came along after being limited by injury early in camp. Redshirt freshman Cincere Rhaney returns from a knee injury that sidelined him all last season. Senior Cam Davis hit the spring portal, so another portal addition to the room is imminent. Freshman Jordin Thomas is slated to the team in the summer.
Wide receiver
First team: Jordan Napier (sophomore), Myles Kitt-Denton (senior) and Jerry McClure (sophomore)
Second team: Jacob Bostick (junior),Ben Scolari (redshirt freshman) and Will Cianfrini (redshirt freshman)
Comment: Napier (43 catches, 440 yards, 4 TDs) is the only returner who had a catch last season. Kitt-Denton showed out in the spring and McClure stepped up as well. Scolari and Cianfrini will get a chance after getting acclimated last year. The Aztecs added Syracuse junior transfer Donovan Brown out of the spring portal.
Tight end
First team: Jackson Ford (redshirt freshman) and Seth Adams (senior)
Second team: Arthur Ban (redshirt freshman) and Ryan Wolfer (redshirt freshman)
Comment: After losing starters Jude Wolfe and Mikey Harrison, this position presents the most uncertainty on the team. Ford, a Tulsa transfer, figures to do most of the receiving in the group. Adams, a Southeastern Louisiana transfer, will bolster the run game with his blocking.
Defensive line
First team: Edge Trey White (junior), DT Krishna Clay (junior), NT Malachi Finau (junior) and Edge Niles King (senior)
Second team: Edge Ryan Henderson (junior), DT Kody Cornelius (redshirt freshman), NT Sam Benjamin (senior) and Edge Brady Nassar (junior)
Comment: White posted a 12 1/2-sack season in 2024; he and Clay are the two returning starters. The winter portal paid off with the addition of Finau (Hawaii) and King (Grand Valley State). The ranks were bolstered from the spring portal with Charlotte redshirt freshman transfer Kainoa Davis and Florida Atlantic junior transfer August Salvati. Air Force redshirt freshman Connor Irons is a preferred walk-on.
Linebacker
First team: Tano Letuli (junior) and Brady Anderson (senior)
Second team: DJ Herman (senior) and Mister Williams (senior)
Comment: Sophomore Owen Chambliss was sidelined with a lower-body injury during the spring, but is expected to start for the second straight season.
Defensive back
First team: CB Chris Johnson (senior), S Deshaun McCuin (senior), S Eric Butler (senior), S Dalesean Staley (junior) and CB Bryce Phillips (senior)
Second team: CB Jelani Whitmore (senior), S Dwayne McDougle (junior), S Jelani McLaughlin (sophomore), S Josiah Cox (junior) and CB Isaiah Buxton (redshirt freshman)
Comment: The secondary is more experienced than any unit on the team, with five returning starters. There are also four experienced backups, including transfers Cox (New Mexico State) and McDougle (Idaho). Washington transfer Hunter Haines could be a valuable addition out of the spring portal.
Specialists
First team: K Gabriel Plascencia (junior), P Hunter Green (junior), holder Eemil Herranen (junior), LS Tyson Chavez (junior), KR Chris Johnson (senior) and KR/PR Jordan Napier (sophomore)
Second team: K. Nick Clegg (redshirt freshman), P/holder Tashi Dorje (junior), LS Connor Poulson (redshirt freshman), KR Lucky Sutton (junior) and KR/PR Eric Butler (senior)
Comment: No surprises here. Plascencia was 13-for-14 last season with a long of 50 yards. His spring scrimmage performances included a 57-yard field goal. Green, a Northern Colorado transfer who has pro potential, shook off early inconsistency to establish himself. Butler practiced with a club on his right hand, so fielding balls with two hands should be easy.
