3 key things San Diego State is working on in spring football ahead of Pac-12 debut

The Aztecs are one-third of the way through spring practice

San Diego State Aztecs head coach Sean Lewis. | Photo courtesy of San Diego State University Athletics

A year ago, Jayden Denegal was competing with Bert Emanuel Jr. for the San Diego State Aztecs’ starting quarterback job. 

Now he’s the solid incumbent, healthy after having shoulder surgery in December and ready to lead the Aztecs into their first season in the new-look Pac-12 Conference.

Emanuel has been moved to wide receiver — the position his father played in the NFL — to better take advantage of his playmaking abilities. 

Joining Denegal in the quarterbacks' room is Stone Saunders, who transferred from Kentucky after a coaching change. 

The Aztecs are one-third of the way through spring practice, with the start of the new season just five months away. 

Here are some of the things the Aztecs continue to work on this spring under third-year coach Sean Lewis, who led them to a 9-4 turnaround season last fall.

1. Having a healthy QB

Dengal hurt his non-throwing left shoulder on the Aztecs’ first possession of the season, in a 42-0 home win against Stony Brook. He was able to play through it but had surgery in mid-December, causing him to miss the New Mexico Bowl loss to North Texas, which was SDSU’s first postseason appearance in three seasons. 

“It feels so amazing,” Denegal told the San Diego Union-Tribune early in spring drills. “Just blessed. It feels great. The ball’s spinning. I can run around.”

San Diego State Aztecs quarterback Jayden Denegal (4). | David Frerker-Imagn Images

Besides playing through the injured left shoulder, he revealed that he developed pain in his right shoulder, which limited his throws in practice. 

“It was rough last year, trying to push through for the team,” he said. “Everything I do is for the good of the team, and I needed to play to give us a chance to win. It was tough, especially with both shoulders being hurt and minimal practice, but I was going to push through it regardless.”

The QB, who transferred from Michigan, said having the surgery when he did allowed him to be ready for spring ball. 

“I can get the reps,” he told the Union-Tribune. “I can get the timing down with the receivers. I can run more and be a threat running the ball.”

2. Emanuel at wideout

Emanuel’s father played wide receiver for five NFL teams over eight seasons after playing quarterback in college. Now the son is at wide receiver for the Aztecs after backing up Denegal last year. 

Emanuel started the New Mexico Bowl in place of Denegal and dazzled with 170 yards rushing and two touchdowns on just 11 carries before injuring his left shoulder diving for the pylon in the second quarter. He had a scoring run of 72 yards and another run of 69 yards. 

San Diego State Aztecs quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr. (5). | David Frerker-Imagn Images

“I feel like my athletic ability to be explosive will definitely help impact the game,” he told The Daily Aztec this spring. “Glad I’m able to be another weapon. Give me the ball and be a playmaker that I know I could be.”

Emanuel transferred from Central Michigan, where he rushed for 844 yards and 12 touchdowns in just 13 games in three seasons. Niles King, who had 6 ½ sacks, graduated.

3. Rebuilding the defense

SDSU’s biggest spring job will be rebuilding the ballhawking defense that gave the Aztecs their identity last season.

Cornerback Chris Johnson is a projected second-round pick in the NFL Draft after being named Mountain West co-Defensive Player of the Year. EDGE Trey White, who had 19 ½ sacks the last two seasons, transferred to Texas Tech for a reported $1.5 million deal. Linebacker Owen Chambliss cashed in his 110 tackles by transferring to Nebraska. 

Senior Brady Nassar returns at EDGE and safety Dalesean Staley withdrew from the transfer portal to remain on Montezuma Mesa and shore up a secondary that lost plenty of talent. 

Otherwise, new defensive coordinator Demetrius Sumler is busy working in several players acquired through the portal. 

Up next

The Aztecs’ spring game will be May 2 on campus. They open the regular season at home against Portland State on Sept. 5. Their first Pac-12 game will be against Texas State at home on Oct. 3.