San Diego State transfer could be one of the Aztecs’ biggest difference-makers in 2026
In this story:
Among them are EDGE Kai Wallin from Oregon State, guard Evan Lawrence from defending champion Indiana, center Isaac Lucas from Ball State and wideout Justius Lowe from Oregon, as well as several others.
The transfer who could have the biggest impact, though, could very well be sophomore Javion Kinnard, who transferred from Colorado State and can be a big threat in the return game as well as contribute in the running and passing games.
The San Diego State Aztecs have a crowded wide receivers room and some talented running backs, led by bell cow Lucky Sutton, but there’s no such thing as having too much depth in college football, especially if it’s a guy like Kinnard who can be dangerous anytime he has the ball in his hands.
Who is Javion Kinnard?
Kinnard is a sophomore who was a four-year letterman at Pearl-Cohn High School in Nashville. He was a triple-threat who, according to MaxPreps, piled up more than 5,900 all-purpose yards. From scrimmage, he rushed for 2,600 yards and 31 touchdowns and caught 63 passes for 1,539 yards and 13 touchdowns.
On special teams, he returned 36 punts for 1,221 yards, including a long of 94 yards, and returned 21 kickoffs for 603 yards.
Those numbers put him in the running for the 4A Mr. Football Award in Tennessee. He also competed in track and played basketball.
A breakout season at Colorado State
Kinnard played at conference rival Colorado State last year as a freshman and showed how versatile he can be on the collegiate gridiron.
His most impressive feat was being named the All-Mountain West second-team punt returner. He had six returns for 138 yards, including a 91-yard touchdown against Hawaii in Fort Collins to tie the program record.
He also had 12 carries for 58 yards and 18 receptions for 228 yards and a touchdown.
Kinnard then moved all the way West by transferring to SDSU. His reputation preceded him, as he was named second-team All-Pac-12 punt returner by Athlon Sports earlier this summer.
Like the Aztecs, Colorado State has also moved into the Pac-12, along with former MW teams Boise State, Fresno State and Utah State.
Why San Diego State wanted him
Kinnard’s nickname is “Chop,” and the SDSU coaches rave about him.
“Chop is phenomenal,” running backs coach Darian Hagan said. “He gets the ball in his hand, and you don't know what's going to happen, but it is always going to be something good.”
Head coach Sean Lewis recalls telling his coaches to be aware of Kinnard as they game-planned for Colorado State last season.
“He was a guy as we prepped for Colorado State, I was telling our staff, don't let him touch the ball in any way that we can control, that he's not going to touch the ball,” Lewis recalled.
The Aztecs beat the Rams 45-24 at Snapdragon Stadium and held Kinnard to two rushes for eight yards.
Now Kinnard is an Aztec, and Lewis is looking forward to tapping his “explosive nature.”
How Kinnard fits at San Diego State
Coming out of spring drills, Kinnard was listed as the first-team punt returner ahead of Jordan Napier, who is coming off a knee injury. Despite missing the last 3 ½ games with that injury, Napier had already amassed numbers good enough to be named first-team All-MW punt returner and second-team wide receiver. Napier will once again be a big threat for the Aztecs when fully healthy.
Kinnard is listed as second-string running back, behind Sutton and ahead of Christian Washington.
“Being here I am learning every day and being taught the details,” Kinnard said earlier in fall camp. “That's something we prep a lot, being a running back I have enthusiasm every play. I think my role is going to help us out in the receiving room a lot. We can expand the offense a lot. I notice that when I get in, Coach Lewis might expand the offense, might put us in empty (backfield) but they also let me be a true running back here.”
Up next
The Aztecs continue to prep for the season opener on Sept. 5 at home against Portland State, an FCS team from the Big Sky Conference. The first Pac-12 game in school history will be Oct. 3 against Texas State, also at Snapdragon Stadium.
Transfers have become a key part of the fabric of college football with the advent of the portal and NIL, and theSan Diego State Aztecs will have several important ones lining up on both sides of the ball during the anticipated first season in the reconstituted Pac-12 Conference.
Add us as a preferred source on Google-bd678ba4dbad4f453246f539ee56a3b4.jpg "Bernie Wilson")
Bernie Wilson recently retired from The Associated Press after nearly 41 years, including stops in Spokane, Los Angeles and, for the final 33 years, San Diego. He grew up in Coeur d'Alene and graduated from the University of Idaho.