San Diego State tight end reveals players were told multiple times they were joining Pac-12
For what has now been over a year, the Pac-12 has been in the process of responding to departures from USC and UCLA.
While those losses are significant and there are no programs available that would make up for losing them, there has always been a thought process of who they should add to help rebuild some value. Again, not because adding them restores the value lost, but more so to get the conference more money and in significant markets like the SoCal market. Mountain West program San Diego State has long been viewed as the perfect candidate for the Pac-12, and had even taken steps recently to leave their conference before having to retreat back due to not (yet) being invited to the Pac-12.
Unfortunately for San Diego State they are now facing public ridicule after leaving the Mountain West, whether they "meant" to or not. However, it doesn't mean that they won't eventually be invited but they clearly weren't buying that the Pac-12 wouldn't invite them until they had their media rights deal done. Something that has yet to happen, and won't be announced anytime soon despite their being beliefs they'd announce it at Pac-12 media day.
While Pac-12 media day is not for another day, it was news from Mountain West media day that has caught the attention of many. Specifically, news from one player on the San Diego State roster, as First-Team All-Mountain West tight end Mark Redman revealed that the players had been told multiple times they were going to the Pac-12.
"A year ago they said we were going, two months ago they said we were going, but really at this point the focus is just on the Mountain West and being able to win that 22nd championship for us and that's all we are really focused on. If it comes it comes, if not...it is what it is."
Even with not being invited to the Pac-12, the consensus around the country is that once the Pac-12 actually gets their deal that they will invite the Aztecs. Whether or not San Diego State will be able to join in time for next year is up to the Mountain West themselves, who were not at all appearing to want to be lenient when the Aztecs attempted to leave the first time.
