A tremendous amount of change on the Mesa in 2024. “Revamped” does not come close to describing the changes. A new head coach. A mostly new assistant coaching staff. New theme: AztecFAST. Transfer portal movement as never before. Oh boy!
Sean Lewis replaces Brady Hoke as head coach. Mr. Lewis promises lots and lots of points via an offense always in motion. Expect a combination of no-huddle, liberal substitution, horizontal movement galore prior to the snap and too many snaps to count or at least many more than last year. I have watched numerous videos of Mr. Lewis since his SDSU arrival. He is a walking espresso coupled with a Monster. “Up” falls short of summing his energy level. Which, come hell or high water, he will transfer to his Aztec football team.
During his final year (2021) at Kent State, Mr. Lewis’ Golden Flashes averaged the following per game: 75 snaps, 493 total yards, 25.8 first downs, 248.7 rushing yards and 244.6 passing yards. If he duplicates those numbers in 2024, Snapdragon fills to the brim.
Offense
The starting quarterback competition seems to be between sophomore transfer AJ Duffy and freshman Danny O’Neil. However, given Mr. O’Neil’s true freshman status, I would not be surprised if the steep learning curve of Mr. Lewis’ offense relegates Mr. O’Neil to a #3 spot on the depth chart. Sophomore Kyle Crum and redshirt freshman Javance Tupou’ata-Johnson may well jump into the #2 spot.
The running backs are a group waiting to produce. Waiting because less newcomers, the old guard of Kenan Christon (especially), Cam Davis, Jaylen Armstead and Lucky Sutton have done little to nothing since becoming Aztecs. However, some of their individual and collective lack of production was due to the less than robust performance of the offensive lines these gentlemen played behind in past years. I look for a rotation of the aforementioned along with transfer Marquez Cooper to have impactful moments resulting in long runs and touchdowns. Only Mr. Sutton and Mr. Davis are non-seniors. The time is right gentlemen. Tomorrows are in short supply.
The wide receivers the last two years were inconsequential partly because qbs of the past were inaccurate or unable to deliver a catchable ball. I anticipate transfers Ja’Shaun Poke and Nate Bennett to lead the receiver group on the path of zigging, zagging, streaking and most importantly catching the ball as the season unfolds. Joining Mr. Poke and Mr. Bennett in long awaited sustained production will be senior Mekhi Shaw, junior Phillippe Wesley and sophomore Baylin Brooks.
The tight ends were thin (no puns, please) until the arrival of transfer Michael Harrison. Jude Wolfe’s long history of injury gives pause for thought. If the injury bug strikes again, sophomores Logan Tanner and Gabe Garretson will receive unanticipated playing time.
Mike Schmidt returns as the offensive line coach. Thank goodness. The lines he recruited and coached during Rocky Long’s tenure were of the true smash-you-down-do-not-get-up variety. All penalties in 2024 will be well deserved, however not too many penalties. The offensive line returns three starters, senior Myles Murao and juniors Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli and Christian Jones. Transfers Joe Borjon and Brayden Bryant likely start. Dean Abdullah, Ryan Silver and Nico Green also receive consideration.
Defense
As for the 2024 Aztec defense, who knows? From 2009 to 2023, SDSU ran Rocky Long’s 3-3-5 (an effective defensive scheme if one ever existed). Now the Aztecs will employ a 4-2-5 of which I have no reference. Video indicates a set more accurately described visually as a 4-4-3, but I know nothing. Alabama, Utah and Mississippi State ran the set last year. Good company. Hopefully, we can enjoy a degree of immediate effectiveness. If mastering the 4-2-5 is slow, prepare for disappointing losses.
The center of the defensive line (“nose dl”) will be a rotating mix (I anticipate the entire defense to resemble a swarm of replacements running to and from the field during each game) of seniors Wyatt Draeger, Tupu Aualu and Teivis Tuiati. Their ability to hold the center and allow the rest of the line to raise hell is key. The psuedo defensive tackle position labeled “3-technique” (sounds like a French dance class) will be anchored by Darrion Dalton and Keion Mitchell. Field edge is a contest between transfer Marlem Loius and sophomore Ryan Henderson while their rush edge partner will be deeper with Dominic Oliver (jr) and sophomores Trey White and Ezekiel Larry.
The two linebacker positions are nicknamed “Mike” and “Will”. Both are considered middle linebackers. Mike will feature a rotation of senior Tano Letuli, junior DJ Herman and transfer Kyle Moretti. Transfers Owen Chambliss and returning starter Cody Moon receive the majority of snaps at Will.
Senior Deshawn McCuin and 2023 starter junior Josh Hunter share the duties of the roaming defensive back named “Stud” (too much to say, so I’ll be quiet). A mix of Chris Johnson (jr), Jelani Whitmore (sr), Bryce Phillips (sr) and Bennett Walker (sr) rotate between the two cornerback positions. Eric Butler (jr) and William Nimmo (sr) share the strong safety spot while the trio of Dalesean Staley (jr), Max Garrison (sr) and JD Coffey (sr) do the same at free safety.
Kicking game (both kinds) starting spots are also up for grabs. Gabriel Plascencia seems to have the inside track at the moment to kick field goals. Same goes for Tyler Pastula as punter. The ever reliable Ryan Wintermeyer returns as long snapper.
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Schedule
I will preface my schedule comments with: when Mr. Lewis’ offense clicks, opponents will marvel at the outcome ranging from time of possession distortions to how-did-we-lose?
Texas A&M Commerce: Win. An appropriate first game opponent at Snapdragon.
Oregon State. Our first Snapdragon 2024 loss.
Cal: Upset win given the Bears first year in the ACC. Cal’s next game features Florida State. I say Cal overlooks us.
Central Michigan: Road win number two.
Hawaii: Thankfully, they visit us saving us a lengthy flight. We win as long as the Aztec defense corrals Tommy Chang’s pass happy offense.
Wyoming: Most mavens rate Wyoming in the upper half of the 2024 MW. I do not. The October 12th date makes insane weather unlikely, yet who knows for we speak of Laramie. A close loss.
Washington State: We are easily handled by the Cougars resulting in home loss number one.
Boise State: Loss.
New Mexico: Win.
UNLV: At Las Vegas and a loss.
Utah State: Logan in late November is a tough place to play. Wind? Guaranteed. Snow? Possible. Rain? Add to the tumult just for fun. Yet, we win.
Air Force: Loss.
2024 result will be 6-6/3-4. A bowl invite is unlikely.
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