Year 2 of the Sean Lewis era at San Diego State feels different from Year 1.<\/p>\n
The buzz of excitement that accompanied a new coach and uptempo offense has been replaced with the reservations that greet a new season after a disappointing one.<\/p>\n
SDSU opens the season Thursday against Stony Brook at Snapdragon Stadium with significantly higher expectations following last year\u2019s 3-9 finish. Should fans expect a bowl berth?<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the floor of the program standards that we\u2019ve set,\u201d Lewis said. \u201cThe players have done a tremendous job competing with us. \u2026 This is a much-improved team. They\u2019ve done tremendous work. I\u2019m really excited to cut them loose and let them go play.\u201d<\/p>\n
Five of the six players named Saturday as 2025 team captains \u2014 senior center Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli, junior edge Trey White, linebacker Tano Letuli, senior cornerback Chris Johnson and senior linebacker DJ Herman \u2014 are returning standouts on offense, defense and, in Herman\u2019s case, special teams. The sixth captain, junior transfer quarterback Jayden Denegal, earned the honor through the leadership he showed during spring and fall camps.<\/p>\n
With virtually every starter returning on defense and several starting positions on offense secured during spring practice, there were not a lot of battles in fall camp.<\/p>\n
Lewis was impressed by the competition at three positions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe battle at the outside wide receiver position was good throughout,\u201d Lewis said. \u201c(Transfers) Donovan Brown and Myles Kitt-Denton really separated themselves toward the back half of camp. (Transfer) Jacob Bostick has done a really nice job as well. Will Cianfrini has been slowed by injuries a little bit, but when healthy, he has been very, very productive.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a fun battle between Big Joe (Borjon) and Christian (Jones) for the tackle positions. We feel pretty spoiled in that both those guys could play left tackle, but what\u2019s best for the program, what\u2019s best for winning as we go forward?<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was really interesting to see the guys step up when Jelani Whitmore went down (with a knee injury) at the cornerback position. We knew the key contributor he was going to be at corner No. 3 \u2026 Cross-training some guys like (safeties) Eric Butler and Deshawn McCuin at the corner position will provide some depth there if need be. \u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cThe competition is never-ending. We don\u2019t want to put a label and define any one spot that this is what we\u2019re going to be over the next 14 or 15 weeks as we move through the season. It\u2019s just where we\u2019re starting. We\u2019ve got to continue to improve and compete.\u201d<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a position-by-position look at the Union-Tribune\u2019s depth chart as game week arrives:<\/p>\n
Quarterback<\/p>\n
First team:<\/strong> Jr. Jayden Denegal<\/p>\n Second team:<\/strong> Jr. Bert Emanuel Jr.<\/p>\n Comment:<\/strong> Denegal earned the job midway through fall camp<\/a>. Emanuel is too athletic to be standing on the sidelines; it\u2019ll be interesting to see how he is used.<\/p>\n Offensive line<\/p>\n First team:<\/strong> LT Sr. Joe Borjon, LG Gr. Kalan Ellis, C Sr. Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli, RG Sr. Bayo Kannike, RT Sr. Christian Jones<\/p>\n Second team:<\/strong> LT Jr. Cam May, LG Sr. Saipale Fuimaono, C Sr. Saipale Fuimaono, C, RG So. Mason Baker, RT Jr. Cam May<\/p>\n Comment:<\/strong> Size, strength and depth create optimism<\/a> at a position group that had its struggles a year ago. Borjon is ahead of schedule returning from reconstructive knee surgery. Ellis and Kannike played their way into the starting lineup after arriving via the portal.<\/p>\n Running back<\/p>\n First team:<\/strong> Jr. Lucky Sutton<\/p>\n Second team:<\/strong> Sr. Byron Cardwell Jr. or Jr. Christian Washington<\/p>\n Comment:<\/strong> The position group is filled with local talent. Sutton (Cathedral Catholic High School) earned the start<\/a> and will get the bulk of the carries. Cardwell (St. Augustine High School) and Washington (Helix High School) could make it more running back by committee after Marquez Cooper had 90% of the team\u2019s rushes last year.<\/p>\n Wide receiver<\/p>\n First team:<\/strong> So. Jordan Napier, Sr. Myles Kitt-Denton, Jr. Donovan Brown.<\/p>\n Second team:<\/strong> So. Jerry McClure, Jr. Jacob Bostick, Jr. Mikey Welsh<\/p>\n Comment:<\/strong> Kitt-Denton, who transferred from Northwestern State, emerged in spring practice<\/a> and Brown, who transferred in from Tulsa over the summer, stood out in fall camp. Sophomore Will Cianfrini (Carlsbad High School) will be in the mix as soon as he\u2019s healthy; junior Nathan Acevedo, a Fresno State transfer, also will get a look.<\/p>\n Tight end<\/p>\n First team:<\/strong> Sr. Seth Adams, R-Fr. Jackson Ford.<\/p>\n Second team:<\/strong> R-Fr. Arthur Ban, R-Fr. Ryan Wolfer<\/p>\n Comment:<\/strong> Adams\u2019 strength is as an additional blocker in the run game<\/a>. The other three profile as receivers, but they\u2019re all young.<\/p>\n Defensive line<\/p>\n First team:<\/strong> Edge Jr. Trey White, NT Sr. Sam Benjamin, DT Jr. Malachi Finau, Edge Jr. Brady Nassar<\/p>\n Second team:<\/strong> Edge Jr. Ryan Henderson, NT Sr. Teivs Tuioti, DT Jr. Krishna Clay, Edge Sr. Niles King or Jr. August Salvati<\/p>\n Comment:<\/strong> White, the preseason Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year<\/a>, stands to benefit from the addition of transfers King and Salvati.<\/p>\n Linebacker<\/p>\n