San Diego State’s tight ends did not have many opportunities in the passing game last season.

The position accounted for 15 receptions and 156 yards, with Jackson Ford leading the group with 10 catches for 86 yards.

Ford believes that could change this season.

“I think this year our tight end room is a lot more dynamic, which is exciting for me,” Ford said. “So I can improve a lot more in the receiving game. Whatever Coach Lewis needs me to do, whether that’s getting 500 yards, multiple touchdowns, I can do that.”

Ford enters fall camp atop the depth chart, followed by sophomore Ryan Wolfer and Snow College transfer Kime Fangupo.

Ford and Wolfer are both in their second season in Sean Lewis’ offense, something Lindley believes is already showing on the field.

“You can just see how it flows for them,” tight ends coach Ryan Lindley said. “They’re in flow state out there when they’re playing. It’s a lot better, and then that allows them to be better coaches to the younger guys.”

Ford, a 6-foot-6, 250-pound junior, played all 13 games last season after transferring from Tulsa.

His lone touchdown came against North Texas in the New Mexico Bowl. He also had a touchdown against New Mexico wiped out by a penalty.

Ford also enters camp healthy for the first time in college.

“This is my first camp where I’ve gone in healthy,” Ford said. “I think I’m coming off the ball a lot better this camp. I feel good. I feel loose. Feel fast.”

The offense is also moving faster as the Aztecs emphasize playing “Aztec Fast.” Denegal’s return gives the tight ends continuity at quarterback.

“Just having him back, having him healthy, being able to get on pace with him all year long, working with him, running routes outside of practice, outside of workouts,” Ford said. “He’s a big leader, big part of this team.”

Wolfer caught two passes for 37 yards last season but expects a larger role this year, something he believes starts with earning the trust of the quarterbacks and coaching staff.

“Every day, earn that opportunity to get the ball more and then the opportunity to be out on the field more,” Wolfer said. “Get trust with the quarterbacks and trust with the coaches.”

Wolfer’s development has stood out to Lindley in particular.

“Ryan Wolfer two years ago, man, he had a lot more rough days than good days his first camp,” Lindley said. “Now he’s a guy that I would probably say is one of our most reliable guys in the offense.”

The Aztecs also added Fangupo, a 6-foot-5, 247-pound sophomore who played both offense and defense last season at Snow College.

Fangupo caught five passes for 30 yards while also recording eight tackles on defense.

Fangupo adds another physical option after the departure of Seth Adams.

“I don’t think there’s one Seth Adams in our room anymore,” Lindley said, “but as a group, we can raise the tides to get to that spot.”

That means replacing Adams’ production collectively while maintaining the physical identity Lindley wants from the position.

“We’re looking for the old-school guy that wants to block a C-gap and get downhill and be physical,” Lindley said. “That’s kind of our mantra in the tight end room. You’ve got to start with physicality and toughness, and we’ll build from everything else from there.”

There is also more competition behind the top three with freshmen Jack Ellis, Parker Guiltinan, and Elijah Muliufi joining the program.

That competition will begin narrowing soon as SDSU moves closer to its Sept. 5 opener against Portland State.

“We’re getting ready to roll with the three or four guys that we need to win us football games,” Lindley said.

Ford believes he and Wolfer are pushing each other to be among that group.

“Me and Ryan just competing every single day, getting each other better,” Ford said. “It brings more versatility to the tight end room.

“I think you can see a big season out of us this year.”

Roman Aguilar

Roman Aguilar (he/him/his) is a San Diego State graduate from Stockton, California. He joined The Daily Aztec in 2022, covering football, men’s basketball, and water polo before becoming Sports Editor for three years. Aguilar was also the sports director for KCR College Radio for two years, where he covered SDSU athletics, reviewed concerts, and interviewed artists. Outside the newsroom, he’s often at local shows or watching his favorite horror films.