The first practice of Fall Camp took place Wednesday morning, officially kicking off year two of Sean Lewis’ tenure at San Diego State.

The start of a season brings hope and optimism, with every team holding a clean slate and a fresh schedule to excel at. 

“I feel good to be out here,” said Mountain West Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Trey White. “I’ve been waiting for this moment all winter and all summer, so I felt good to finally be playing some football.”

“We had great energy on the first day, but it’s easy to have energy on the first day,” said head coach Sean Lewis. “There was a ton we need to clean up, but the install was as heavy as it’s ever been on our first day because of the access we had to the guys over the summer.”

For the Aztecs, it’s about learning from the mistakes of 2024 (3-9 record) and building upon the focus and dedication of the offseason regimen. While they will not have a chance to win a game for another four weeks, every practice should get them one step closer. 

Quarterback Competition

Much of the discussion around spring and summer was regarding a two-way competition between transfers Jayden Denegal and Bert Emanuel Jr. At least through one full practice, Denegal seems to be running away with the starting position. He looked the part of a starting quarterback, taking first-team reps throughout practice. He was poised, confident, and made great throws at the intermediate and deep levels. His low point was a flat-footed out route throw intended for WR Jeremiah McClure that CB Chris Johnson jumped and picked easily. 

Emanuel Jr. had good moments himself, but his throws were not as decisive or consistent. Senior Kyle Crum was the third quarterback to take snaps, while true freshman JP Mialovski did not. 

Biggest Standout

If there was one player that stood out most during drills on day one, it was redshirt freshman WR Will Cianfrini. The Carlsbad High alum lined up wide with the first team and caught a variety of passes from Denegal. At 6-4, Cianfrini has the height to make catches above defenders, but also showed the ability to eat defenders deep. 

Lewis praised Cianfrini as the one receiver who emerged based on the work that he has put in over the past year, but was quick to point out it was only one practice. 

“He’s done a tremendous job, going all the way back to our developmental lifting program, and really changing his body,” Lewis remarked. “He spent a ton of time in the building to really dive into the nuances of the playbook … and I think that showed today with the way he’s been working, while he’s been waiting in the dark a little bit. He had one great day. It was a moment of greatness. Now can we do that consistently day in and day out as we go.”

On the biggest play of the day, he ran past the corner and safety on his side and hauled in a deep pass from Denegal as both defenders caught up to him and took him down. The catch brought roars from the offensive sideline and elicited a big reaction from the receiver as he lay on the ground with the ball still in his hands. 

Offensive Line

With Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli moving back to center and Christian Jones and Joe Borjon manning the tackle positions, the two open spots on the line were at guard. For the first day of practice, Michigan State transfer Dallas Fincher (left guard) and Utah Tech transfer Bayo Kannike held left and right guard, respectively, with the first unit. 

“The offensive line was disciplined today and nobody false-started,” said RB Lucky Sutton. “We play against a good defense every single day, which is only going to help us compete and get better.”

Sutton also referenced how the line benefited from some of its key leaders, like Ulugalu-Maseuli and Jones, returning while adding veteran pieces needed to fit around them. 

Defensive Familiarity

Despite a new defensive coordinator, the style and scheme of the defense are similar to what the 2024 Aztecs ran. Returning nine of 11 starters also helps build the backbone of the defense. 

“I think it’s just the camaraderie that we have this year,” White answered when asked why this year will be different. “I’m not trying to make any excuses, but first year, new team, like 50 transfers, hard to get a team together that fast, but I feel like we’ve had a whole offseason together with this team, and we’ve done more things outside of football to kind of get to know each other. Also, trying to get to know each other on a personal level. So I feel like that focus and intent is there because you’re trying to fight for your brother and care more for that brother now that you know him and we know what he’s been through.” 

One of the returning starters, LB Owen Chambliss, plans to rebound from an inconsistent year battling numerous injuries. White named Chambliss as one of the guys who will step up in 2025. 

“(He) is a great player,” White added. “Very quiet, but on the field, he does everything right, and he’s a playmaker too.”

The two new guys who ran with the first unit were DT Sam Benjamin and Idaho transfer S Dwayne McDougle. Benjamin started the first four games last year for the Aztecs before losing his starting position. McDougle played at one of the two traditional safety positions while Eric Butler slid over to the nickel “stud” role. 

Local Lincoln High alum, Josiah Cox, returned to San Diego this spring to play for the Aztecs and should mix in with the first unit at safety. 

“(He) talks a lot of trash, but he does his job really well,” said White about Cox. “He brings that fire that we need on that defense.”

Quick Notes

• WR Mikey Welsh was active in 7v7 and 11v11 drills, lining up in the slot with the first and second units
• Several players, including safety Deshawn McCuin, wore green jerseys to signify they were not allowed to take contact during drills
• Northwestern State transfer WR Myles Kitt-Denton sustained an injury late in practice and was carted off
• True freshman TE Jacob Alvarez is a big man (6-5, 250) but can get down the field. He caught passes on three consecutive plays on one drive led by Crum
• Tulsa transfer TE Jackson Ford was dressed but did not participate in drills, spending time with trainers on the side
• A Dallas Cowboys scout attended practice
• Northern Colorado transfer punter Hunter Green can boom it and should have no problems carrying on the recent success at the position for the Aztecs
• Safety Jatavious Magee lined up at cornerback at times throughout 7v7 drills; given the depth at safety and lack thereof at corner, this may be a permanent move
• When true freshman RB Jordin Thomas struggled during drills on how to read holes to run through, his position coach, Darian Hagan, gave him the necessary guidance to help him improve. “I’m your read. Look at me.”

Andre Haghverdian

Avid sports fan and historian of basketball, baseball, football and soccer. UC San Diego and San Diego State alumni living in America’s Finest City. Diverse team following across multiple sports leagues, but Aztecs come first in college athletics.