San Diego State lost 28 of its 32 sacks from last season.

Much of that production came off the edge, where Trey White and Ryan Henderson recorded seven sacks apiece. White transferred to Texas Tech, Henderson to Texas A&M, and Niles King graduated.

That leaves new edges coach Colin Ferrell with one returning starter, two experienced transfers, and a collection of younger players competing to become the Aztecs’ next group of pass rushers.

“I think we got a great mix of some older guys, and I really like our younger guys,” Ferrell said. “I think they have a talented group overall.”

Senior Brady Nassar provides the most continuity. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Nassar is one of only three returning starters on the defense and enters camp atop the depth chart at field edge.

Ferrell called Nassar the leader of the room and said to “expect big things” from him this season.

Behind Nassar are junior transfer Nate Henrich and redshirt freshman Lucan Amituanai.

The bigger competition is at rush edge, where Rutgers transfer Djibril Rahman is listed ahead of Oregon State transfer Kai Wallin and freshman Dominic Coelho.

Wallin, a 6-foot-5, 247-pound senior, has taken a winding path to SDSU. He started at American River College before spending two seasons at Nebraska and another at Oregon State, where he started seven games last season and had 17 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and four quarterback hurries.

The stops exposed Wallin to different responsibilities. Nebraska used him inside the tackle box, while Oregon State asked him to drop into coverage and play more like an outside linebacker.

“I think I’m a dynamic player,” Wallin said. “You can line me up on the ball wide, short. You can put me inside the tackle box.”

Rahman comes to SDSU already familiar with his position coach.

Ferrell coached Rahman for two seasons at Rutgers, where the 6-foot-4, 257-pound junior played 24 games over three seasons.

Rahman said Ferrell helped transform him from primarily a third-down pass rusher into a more complete player.

“He taught me so much, especially when it comes to just stopping the run,” Rahman said. “When we first got to Rutgers, I was just a young guy, just a third-down guy, and he took my game and turned me into a complete player.”

Rahman also watched White’s success at SDSU and took notice of the way the Aztecs allowed him to rush the passer. After Ferrell joined the staff and Rahman spoke with SDSU’s coaches, he called the fit a “match made in heaven.”

Both transfers are catching up after injuries prevented them from fully participating during spring practice.

Ferrell said Rahman and Wallin remained involved in meetings and practices while sidelined, allowing them to enter preseason camp with an understanding of the defense.

“I think an immature group would be starting from square one,” Ferrell said. “But they’re pretty mature in their journey.”

There are younger options as well.

Coelho enrolled early and made enough of an impression during spring practice to enter camp on the depth chart. The room also includes redshirt freshman Brian Townsend Jr. and freshmen Alijah Lash, Robby Lavatai, and Crosby Kelly.

Ferrell has been particularly intrigued by Lash, who arrived as a linebacker before moving to edge. Ferrell said the freshman is already “doing some elite things” despite still learning the position.

For all the attention on replacing sacks, however, Ferrell’s first priority has nothing to do with getting to the quarterback.

“Our job first and foremost is to set the edge,” Ferrell said. “It’s not to rush the quarterback.”

Ferrell said the Aztecs have to stop the run and force opponents into passing situations before worrying about sack production.

“We got to earn the right to rush the quarterback by stopping the run,” he said.

Whether Nassar, Rahman, Wallin, or someone else emerges as SDSU’s next major pass-rushing threat remains to be seen.

Rahman isn’t making predictions.

“Only time will tell,” he said. “It’s hard to predict production, but if we keep going every day and we keep rushing, the rest will take care of itself.”

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.