121st. 

114th. 

97th. 

These were San Diego State’s rankings among 133 FBS teams in rush defense, total defense, and scoring defense last season. 

For a program recently built on its defense, it was unusual to find the Aztecs at the bottom of these rankings. 

It would be easy to point the finger at the new coaching staff under Sean Lewis. But the Aztecs’ vaunted defense began taking steps back in Brady Hoke’s final two years: the staff change and the departure of key talent to the transfer portal culminated in the disappointing 2024. 

Defensive coordinator Eric Schmidt left to become the head coach at his alma mater, North Dakota, and EDGEs coach Rob Aurich has now stepped into his spot. Aurich held the DC role in two previous stops, most recently in 2022 and 2023 at Idaho. He also served as DC at Bemidji State in 2017.

Under his command, Idaho ranked 15th in FCS in total defense in 2023 and improved its points allowed per game by 9.47 (31.55 to 22.08) from 2021 to 2023. 

The defense will continue to use the 4-2-5 as its base, and with all starters returning, communication has been better than last year, according to Preseason Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year Trey White. 

“The guys all have to be on the same page if you want to run the play right,” noted White. “I know last year (when) we were watching back film, one person was not on the same page, and that’s when we had a complete bust on defense, and then when everybody was set, ready to go, that’s when we played our best ball. So I feel communication and knowing what to do is a huge part of the defense.”

Fellow defensive captain, LB Tano Letuli, agreed with White’s assessment. 

“I think being a connected team is the first step to being a successful football team, so bringing back all eleven starters is absolutely huge for our defense,” Letuli remarked. “Day one, we already had that swagger with each other. We had that confidence, and being able to play confidently and play fast is the recipe to success.” 

Taking White to another level will be one of Aurich’s biggest focus areas. After racking up 11.5 sacks in the first seven games, White only recorded one sack in the final five games of 2024. Teams began to send extra blockers his way, and the rest of the defense did not step up.  

“When Trey (White) gets one-on-one matchups, he’s pretty tough to defeat,” Aurich said. “When the protection slides to him, it kind of neutralizes his superpower at times. So, the development of that edge room involves Brady (Nassar), Ryan Henderson, August Salvati, and Niles King. Those guys can all play, and that’s the room I think we improved the most during this offseason period.”

Another emphasis will be on rush defense, the worst team statistic in 2024. Aurich noted that the staff is evaluating every player’s tackling ability to help them become elite. 

“Stopping the run is a little bit of a mindset,” he added. “It’s a little bit of a commitment schematically to do those things. … What I’ve noticed here in the first days is a willingness to be physical, and that was on display (Friday).”

One newcomer already familiar with Aurich is S Dwayne McDougle, who played at Idaho as a redshirt freshman in 2023. He collected 29 tackles, two interceptions, and one forced fumble on Aurich’s defense. He took reps with the first unit at practice Wednesday, with returning starter Deshawn McCuin unable to take contact. 

Aurich’s two previous stints as DC give him the base upon which to build, but he fully embraces the notion of working on your craft day in and day out. 

“You grow every year,” he said. “Your package evolves every year. But you’re teaching improves. Just like you do anything, there’s a 10,000-hour theory from Malcolm Gladwell. I really believe it. I think you get better every year. You’re either green and growing, or ripe and dying, and we’re green and growing.”

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Linebacker Development

In addition to DC, Aurich takes over as linebackers coach, the position he played at Minnesota Duluth, finishing as the program’s second-leading tackler all-time (310).

Letuli led the Aztecs in tackles in 2024 (70), but looks to expand his game in 2025, both as a leader and as a playmaker. 

“Being the MIKE linebacker here, I’ve got to drive the show, and I want the whole defense to feel me,” Letuli said about being more vocal. “Feel confident about the call that we’re in and make sure everyone knows their job.”

He also wants to improve his zone coverage drops and efficiently getting off blocks by bigger and stronger offensive linemen to make plays.  

Aurich lauded both Letuli and fellow returning starter and roommate, Owen Chambliss, as All-Conference players. Chambliss battled four or five different freak injuries last season (31 tackles, 0 sacks or TFLs), and he looks to parlay good health and better luck into more production. 

Brady Anderson and DJ Herman round out the quartet of returning players at the position, while Mister and Tanner Williams are transfers from Incarnate Word and Utah State, respectively. Aurich described the newcomers (no relation) as players who lack elite length but provide the necessary skills and the willingness to play the way the staff wants to play. 

“They can cover ground, they can match up on tight ends, we can play them on third down, so those are the types of guys that have really found a role for us,” Aurich explained. 

Mister Williams (78 tackles, 13 TFLs, 4 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles in 2024) particularly brings versatility and will be the first guy off the bench when the defense switches to a three-linebacker formation. 

“Amazingly smart guy,” Chambliss said when asked about Williams following Wednesday’s practice. “He has a lot of football experience, being at different programs. He understands the game really well. Comprehends really well. Great leader. He’s older, so he has a lot of great advice you can pick up on.”

Xavier Hamlett earning scholarship

Senior CB Xavier Hamlett is preparing for his final semester at SDSU, which will include dealing with financial issues. A walk-on from nearby Lincoln High School and Grossmont College, Hamlett recently asked his position coach, Demetrius Sumler, if the team could help him out a little while he got back on track with payments. 

The staff took it a step further. Following practice on Friday, Coach Lewis called Hamlett up in front of the team and told him he earned a scholarship for his final school year.

“I didn’t know how to react,” said Hamlett after practice. “It just feels like a movie right now. I’m just so thankful to be here, and just so glad to be a part of this family, because they really do care.”

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Hamlett played in 11 games last year, mostly on special teams. With depth issues behind incumbent starters Chris Johnson and Bryce Philips, he is working towards earning more game snaps in 2025.  

“I made a promise to my sister after she passed away that I was never going to quit,” Hamlett recalled when asked about persevering through difficult times. “Regardless of where I’m at on a depth chart, or just where I’m at in life, I’m not going to quit. I just couldn’t backtrack on that.”

Hamlett’s community service efforts are well-chronicled, especially his efforts to help the San Diego homeless community. In January, he started a GoFundMe, titled “Giving love to your downtown neighbors,” and raised $4,830 to provide “food, clothing, haircuts, Bibles, and love to those in need.”

Hamlett aims to build and grow his non-profit company after graduation and continue to help not only his local area but communities across the world.   

Jordan Napier on Hornung Award Watch List

WR Jordan Napier was named to the 2025 Paul Hornung Award Watch List on Thursday. The award is handed to the country’s most versatile player. In addition to his receiving abilities out of the slot, he returns punts and kickoffs and even threw a 27-yard touchdown pass last season. 

Napier entered the transfer portal following the 2024 season but withdrew and returned to the Aztecs. He caught 43 passes for 440 yards and four touchdowns last year and earned All-Mountain West Honorable Mention. 

Fan Fest

SDSU’s annual Fan Fest will be held on a Thursday this year, exactly two weeks prior to the opening game of the season against Stony Brook. The August 14th event at Snapdragon Stadium is free admission, but with a $10 parking fee. 

Fans can claim tickets and parking in advance at https://am.ticketmaster.com/sdsu/buy/AztecFanFest. Stadium gates open at 6 pm, while kickoff is slated for 7:05 pm. 

Quick Notes

• WR Myles Kitt-Denton returned to practice Thursday after being carted off the field on Wednesday due to cramps
• WR Heath McRee is no longer on the roster, opting to leave the team just before Fall Camp began
• The opening game against Stony Brook on August 28th still does not have a kickoff time or a TV provider
• SDSU’s matchup at Hawai’i on November 8th has a kickoff time of 8 pm PT, but also does not have a TV provider listed; it would be the first Aztec conference game not picked up by a media partner in several years

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.