Aztecs showcase 2026 football team at Spring Game

The San Diego State Aztecs closed out their spring football camp with their 15th official practice on campus Saturday. After a brief hiatus last year without a spring game closing out camp, head coach Sean Lewis brought the annual affair back this year. 

With San Diego FC and San Diego Wave both hosting soccer matches at Snapdragon Stadium this weekend, the game was moved back to the practice fields at SDSU, where the game was held prior to the opening of Snapdragon Stadium. 

The school set up the practice fields in a carnival-style setting to entice families to come out and enjoy the beautiful San Diego weather, in addition to checking out the 2026 version of the Aztecs. 

“I thought the environment was good, having the fans so close,” Lewis remarked at the conclusion of the scrimmage. “Pleased with the growth that we have had,d but a long way to go. Today was a positive step in the right direction.” 

Senior Jayden Denegal (10/17, 92 yards), redshirt freshman Stone Saunders (12/19, 144 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT), and redshirt freshman walk-on Draiden Trudeau (3/3, 23 yards) commanded the offenses throughout the spring game. 

The offense scored two touchdowns in the scrimmage. 

The first came on a 1-yard run by Christian Washington (7 car, 26 yards)  on 4th-and-Goal on the fifth possession of the game. The score capped a 13-play, 67-yard drive led by Trudeau.

The second touchdown came via Saunders’ 31-yard touchdown pass to true freshman Derek Stevenson on the seventh possession of the game. Stevenson caught three passes for 40 yards but also had a deep pass go through his hands that could have resulted in another touchdown. 

The defense made several key plays as well. They stuffed the first string offense at the 1 on a goal line stand, and EDGE Brady Nassar intercepted a pass that bounced off the hands of Javion Kinnard. The interception was the only turnover in the scrimmage.

“That’s my roommate right there,” said Nassar post-scrimmage about Kinnard, adding,g “so I had to let him know, that’s my ball.” 

Alijah Lash and Kaimana Tufaga led the defense with six tackles. 

Lewis spoke highly of Lash, who graduated from high school early and enrolled for the spring semester. 

“Lash is a natural striker,” he said. “He does a really good job with his timing. Understanding his fits is something he needs to get a lot better at. Playing off the ball is new to him. But mentally, he is a mature kid. He carries himself in a different way than someone who should be in home economics second semester right now in his senior high (of high school. We will continue to find what is the best fit for him to add some value in 2026.”

Mike Lindsay, Jelani McLaughlin, and Javari Nash each added five. Lindsay and Caleb Ricks led the team with two pass breakups each. Lindsay dropped a sure interception on a deep pass intended for Carson Diehl. 

Cooper DiLeva nailed a 46-yard field goal,l and Lane Garner connected from 44 on the final play of the game. Both kickers will continue to battle it out for a chance to be the lead placekicker in the fall. Overall on the day, DiLeva made all four of his attempts during drills, while Garner missed one of his four wide right. 

Kinnard led the team with 29 rushing yards. Lucky Sutton added 21 on the ground while wearing a special red number 10 jersey, signifying the defense was not able to tackle him.  

After a short break, the team will gather in the first week of June for the start of summer conditioning and the incorporation of several mid-year transfers and high school graduates from the Class of 2026. 

The Aztecs’ first game of the season will be on Saturday, September 5th, against Portland State at Snapdragon Stadium.

Notes

• In addition to Stevenson, fellow true freshmen Daishaun Davis (2 rec, 41 yards) and Carson Diehl (2 rec, 44 yards) made several big catches on the day
• Gabe Plascencia, signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent last week, attended the Spring Game and was seen with the placekickers during warmups
• Former Aztecs, Trey White (Texas Tech) and Owen Chambliss (Nebraska), were also on hand on Saturday to support their former teammates.
• In addition to several key starters who missed all of spring camp with injuries, S Delesean Staley (right knee), LT Joe Borjon (left foot), and LS Luke Williams (right knee) were also out of action due to injury.
• Connor Poulson took over as long snapper in Williams’ absence
• Numerous staffing personnel raved about Kinnard’s explosive abilities during the event and the impact he can have on the offense
• P Tashi Dorje put on a show during punting drills on Saturday, which included one long punt that landed at the one-yard line and bounced backwards to the three to be downed by a gunner; Dorje should continue the streak of elite punters at SDSU
• S Carsten Maramil had a big pass break-up early in the scrimmage on a pass to WR Will Cianfrini
• Max Garrison has split his time during spring camp at safety and running back; on Saturday, he played snaps at both positions, and rushed for 7 yards on 4 carries

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.