Charlotte transfer Jeremiah Oden will finish his collegiate career in Scarlet & Black.

The 2025 offseason is chaotic for college hoops.

The transfer portal is the largest since it became official. Well over 1,000 college athletes are looking for a change.

Head coach Brian Dutcher and his staff needed to land the right players. Not everyone has the ability to play at San Diego State. Not only do you need to be a great defender, but you also need to have a high basketball IQ and the passion to want to get better every day. Over the course of a player’s career at San Diego State, watching their growth is clear to see.

Fans of San Diego State basketball didn’t know what to expect as the portal opened. Magoon Gwath entered his name in the portal, and many thought he would leave for a bigger school. Instead, Gwath announced his return to The Mesa, which is a huge sign for the Aztecs. The team is still awaiting Miles Byrd’s update, and if he returns, the team will be deep with talent.

Jeremiah Oden comes to The Mesa with Mountain West experience from his time at Wyoming. He adds his name to the depth that Dutcher has to showcase.

The senior began his career with the Cowboys and started 32 of 34 games during his sophomore season. After three seasons in Laramie, he transferred to DePaul for his senior season. Playing in the Big East, he started 24 of 32 games and averaged 7.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. He tallied at least 10 points in nine games and proved to be a crucial role player.

Chicago-native Jeremiah Oden 22 PTS (8-10 FG, 3-3 3s) led DePaul Blue Demons to 75-68 win over Louisville Cardinals at Wintrust Arena pic.twitter.com/uE85G8ySG9

— Scott/Ballislife (@BallisLifeCHI) December 10, 2023

Last season, the forward transferred for Charlotte but did not play in the regular season due to injury. Oden, just like Reese Waters, will play in a regular-season game for the first time since the 2023-24 season. Both Waters and Oden have just one year of eligibility left, and they hope to make one last NCAA Tournament run before their collegiate careers are over. Oden and Wyoming made the First Four in 2022 but lost to Indiana, 66-58. Wyoming finished 25-9 that season.

It’s hard to look a clear visual of the depth chart right now. If Byrd returns, then Dutcher will be grinning from cheek to cheek. Waters, Gwath, and Sean Newman Jr. are the three clear-cut starters. Waters would have started last year if it wasn’t for the injury, and enters the 2025-26 season with a lot to prove. There is a chance that Dutcher could utilize him off the bench to begin the season, but we are too early in the offseason to question that. The understanding is that he will be able to pick up where he left off, as he could have returned at the end of last season.

Assuming Byrd returns, there is just one starting spot left. Miles Heide seems to be the likely candidate as he started in place of Gwath and Jared Coleman-Jones last season. Pharaoh Compton could insert his name into the bidding as well. Newman Jr., Waters, Byrd, Gwath, and Heide/Compton makes a very talented starting five.

As for the reserves, BJ Davis headlines a deep list that includes Compton, Taj DeGourville, Latrell Davis (whose transfer became official Friday), Thokbor Majak, and Oden. Elzie Harrington and Tae Simmons have the option to redshirt and, if not, could find a way to earn a few minutes.

At 6-foot-9, Oden will be a big piece in the frontcourt. Gwath will play large minutes, and Oden could be his backup. Compton is a center and will interchange with Heide. Oden and potentially Majak are the ones to watch in place of Gwath while he is resting.

The forward is a solid shooter for his position. He shoots north of 30% from beyond the arc which will help the Aztecs spread the floor when he is playing. Oden shot 81% from the charity stripe his last season at DePaul. We know that those numbers will prove crucial late in games. His last season at Wyoming, Oden shot 44.3% from the floor and before that, shot 52%. He can be a consistent shooter. However, at DePaul, he shot just 34.7%. He became a little streaky but the film shows he can score the rock.

Oden’s role won’t just be “Gwath’s backup.” He brings experience that only Byrd, Waters, and Davis really have. Those four have played in many Mountain West games, and heading into their final season in the conference, that is beneficial for a team that won’t be considered young anymore. Byrd, Gwath, Waters, Oden, Newman, and Davis will be the leaders on this team.

The season is many months away but there will be high expectations and a lot to look forward for the Aztecs.

Chris Spiering

Chris is a graduate of the University of San Diego. He is the former Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris has covered the San Diego Loyal, and now covers San Diego State Men’s Basketball. He also contributes regularly about the Padres. Chris is an athlete and is a huge fan of San Diego sports.