Each year, Aztec fans flock to Fan Fest to get a glimpse of the football team before SDSU’s first game.

Saturday will be another step closer to the Sean Lewis Era of Aztec Fast and the team’s 102nd season. It will be only the second opportunity for fans to see this year’s squad up close and in person after the Aztec Fast Showcase on April 20. Over 8,000 tickets have been distributed to the event.

Lewis has been an energizer bunny this offseason, from practices to recruiting, and has rejuvenated the excitement around the program. Many players have mentioned how his enthusiasm is contagious. In Fall Camp, he has been all business as he readies his team for this season. Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium should be no different.

After Monday’s practice, Lewis gave some insight into Saturday. He explained the team’s first scrimmage with extended amounts of tackling and blocking would be at Fan Fest. This is exciting news for fans as the Aztec Fast Showcase was more individual and 7-on-7 drills than in prior years.

“It’s going to be awesome,” Lewis said with a smile on his face. “The whole purpose of this is to get the team trained, and Saturday is going to be an awesome opportunity for the community to come out and see how hard these kids have been working and for us to be able to go through a true pregame routine.”

Lewis also stated that fans can look forward to the high energy and enthusiasm that the kids are playing with this year and added that it will be a great opportunity to see the team’s style of play in all three phases.

Positions to Watch

This offseason has been buzzing for the Red and Black with a new coaching staff, player transfers at key positions, and the implementation of a new offense and defense. In week two of training camp, Lewis stated the ORs on the depth chart were still up for grabs, and no position in the depth chart is a lock.

Here are four key positions to watch on Saturday.

The most amplified position battle has been that of the quarterbacks, and Lewis still has yet to name a starter. AJ Duffy (transfer from Flordia State) and Danny O’Neil (true freshman) are leading the way at the position, followed by returning sophomore Kyle Crum, redshirt freshman Javance Tupou’ata, and freshman Parker Threatt. On Friday, Lewis said the scrimmage will focus on the top three quarterbacks Duffy, O’Neil, and Tupou’ata-Johnson.

Duffy took command at the Showcase, completing seven of 11 pass attempts for 112 yards, 2 touchdowns, and zero interceptions. The offense was firing on all cylinders that day, and it should give an even better glimpse of what it will look like on gamedays at Fan Fest.

Although a starter hasn’t been named yet, Duffy has been the front-runner during practices. From what fans saw at the Aztec Fast Showcase, he looked ready to lead the offense.

Although the quarterback battle has been the main focus of attention, there are new and old faces at some vital positions on both sides of the ball. As new defensive coordinator Eric Schmidt is installing his 4-2-5 defense, all eyes have been on the edge position, the key to the defense’s success.

Marlem Louis (transfer from the University of Richmond) and junior Dominic Oliver are top of the depth chart but local Eastlake High star Trey White has been impressive throughout camp.

Tight end is a position that Lewis and position coach Zac Barton have emphasized plays an important part in this offense. Jude Wolfe (senior transfer from USC) is the top dog as he is great in all phases of the game.

With the position being so important, the staff has made sure to have plenty of depth and a variety of skill sets in the position group. At the start of training camp, Lewis mentioned that as they learn what each player does best, they will suit it and match it to the offense. Colorado transfer Michael Harrison, Logan Tanner, and Gabe Garretson are athletes Lewis said are in the mix to start.

At wide receiver, returning senior Mekhi Shaw has retained his top spot. Opposite him are two transfers, Nate Bennett (Portland State) and Louis Brown (Colorado State). At the slot is the speedy and versatile transfer Ja’shaun Poke, who also has a part as a returner in special teams.

Two other wideouts to keep an eye on in this offense are redshirt freshmen Jerry McClure and Jordan Napier. McClure played high school football locally for Mater Dei and helped his team win back-to-back Division 2-AA State titles before redshirting his freshmen year at UCLA before his homecoming with SDSU. Napier is a California product from Jurupa Hills High School and is looking to get on the field after redshirting his true freshmen year.

The running back group is deep with tons of talent. The newest member and top of the depth chart is Marquez Cooper, who transferred from Ball State but played under Lewis at Kent State for three seasons from 2020 to 2022. Cooper has seen firsthand what this fast-paced offense can do to opposing defenses. After his first practice as an Aztec, he elaborated on how the offense breaks defenses down play after play and how that will create holes and give receivers shots downfield.

Along with Cooper at the top of the depth chart is returning senior Kenan Christon, who transferred to SDSU from USC before the 2022 season. Also available are senior Jaylon Armstead, junior Cam Davis, sophomore Lucky Sutton, and freshman Cincere Rhaney.

“It’s a big step…over there, we’re going to treat it like a gameday environment as well,” Lewis explained on how important tomorrow is to round out the depth chart, adding, “There’s going to be fans in the stands, there’s going to be distractions so we’ll learn about guys competitive maturity.”

As far as all the position battles, Lewis said a lot will be revealed.

“There are battles happening all over the place,” he said. …“Who are the best edges, interior defensive linemen, linebackers who can drive it and communicate to get the defense closed in a timely fashion?”

Aztec Fast

Ever since Lewis came to San Diego with his innovative offensive mind, the words Aztec Fast have been everywhere. Players and coaches have described in their own words what that moniker means. They have stressed everything from the mental speed of the game and play calling to the physical speed, and the pounding the offense puts forth.

From glimpses at practice and the Aztec Fast Showcase, all the descriptions have been true so far. As fast as SDSU has competed to date, Lewis and his staff have consistently emphasized they are aiming for a considerably faster pace.

After the Aztec Fast Showcase, Brown, who caught five passes for 79 yards and a touchdown, echoed his head coach by saying that the offense was not close to the speed it will be in the fall. With the first game just three weeks away, Saturday should be the first glimpse of the tempo Lewis wants his offense to play at.

The players have all bought into the Aztec Fast mindset. Since the first practice back in March, they have repeatedly stated their excitement to be playing in the system.

Lewis’ high energy sets the tone for the offense as he runs up and down the sidelines giving verbal and visual calls to the offense. It is obvious firsthand how his level of energy and that of his assistant coaches elevates the players.

As the team trotted off the practice fields for the last time ahead of the scrimmage, Lewis gave an update on the tempo of his infamous Aztec Fast offense and how close it is to full speed.

“We’re not close to where we’re capable of being,” he revealed. …“We are further along than where we were at the beginning of spring.”

Fan Fest Information

• Admission is free to this event, but fans must claim their ticket(s) in advance at .GoAztecs.com/FanFest
• Parking is $10 and can be purchased while claiming the free tickets.
• The parking lot opens at 3:00 PM with the gates opening at 4:00 PM, and kickoff is set for 5:00 PM.
• Entertainment includes a DJ playing music and a 360 photo booth.
• Several Aztec teams will be on the concourse, teaching basic skills to kids.
• Following the scrimmage, the selected football student-athletes will be available for autographs (one item only).

Johnny Olivieri

Johnny is born and raised in San Diego and a diehard fan of all his hometown teams. He is an avid collector of sports memorabilia that help paint a picture of the history of sports in San Diego. He spends a lot of his time attending sports games across San Diego county and enjoys studying the history and spreading knowledge of San Diego’s diverse sports.