The Aztecs voted for Sean Lewis with their feet

Confidence in leadership is essential for any team to succeed. 

The most extreme example is the military, where a loss of faith in the chain of command results in soldiers on the front lines leaving their ranks and refusing to fight. This phenomenon, known throughout the history of war, was popularized in the 20th century by Vladamir Lenin, the founder of the Soviet Union.

In November 1917, during the middle of World War I, Lenin’s Bolshevik party seized power from the Czar in Russia. A month later, the Soviet Union and Germany signed a peace treaty. When asked why the communist country pulled out of the conflict, Lenin explained that the soldiers had “voted for peace.” When pressed when this election took place, Lenin responded, “They voted with their feet.”

Following a 3-9 season, predictions of a mass exodus inside SDSU’s football team abounded. Without direct knowledge of the locker rooms’ inner workings under head coach Sean Lewis, questions arose about the players’ confidence in their leader after a challenging year. 

Since the season ended, the Aztecs have given a resounding answer. Given an opportunity to leave Lewis’ leadership and enter the transfer portal, the athletes voted with their feet. 

The majority chose to run it back. Aside from victories on the gridiron in the fall, no greater sign that SDSU is on the right track could be given than what has taken place since the end of the year.     

“I don’t think it’s easy to be off the hook (by transferring) when you put so much work in with the team and with the coaching staff trying to perfect this thing and just to come up so short in so many games this year definitely hurt,” Trey White told EVT shortly after announcing his return. “Coach Lewis’ vision has never changed: blue collar nasty, punch the clock, work works. All that stuff is something I believe in. His coaching style is great. He understands us as players. I’m excited to work under him and get a championship through this program.” 

With Wednesday night’s news that Jordan Napier will be returning to The Mesa, every Aztec on last season’s all-conference teams with eligibility remaining is expected back in 2025. Napier, an honorable mention selectee, joins White (first team), Gabriel Plascencia (second team), Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli (HM), Tano Letuli (HM), Chris Johnson (HM), and Eric Butler (HM). 

Although starting quarterback Danny O’Neil’s departure was not ideal, multiple sources indicated Lewis and his staff handled the situation correctly. Athletes can be too competitive for their own good. O’Neil suffered a knee injury earlier this year and had shoulder surgery this offseason. His availability for the first quarter of the calendar year was in doubt. 

A lack of size was the primary culprit for O’Neil’s issues. He was too slight for the rigors of college football. According to the sources, the staff told him he needed to add bulk while redshirting. O’Neil refused and entered the portal. 

The Aztecs plan to add quality transfers to the QB room this offseason. If a signal caller at SDSU has a great 2025, it would have put O’Neil at a disadvantage for the 2026 campaign.

Unlike O’Neil, Dominic Oliver, Javance Tupu’autu-Johnson, Brady Anderson, Jaylon Armstead, and Louis Brown IV are transfers who would have been in the mix for time next season. While their loss is significant, these athletes are more easily replaced than the all-conference group. 

Offensively, the high number of seniors, especially at the skill positions, meant 2025 would always need restocking there. The slot position is the toughest to fill, and with Napier’s return, the Aztecs should be in good shape. 

Ulugalu-Maseuli gives Lewis someone to build the offensive line around. Joe Borjon, Christian Jones, Tyler McMahan, and Saipale Fuimaono are experienced returnees as well. Friday, SDSU announced the signing of former Michigan State interior lineman Dallas Fincher. With the maturation of the younger linemen already in the program and potentially more additions via the portal and/or the junior college ranks, competitive depth should be better than last year.  

“It means a lot because Ross is a key piece in our o-line,” White explained. “The fact that he’s from San Diego as well. He came here under Hoke. It shows that he believes in coach Lewis’ vision as well. He’s willing to double down on all of the work that he’s put in through the years, and he believes in what we have, so I’m excited to see what we can do throughout this season.”

Defensively, eight of the team’s ten leading tacklers have not entered the transfer portal as of the writing of this article. With Lewis expected to name a defensive coordinator before the closing of the portal window on December 28, that number could change. Currently, the athletes who accounted for 65% of the team’s tackles, 66% of the TFLs, 66% of the sacks, 71% of the interceptions, and 70% of the team’s passes defended are expected to compete with new additions to the squad. 

White, Johnson, Letuli, and Butler were first-time starters in 2024. If they can build on their all-conference seasons, their play next year will be even better. 

Krishna Clay, Brady Nassar, Owen Chambliss, Dalesean Staley, Sam Benjamin, and Teivis Tuioti also fit the first-year FBS starter category. Rotation players Ryan Henderson, Darrion Dalton, Jelani Whitmore, DJ Herman, and Josh Hunter should see jumps in production if they are with the club next year. 

Special teams stalwarts Max Garrison, Jelani McLaughlin, and Jatavious Magee have proven the college game is not too quick for them. They should push to fill the snaps vacated by William Nimmo and JD Coffey. 

“It’s easy, when you’re not in the heat of battle, to make assumptions, and you don’t really know what’s going on behind the scenes,” White added. “You don’t know the work that we put in, and to just bash us, it just shows a lot. But if you’re a real one, you’ll stick with us and just be with us throughout the lows and the highs. That’s what a real fan does. Ultimately, when we win a championship, we will eventually have everyone’s approval.” 

Special teams should continue its high play. In the third phase, Garrison, McLaughlin, Magee, Hunter, and Herman have been tremendous. Plascencia returning means the field goal kicking and kickoff duties are on excellent footing. 

Finding a punter will be important. In-house candidates to replace Tyler Pastula include Zechariah Ramirez and Eemil Herranen. Judging by their kicks during warmups, that position will be strong. Long snapper Tyson Chavez is a local athlete who has been waiting his turn behind Ryan Wintermeyer.

“(So many players returning) shows we’ve got unfinished business,” Napier said. “It shows the coaches did a great job with us, making us better players, making us better men at the end of the day. It also shows that we’re hungry for something.”

There is still time for players to exit the program, but even their delay speaks volumes about where the program is and where it might be headed. After a 3-9 season, the players would have departed in droves as quickly as possible if there were issues with Lewis and the culture he is building at SDSU. 

The Aztecs voted for Sean Lewis with their feet.

Paul Garrison

My earliest sport’s memory involve tailgating at the Murph, running down the circular exit ramps, and seeing the Padres, Chargers and Aztecs play. As a second generation Aztec, I am passionate about all things SDSU. Other interests include raising my four children, being a great husband and teaching high school.