SDSU football offensive preview

Fair or not, expectations for SDSU’s offense in head coach Sean Lewis’ first year are very high.

Photo byDon De Mars/ EVT Sports

The Fan Fest scrimmage should only stoke the flames of anticipation. Subtracting individual drills and special teams, the offense ran 101 plays in about 90 minutes. They gained 560 yards against a defense that is very familiar with their scheme.

While SDSU’s offense won’t get 101 snaps in a game, they should be in the neighborhood of 75. The dress rehearsal showed the tension in Lewis’ philosophy.

Big plays abounded in the air and on the ground as the offense created space for its athletes to work. Negative plays also occurred with frequency. With the volume of snaps the Aztecs will have, the law of averages suggests their turnover total will be high. Minimizing mistakes will be key.

“What we talked about as an offense (after Fan Fest) is obviously we’ve got to eliminate the negative plays,” offensive line coach Mike Schmidt told EVT in an exclusive interview. “We’ve got a gap right now. We got explosive plays, which is a great thing because we have explosive players to go create those plays. .... There are some bright spots, but the gap between the bright spots and the low spots is really big. … we just have to close that gap, continue to force the details of the game, and that will make us a hell of lot more competitive.”

Below is a look at SDSU’s offensive positions. The grade provided reflects the confidence level in the group. A low mark does not mean the room has poor talent. It means they have not yet proven they are up to the task.

Quarterback Position Grade: D
No other position has held more intrigue than what SDSU does at quarterback. Throughout the year, the staff emphasized that the competition was open to all scholarship QBs. Prior to Fan Fest, they narrowed the competitors to three: Danny O’Neil, AJ Duffy, and Javance Tupou’ata-Johnson.

No matter who leads SDSU against Texas A&M-Commerce, he will be making the first start of his career. Lewis has described their progress as the normal learning curve for young players. To date, the trio has yet to look ready in their few public glimpses.

Throughout the year, the staff has had positive reports about the QBs but is waiting for one to consistently compete at a high level. Until they do, questions will continue to abound. Today, the team will scrimmage. It is not open to the media, but it will be an important audition for the team

“I know one thing up front is everybody trusts the decision that they end up making,” Schmidt said. “It’s going to be for the best, for the good of the team. We keep trying to give opportunities for those guys to develop and see who separates from the competition. …we’ve got to continue to put our head down, keep working, and make everything a heck of a lot more consistent with all positions.”

Projected Starter: AJ Duffy

As the presumed leader throughout the year, Duffy gets the nod as the starter because he gives SDSU the best chance to win in the early part of the season. Building momentum to carry into the conference schedule will be key in 2024. Duffy is the best option to hit the ground running.

While O’Neil and Tupou’ata-Johnson’s better arm strength would allow Lewis to utilize more of his playbook, Duffy has been the more consistent performer. He has competed with expectations throughout the year and handled those well.

The freshmen lack Duffy’s command of the huddle and the offense. Aztec Fast forces defenses to play vanilla, which aids QBs of any age because it prevents defenses from disguising their schemes. As adventitious as the system is, Duffy should handle the cat-and-mouse game between SDSU and its opposition best.

Plenty of QBs without great arm strength have excelled in college football. Experience should teach Duffy which throws he is capable of making. O’Neil and Tupou’ata-Johnson have higher ceilings, but Duffy is the safer pick.

Running Back Position Grade: A-
As promising as SDSU’s 223 rushing yards were at Fan Fest, the production from the top five backs was incredible. Marquez Cooper (10.6 yards per attempt), Kenan Christon (10.3), Jaylon Armstead (5.6), Lucky Sutton (5.3), and Cam Davis (4.1) dominated the scrimmage. The quintuplet rushed 36 times on Saturday for 216 yards and a pair of scores.

What these numbers might mean to the defense will be the topic of a different article, but for the running backs, it showed what they are capable of in this offense. Sutton and Armstead broke off big runs. Cooper dazzled with his elusiveness. Christon exploded in space. Davis steadied the second-team offense.

The attention all year has centered on the quarterbacks, but SDSU’s success, as it has for over a decade, will still center on the running backs. A great season by this group will mask many issues from those under center.

Projected Starter: Marquez Cooper

The nation’s leading active rusher looked the part in limited action at Fan Fest. His three carries were electric. Unlike later in the scrimmage, the defense did a good job stuffing the run early, but Cooper was simply better.

He created big plays when the holes collapsed. With the inexperience at QB, expect defenses to focus on controlling the run. There will be fewer gaping holes during the season than what the backs had last Saturday.

Cooper’s escapability makes him special. Health permitting, an all-conference season is in store for the transfer running back.

“(Cooper)’s been a great addition to the program,” Schmidt said. “He reminds me of some of the guys we used to have around here that could make those explosive runs. When you did get them free to that third-level player, it was going to be a tough fit for that safety dropping into that cloud.”

“He’s been in a couple of live situations, and each and every one of them, not only has he made guys miss, but he’s been real competitive. He brings a little spirit to the offense that was much needed.”

Wide Receiver Position Grade: C
Current Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jesse Matthews finished his Aztecs career as the 11th most prolific pass catcher in program history. The way Matthews earned that status is a testament to his consistency and how SDSU utilized receivers under Brady Hoke and Rocky Long.

Matthews averaged about 529 yards per year during his four seasons on The Mesa. Most receivers have huge senior years that offset limited production early on, but not Matthews. Six hundred forty-two yards was the most he accumulated in one year. Amazingly, Matthews’ career total of 2,109 yards accounted for nearly one-quarter of SDSU’s passing yards during that span.

Matthews was not underutilized. SDSU just didn’t throw the ball effectively.

Production is expected to increase for the wide receivers, but Aztec Fast spreads the ball around. Only once during Lewis’ tenure at Kent State did a receiver exceed 1,000 yards. Dante Cephas had 1,240 in 2021.

Another aspect to watch for the Aztecs is how WR coach Lanear Sampson rotates his players. Lewis’ offenses in the past relied heavily on the starters. Usually, only three to four players had 20+ receptions in a given season.

Projected Starters: Louis Brown IV, Ja’Shaun Poke, Mekhi Shaw

Health is the biggest question for the wide receiver room at SDSU. The projected starters above missed Fan Fest with various injuries. Their extent is unknown, but Schmidt said the timetables for each player is different suggesting one or more of them might not be ready for the first game.

Of the group, Poke is the most intriguing. At practice, he’s looked healthy enough to play and the staff has said they are being smart with his workload. On the field, Poke offers the big play ability that will give defensive coordinators pause in committing bodies to try and stop the run.

Poke has the speed, elusiveness, route running, and experience in the offense to take a short pass the distance. If the deep ball is limited this season, Poke’s place in the offense is even more important. He was approaching game-changer status at Kent State before he and Lewis separated last season. Reuniting in San Diego could see Poke have the best season of his career.

With Poke sidelined often this offseason, WR Jordan Napier has stepped into the slot and excelled. Napier’s athleticism to play inside is special for someone 6-foot-2, 200 lbs. Napier is still raw. His footwork and experience in making difficult catches is still a work in progress, but what he brings to the field was apparent at the scrimmage.

Safety Tayvion Beasley is really a nickel corner. Covering Napier in the slot, he gave up three inches and 25 pounds. On one short completion, Napier turned and bullied Beasley with a powerful stiff arm, turning a minimal gain into a big play.

Poke and Napier offer a great contrast for Lewis to exploit. Teams might be forced to play smaller DBs who can stay with Poke but bigger athletes to watch Napier.

"(Napier)’s really jumped onto the scene,” Schmidt said. “He obviously got more opportunity with guys being down and all that. I think he’s a great learning example for other guys with similar opportunities. … He’s been committed to it. He’s really making a difference and you can see the steady improvement he’s made through camp."

“The thing that jumps out to me, being a front guy, is when he touches the ball, he makes something happen with it. That is one trait being a skilled player. He’s not an easy takedown. He’s got great contact balance. He’s always pushing the ball north after the catch.”

Tight End Position Grade: D+
As EVT has pointed out all offseason, tight end is the most important skill position for the Aztecs. SDSU’s no-huddle offense prevents its opponents from substituting and matching up with the style the Aztecs are employing.

Varying formations is the best way to maximize this advantage. The tight end allows the offense to do that. The base personnel of three wide receivers, a tight end, and a running back can be vanilla because there are only so many skills four of those skill position athletes bring to a contest.

SDSU tight ends will be called on to block more often than they go for a pass, so their physicality and footwork are critical. They could be lined up in the backfield like a fullback or from the line of scrimmage charged with pulling into a hole as a lead blocker. They might be tasked with handling a defensive lineman one-on-one or chipping an opponent at the line. Split out wide, they could attack the seam or force a linebacker to cover them in space.

Projected Starter: Michael Harrison

The tight end position’s grade reflects the uncertainty at the position. 2023’s two deep, Mark Redman and Cam Harpole, are expected to start for Louisville and Arizona State. In their place will be Jude Wolfe, Michael Harrison, and Logan Tanner.

Wolfe has the attributes to excel, but injuries have prevented him from playing. His footwork as a blocker is not refined. At Fan Fest, he competed with the offense that O’Neil led, and the team did not move the ball as effectively as when Duffy and Harrison were in the game.

Harrison transferred from Colorado and brings a swagger to the team. He is undersized and is more of a slow wide receiver than a tight end. But he gets the job done. He embodies the “so what, now what” culture Lewis is trying to create. Depending on Harrison in 2024 will help the seeds of Lewis’ philosophy to take root.

“He is competitive,” Schmidt replied when asked how Harrison gets the job done despite his low weight. “He’s really smart. He knows his strengths. He eliminates any size limitations with the way he plays with his strengths. He finds windows (in the passing game), and he’s got great courage across the middle, which always helps an inside receiver.”

Offensive Line Position Grade: B
Potential and production never married for SDSU’s offensive lines the past two seasons. Despite the poor play, many in the group are part of the two-deeps of Power 4 schools.

Despite the defections, the talent in this year’s room might be on par with last season. Even if they are not, exceeding last year’s play should be an expectation. Lewis’ system is more favorable for offensive linemen because it makes their reads easier.

SDSU’s spread offense and the tempo of Aztec Fast dictate the scheme defenses can employ. Getting the play called and communicated while providing enough time to line up properly is a challenge Lewis’ system creates.

Exotic blitz packages are limited because they require teamwork and communication. One defender reacting slowly could result in a huge play for the Aztecs. The best strategy is to play the scheme the defense is most comfortable in so they can play fast.

Movement is also emphasized for the line. Pulling and getting a full head of steam gives the offense a different look while aiding in creating better blocking angles at the point of attack.

Projected Starters: LT Joe Borjon, LG Myles Murao, C Brayden Bryant
RG Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli, RT Nate Williams

Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli and Myles Murao were two of the three most consistent performers for the Aztecs last year. Both competed at new positions. After the season, they had surgeries and have spent the offseason working back to full health. If they can take the next step in their development, SDSU’s line could be strong up the middle.

Their absence during Spring Camp revealed the lack of depth behind them. It continues to be a work in progress. Schmidt has had the players rotating frequently in Fall Camp to find a competent two-deep. One discovery during this process has been Christian Jones’ ability to play guard.

Schmidt praised Jones’ play at Fan Fest as the best he has seen from the 6-foot-9 offensive lineman. The staff believes they have two quality left tackles. How Jones fits into the line remains to be seen, but earning a starting job inside could also be in the cards.

SDSU’s staff did an excellent job adding linemen in the offseason to replace those who departed. Transfers Joe Borjon, Nate Williams, and Brayden Bryant will likely start. Tennesse State transfer Nico Green left the team on Wednesday. He was in the two-deep at the start of camp.

“(Williams') got so much experience to him, my challenge to him was … that the film he puts out there this year you see an improvement from where it was a year ago,” Schmidt explained. “I want to have that impact on him where you can see a guy late in his career still make those jumps in his play.”

Prediction

Lewis’ first year as a head coach at Kent State in 2018, the Golden Flashes ranked No. 105 in the country averaging 23.9 points a game. In year two, they jumped to 29.2 points, No. 63 in the nation. SDSU’s offense should follow a similar track with significant improvement in 2025.

Compared to Kent, the growth will be more qualitative than quantitative. They’ll score a similar amount but play a better brand of football.

In 2024, the Aztecs have the components for a solid offensive attack. They have an older, experienced offensive line blocking for a great college running back and a coach who will be dedicated to pounding the rock. As entertaining as passing is, the team that runs the ball best usually wins.

The offense will be improved from last season, helping the Aztecs reach bowl eligibility.