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Athlon Sports
San Jose State Football: 2024 Spartans Season Preview and Prediction
By Athlon Sports,
20 days ago
With 12 starters lost to graduation, another projected six starters transferring out and a new coaching staff, Year 1 of the Ken Niumatalolo era at San Jose State may be a bit bumpy. Former coach Brent Brennan established a solid foundation in the latter half of his tenure. While 2024 may be an adjustment period, this program has shown it can enjoy success when it has some momentum.
Will the Spartans be running Navy’s famed triple-option attack with former Midshipmen head coach Ken Niumatalolo taking over for Brent Brennan? The answer is no. New offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann has labeled his attack the “Spread and Shred,” which sounds nothing like the ground-oriented offense Niumatalolo employed for 15 years.
Who will lead this nifty-sounding offense has yet to be determined. Jay Butterfield was QB2 last year for San José State, throwing 11 passes in relief of first-team All-Mountain West QB Chevan Cordeiro. He has competition from Walker Eget, Tyler Voss, Emmett Brown, and Sam Houston transfer Xavier Ward as the staff implements a new system.
Projected starting running back Quali Conley transferred to Arizona. Jakob Galloway, who missed last season due to injury, is a player to watch in the backfield. Wide receiver Nick Nash heads a strong position group, and he could play his way into NFL Draft conversation.
The tight end group is deep, headed Skyler Loving-Black after Sam Olson transferred to Arizona. The offensive line needs to be rebuilt after losing three starters to graduation and a fourth, Fernando Carmona Jr., to transfer (Arkansas).
The defense that ranked No. 44 in the nation will again be led by coordinator Derrick Odum, who was retained by Niumatalolo.
Gone, however, is the unit’s only first-team All-MWC player in defensive lineman Tre Smith, who is now at Arizona. Soane Toia, who earned second-team honors himself, will lead the front line, but there are a lot of questions after that.
At linebacker, leading tackler Byron Parham departed for Washington, leaving Jordan Pollard and Jordan Cobbs, who returns after missing 2023 with injury, as the main cogs in the middle of the defense. In the secondary, the starting corners will be solid, with Michael Dansby and former Virginia Tech transfer DJ Harvey.
Ken Niumatalolo inherits just two returning starters on San Jose State's defense for 2024.
Previewing San Jose State's Specialists for 2024
Kicker Kyler Halvorsen is back after making 10-of-15 field-goal attempts, but his long for the season was just 41 yards, so he is looking to add to his range. At punter, there is a two-man battle between former Colorado transfer Trent Carrizosa and Dino Beslagic.
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