2013 San Diego State Spring Football Analysis

2013 San Diego State Aztecs ... Head Coach: Rocky Long

San Diego State Aztecs

2013 Schedule
Not Yet Released

Why To Be Excited The Aztecs quietly put together a nice season that ended with a thud, losing to BYU in an ugly bowl performance. Along the way, through, they pushed Washington, battles in losses to San Jose State and Fresno State, and cost the Mountain West a shot at a BCS appearance with a win over Boise State. Now they should be even better. Depending on the alignment, 18 starters could be back including Adam Muema, a terrific back who’s on the verge of a national breakout season. The entire defensive front six returns after leading the conference against the run.

Why To Be Grouchy There aren’t many losses, but they’ll sting. Leon McFadden was one of the league’s best corners, and tight end Gavin Escobar was a terrific all-around tight end who led the team in receiving. They’ll each be in the NFL next year. Also gone are center Alec Johnson and right guard Nik Embernate, two strong run blockers in the interior. Solid placekicker Chance Marden was a difference maker, but now he’s gone.

What Needs Working On The passing game needs some help. It was efficient and occasionally effective when it had to be, and Rocky Long’s teams revolve around the grinding ground game, but the Aztecs were too mediocre throwing the ball. Adam Dingwell wasn’t bad after taking over the job, but the bad days were costly including a three pick, 144-yard day in the bowl loss to BYU. He gave up at least one interception in each of the last five games after a nearly perfect game to beat Nevada. This spring he has to make the offense his.

Team Concerns For 2013: The Aztecs don't have any gaping holes with 20 starters returning, but finding a couple of good starting corners is a must after losing Leon McFadden and Josh Wade. The pass defense wasn't exactly a rock with those two, giving up over 3,000 yards and having problems on third downs. The offense has to be better at hanging on to the ball after giving it away 25 times, and penalties were also a wee bit of an issue.

The 2013 Class Is Heavy On ... Defensive back. The defensive line is getting two fantastic prospects in Dakota Turner and Jordan Watson, and the receiving corps is getting some help with Julius Wilson and Joe Morrow two good-sized targets, but this class is about the secondary with corners Charles Okonkwo and Kalan Montgomery along with safety Marcus Stamps leading a loaded group. It's not a stretch to call this the Mountain West's best area of improvement this recruiting season. Sergio Phillips will soon be the team's starting center.

2012 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 73. That Class Was Heavy On ... After years of loading up with skill players, now the Aztecs need to do more for the defensive side. Linebackers appears to be set for the next few years, but the line will get more bodies even though there’s a young group already ready to do more in the 3-4. Head coach Rocky Long likes big offensive linemen, and he’s bringing in some great-looking tackles; this could turn out to be the best haul of blockers in the Mountain West. 

2011 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 93. That Class Was Heavy On ... Skill players. New head coach Rocky Long is bringing in a huge class, and while there aren’t a lot of superstars after the departure of Brady Hoke, there are enough good players on offense to start pounding the rock the way the new staff wants to. QB Chad Jeffries and RB Brandon Wright will have to wait their turn for a few years, but they’re strong talents who’ll be the future, while WR Jemond Hazely and TE Sam Meredith will be a big part of the passing game.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 72. That Class Was Heavy On ... Offensive linemen. Brady Hoke has worked on improving the skill talent over the last two seasons, and this class was built to allow all the new players to shine. This was a big class that addressed several areas, but the best players were on the offensive front led by JUCO transfer Juan Bolanos, a massive player who'll be thrown into the rotation right away. Emmanuel Beavers and Zach Dilley who'll be the cornerstones for the future. JUCO transfers Riley Gauld and Joe Unga will also be counted on early.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 87. That Class Was Heavy On ... Skill positions. New head coach Brady Hoke needs to bring in the playmakers, and he has them in bunches with a few prospects for all the skill spots. QB Jake Bernard is a good-looking option for the near future, and Osmond Nicholas should be an eventual No. 1 target. The class is also big on corners, arguably the strength of the class, with several options coming in including Nat Berhe and Marcus Andrews.