Redshirt junior cornerback King Holder, the most experienced returning cornerback, picks off a pass in the bowl game vs. BYU. (Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations)
Who’s gone
- CB Leon McFadden
- CB Josh Wade
Projected starters (2012 stats)
- CB #35 King Holder – RS Jr., 5-foot-10, 165 pounds (33 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, five pass break-ups)
- CB #21 Mahbu Keels – RS Jr., 6-foot-1, 175 pounds (N/A)
Key reserves (2012 stats)
- CB #34 J.J. Whittaker – RS Jr., 5-foot-10, 180 pounds (N/A)
- CB #23 Damontae Kazee – RS Fr., 5-foot-11, 175 pounds (N/A – redshirt year)
- CB #13 Pierre Romain – RS So., 5-foot-8, 165 pounds (10 tackles)
- CB #16 David Lamar – RS Jr., 6-foot-2, 180 pounds (six tackles)
Players to watch
- CB #34 J.J. Whittaker – RS Jr., 5-foot-10, 180 pounds – A highly touted recruit out of Oceanside High School, Whittaker has had a serious streak of bad luck as he has been bitten by the injury bug the last three seasons. After tearing his ACL twice in his firs two years and breaking a bone in his shoulder last season, Whittaker has yet to see any game action. Fortunately, he returned towards the end of the 2012 season and practiced with the scout team. Look for Whittaker to finally get his chance to see the field in 2013. He has all the tools to be a solid player for the Aztecs, and if he can stay healthy, he will be an important contributor and may compete for a starting role.
- CB #23 Damontae Kazee – RS Fr., 5-foot-11, 175 pounds – Although he has yet to see the field after redshirting in 2012, expect Kazee to make a name for himself in spring practices. He has great bloodlines, as Aztec fans spent the last four years idolizing his brother, former running back Walter Kazee, for his incredible toughness and willpower. Look for Damontae Kazee to bring that same toughness on the defensive side of the ball, locking down wide receivers and stepping up in run support when needed.
- DB #31 Tony Bell – RS So., 6-foot-1, 180 pounds – As a true freshman in 2011, Bell was listed as a cornerback, but eventually redshirted and moved to safety the following season. Don’t be surprised if the coaching staff considers another move and he ends up back where he started. With a ton of depth at safety, the switch could be beneficial for Bell and the Aztecs, as he could likely contribute sooner at the cornerback position.
2013 Commitments
As of now, Billy Vaughn Jr., Addison Morrow and Kalan Montgomery are three commits who will likely play cornerback. Don’t be surprised if Montgomery, a three-star recruit, makes a push for playing time in the fall. Vaughn Jr. possesses a good combination of size and speed and could also potentially see playing time as a true freshman, but it is likely that he, along with Morrow, will redshirt in 2013.
Analysis
The cornerback position is a serious question mark for the San Diego State defense entering the 2013 season. With McFadden and Wade leaving, the Aztecs need to find two new starters from a group of mostly young, inexperienced players.
Luckily for San Diego State, Holder finished the 2012 season playing at a high level and had an exceptional performance in the bowl game. Expect him to secure one of the starting cornerback spots early on.
The question of who starts alongside Holder is where the uncertainty arises, as none of the other cornerbacks have seen significant playing time on defense. Romain and Lamar saw action on special teams in 2012, and both could make a push for one of the starting spots in 2013. Between those two, Keels, Whittaker and Kazee, look for a heated competition through spring practice and fall camp to determine the other starter.
Keels appears to be the frontrunner, as he is a physical corner with good size and will be entering his fourth season with the Aztecs. Don’t be surprised if Kazee turns some heads in the offseason as well, and forces the coaching staff to consider giving him a chance despite his youth and lack of experience. If Whittaker is able to stay healthy, he could also make a push for a starting job.
Prediction
Holder will have at least three interceptions in 2013, and return one of them for a touchdown.
2013 Season Preview: Home
2013 Season Preview: Defensive Line
2013 Season Preview: Linebackers
Stay tuned tomorrow for a preview on the safeties of the 2013 San Diego State Aztecs
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by Hunter Hewitt
GO AZTECS
Aztecs For Life | SDSU Blog 
Prediction: If he can keep his fragile posterior healthy, Whittaker will be a starter by mid-season. Hang in there, Matt
I couldn’t agree more. He’s very physically strong and mentally tough now after being a weight room warrior the best three seasons. Hope he can stay healthy, a lot of the potential is still there.
seems to me lack of experience is going to be a problem in a man to man defnese,not in assignments so much as execution. do you think Coach Long may play more zone next year if he can find shut down corners.If the pass ruch improves as much as I think it will then we will be oK. If not He may have to vary it up. Maybe run a 3-3 stack sometimes.Or put one of his big linebackers in a three point, then zone blitz on occasion,.Largent,,Seau and Harris can be versatile. Holder and Pierre come to the ball quickly but Pierre is over matched against big wide outs. Lamar has the size and speed if he can get his technique down and those hips around a bit quicker. Kazee has all the tools as does Whitaker.
I’m sure Coach Long will tailor his defensive play calling to his personnel. He will get a feel for the guys he has throughout spring ball and fall camp. I really believe the improved pass rush will be key
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