2012 sdsu football

2013 SDSU Football Season Preview: Tight Ends

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 8 Comments
Adam Roberts blocks

San Diego State tight end Adam Roberts, who caught the game-winning two-point conversion against Nevada last season, returns in 2013. (Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations)

Who’s gone

  • TE D.J. Shields
  • TE Hunter Hewitt
  • TE Gavin Escobar

Projected starter (2012 stats)

  • TE #44 Adam Roberts – Jr., 6-foot-3, 235 pounds (3 catches, 23 yards, one touchdown)

Key reserves/Players to watch

  • TE #87 Aaron Boesch – RS So., 6-foot-5, 230 pounds – After using his redshirt season last year, expect Boesch to see the field often in 2013. The athleticism and skills are there, but how much he plays will depend on the strength and size he is able to gain in the offseason. If he is able to get stronger and add 10-15 pounds, look for him to be a solid contributor on offense and special teams next year.
  • TE David Wells – Fr., 6-foot-5, 230 pounds – True freshman rarely come in and play right away at San Diego State, but losing three players from a position group is just as rare. A three-star recruit, look for Wells to show up in fall camp and compete for playing time immediately next season. With an impressive skill set and a good combination of size and speed, Wells has a legitimate chance to make an impact as a true freshman.
  • TE #85 Dominique Bierria – Jr., 6-foot-5, 215 pounds – A relatively unknown recruit, Bierria comes from Santa Monica City College and Carson High School in Los Angeles. At 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, he is a big target, but will need to add weight if he wants to play at the Division 1 level. Bierria will join the Aztecs in the spring and participate in spring practices, and his ability to join the team immediately will dramatically increase his chances of playing next season. Keep an eye on him throughout the offseason to track his progress.

2013 Commitments
San Diego State has two tight end commits in the 2013 recruiting class. David Wells and junior college transfer Dominique Bierria are expected to sign with the Aztecs, and both will make a push for playing time next season.

Analysis
In the past, San Diego State’s offensive coordinators have relied heavily on two-tight end sets. With newly hired offensive coordinator Bob Toledo, it is unsure if this will be the case.

Toledo plans to run a pro-style offensive, similar to what former offensive coordinators Andy Ludwig and Al Borges ran, but with three tight ends leaving, he will likely cater his play-calling tendencies to his strengths.

While there is plenty of talent among the tight end group in 2013, experience is lacking, as Roberts is the only returning tight end who played last season. This will likely lead to fewer two-tight end formations and more sets with a fullback or a third wide receiver. The Aztecs won’t abandon the tight end completely, however, as Roberts, Boesch and likely one or two others will see playing time next season. Expect Wells, Bierria, and redshirt junior Mike Miller to compete for playing time in fall camp. Also, don’t be surprised if the coaches flirt with the idea of moving former tight end and current defensive lineman Robert Craighead back to his original position. If this switch occurs, look for Craighead, a redshirt sophomore, to be in the mix for immediate playing time as well.

One thing to keep an eye on is the involvement of Toledo with the tight ends from a coaching standpoint. Because it already has the maximum number of assistants, San Diego State will not be able to hire a tight ends coach once again in 2013. The Aztecs were able to get away with not having a designated tight ends coach in years past because of the depth and experience of the tight ends, but things will be different next season.

Last season, Ludwig was listed as the tight ends coach and first-year graduate assistant Dorian Keller helped out with the position. With a young and inexperienced group, it is imperative that Toledo pays close attention to the tight ends throughout the offseason, as they will need his wisdom and expertise to progress and improve.

Prediction
Wells or Bierria will see significant playing time in their first season with the Aztecs in 2013.

2013 Season Preview: Home
2013 Season Preview: Defensive Line
2013 Season Preview: Linebackers
2013 Season Preview: Cornerbacks
2013 Season Preview: Safeties
2013 Season Preview: Special Teams
2013 Season Preview: Wide Receivers
2013 Season Preview: Running Backs

Stay tuned tomorrow for a preview on the offensive lineman of the 2013 San Diego State Aztecs

LINKS:
Hunter Hewitt: WordPress – http://hunterhewitt.wordpress.com
Hunter Hewitt: Blogger – http://hunterhewitt.blogspot.com
Hunter Hewitt: LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: Twitter – http://twitter.com/hunterhewitt89
Hunter Hewitt: Facebook – http://facebook.com/hunterhewittSDSU
Hunter Hewitt: About.me – http://about.me/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: BrandYourself – http://hunterhewitt.brandyourself.com/
Hunter Hewitt: GoAztecs.com Player Profile – http://goaztecs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hewitt_hunter00.html
Hunter Hewitt: SDSU News Team Story: http://newscenter.sdsu.edu/sdsu_newscenter/news.aspx?s=73846

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS

2013 SDSU Football Season Preview: Running Backs

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 9 Comments
Muema runs with the ball

Adam Muema (4) and Chad Young (40) return in 2013 to lead an explosive ground attack for San Diego State. (Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations)

Who’s gone

  • RB Walter Kazee
  • FB Chris Gordert

Projected starters (2012 stats)

  • RB #4 Adam Muema – RS Jr., 5-foot-10, 205 pounds (237 carries, 1,458 yards, 16 touchdowns ; 9 catches, 147 yards, one touchdown)
  • FB #40 Chad Young – RS Sr., 5-foot-10, 230 pounds (2 carries, 13 yards ; 18 catches, 108 yards, three touchdowns)

Key reserves (2012 stats)

  • RB #22 Chase Price – RS So., 5-foot-8, 200 pounds (29 carries, 114 yards, one touchdown)
  • RB #32 De’Saan Hardwick – RS So., 5-foot-9, 190 pounds (N/A)
  • RB #7 Dwayne Garrett – RS So., 6-foot, 205 pounds (7 carries, 32 yards)

Players to watch

  • RB #22 Chase Price – RS So., 5-foot-8, 200 pounds – When Kazee went down in the final regular season game against Wyoming, Price stepped in and played well as the second running back, carrying the ball seven times for 41 yards. Keep an eye on him to see if he can continue his success late in the season and lock up the backup role behind Muema.
  • RB #32 De’Saan Hardwick – RS So., 5-foot-9, 190 pounds – Hardwick had an impressive fall camp in 2012, but was injured shortly before the season began and missed most of the year. A speedy and agile runner, Hardwick is arguably one of the fastest players on the team, and his skill set could help the Aztecs in 2013. Expect him to be fully healthy by spring practices and to make a push for the backup spot.

2013 Commitments
Currently, San Diego State has just one definite running back commit, Donnel Pumphrey out of Nevada. Although Pumphrey is a talented three-star recruit with several Division 1 offers, he will likely redshirt due to the amount of depth the Aztecs have at running back. Marcus Stamps has also committed, and although he will likely play running back, don’t be surprised if he ends up at linebacker. Due to the depth at both positions, it is a safe bet that he will redshirt at either spot.

Analysis
Entering the 2012 season, one of the biggest concerns surrounding San Diego State was the loss of star running back Ronnie Hillman, who left school early and was drafted in the third round by the Denver Broncos.

Luckily for the Aztecs, the two-headed monster of Muema and Kazee filled the void, and helped fans forget about Hillman with their exceptional play. Together, Muema and Kazee led a ground attack that was just as explosive, if not more, than it had been in years past, rushing for a combined 2,270 yards and 24 touchdowns.

With Kazee gone, expect Price, Hardwick and Garrett to compete for the second running back spot. Muema will continue to receive a majority of the carries, but San Diego State will likely use a second running back to spell him when he needs a rest.

Price is the frontrunner, as he showed his abilities last season when filling in for the injured Kazee. Hardwick could have potentially made a push for the third spot on the depth chart behind Muema and Kazee last season, but an injury a week before the season began kept him out for the majority of the year. Look for him to get several opportunities to show his talent in spring practices and fall camp.

Garrett has good size, but will need a strong offseason to climb the depth chart. Although just one of the four is likely to receive a significant number of carries, expect the other three to make an impact on special teams in 2013 (i.e., Garrett’s blocked punt vs. Boise State).

At the fullback position, look for the same hard-nosed, smash-mouth style of football from the third-year starter Young. He will continue to bulldoze through the hole and open running lanes for Muema and the other backs next season, and will also be utilized in the passing game. He displayed his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield last year, especially on play-action passes in goal-line and short-yardage situations, and will likely see more balls thrown his way in 2013.

Prediction
Muema will rush for over 1,600 yards in 2013. He will also see an increased role in the passing game and will have over 250 receiving yards.

2013 Season Preview: Home
2013 Season Preview: Defensive Line
2013 Season Preview: Linebackers
2013 Season Preview: Cornerbacks
2013 Season Preview: Safeties
2013 Season Preview: Special Teams
2013 Season Preview: Wide Receivers

Stay tuned tomorrow for a preview on the tight ends of the 2013 San Diego State Aztecs

LINKS:
Hunter Hewitt: WordPress – http://hunterhewitt.wordpress.com
Hunter Hewitt: Blogger – http://hunterhewitt.blogspot.com
Hunter Hewitt: LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: Twitter – http://twitter.com/hunterhewitt89
Hunter Hewitt: Facebook – http://facebook.com/hunterhewittSDSU
Hunter Hewitt About.me – http://about.me/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: BrandYourself – http://hunterhewitt.brandyourself.com/
Hunter Hewitt: GoAztecs.com Player Profile – http://goaztecs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hewitt_hunter00.html
Hunter Hewitt: SDSU News Team Story: http://newscenter.sdsu.edu/sdsu_newscenter/news.aspx?s=73846

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS

2013 SDSU Football Season Preview: Wide Receivers

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 6 Comments
Lockett runs with ball

After nearly posting a 1,000-yard season in 2011, Lockett saw a drop in his numbers last year. He will be back in 2013 for final season, and will be looking to go out with a strong senior campaign. (Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations)

Who’s gone

  • WR Dominique Sandifer
  • WR Brice Butler

Projected starters (2012 stats)

  • WR #24 Colin Lockett – RS Sr., 6-foot, 180 pounds (20 catches, 293 yards, two touchdowns ; 4 carries, 44 yards)
  • WR #3 Ezell Ruffin – RS Jr., 6-foot-1, 205 pounds (17 catches, 319 yards ; 4 carries, 21 yards)

Key reserves (2012 stats)

  • WR #10 Dylan Denso – RS Sr., 6-foot-2, 205 pounds (4 catches, 63 yards)
  • WR #41 Tim Vizzi – RS Sr., 5-foot-10, 175 pounds (9 catches, 99 yards, one touchdown ; one carry, 17 yards)
  • WR #80 Larry Clark – RS So., 6-foot-4, 210 pounds (N/A)
  • WR #86 Jemond Hazely – RS So., 6-foot-1, 185 pounds (One carry, 5 yards)

Players to watch

  • WR #10 Dylan Denso – RS Sr., 6-foot-2, 205 pounds – After having a breakout season in 2011, Denso was unable to match his prior production in 2012. Much of it was due to a broken finger suffered at the end of fall camp, which hindered him all season. That, along with the return of Sandifer and the addition of Butler, made it tough for Denso to replicate the 49 catches for 634 yards and three touchdowns he recorded in 2011. Don’t be surprised if Denso finds his way into the starting lineup next season, and even if he doesn’t, he will still see loads of playing time and have several balls thrown his way as the third wide receiver.
  • WR #80 Larry Clark – RS So., 6-foot-4, 210 pounds – A physical specimen, Clark was given the nickname “Babytron” last season by a teammate because his frame resembles that of NFL All-Pro wide receiver Calvin “Megatron” Johnson. After two seasons of development, expect Clark to finally break through in 2013 and be a solid contributor for the offense. A big target with strength and speed, Clark will likely come in on spread packages as the fourth receiver, and may be used in certain situations where his height and athleticism can cause matchup problems for opposing defenses.

2013 Commitments
San Diego State currently has one wide receiver commit, Julius Wilson from Culver City, Calif. Although it is likely he will redshirt due to the depth at his position, don’t be surprised if the talented three-star wide receiver finds his way onto the field as a true freshman.

Analysis
Although the Aztecs seemed to have a lot of talent at the wide receiver position in 2012, they relied heavily on their run game and tight end Gavin Escobar, who was their leading receiver with 543 yards (Butler recorded the second-highest total with 347 yards).

San Diego State loses Butler and Sandifer, but Lockett, Ruffin and Denso have started multiple games over the last two seasons and should not have any issues stepping up as the main targets. Lockett is the leader of the group, with career totals of 78 catches for 1,263 yards and 11 touchdowns. Similar to Denso, Lockett had lingering injury issues in 2012, as he suffered an ankle sprain early in the season and was often not at full strength. Look for him to bounce back next year and be a deep threat like he was in 2011 when he recorded 970 receiving yards.

Ruffin finally hit the scene in 2012, and broke out in the second game against Army with 5 catches for 152 yards. Following his breakout game, it seemed that the young wide receiver from Long Beach, Calif., was poised for a big season, but it ended up being his only 100-yard game of the year. Like Denso and Lockett, Ruffin also played through an injury in 2012, as he broke a bone in his hand near the middle of the season. Look for him to show his playmaking abilities even more in 2013 and have a solid year.

Newly hired offensive coordinator Bob Toledo said in an interview with the U-T San Diego that he wants to “throw the ball a little bit more than before,” and this will mean more production from Lockett, Ruffin and Denso. With Escobar and running back Walter Kazee gone, expect San Diego State to depend less on its running game and tight ends and more on its wide receivers.

Redshirt freshmen wide receivers Eric Judge and Lloyd Mills will likely need another year to mature and develop their bodies before they start climbing the depth chart. Both will be determined to see some action after redshirting last season, so keep an eye on these two, along with Paul Pitts III, to see if they can find their way onto the field as special teams contributors.

Prediction
After failing to have a wide receiver surpass 400 receiving yards in 2012, San Diego State will have three wide receivers with over 500 yards in 2013.

2013 Season Preview: Home
2013 Season Preview: Defensive Line
2013 Season Preview: Linebackers
2013 Season Preview: Cornerbacks
2013 Season Preview: Safeties
2013 Season Preview: Special Teams

Stay tuned tomorrow for a preview on the running backs of the 2013 San Diego State Aztecs

LINKS:
Hunter Hewitt: WordPress – http://hunterhewitt.wordpress.com
Hunter Hewitt: Blogger – http://hunterhewitt.blogspot.com
Hunter Hewitt: LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: Twitter – http://twitter.com/hunterhewitt89
Hunter Hewitt: Facebook – http://facebook.com/hunterhewittSDSU
Hunter Hewitt: About.me – http://about.me/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: BrandYourself – http://hunterhewitt.brandyourself.com/
Hunter Hewitt: GoAztecs.com Player Profile – http://goaztecs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hewitt_hunter00.html
Hunter Hewitt: SDSU News Team Story: http://newscenter.sdsu.edu/sdsu_newscenter/news.aspx?s=73846

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS