2013 SDSU Football Season Preview: Special Teams

January 11, 2013June 17, 2013 / Hunter O. Hewitt / Leave a comment

Seamus McMorrow, who recorded 33 touchbacks in 2012, will resume kickoff duties, and possibly more, in 2013. (Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations)

Who’s gone

K Chance Marden

Projected starters (2012 stats)

K/P #17 Seamus McMorrow – So., 5-foot-11, 190 pounds (Punting: 41.7 yard average, 13 punts inside 20 ; Kickoffs: 33 touchbacks)
LS #60 Jeff Overbaugh – So., 6-foot-2, 240 pounds (52-52 on PATs, 14-14 on field goals, 48-48 on punts)
KR #24 Colin Lockett – RS Sr., 6-foot, 180 pounds (30 kickoff returns, 777 yards, two touchdowns, 25.9 yards per return)
PR #41 Tim Vizzi – RS Sr., 5-foot-10, 170 pounds (13 punt returns, 95 yards, 7.3 yards per return)

Key reserves/Players to watch

P #77 Joel Alesi – RS Jr., 6-foot, 235 pounds – If punting and kicking duties appear to be too much for McMorrow, expect Alesi to take over as the punter. Alesi saw action in two games in 2012 and punted six times for an average of 43.5 yards per punt, so he is a very reliable option if needed.
K #49 Wes Feer – Sr., 5-foot-11, 205 pounds – Similar to the Alesi option, San Diego State could try the combination of McMorrow at punter and Feer at kicker. A junior college transfer, Feer joined the team in the spring of 2012, and he will be determined to compete for the kicking job in his final season.
KR #33 Brandon Wright – RS So., 5-foot-11, 205 pounds – In the final three games of the 2012 season, teams were often afraid to kick the ball to Lockett due to his big playmaking ability. Keep an eye on Wright, as he will likely be on the field for kickoff returns as the second return man. Opposing teams may look to kick the ball in his direction to play it safe and avoid Lockett.

2013 Commitments
Currently, San Diego State has no commitments at punter, kicker, or long snapper.

Analysis
For a team replacing its entire kicking and snapping unit, San Diego State exceeded expectations with above average special teams play in 2012. McMorrow and Overbaugh proved to be great finds by the coaching staff, as both came in and played extremely well as true freshmen.

McMorrow was nearly flawless on kickoffs in the second half of the season, recording a touchback almost every time. Look for him to keep the kickoff job in 2013, and possibly be the starting punter and kicker as well. If all three appear to be too much for McMorrow, expect the coaching staff to flirt with the combination of Alesi at punter and McMorrow at kicker or McMorrow at punter and Feer at kicker.

In the return game, playmakers Lockett and Vizzi return in 2013 to lead what should be a key component of the Aztecs’ special teams. Lockett nearly broke the school record for most kickoff return yards in a season in 2012, but was rarely kicked to in the final three games and missed opportunities. He is just 51 yards shy of surpassing the record of former San Diego State receiver Monty Gilbreath (1986-1989) for most career kickoff return yards in school history.

Prediction
McMorrow will have over 40 touchbacks on kickoffs in 2013.

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

Stay tuned tomorrow for a preview on the wide receivers of the 2013 San Diego State Aztecs

by Hunter Hewitt

GO 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: Safeties

January 10, 2013June 17, 2013 / Hunter O. Hewitt / 6 Comments

Nat Berhe (20) and Eric Pinkins (27), two of the top tacklers on the Aztec defense, both return in 2013 to lead an experienced group of safeties. (Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations)

Who’s gone
No one.

Projected starters (2012 stats)

WAR #27 Eric Pinkins – RS Sr., 6-foot-3, 215 pounds (65 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, three interceptions, two pass break-ups, one fumble recovery, one defensive touchdown)
AZ #20 Nat Berhe – RS Sr., 5-foot-11, 190 pounds (94 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, five pass break-ups, one fumble recovery)
WAR #39 Rene Siluano – Sr., 5-foot-10, 180 pounds (31 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, one pass break up, one forced fumble)

Note: WAR is the Warrior safety position, AZ is the Aztec safety position

Key reserves (2012 stats)

WAR #26 Marcus Andrews – RS Sr., 6-foot, 190 pounds (27 tackles, one interception, four pass break-ups, one fumble recovery)
WAR #6 Gabe Lemon – RS Sr., 5-foot-10, 195 pounds (31 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two pass break-ups)
AZ #30 Darius Guillory – RS So., 5-foot-10, 185 pounds (Nine tackles)
AZ/WAR #33 Brandon Wright – RS So., 5-foot-11, 205 pounds (Two tackles)

Players to watch

AZ #20 Nat Berhe – RS Sr., 5-foot-11, 190 pounds – The leading tackler on the Aztec defense, Berhe finished the 2012 season with 94 total tackles. Keep an eye on him throughout the year as he nears a spot in the top 10 in school history for total tackles and solo tackles. Through three seasons, Berhe has 137 solo tackles and 200 total tackles. Former safety Chris Johnson (1990-1993) currently sits at No. 10 all-time with 168 solo tackles, while former safety Darrell Lewis (1991-1993) is ranked 10th in school history with 279 total tackles. See below for a list of the top 10 tacklers in San Diego State history, both total and solo.

AZ/WAR #33 Brandon Wright – RS So., 5-foot-11, 205 pounds – Due to a ton of depth at running back, Wright was moved to safety during fall camp in 2012. Although he was able to contribute on special teams, notably kickoff returns, the sudden switch made it hard for him to see the field on defense. Look for Wright to continue to play well on special teams, but also make a push for playing time on the defensive side of the ball with a full offseason to better learn his new position.

2013 Commitments
San Diego State currently has four safety commits, but don’t expect any of them to jump ahead of the veteran safeties on the depth chart. If Trey Lomax, Joe Morrow, Brandon Porter and Malik Smith sign with Aztecs as planned, all four will almost undoubtedly redshirt.

Analysis
San Diego State returns a very experienced group of safeties, and along with the linebackers, they are the clear strength of the defense. With five seniors, each with significant playing time throughout their careers, expect this group to be a dominant force in 2013.

Berhe has been a tackling machine in his three seasons with the Aztecs, and look for him to continue his stellar play. Pinkins, a physical specimen at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, is an aggressive, hard-hitting safety who displayed his playmaking ability in 2012. He returned an interception for a touchdown against Fresno State, and almost did the same against BYU had it not been for an illegal block penalty.

Siluano, Andrews and Lemon have shown to be solid players over the past three seasons, and all will see the field often as Rocky Long likes to rotate his defensive players. Keep an eye on Siluano and Andrews throughout spring practice and fall camp as they battle for the third starting spot alongside Berhe and Pinkins.

Guillory, Wright, Stan Sedberry and Tony Bell, all redshirt sophomores, are four younger safeties who will play a key role on special teams in 2013, and could potentially see time on defense. It will be an important year of development for the young safeties (Add redshirt freshman Kendrick Mathis to the bunch), as they will be heavily relied on in 2014 when the five seniors above them are gone.

Prediction
Nat Berhe will finish his collegiate career in the top 10 in school history in total tackles and solo tackles, and will be a first-team all-conference selection in 2013.

2013 Season Preview: Home
2013 Season Preview: Defensive Line
2013 Season Preview: Linebackers
2013 Season Preview: Cornerbacks

Stay tuned tomorrow for a preview on the special teams of the 2013 San Diego State Aztecs

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS

2013 SDSU Football Season Preview: Cornerbacks

January 9, 2013June 17, 2013 / Hunter O. Hewitt / 14 Comments

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

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS

Aztecs For Life | SDSU Blog

Once you're an Aztec, you're an #AztecForLife

Aztec for life

2013 SDSU Football Season Preview: Special Teams

2013 SDSU Football Season Preview: Safeties

2013 SDSU Football Season Preview: Cornerbacks