Aztecs for life

Meet the Aztecs: Q&A with Matt Morin

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 1 Comment

Photo Credit: Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations

The 16th in a daily series of Q&A’s with the 2012 signing class.

Matt Morin is a 6-foot-2, 220-pound quarterback from Temecula, Calif. He comes to San Diego State from Chaparral High School, where he was a was a first-team all-league selection his senior year. Morin has a strong arm and the ability to tuck the ball and run, making him a dual-threat to defenses. At Chaparral, Morin was teammates with fellow 2012 signee Teddy Queen and current Aztec safety Darius Guillory.

To get a head start, Morin graduated from high school a semester early and enrolled at SDSU in the spring semester of 2012, which enabled him to join the team for spring practices. With three veteran quarterbacks currently on the roster, Morin will use his redshirt for the 2012 season, but will likely compete for the starting job in 2013. He will wear No. 11 for the Aztecs.

GoAztecs.com player profile
Rivals recruiting page

Q: How has your experience at San Diego State been so far?
A: It’s going very well. School is a little hard getting used to but other than that it’s going well.

Q: What do you like so far about the city of San Diego?
A: I’d have to say the weather. It can’t get much better than 75 degrees every day.

Q: How were the offseason workouts for you?
A: They were really hard at first, but Coach Hall has done a good job of getting us into great shape and it’s getting better.

Q: What is your major and what type of career aspirations do you have outside of football?
A: My major is criminal justice. I’d like to follow in my dad’s footsteps and be a sheriff when I’m older.

Q: What do you like to do during your spare time?
A: I like to play golf when I have some time off.

Q: Who are your favorite professional sports teams?
A: The Green Bay Packers are my favorite football team and the Boston Red Sox are my favorite baseball team.

Q: Is there any athlete that you look up to or try to model your game after?
A: I like Aaron Rodgers.

Q: If you weren’t a football player, what sport would you be playing?
A: Baseball. I would be a pitcher.

Q: What has the transition from high school to Division 1 football been like?
A: There is a lot more discipline in everything you do. You have to focus on the details of everything.

Q: There have been rumors of a YouTube video of you throwing the ball 77 yards. How far can you throw a football?
A: I think I can throw the ball about 77-80 yards. That one pass went about 77 yards so I think I can throw it about that far.

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS

Meet the Aztecs: Q&A with Eric Judge

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 2 Comments

Photo Credit: Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations

The 15th in a daily series of Q&A’s with the 2012 signing class.

Eric Judge is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound wide receiver from San Diego, Calif. He comes to San Diego State after playing at San Diego High School, where he excelled at both wide receiver and defensive back. A former track runner, Judge has a good combination of size and speed, and has the potential to be a big playmaker for the Aztecs. In 2010, he ran the 100-meter in 10.8 seconds.

Judge will likely redshirt in 2012, but will be competing for playing time by the 2013 season. He will have the opportunity to learn from wide receivers coach LeCharls McDaniel, who has a knack for developing NFL prospects at receiver. Judge will wear No. 81 for the Aztecs.

GoAztecs.com player profile
Rivals recruiting page

 

Q: Why did you choose SDSU?
A: I chose SDSU because it’s local, and because I think it’s the best place for me to have a successful football career.

Q: How were the summer workouts for you?
A: The summer workouts were really hard at first. The hardest thing for me was the leg workouts. I couldn’t walk for like four days after them because I was so sore.

Q: Have you picked your major yet?
A: I am going in undecided. Right now I just want to get the feel for college first and get settled in.

Q: What are you most excited for leading up to your first semester at San Diego State?
A: I am excited for the campus lifestyle and being on my own.

Q: What do you like to do during your spare time?
A: I like to sleep as much as I can during my spare time. Football is wearing me out so I try to relax.

Q: Who are your favorite professional sports teams?
A: The Philadelphia Eagles are my favorite football team.

Q: Is there any athlete that you look up to or try to model your game after?
A: I try to do my own thing and try to make myself the best player I can be. I am a fan of Desean Jackson and Michael Vick, though.

Q: If you weren’t a football player, what sport would you be playing?
A: Nothing. Football is the first sport I played and the only sport I like.

Q: Since you are from San Diego, what is your favorite thing about the city?
A: I would have to say the beaches. Sometimes it gets a little hot but other than that San Diego is a good place to be.

Q: What is your most memorable sports moment from high school?
A: My senior year against El Camino in the first round of the playoffs, I had an 80-yard run from the wildcat formation. We were down by six and there was under a minute left. We ended up scoring on that drive and winning the game by one point.

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS

Meet the Aztecs: Q&A with Nico Siragusa

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 1 Comment

Photo Credit: Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations

The 14th in a daily series of Q&A’s with the 2012 signing class.

Nico Siragusa is a 6-foot-5, 315-pound offensive lineman from Chula Vista, Calif. A local product, Siragusa comes to San Diego State from Mater Dei Catholic High School, where he was an All-CIF first-team selection and first-team all-state. Siragusa picked SDSU over several other schools that showed interest, and he is a perfect example of keeping local talent in San Diego.

Siragusa is still very new to the game of football, as he has only played the sport for two years. It wasn’t until his junior year that Siragusa transitioned from baseball and basketball and began playing football. With Division 1 coaching and training, Siragusa has the potential to be a solid contributor on the offensive line for years to come as he matures and learns more about the game. He will wear No. 56 for the Aztecs.

GoAztecs.com player profile
Rivals recruiting page

Q: Why did you choose SDSU?
A: I chose SDSU because it’s my hometown. I love the atmosphere and the environment. I love where it’s going and I like the program overall.

Q: How were the summer workouts for you?
A: The summer workouts were hard. They were the hardest workouts I’ve ever done. The plate pushes and the lunges were really tough.

Q: Have you picked your major yet?
A: I want to major in communication. Eventually I would want to be an analyst on ESPN, that would be really cool.

Q: What are you most excited for leading up to your first semester at San Diego State?
A: I am just excited for getting into the mix of school and being on my own. I’m excited for the season to start too it’s going to be fun.

Q: What do you like to do during your spare time?
A: I’m a pretty chill guy. I like to hang out with my friends, go lift weights, go to the beach, all that stuff.

Q: Who are your favorite professional sports teams?
A: I’m an Oakland Raiders fan even though I’m from San Diego. I also like the Padres and the Lakers.

Q: Is there any athlete that you look up to or try to model your game after?
A: I try to model my game after Maurkice Pouncey of the Pittsburgh Steelers because he’s a beast. I also like to watch Derek Jeter, Kobe Bryant, and Lebron James.

Q: If you weren’t a football player, what sport would you be playing?
A: I’d probably be playing baseball. I played varsity my freshman and sophomore year, but after that I didn’t want to play anymore because of football and basketball.

Q: Since you are from San Diego, what is your favorite thing about the city?
A: I like the weather, the people, and all the fun things there are to do. San Diego is the greatest city on earth.

Q: What is your most memorable sports moment from high school?
A: In the Spanos All-Star Classic, I was playing with all my friends from other high schools that I never got to play with. On one of the last plays, I pulled from left guard and I made a key block to help us win the game.

By Hunter Hewitt