Jake Bernards

2013 SDSU Spring Football Recap

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 7 Comments
Following the annual Red and Black Game on Saturday, San Diego State capped off another productive spring football. (Ernie Anderson)

Following the annual Red and Black Game on Saturday, San Diego State capped off another productive spring football. (Ernie Anderson)

A little over a month ago, I gave fans the top 10 story lines to keep an eye on throughout San Diego State’s 2013 spring football practices.

After seeing a few practices and the spring scrimmage, here is my impression on each:

1. Bowl game recovery 
After a disappointing end to the 2012 season, there was concern that the team might take some time to recover emotionally, hindering their progression. After seeing the team this spring, however, the consensus is that the players have moved on and they are ready for bigger and better things in 2013.

Last season is over, and it is time for the 2013 San Diego State football team to move on and create its own legacy. This attitude amongst the players is greatly attributed to the culture that former head coach Brady Hoke instilled and current head coach Rocky Long has further developed.

2. Bob Toledo and his offense 

New offensive coordinator Bob Toledo during his first spring football with San Diego State. (Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations)

New offensive coordinator Bob Toledo during his first spring football with San Diego State. (Ernie Anderson)

Although new offensive coordinator Bob Toledo’s offense is very similar to what San Diego State has run in the past, there is a lot of new terminology that will take time to learn. Players will have the next several months to dive into their playbooks and hit the film room to become more comfortable with Toledo’s X’s and O’s.

One thing that was very refreshing to see was the creativity of Toledo, which was evident in the spring scrimmage. On the first drive, the Aztecs scored a 13-yard touchdown on a unique backwards lateral pass to former tight end and current left tackle Bryce Quigley. This play was a clear indication of what can be expected from San Diego State this season, as Toledo proved he is not afraid to run an occasional trick play.

3. New faces at tight end
Although the tight end position is still a bit of a concern, Robert Craighead has emerged as a reliable option. Adam Roberts suffered a foot injury, but it does not appear to be serious and he is expected to be healthy come fall. Craighead and Roberts will likely see the most playing time this year.

Junior college transfers Aaron Boesch, Dominique Bierria and Mike Miller have potential, but all three will need to continue to gain strength and size as they adjust to the Division 1 level. Keep an eye on their progression into the season.

Be sure to also look out for incoming freshmen David Wells and Darryl Richardson in the fall to see if they can come in and compete for playing time right away. San Diego State traditionally plays four tight ends, and it will be an open competition to see who will join Craighead and Roberts as the main contributors this season.

4. New faces at cornerback
King Holder, who was expected to fill one of the two vacant cornerback spots, missed spring due to an injury. This opened the door for players like Pierre Romain, J.J. Whittaker, Mahbu Keels and Damontae Kazee to prove their worth. Whittaker and Romain performed well throughout the spring, and Keels had arguably the best outing in the spring scrimmage. Kazee, on the other hand, is an up-and-coming young player with loads of potential. He has a chance to become a big-time player for the Aztecs, but it may take another year of development.

If Whittaker can stay healthy, expect him to start alongside Holder this season. San Diego State will likely play with a rotation of four cornerbacks, meaning Romain and Keels will also see the field often. Look for Kazee to be a contributor on special teams, as well as another reliable option at cornerback if injuries occur.

5. Quarterback competition?

Junior college transfer Quinn Kaehler has emerged as one of the top candidates for backup quarterback. (Ernie Anderson)

Junior college transfer Quinn Kaehler has emerged as one of the top candidates for backup quarterback. (Ernie Anderson)

It didn’t take long for Long and Toledo to give returning starter Adam Dingwell the nod, but it will take awhile for them to decide on the backup. Jake Bernards and Quinn Kaehler split time with the second-team, and they will compete throughout fall camp until one separates himself from the other.

Kaehler seemed to have the edge at the end of spring – he saw the most action in the spring scrimmage and completed all seven passes he threw – but Bernards is a savvy veteran with a solid understanding of the pro-style offense. It will be a close battle between the two that likely won’t culminate until a week or two before the first game of the season.

6. The battle for the backup running back
Like the quarterback position, San Diego State was not able to establish a clearcut backup running back this spring. Chase Price and De’Saan Hardwick showed flashes of talent, but with several fumbles in the spring scrimmage, the competition is far from over. Price remains the frontrunner for now, but he will continue to compete with Hardwick, Dwayne Garrett, Ronnie Daniels and Donnel Pumphrey in the fall.

One thing that was clear throughout the spring was the dominant play of Adam Muema. He seemed to be playing at another level, shedding off tacklers with an array of quick-footed jukes and power moves. The backup running back battle may not be as important as originally expected because Muema may be able to shoulder most of the load himself in 2013. Expect him to be one of the top running backs in the nation this season in terms of yardage and touchdowns.

7. Wide Receiver U?

Ezell Ruffin will be a key component of what the Aztecs hope will be an explosive passing game in 2013. (Ernie Anderson)

Ezell Ruffin will be a key component of what the Aztecs hope will be an explosive passing game in 2013. (Ernie Anderson)

San Diego State has had six wide receivers drafted in the past decade. Who’s next?

Ezell Ruffin, Colin Lockett, Tim Vizzi and Dylan Denso are four solid targets that will help the Aztecs vastly improve its passing game this year. Look for San Diego State to have an explosive passing attack with Ruffin and Lockett leading the way and Vizzi and Denso as great possession receivers who are counted on in critical situations. A testament to the newly established depth, Toledo has added a four wide receiver package that has been absent in years past due to a lack of dependable options at the position.

8. Offensive line replacements
At the end of spring, four players have likely solidified a starting job amongst the offensive line. Bryce Quigley (left tackle), Japheth Gordon (left guard) and Zach Dilley (center) are near-locks at their respective spots, and redshirt freshman Nico Siragusa has lived up to his expectations and is the frontrunner to start at right guard.

At right tackle, Paul Rodriguez and Terry Poole split time with the first-team throughout the spring, and the two will continue to battle for the starting job in fall camp. Although it is unclear who will earn the job, the intense competition is sure to breed a reliable starter by the time the season rolls around.

Redshirt freshman Daniel Brunskill impressed the coaching staff this spring, and he will likely be used as an extra lineman in short-yardage and goal-line packages.

9. Defensive line growth
Barring injury, Jordan Thomas, Cody Galea and Sam Meredith will retain their starting spots. All three had a solid spring and will continue to improve in the offseason. Jon Sanchez, Dontrell Onuoha and Everett Beed reaffirmed their worth throughout the spring, creating incredible depth at defensive end. All three backups will see playing time this season with the constant rotating that Long employs with his defense.

Although backup defensive tackle Dan Kottman suffered a shoulder injury in the spring, junior Kenny Galea’i filled his void and performed well with the second-team. Kottman is expected to be healthy by fall, but don’t be surprised if Galea’i locks up the backup defensive tackle spot.

10. Young safeties and linebackers

Middle linebacker Jake Fely will lead an experienced San Diego State defense in 2013. (Ernie Anderson)

Middle linebacker Jake Fely will lead an experienced San Diego State defense in 2013. (Ernie Anderson)

After watching San Diego State this spring, it’s clear to see that Long has his defense playing an extremely high level. The Aztec defense is oozing with talent, and many of the players are noticeably more comfortable in the 3-3-5 defense.. This combination of talent and knowledge in the system is sure to give the Aztecs a serious edge on the defensive side of the ball.

The main source of this talent comes from the linebacker and safety positions. At linebacker, opposing offenses will fear the trio of Nick Tenhaeff, Jake Fely and Derek Largent. Fely has bulked up and added 10-15 pounds since last season, and now weighs around 215-220 pounds. Vaness Harris, Josh Gavert and Micah Seau round out the second-team, and all three are more-than-capable backups who will see the field often. Jacob Driver will continue to make an impact on special teams and will step up when needed on defense.

At safety, seniors Nat Berhe and Eric Pinkins will lead an experienced group. Marcus Andrews missed spring due to an injury, but he and Gabe Lemon will compete for the third starting safety.

As for the young players at these positions, Seau, Blake Rodgers, Tony Bell, Stan Sedberry, Nic Rudolph and T.J. Hickman saw a ton of action this spring, and each showed their ability to compete. Although they may not see a ton of playing time in 2013, they could be heavily relied upon in 2014.

Additional Notes

  • Aztec legends Kevin O’Connell and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila were in the press box during the spring scrimmage providing commentary for the crowd. It was a popular new addition to the event and the duo did a great job keeping the fans informed and involved with the action.
  • Former players and ‘Aztecs For Life’ Ray Rowe, Kevin Wells, Jack Hawley, Ray Peterson, Tyson Thompson, Lane Yoshida and many more played in the Alumni Touch Football Game before the scrimmage. According to the commentary of O’Connell and Gbaja-Biamila, Hawley and Yoshida were co-MVPs of the event.
  • Kicker Wes Feer and punter Joel Alesi each had a solid spring. Feer nailed a 49-yard field goal in the scrimmage and rarely missed throughout the series of practices. Although there was no defenders rushing, Alesi punted very well in the scrimmage.
  • Chad Young did not play in the scrimmage to preserve his health and give more reps to the younger fullbacks. His aggressive and hard-nosed style of play will continue this season as he opens holes for the running backs, and he will be a huge part of the Aztecs running game. The senior has also emerged as a vocal leader of the team, and is a top candidate for team captain on the offensive side of the ball.
  • Along with Roberts, Kottman, Holder and Andrews, linebacker Ryan Jack and offensive lineman Kwayde Miller suffered injuries, limiting their participation. None of the injuries were deemed as serious and all players are expected to be healthy for fall camp.
  • Andrew Feaster, Bruce Leaupepe and Osmond Nicholas are no longer with the team for various personal reasons.

LINKS:
Hunter Hewitt: APSE Bio – http://www.apsportseditors.org/newsletter/apse-student-member-bio-hunter-hewitt/
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: Tumblr – http://hunterhewitt.tumblr.com
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

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2013 Spring Football Preview: Top 10 Story Lines

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 10 Comments
Dingwell scrambles

After a disappointing finish last season, how will Adam Dingwell and the Aztecs respond in 2013? (Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations)

Believe it or not, Aztec fans, but spring football is just a few days away. Although it seems like yesterday the 2012 San Diego State football team was in action, the Aztecs are now gearing up to begin their spring practices on Monday.

With spring football approaching, here are 10 story lines to keep an eye on, ranked in order of relevance:

1. Bowl game recovery 
There’s no questioning the fact that San Diego State finished the 2012 season in bitter fashion, falling to BYU in the Poinsettia Bowl, 23-7. Keep an eye on the Aztecs this offseason to see how they respond to the disappointing end to an otherwise amazing season. With an experienced coaching staff and a similar situation last year, expect San Diego State to avoid the bowl game “hangover” and use the sour taste in its mouth as motivation to work harder this offseason and ensure a stronger finish in 2013.

2. Bob Toledo and his offense 
There’s a new coach on campus this spring, and it’s offensive coordinator Bob Toledo. Although Toledo runs a pro-style offense similar to San Diego State’s prior two offensive coordinators, spring football will be a learning process for the players as they learn Toledo’s variations and terminology. Keep an eye on the offense throughout spring football, as they will likely get off to shaky start but should get into a rhythm as the practices progress.

3. New faces at tight end
After losing three tight ends, including two-time first-team All-Mountain West selection Gavin Escobar, San Diego State has some serious rebuilding to do amongst the tight end corps. Junior Adam Roberts is the lone tight end with playing experience returning, and he will be heavily relied upon in 2013. Aaron Boesch, a junior college transfer who arrived in the spring of 2012 and redshirted last season, will have immense opportunities to make a name for himself in the spring. Another name to keep an eye on is Dominique Bierria, a 2013 signee who joined the team for the start of the 2013 spring semester. Bierria will face a big transition coming from a junior college, but he will also get several reps in the spring to help him adjust. Finally, head coach Rocky Long said in a recent interview (3:03 mark) that he has moved a defensive player back to tight end, which is almost certainly redshirt sophomore Robert Craighead. After joining the team in 2011 as a tight end, Craighead was moved to defensive line in 2012 due to depth concerns. The tables have turned, however, as the defensive line is loaded with depth and the tight end position is short-staffed, which has resulted in the coaching staff moving Craighead back to tight end. Keep an eye on him in spring practices to see if he can embrace the return to his original position and make a push for playing time in 2013.

4. New faces at cornerback
2012 starters Leon McFadden and Josh Wade are gone, and San Diego State needs some new faces to step up. Redshirt junior King Holder, who showed flashes of talent in 2012 and had a solid performance in the Poinsettia Bowl, is likely to lock up one of the starting spots. Heading into spring practices, however, the lead candidate for other spot is up in air. Look for names like Mahbu Keels, J.J. Whittaker, Damontae Kazee, David Lamar and Pierre Romain to duke it out in the spring and fall to determine who will start alongside Holder.

5. Quarterback competition?
With a new offensive coordinator and an unfortunate bowl game performance from its 2012 starter, San Diego State will likely promote an “open quarterback competition” heading into spring practices. Despite the talk of a competition, the odds that Adam Dingwell is the not the starter in 2013 are very unlikely. Although there likely won’t be much of a true competition, keep an eye on Jake Bernards, Matt Morin and Chad Jeffries to see if they can climb the depth chart with an impressive spring. Most importantly, however, the microscope will be on Dingwell thoughout spring to see how he has progressed from last season.

6. The battle for the backup running back
Fan-favorite and tougher-than-nails running back Walter Kazee is gone, meaning someone will need to step up in 2013 as the primary backup running back behind Adam Muema. Although Muema could possibly take on the role as more of a full-time back next season, San Diego State will still need to find someone to spell Muema at times. Redshirt sophomore Chase Price is the frontrunner, as he took on the injured Kazee’s role at the end of the 2012 season. Redshirt sophomores Desaan Hardwick and Dwayne Garrett will also make a push for the job, along with 2013 signee and Texas Tech transfer Ronnie Daniels.

7. Wide Receiver U?
In the past decade, six San Diego State wide receivers – J.R. Tolver, Jeff Webb, Chaz Schilens, Brett Swain, DeMarco Sampson and Vincent Brown – have heard their names called in the NFL Draft. Sometimes regarded as “Wide Receiver U” as of late, the Aztecs have made a habit of producing NFL talent at the wide receiver position. While 2012 seniors Brice Butler and Dominique Sandifer could very well make an NFL roster in the 2013 season, they are likely undrafted free agent prospects. Be sure to watch San Diego State’s wideouts this spring to see if any of them are poised for a breakout year in 2013 and a chance to join the aforementioned list of NFL talent. Colin Lockett, Dylan Denso and Ezell Ruffin have potential to be a deadly trio next season, and redshirt sophomore Larry Clark is a young receiver with impressive size (6-foot-4, 210 pounds) and athleticism to keep an eye on.

8. Offensive line replacements
San Diego State returns starters Bryce Quigley, Zach Dilley and Japheth Gordon, but will need to find replacements for 2012 seniors Nik Embernate and Alec Johnson, both of whom started over 40 games in their collegiate careers. The toughest replacement will likely be at center, where the Aztecs will need to find a young lineman to take over the vital position, often regarded as the quarterback of the offensive line. Look for redshirt sophomore Jordan Smith, junior college transfer Lenicio Noble and redshirt freshman Austin Maass to battle it out in the spring to fill Johnson’s void. As for Embernate’s replacement at guard, keep an eye on redshirt freshman Nico Siragusa. He will see an extensive workload in the spring as the coaching staff attempts to groom him into a multi-year starter.

9. Defensive line growth
In years past, defensive line has often been a concern for San Diego State due to injuries and lack of depth. This year, however, things will be different. The Aztecs return an experienced group of defensive linemen in 2013, and these players will use spring football as a chance to fine-tune their skills and grow as a group. Returning starters Jordan Thomas, Cody Galea and Sam Meredith will likely retain their jobs, but with a lot of talent and depth behind them, expect the competition to bring the best out of the group as a whole.

10. Young safeties and linebackers
Led by several seniors and juniors, the linebackers and safeties are undoubtedly the strength of San Diego State’s defense. Senior safeties Nat Berhe and Eric Pinkins, junior linebacker Jake Fely and senior linebacker Nick Tenhaeff return as the some of the Aztecs’ leading tacklers, but don’t expect these four and other experienced players at their position to see a heavy workload in the spring. Instead, look for the coaching staff to give the young players at both positions countless reps in hopes of preparing them for the 2014 season when they will need to step up. Expect to see a ton of action from young safeties Darius Guillory, Tony Bell and Kendrick Mathis, as well as linebackers Micah Seau and Ryan Jack.

*Spring football for San Diego State begins on Monday, Feb. 25. By NCAA rules, a school is allowed a total of 15 practices during spring. The Aztecs will spread these out over four weeks, and conclude spring football on Saturday, March 23, when they hold their annual spring scrimmage.

Have you seen the 2013 Signing Day Recap yet? Be sure to check it out to see the incoming athletes of San Diego State’s 2013 recruiting class.

Also, be sure to check out San Diego State’s 2013 conference schedule.

LINKS:
Hunter Hewitt: APSE Bio – http://www.apsportseditors.org/newsletter/apse-student-member-bio-hunter-hewitt/
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: Tumblr – http://hunterhewitt.tumblr.com
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
Hunter Hewitt: FanBase: http://www.fanbase.com/Hunter-Hewitt

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS

2013 SDSU Football Season Preview: Quarterbacks

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 3 Comments
Dingwell scrambles

Quarterback Adam Dingwell (6) returns in 2013 and will try to lead the Aztecs in his first full season as the starter. (Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations)

Who’s gone

  • QB Ryan Katz

Projected starters (2012 stats)

  • QB #6 Adam Dingwell – RS Jr., 6-foot-4, 210 pounds (83-144, 939 passing yards, 8 touchdowns, 7 interceptions ; 43 carries, 104 yards, one touchdown)

Key reserves/Players to watch

  • QB #12 Jake Bernards– RS Sr., 6-foot-5, 215 pounds – Entering his fifth season with the Aztecs, Bernards likely knows the pro-style offense better than anyone else. He has spent most of his time as the backup quarterback, but he will be in the mix during spring practices with new offensive coordinator Bob Toledo at the helm.
  • QB #11 Matt Morin – RS Fr., 6-foot-2, 220 pounds – With a powerful arm and the ability to escape pressure and scramble, Morin has the total package. Although he may have to wait until Dingwell leaves to get his chance, he will make the quarterback competition interesting for the next two years. Look for him to turn some heads in the offseason with impressive throws and nifty scrambles.
  • QB #15 Chad Jeffries – RS So., 6-foot-2, 200 pounds – Keep an eye on Jeffires throughout the offseason to see if he can make a push for the starting job. A talented three-star recruit out of high school, he has had a tough time putting the pieces together at the collegiate level, but a strong offseason could catapult him up the depth chart.

2013 Commitments
San Diego State does not have any quarterback commits in the 2013 class, but Chase Favreau, a 2012 signee, is expected to join the team in the spring after grayshirting last season. 

Analysis
Although San Diego State fans have often pointed the finger at Dingwell for the collapse against BYU, there were several factors that contributed to the loss.

Field position was arguably the difference in the game, as BYU’s punter Riley Stephenson pinned the Aztecs inside their own 5-yard line five times. Dingwell was pressured throughout the game, and although he made some mistakes, many of the painful plays were not solely his fault.

Dingwell did not play his best in the Poinsettia Bowl, but San Diego State fans should not forget the 5-game win streak that he helped orchestrate, highlighted by come-from-behind road victories against Nevada and Boise State. His performance against Nevada, coming off the bench to replace the injured Katz, proved his incredible work ethic, as he could not have played at such a high level without tireless preparation. Ending the season on a bitter note will only fuel him more in the offseason.

With a new offensive coordinator, it is likely that the staff promotes an open battle for the starting quarterback job in the offseason. Although Bernards is consistent and knowledgeable and Morin and Jeffries are skilled young players, look for Dingwell to improve his fundamentals in the offseason and retain the starting job due to his gritty demeanor, work ethic and leadership skills.

There is no substitute for experience, and this makes Dingwell the clear frontrunner. With last season under his belt, expect a new and improved Dingwell in 2013.

Prediction
Dingwell will throw for at least 2,500 yards and 20 touchdowns 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
2013 Season Preview: Tight Ends
2013 Season Preview: Offensive Line

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