After two weeks of spring training at San Diego State University, Aztec University players got a chance to play some football.
SDSU coach Sean Lewis and his assistants held a closed scrimmage scheduled for 150 plays on Saturday, giving the players a chance to put into practice what they have been practicing.
Lewis gave a progress report after practice on Tuesday, the seventh of 15 scheduled workouts leading up to the April 20 spring game at Snapdragon Stadium.
SDSU's offense is dubbed “AztecFAST,” but it's the defense that seems to have more speed.
“The defense came on really, really fast,” Lewis said. “The offense has responded really well. (But) the defense is still very opportunistic. They create five or six turnovers and probably get two or three more chances. We have an opportunity and we need to make the most of it.
“The flip side of that is that we have to value football more on offense.”
QB competition
sophomore quarterback AJ Duffy Although he continues to earn first-team varsity after transferring to Florida State, Lewis said he doesn't separate himself from other teams competing for the position.
Duffy will be followed by a true freshman. Danny O'Neillgraduated early as a sophomore from Cathedral High School in Indiana. Kyle Crum And a red shirt freshman Javance Tupouata Johnson.
The rankings have remained unchanged since spring practice began.
“They're still pretty solid as we're going through this,” Lewis said. “They're all doing a really good job.”
But after taking another breath, Lewis said: … They were still in all sorts of disarray and no one was really able to break out of the pack. ”
Although the coach emphasizes “taking care of football,'' turnovers in the spring are not considered the same as turnovers that occur in the fall, when games are important.
“Now is the time to teach,” Lewis said. “We've been stressing about them, especially Danny coming in here, and also AJ, the number of reps he's getting, this is a time of year to test his limits, the type of throws he can make. This is a learning opportunity.”
First team offense updates
During the first 45 minutes of Tuesday's practice, which was open to the media, it was noted that seven of the 11 players on the first-team offense had transferred.
This includes all three junior wide receivers Louis Brown IV (Colorado State) and seniors Jashawn Poke (West Virginia) and Nate Bennett (Portland State) — Same for tight ends. jude wolfe (USC)..
“When Jashawn Poke rocks and rolls, he flashes good things,” Lewis said. “Jude has been really consistent.”
Senior Keenan ChristonHe is the starting running back, whom Lewis praised on Saturday as “showing great physical running.''
The entire offensive line, from tackle to tackle, was juniors. christian jones,senior Dean Abdullah and brayden bryantredshirt freshman ryan silver and senior Nate Williams.
Regarding the linemen, Lewis said, “Nate Williams and Brayden Bryant up front are doing a really great job. Christian will still be involved. (I'm) happy with him.
Special mention should be made of seniors Miles Murao and junior Ross Urgal-MaseuriHe started 24 games between the two, but was sidelined due to injury. Their role remains undefined.
Latest information on the first team's defense
Five of the 11 first-team defensive players transferred on Tuesday.
They also included junior linebacker Tano Leturi (Army) and redshirt freshman linebacker. owen chambliss (Utah), with Senior Safety. William Nimmo Jr. (UCLA), junior safety Dalesian Staley (Northern Iowa) and senior cornerback bennett walker (Eastern Michigan).
“We're happy with the additions of Owen and Tano,” Lewis said. “They’ve done some good things on the edge.”
Three of the players are local. Leturi graduated from Cathedral Catholic High School, Nimmo from Mater Dei Catholic High School, and Walker from Patrick Henry High School.
The secondary returner is a junior cornerback. chris johnson and safety for advanced users deshawn mccunewhen asked to name players to watch in the spring, Lewis mentioned both names.
The defensive line also had four returning players who are playing in the senior first team. Tupu Alualjunior Darrion Dalton and 2nd grade trey white and ryan henderson.
holidays are coming
The Aztecs practice Thursday, then go on spring break and return to the practice field on April 9th.
This gives players a chance to go home and freshen up, but Lewis said the players will completely check out and come back with “so much rust that they'll have to blow it off when they come back.” I hope there is no.
“If you're obsessed with getting better and you're obsessed with your craft, you're going to think about it and work and do something about it,” Lewis said.
“Even if you're not here, you'll still do something to improve.”
Linebacker leaves
senior linebacker Darrell Masanai and junior linebacker new zealand williams I left the program.
Both Masanai and Williams played in seven games last season, mostly on special teams.
Masanai did not record any statistics. Williams recorded 10 total tackles. He returned an interception 40 yards in the season opener against Ohio State.
kirk.kenney@sduniontribune.com
