SAN DIEGO -- Spring is in the air (almost). Indicating spring practices have officially kicked off on the Mesa for San Diego State football.
Starting Monday, Aztec players and coaches reunited and quickly are focusing on the groundwork to their next season. Over the course of six weeks, the team will have 15 practices leading into their AztecFast Showcase on April 19 at Snapdragon Stadium.
For the second year in a row, one of the biggest questions for the Scarlet and Black this early on is who will be the starter at quarterback.
With a 3-9 record (2-5 Mountain West Conference), the Aztecs were faced with a battle for the QB1 spot, which evidently was handed over to freshman Danny O’Neil, who graduated early from Indiana’s Cathedral high school to arrive in time for spring practices.
O’Neil entered the transfer portal in December, heading to Wisconsin to be a part of the Badgers. The reason for his departure was to be closer to family and for his friends and family to witness him play at the collegiate level in-person.
Leaving a hole at the most indispensable position in the sport, coach Sean Lewis and his recruiters had to reach into their repertoire to find a possible solution. As a result, the team welcomed four new QB’s to the room including two transfers, a freshman and a walk-on, as well as Kyle Crum, the only returner from the 2024 roster.
The hunt for the next starting QB starts.
“I think each guy kind of brings a little bit something different to the table, which makes it a little bit more unique,” SDSU offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Matt Johnson said.
“I’m excited to see when we get the pads on and we get in a scrimmage situation, having those guys be able to run around," Johnson said. “I think we got more athletic in the (quarterback) room.”
Long before a decision is made, it is anticipated that the starting spot will be between the junior dual-threat transfers Jayden Denegal (Michigan) and Bert Emanuel Jr. (Central Michigan).
“”I think what Jayden and Bert bring is something that we’re looking for,” Johnson said. “I think that those guys bring something that we didn’t have last year to the table and it’s a way for us to be able to not have to make the perfect call as coaches. Those guys can just go out there and make a play.”
Johnson said Denegal is processing plays better than Emanuel Jr. as of now, “but Bert is right there”.
However, Johnson said after Tuesday’s practice that he believes the competition is still open for any of the QBs on the roster.
“At this point, I’m not ruling anything out,” Johnson said. “There is nothing that is set in stone.”
Johnson added that they won’t wait that long this year to crown their starter like they did last season when they gave the job to O’Neil two weeks before the season opener.
“For me, if a guy emerges in spring, there’s no need to wait,” Johnson said. “If there’s a guy that shows he can do it, I don’t want to wait and have the team wonder who the guy is. You want to know who the leader of the offense is going to be and you want to get it done as quick as possible.”
“If a guy emerges and it’s clear cut, myself and coach Lewis have no issue doing that before spring is over.”
Denegal was a backup for the Wolverines for the last three seasons. Appearing in only four games, Denegal threw for only 50 yards (4 of 5) and a touchdown.
Being recruited by a Power Five program like Michigan is one of the more attractive elements to bringing him to the Mesa, and how that could help evolve the program here.
“I think just being a part of that National Championship winning team really helped me to see those guys and see J.J. McCarthy, see Blake (Corum) and see the way those guys go about their business and me to copy that and try to do better,” Denegal said.
Sitting behind the former first round QB, Denegal was able to learn numerous things from McCarthy.
“The biggest thing I could say is, in my opinion, he has one of the greatest one-play mindsets out there,” Denegal said. “He really doesn’t care. Last play isn’t going to affect his next play. That part of his game is something that I admire.”
Before arriving in Ann Arbor, the 6 '5, 235 lbs former National Champion played at Apple Valley High School, throwing for more than 4,600 passing yards and 69 touchdowns, as well as 14 rushing touchdowns.
In order to win the job at SDSU, Denegal said he needs to “be consistent and have a growth mindset everyday, try and get better everyday.”
When asked about his time in Michigan and how that would help him at here, Denegal said “One thing that Johnson said he’s impressed the most by Denegal is his retention and being able to recall multiple plays after they transpired.
“The way that he’s been able to retain things has been really good,” Johnson said. “The way that he’s been able to take what we’re doing in the meeting room and apply it to the field. Every rep isn’t perfect, but there’s growth in each rep.”
The 6 ’3, 235 lbs Emanuel Jr. is the son of former NFL wide receiver Bert Emanuel Sr, who played on the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Being sidetracked by injuries, Emanuel Jr. finished his time with the Chippewas passing for only 439 yards (27 of 51) and five touchdowns with three interceptions.
“You’re not going to be able to bounce right back to everything,” Emanuel said. “You’ve got to take your time and know that eventually you’re going to get right back to where you’re at.”
Recognized primarily for his running abilities, he rushed for 844 yards and 12 touchdowns on 145 carries.
“People definitely see me more as a runner than a passer,” Emanuel Jr. said, “but the way I show both is to constantly put the work in with the guys, with the coaches… (The key is) just getting the ball into my other playmakers’ hands.”
When asked about Emanuel’s best ability, Johnson said “Bert’s ability to run… That’s where he is at his strongest. I’m very excited to see us in a situation where we get to some of the quarterback run-game stuff.”
Comparable to O’Neil, the starting QB showdown will feature freshman JP Mialovski, a early graduate from Long Beach Millikan High School. The newcomer passed for 4,365 yards and 47 touchdowns with 14 INTs in the past two seasons at Millikan while also posting 399 rushing yards on 99 attempts with nine scores.
“JP is an extremely accurate passer,” Johnson said. “His ability also is to retain information. He’s a guy who will come out here, things are still moving a little quick for him right now. But once he feels something, he’s able to remember it and process it for the next rep. That’s something that I’ve really been impressed with him.”
The last new arrival is junior walk-on Travis Throckmorton, who was on the Oregon State Beavers, but didn’t record any stats throughout his time in Corvallis.
