 "Photo: With little more than two months until the season opener at the Rose Bowl against UCLA, The Daily Az")
 "Photo: Glenn Connelly / Photo Editor")
With little more than two months until the season opener at the Rose Bowl against UCLA, The Daily Aztec takes a look at the San Diego State football team’s current depth chart.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
No-brainer here — sophomore quarterback Ryan Lindley is the odds-on favorite to keep his starting job come September. Last year, as a redshirt freshman, Lindley was one of the few bright spots in SDSU’s 2-10 campaign.
The San Diego local threw for 16 touchdowns with just nine interceptions, averaging 241.2 yards per game. With senior Drew Westling backing up Lindley, QB will likely be one of the more solidified aspects of the Aztecs’ offense.
Offensive line
When new head coach Brady Hoke first arrived on Montezuma Mesa, there was an immediate emphasis put on improving SDSU’s toughness. That, combined with a recent history of an offense with no running game, has directed a lot of attention towards the Aztecs’ offensive line.
The right side of the line has no shortage of experience with senior Peter Nelson at right tackle, senior Ikaika Aken-Moleta at right guard and junior Trask Iosefa anchoring at center. Nelson and Aken-Moleta have 14 and 12 starts on their resumes, respectively, while Iosefa has started every game for SDSU the past two seasons.
On the left side, however, there are many questions. Tommie Draheim, a sophomore with no game experience is currently listed as the starting left tackle while the left guard position is still a toss-up between sophomore Emilio Rivera, who started two games last year, and freshman Alec Johnson.
Running back
For the better part of two decades now, Aztec fans have longed for the days of Marshall Faulk’s explosive running. In recent years, SDSU’s running game has been sufficient at best and non-existent at worst. Although, this does have much to do with the fact that the Aztecs have found themselves playing from behind in most games, forced to abandon the run early.
Looking to turn that around this year will be a duo of upperclassmen who have 25 starts and 52 games played between them. Junior Brandon Sullivan was named the starter at the conclusion of spring drills, despite the fact that in last season’s final statistics, he came in second in every rushing category to senior Atiyyah Henderson, who’s currently Sullivan’s backup.
Tight end/fullback
The tight end position is still a toss-up between junior Alston Umuolo and senior Tony DeMartinis. DeMartinis practiced on both sides of the ball in the spring of 2008, starting at defensive end in last season’s opener. But after an injury in that game left him out for the remainder of the year, he’s now practicing only as a tight end.
Senior fullback Matthew Kawulok is the clear-cut favorite to start at fullback after three years of playing in SDSU’s tight end rotation. Kawalok may also see some more time at tight end this year.
Receivers
Senior Roberto Wallace and junior Vincent Brown will anchor what looks to be a fairly solid receiving core. Brown has played in every game since beginning his career as an Aztec and led the team in every receiving category last year.
Behind them will be seniors DeMarco Sampson, Mekell Wesley and Jon Toledo while freshman Dominique Sandifer, who made an impression during spring drills, will battle for playing time
DEFENSE
Defensive line
Defensive coordinator Rocky Long’s patented 3-3-5 defense puts an added pressure on the three players lining up opposite of opposing offensive lines. Fortunately for SDSU, the Aztecs have solid talent to handle that task. Senior Jonathan Soto will start as defensive end, adding to the 20 starts he has already amassed. On the other side, junior B.J. Williams will add to his 23 games played, starting as the other DE.
Junior Ernie Lawson will start as the lone defensive tackle in Long’s new scheme after playing in just six games last season.
Linebackers
With current NFL stars such as Freddy Keiaho and Kirk Morrison, SDSU has a recent history of exceptional talent in the linebacking core. Seniors Jerry Milling and Luke Laolagi, will look to continue that success this year.
Juniors Andrew Preston and Marcus Yarbrough look to be solid backups to Milling and Laolagi while questions remain about the Aztecs’ depth below that. Sophomore Miles Burris is the likely starter at the other OLB position. Burris started zero games in his freshman campaign but got playing time in each contest.
Secondary
With five starting positions in the 3-3-5 formation, SDSU’s depth in the secondary will be tested. Senior Aaron Moore is the lone Aztec cornerback to have started more than five games last year, but he is currently listed as second-string behind Kwincy Edwards, a senior with nine games-played under his belt.
Senior Davion Mauldin will look to build on the progress he made last year as he is currently listed in a starting position while junior Romeo Horn, senior Nick Sandford and sophomore Brandon Davis round out the other three starting spots.
Be the first to comment on this article!