San Diego State knew other programs would come calling for its top players following a 9-4 season that represented one of the biggest turnarounds in college football.
Edge rushers Trey White and Ryan Henderson, linebacker Owen Chambliss and safety Dwayne McDougle were pried away by Power Four programs, but SDSU coach Sean Lewis was pleased that the Aztecs were able to hold onto much of the talent while adding to it through the NCAA transfer portal.
“The retention piece is always critically important to us,” Lewis said this week. “There were about 25 individuals that had played over 200 snaps for us last year that we identified as key players that we needed to retain. We retained 21 out of those 25.
“Obviously, four of those individuals got awesome opportunities, and because of the development and the experience that we’ve provided them with, they’ve got a tremendous opportunity to go maximize the remaining time that they have in collegiate football.”
Top among those leaving was White, who sources say received $1.7 million to go to Texas Tech. As much as the Aztecs wanted to keep him, it didn’t pencil out with a 2026 “payroll” of $6 million. Three of the players who transferred would have taken 50% of the budget.
SDSU’s budget from revenue sharing and community contributions is in line with its Pac-12 peers, who are spending between $6 and $7 million, according to sources. SDSU spent a little under $2 million on players a year ago.
Lewis said the Aztecs are in the top 10 in the country in returning production, with more than 11,000 reps back from the 2025 season.
“That’s roughly 50 percent of the total reps taken by all of our players,” Lewis said. “Right around 75% of all eligible players that we could return are returning.”
The staff feels like it bolstered the roster for the second straight season with additions through the NCAA transfer portal. Recruiting site 247sports.com agreed, ranking SDSU’s transfer class second in the new Pac-12, behind Washington State, and fifth in the Group of Six, behind the Cougars, South Florida, Memphis and North Texas.
The Aztecs brought in 27 transfers for the 2026 team. That, along with 24 incoming freshmen, represents a 50% turnover — the new normal — of the roster.
“There’s this interesting puzzle that needs to come together when you identify a prospect and what sort of production they have,” Lewis said. “Are they a good cultural fit, and what’s their price tag, and you can you afford them? So we’ve been able to move mountains and increase our revenue share and the way that the community has stepped up and competed with us has allowed us to maximize all the resources that we have at our disposal.”
Here is a position-by-position look at comings and goings:
Jayden Denegal #4 of San Diego State walks back to the locker room after the Aztecs defeated San Jose State during their game at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Quarterback
Returners: Sr. Jayden Denegal, Sr. Bert Emanuel Jr., R-Fr. Draiden Trudeau.
Transferred in: R-Fr. Stone Saunders (Kentucky).
Incoming freshman: Brady Campbell.
Transferred out: Sr. Kyle Crum, R-Fr. J.P. Mialovski.
Comment: Denegal (143-for-243, 1,807 yards, 9 TDs/8 INT), who had surgery in late December on his left (non-throwing) shoulder, is expected to be full-go for spring practice. Emanuel Jr. rushed for 170 yards (a school single-game record for a QB) and two touchdowns in the New Mexico Bowl before injuring his left (non-throwing) shoulder in the second quarter and leaving the game. His recovery did not require surgery. He is expected to be listed at multiple positions in 2026 in a yet-to-be-defined role. Saunders, who set Pennsylvania prep passing records, figures as the backup while challenging Denegal in the spring.
San Diego State’s Lucky Sutton leads potent SDSU rushing attack. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Running backs
Returners: Sr. Lucky Sutton, Sr. Christian Washington, R-Jordin Thomas.
Transferred in: So. Javion Kinnard (Colorado State).
Incoming freshman: Josiah Lucas.
Transferred out: Sr. Byron Cardwell Jr., So. Cincere Rhaney.
Comment: Sutton returns after a breakout season in which he rushed 254 times for 1,297 yards — both MW bests — and 10 TDs. Washington (98 carries, 563 yards, 4 TDs) was SDSU’s second-leading rusher. Kinnard only carried 12 times for 56 yards for the Rams, but could be a significant threat out of the backfield after catching 18 passes for 228 yards and one TD.
Jacob Bostick #17 of San Diego State celebrates after a touchdown against Stony Brook during the first half at Snapdragon Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 in San Diego, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Wide receivers
Returners: Sr. Nathan Acevedo, Sr. Jacob Bostick, Sr. Donovan Brown, So. Will Cianfrini, R-Fr. Jaylon Hawkins, Jr. Jordan Napier, Sr. Timothy Netane, Sr. De’yhare Overstreet-Glover, So. Parker Threatt.
Transferred in: Jr. Aldrich Doe (Bryant), Justius Lowe (Oregon), Marshel Sanders (College of the Sequoias).
Incoming freshmen: Daishaun Davis, Carson Diehl, Derek Stevenson.
Transferred out: Sr. Myles Kitt-Denton, Jr. Jerry McClure (San Jose State), R-Fr. Marcus Mozer (Northern Colorado), R-Fr. Ben Scolari, Sr. Mikey Welsh.
Comment: The wide receivers room should be its deepest in years, with starters Napier (48 catches, 629 yards, 2 TDs), Brown (33 catches, 518 yards 2 TDs) and Bostick (11 catches, 157 yards, 3 TDs) all back, Acevedo and Cianfrini add depth, and they’re joined by potential impact transfers. Lowe (27 catches, 259 yards over two seasons) transfers in with Big Ten experience. Doe (37 catches, 467 yards, 2 TDs) and Sanders (70 catches, 929 yards, four TDs) had impressive production that will be huge if it translates at this level.
The Aztecs’ Jackson Ford during football practice at SDSU in San Diego on Thursday, Aug. 07, 2025. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Tight ends
Returners: Jr. Jackson Ford, So. Connor Irons, R-Fr. Jack Lua, So. Ryan Wolfer. Transferred in: So. Kimo Fangupo (Snow College). Incoming freshmen: Jack Ellis, Elijah Muliufi.
Graduated: Seth Adams.
Transferred out: So. Arthur Ban (Arizona), So. Kodi Cornelius.
Comment: The biggest question is who steps up to fill Adams’ blocking. Fangupo is a candidate for the role. Ford (10 catches, 86 yards, TD) should be more of an offensive threat this season.
San Diego State’s Joe Borjon (78) was replaced at left tackle by Christian Jones (70) last season after a season-ending knee injury. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Offensive linemen
Returners: R-Fr. Alex Bleszynski, Sr. Joe Borjon, R-Fr. Delon Craft Jr., Sr. Kalan Ellis, Sr. Dallas Fincher, So. Ikbahl Kassim, Sr. Cam May, So. Michael Leville Watkins, R-Fr. Ashdon Wnetrzak. Transferred in: Sr. Dennis Jones (Texas Southern), So. Evan Lawrence (Indiana), Jr. Isaac Lucas (Ball State), So. Charlton Luniewski (Michigan State), So. Mercer Luniewski (Michigan State), So. Matthew Montgomery (Western Illinois).
Incoming freshmen: Brian Borjon, Harlem Nellum, Jarvis Williams.
Graduated: Saipale Fuimano, Christian Jones, Bayo Kannike, Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli. Transferred out: So. Mason Baker, R-Fr. Chase Duarte (Kansas State).
Comment: The O-line has been improved through the portal before, two years ago with Borjon and last year with Ellis and Kannike. There are similar hopes this season after losing three starters. The two-deep should be bolstered by the Luniewski twins, who will challenge to start, along with Lawrence, Montgomery and Jones, among others.
Kainoa Davis (48) of San Diego State looks on during the FanFest scrimmage at Snapdragon Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in San Diego, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Defensive linemen
Returners: R-Fr. DL Marlon Ames, R-Fr. Edge Lucan Amituanai, Sr. DL Krishna Clay, Sr. DL Amari Comier, So. DL Kainoa Davis, Sr. DL Malachi Finau, Sr. Edge Brady Nassar, R-Fr. Edge Brian Townsend Jr.
Transferred in: Sr. Edge Nate Henrich (Gannon University), Sr. DL Gavriel Lightfoot (Colorado), Jr. Edge Djibril Rahman (Rutgers), Jr. DL Tuaoa Tauili’ili (Portland State), Sr. Edge Kai Wallin (Oregon State).
Incoming freshmen: Edge Dominic Coelho, Edge Crosby Kelly, Edge Robby Lavata’i, DL Roman Paseka, DL Koi Taiese.
Graduated: Niles King, Sam Benjamin, Teivis Tuioti, Tatuo Martinson.
Transferred out: Jr. DL Tiumalu Afalava, Sr. Edge Jared Badie (Ball State), R-Fr. Sidney Dupuy, Sr. Edge Trey White (Texas Tech), Ryan Henderson (Texas A&M), Sr. August Salvati.
Comment: Clay and Nassar played significant roles last season, though finding replacements for White and Henderson, the team’s sack leaders, will be a tall task.
The Aztecs’ Tano Letuli celebrates after tackling Colorado State’s quarterback Jackson Brousseau in the first quarter at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego on Friday, Oct. 03, 2025. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Linebackers
Returners: So. Dean Harrington, Sr. Jayden Kendricks, Sr. Tano Letuli.
Transferred in: Jr. Cameron Cooper (Western Colorado), Sr. Sione Hala (Weber State), So. Jeramiah Lewis (College of San Mateo).
Incoming freshmen: Alijah Lash, Javari Nash.
Graduated: Brady Anderson, DJ Herman, Mister Williams.
Transferred out: Jr. Owen Chambliss (Nebraska), R-Fr. Jeremiah Tuiileila, Sr. Tanner Williams (Montana).
Comment: There is plenty of opportunity here for someone to step up after losing Chambliss (team-high 110 tackles), the heartbeat of the defense, along with Anderson and Herman, who were productive backups and special teams stars. Letuli is recovering from knee surgery and will be limited until fall camp. Cooper (81 tackles, 5 sacks, 4 pass breakups, 4 QB hurries, 2 fumble recoveries) bears watching after filling up the box score at Western Colorado.
San Diego State safety Dalesean Staley (9) and Bryce Phillips #0 of the San Diego State Aztecs celebrate together on the field during their game against the California Golden Bears at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Defensive backs
Returners: R-Fr. CB Braylon Cardwell, Sr. S Josiah Cox, So. S Oberhiri Eyafe, Sr. S Max Garrison, Sr. S Josh Hunter, So. CB Mike Lindsay, Jr. S Jelani McLaughlin, R-Fr. S Chase Shumate, Sr. S Dalesean Staley, R-Fr. S Kaimana Tufaga, Sr. CB Jelani Whitmore, So. CB Prince Williams.
Transferred in: Jr. S Solomon Davis (Oregon), So. S Isaiah Green (Portland State), Sr. CB Jason Oliver (Sacramento State), So. CB Caleb Ricks (Idaho), So. CB Jamison Starks (Foothill College), Jr. S Jameson Thomeson (Ohio).
Incoming freshmen: CB Dareon Edmonds, S Rahmeer Henderson, S Tainoa Lave, S Cammeron Purnell.
Graduated: S Eric Butler, CB Xavier Hamlett, CB Chris Johnson, S Jatavious Magee, S Deshawn McCuin, CB Bryce Phillips. Transferred out: So. CB Isaiah Buxton (San Jose State), So. S Hunter Haines (Montana), Sr. S Dwayne McDougle (Nebraska).
Comment: What was the team’s most experienced unit needs to reload after losing four of five starters. Only the return of Staley, who decided to stay after visiting the transfer portal, avoided a complete rebuild. Cox, Williams and McLaughlin are backups looking to step up. Davis is a talent who was stuck behind NFL prospects at Oregon. Green had 101 tackles at Portland State. Oliver (36 tackles, 2 INT, 8 pass breakups) is a three-year starter who could be plug-and-play at corner. Ricks has NFL bloodlines; his brother Elias plays cornerback for the Eagles.
Aztecs punter Tashi Dorje during football practice at SDSU in San Diego on Thursday, Aug. 07, 2025. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Specialists
Returners: So. K Nick Clegg, Sr. P Tashi Dorje, So. LS Connor Poulson, Sr. LS Luke Williams, KR/PR Jordan Napier, KR/PR Donovan Brown.
Graduated: K Gabriel Plascencia, LS Tyson Chavez, H Eemil Herranen.
Transferred out: P Hunter Green (Washington).
Comment: The Aztecs will have almost an entirely new starting cast, with Napier’s kick return role in doubt as he returns from reconstructive knee surgery. Clegg steps in for Plascencia, whose 87.8 field-goal percentage (36-for-41) ranks No. 1 in school history. Green, who averaged 47 yards on 63 punts, left a big shoe to fill. Dorje looked the part in practice and did well in a very limited opportunity during the season.