Jayden Denegal was all smiles this week as San Diego State began spring football.
And why not? Denegal, who had shoulder surgery in mid-December, is healthy again.
“It feels so amazing,” said Denegal, a 6-foot-4 senior from Apple Valley. “Just blessed. It feels great. The ball’s spinning. I can run around.
“It was rough last year, trying to push through (injuries) for the team. Everything I do is for the good of the team, and I needed to play to give us a chance to win. It was tough, especially with both shoulders being hurt and minimal practice, but I was going to push through it regardless.”
Denegal injured his left (non-throwing) shoulder in the season opener against Stony Brook. He played thereafter with a shoulder brace.
“It was a freak thing on the third play of the season,” Denegal said. “The left one was the labrum dislocating. It would dislocate in my sleep. It would dislocate all the time, but there wasn’t really too much pain.”
The pain was in Denegal’s right shoulder, which became problematic as the season progressed.
“The AC joint,” he said. “That one healed on its own, but that was painful. I couldn’t get hit on my right. It hurt to throw during the week.”
He limited practice throws during the week in order to reduce aggravation to the shoulder.
“I could throw, but it would hurt and the next day I wouldn’t be able to throw that many,” Denegal said. “So we were saving bullets all week because we knew Saturday I was going to be full go. Practice repetitions gain reality. I spent as much time as I could getting as mentally sharp as I could. … It definitely affected me.”
Denegal (143-for-243, 1,807 yards, 9 TD/8 INT) started all 12 regular-season games before having surgery in mid-December to repair his left shoulder. As much as he hated missing the New Mexico Bowl against North Texas, Denegal knew it was more important to get his shoulder fixed and be healed in time for spring ball.
“I can get the reps,” he said. “I can get the timing down with the receivers. I can run more and be a threat running the ball.”
Denegal, who transferred from Michigan, gained invaluable experience last year in spring ball, followed by a full season as the starter. He said everything slowed down for him this year when he walked out for Day 1 of spring ball.
“I’ve got a full understanding of what’s going on,” Denegal said. “Now it’s physically being able to be consistently good, mastering the basic stuff, not making the same mistake twice. I know what I’m doing. I know what the defense is doing. Still learning, but I’ve got a good grasp of it. Getting the ball out faster (with) accuracy. Checking the ball down is one of the big things I’m going to work on this year.”
Denegal’s return marks rare quarterback continuity for the Aztecs. In the past 15 seasons, SDSU has opened the season with 13 different starting quarterbacks. Christian Chapman (2016-18) is the only returning starter.
And now comes Denegal, who will be pushed by Kentucky transfer quarterback Stone Saunders.
SDSU averaged 26.4 points a game (77th in the nation) last season while passing for 2,050 yards (157.7 yards a game).
“We plan on doubling that,” Denegal said of the passing yards, “and have the touchdown-to-turnover margin (10-to-10) a lot better than it was last year. Hopefully, a couple of 1,000-yard receivers. We want to get the ball out to these guys, get it to the playmakers. … Definitely score a lot more points.”
San Diego State quarterbacks Stone Saunders, left, and Jayden Denegal work out during a practice earlier this week. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Saunders is a 6-1 redshirt freshman looking for a fresh start after a coaching change at Kentucky.
Saunders had a relationship with SDSU coach Sean Lewis dating to Lewis’ 2023 season on the Colorado coaching staff.
Saunders has an even closer connection with SDSU offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Matt Johnson. Both attended Pennsylvania’s Bishop McDevitt High School.
“He was the quarterback at the school before I got there,” Saunders said. “Then I got there and got to break all his records, so I get to bust his (chops) about that.”
Saunders was a four-star recruit coming out of Bishop McDevitt, where he set state records for passing yards (13,719), touchdowns (204) and completions (781) over his four-year varsity career. The 204 career touchdown passes rank third all-time nationally.
Saunders guided Bishop McDevitt to two state championships (2024 and 2022) as well as state runner-up (2021) and state semifinals (2023).
“The way college football is now is different,” Saunders said of the decision to relocate. “At those big schools, I don’t know if there’s a lot of development of players. Honestly, Kentucky, I’d be surprised if they ever don’t start a transfer quarterback. …
“It’s a different world. You only get one shot at this. I don’t want to waste any time. The coaching staff change was a little bit of my decision, but also I wanted to be around people I could trust. I can trust Coach Lewis and Coach Johnson with my career.”
Asked if his mindset is to beat out Denegal for the starting job or if he sees himself as the backup, Saunders said:
“In spring ball, I’m just trying to get better every day. I’ve matured in a way. People say comparison is the thief of joy. I just try to get better every day and with every rep. That’s what I can do. I know whoever is the best player is going to play. That’s how the program is run here.
“But Jayden’s been great with me. He took me under his wing. He’s helped me with the offense. You never know what could happen. Big play in the game, he could get a cramp and I have to go in. Whatever happens, … We have great chemistry in the quarterback room. We just want what’s best for each other.”
What does Saunders bring to the position?
“I think I can make every throw on the field,” he said. “I think I’m a good leader. Obviously, as a transfer, it’s different. You’ve got to feel your way through a little bit. I’m just trying to lead by actions right now, so the guys know I’m not some guy coming from a P4 school who thinks he’s better or whatever. I don’t think so. I just want to be a part of this program.”