Day 1 this season of San Diego State’s preseason camp looked very similar to Day 1 last season.
As SDSU players walked down the steps to the practice fields Wednesday morning, they were greeted by music blaring from a boom box and a staffer holding a green time clock that each player tapped to “clock in.” Written on the clock are motivational phrases, like “Blue collar nasty,” “Work, works!” and “Punch the Clock!”
The Aztecs moved very intentionally between drills and plays, practicing with a purpose. They even showed a little first-day nastiness, notably when wide receiver Parker Threat and defensive back Yanick Parker gave each other a couple of extra shoves during a 1-on-1 drill.
SDSU football players work drills during the team’s first practice at San Diego State University on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Music of various genres played over a big speaker throughout the two-hour practice. Kenny Loggins’ “Danger Zone,” which became a fourth-quarter tradition in last season’s games, was played late in the workout. Practice concluded, as it did last season, with James Brown’s “I Feel Good.”
“The whole team had great energy,” senior running back Lucky Sutton said afterwards. “It’s Day 1, and I’m just very excited how we go about camp.”
How is this year different than last year?
Well, for one thing, the clock players punch now has a Pac-12 logo on it in place of a Mountain West logo.
Sutton said the move to the Pac-12 “brings in new opportunities. Getting to the College Football Playoff. Better competition. Even though it’s primarily guys from the Mountain West, it’s the top guys from the Mountain West. It’s great competition overall.”
San Diego State head coach Sean Lewis offers instruction during the team’s first preseason practice. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Another difference year over year is that SDSU is coming off a 9-4 season as opposed to the 3-9 record compiled in coach Sean Lewis’ debut with the Aztecs. So how is Day 1 this year after a successful season different than Day 1 last year when the players are still trying to prove themselves?
“We’re still trying to prove ourselves,” Lewis said. “The success of it all, the external noise, it’s all well and good. I’m really proud of what we did, but this team, this year, has got to forge its own identity.
“Having Day 1 energy and enthusiasm, like, it’s Christmas morning. … That’s what it feels like this morning. I rolled over at 3 a.m. I didn’t need my alarm. It’s like when I was 6, and my parents are like, ‘Get your ass back to bed.’ We’re not opening presents until 7.’ ”
Lewis said the excitement of a new season accompanied the Aztecs to the field, but there’s no carryover from what was accomplished in 2025.
“That’s last year,” he said. “It doesn’t matter.”
More than half the roster has turned over. While there are seven returning starters on offense, eight new starters must be identified on defense.
San Diego, California – SDSU edge rusher Brady Nassar runs a drill during the team’s first practice at San Diego State University on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
“We were flying around today,” senior edge rusher Brady Nassar said. “I think it was faster than last year’s Day 1. … We’re going to get off the ball fast. We’re going to hit people hard. We’re going to be communicative, and we’re going to take over games as a unit.
“A key word is explosive. A key word is violent. Things like that.”
One of the more important pieces on that defense is senior linebacker Tano Letuli, who was sidelined last season with a torn ACL. Letuli is nine months removed from knee surgery and back on the field, although he worn a bulky protective brace on his surgically repaired right knee.
The Cathedral Catholic High School graduate did not get right in the middle of the action the way he will in games. He stood well behind the defense on several plays, repping what he saw well out of harm’s way.
Letuli is in a situation similar to starting wide receivers Jordan Napier and Jacob Bostick, who also are returning from ACL injuries that required surgery. Napier, who wore a brace on his left knee, and Bostick, who did not wear a brace, were more active participants than Letuli, running routes with the other receivers.
Lewis said they need to be smart in how the recovering players ramp back up during preseason practice.
“Those guys are vets who have accumulated reps, so we’re giving them enough prescribed work that they need to get trained and get ready,” Lewis said, adding. “But, again, they’ve positioned themselves and accumulated a lot of reps, especially a guy like Tano and a guy like Napier, who’s been here three years.
“We know them. They’ve built up great trust. They’re going to communicate with us. Sports medicine has done a great job. We’ll give them what they need, and part of that is also giving them the rest that they need, so they can be primed and ready for the season to come.”