San Diego State’s turnaround season required standout performances on offense, defense and special teams.
The Mountain West all-conference football teams were announced Tuesday, and SDSU’s reversal of fortune from 3-9 to 9-3 was reflected with 10 players included among the 56-man first and second teams.
SDSU senior cornerback Chris Johnson led the way, earning Mountain West co-defensive Player of the Year honors, sharing the award with New Mexico linebacker Jaxton Eck. UNLV quarterback Anthony Colandrea was named the league Offensive Player of the Year, while UNM’s Jason Eck — Jaxton Eck’s father — is Coach of the Year.
Johnson was joined on the first-team defense by SDSU junior edge Trey White and sophomore linebacker Owen Chambliss. The Aztecs had two players earn first-team honors on offense, junior running back Lucky Suttion and senior center Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli. Sophomore Jordan Napier also was a first-team selection as a punt returner.
Napier earned second-team recognition at wide receiver. Three seniors, left tackle Christian Jones, kicker Gabe Plascenia and punter Hunter Green, also were second-team selections.
Five others — tight end Seth Adams, guard Bayo Kannike, linebacker Tano Letuli, cornerback Bryce Phillips and safety Dalesean Staley — received honorable mention. All are seniors except for Letuli and Staley, who are juniors.
SDSU’s 10 all-conference picks are the program’s most since 2021, when 12 players were recognized.
Johnson was a key piece in the Mountain West’s top defense. He led the conference with 13 passes defended and shared the conference lead with four interceptions, including 97- and 45-yarders returned for touchdowns.
“He’s one of the highest character individuals I’ve ever coached,” SDSU coach Sean Lewis said. “He’s also one of the most talented I’ve ever coached and earned that reward as the best player in the league.”
The all-conference teams were selected in a vote of Mountain West head coaches and media.
Sutton was recognized after leading the Mountain West in rushing this season, carrying 239 times for 1,237 yards (5.2 ypc) with 10 touchdowns. His rushing total ranks 11th in the nation.
“Lucky’s, obviously another high-character individual with tremendous skill set and tremendous ability,” Lewis said of the junior from Cathedral Catholic High School. “I’m excited for Lucky’s future on the Mesa and being able to see his continued growth and ascension in the program.”
Ulugalu-Maseuli has been a mainstay, starting at center and both guard positions over the past four seasons.
“The strength of our offense was our run game, and Ross was the heart and soul of our front,” Lewis said. “He made us different with his leadership, which allowed the holes to be opened and paved the way for Lucky.”
White led the Aztecs with seven sacks and 16 quarterback hurries while Chambliss led the team with 106 tackles, along with four sacks, five pass breakups and five quarterback hurries.
Napier led the conference with 22 punt returns for 193. It included a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown at Nevada. He was among the conference’s leading receivers with 48 catches for 629 yards before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
Plascencia was second in the conference with 19 field goals (on 22 attempts). Green was second with a 46.8-yard punting average. He had a conference-best 26 punts inside the 20-yard line.