{"id":411287,"date":"2026-07-24T22:18:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T22:18:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/411287\/"},"modified":"2026-07-24T22:18:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T22:18:17","slug":"what-san-diego-state-must-answer-before-its-first-pac-12-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/411287\/","title":{"rendered":"What San Diego State must answer before its first Pac-12 season"},"content":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0San Diego State Aztecs<\/a>\u00a0are just more than a month away from the start of one of the most eagerly anticipated seasons in school history. They\u2019re officially part of the rebuilt Pac-12 Conference and are looking to build on last year\u2019s breakout 9-4 performance.<\/p>\n

Entering his third season, coach Sean Lewis will direct a squad that has some big holes to fill as it looks to make a strong impression in the Pac-12, which also includes fellow former Mountain West foes Fresno State, Utah State, Colorado State and Boise State.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Aztecs,\u00a0picked by most prognosticators to finish second<\/a>\u00a0behind BSU, also will face fellow newcomer Texas State and holdovers Oregon State and Washington State in the race for the championship.\u00a0<\/p>\n

First, though, the Aztecs need to answer these big questions during camp, which starts on Aug. 5.<\/p>\n

1. Who will be the new sackmaster?<\/p>\n

Two seasons ago, EDGE Trey White had\u00a012 \u00bd sacks to tie for fifth in the country. His production fell off to seven last year \u2014 tied with Ryan Henderson \u2014 but his two-year total was good enough to earn a reported $1.5 million deal from Texas Tech.<\/p>\n

The race for a new sackmaster is on, in a big way. The D-line was savaged by departures via the transfer portal and graduation. Overall, the defense, which gave SDSU its hard-nosed identity last year and came up with three shutouts, has lost players who accounted for 31 of 32 sacks.<\/p>\n

The only player on the roster who had a sack last year, Amari Cormier, with one, is back. He started the final four games, including the New Mexico Bowl.<\/p>\n

Fellow tackle Malachi Finau is back, as is EDGE\u00a0Brady Nassar.<\/p>\n

An early contender to be the new sackmaster is EDGE Kai Wallin, who transferred from new Pac-12 rival Oregon State.<\/p>\n

\"California's<\/p>\n

California’s Brandon High Jr. breaks the tackle from Oregon State’s Kai Wallin during an NCAA football game at Reser Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Corvallis, Ore. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

2. Who will step up along the offensive front?<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a pretty good reason why Lucky Sutton rushed for a career-high 1,297 yards and 10 touchdowns, which earned him a spot on the All-Mountain West first team. He was running behind a solid line that included\u00a0left tackle Christian Jones, center Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli \u2014 who also was first team All-MW \u2014 and right guard Bayo Kannike, a trio that started every game.\u00a0<\/p>\n

All three are gone, leaving Joe Borjon and Kalan Ellis as returning starters.<\/p>\n

Borjon is moving from right tackle to left tackle, which is also important for protecting quarterback Jayden Denegal\u2019s blind side. Athlon Sports placed Borjon on its All-Pac-12 first team, along with Sutton. Borjon will no doubt be stoked to play his final season with his younger brother, Brian, as a teammate. Brian Borjon is a freshman offensive lineman.<\/p>\n

Ellis started the entire season at left guard but had shoulder surgery at the end of the season. He could play right guard this season.<\/p>\n

The Aztecs turned to the transfer portal to sign Evan Lawrence, who is slated to play left guard after playing in seven games for the national champion Indiana Hoosiers. They also brought in Dennis Jones from Texas Southern, who could play right tackle.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019ll be an interesting fall camp as the coaching staff puts the pieces together. They\u2019ll have four non-conference games, including tilts at UCLA and a home game against James Madison, a 2025 College Football Playoff participant, to prep for the Pac-12 slate that begins with a home game against Texas State on Oct. 3.<\/p>\n

3. Can Jayden Denegal improve his passing numbers?<\/p>\n

Senegal knows what he needs to do in his second season as starter \u2014 be more efficient.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He wants to double the 1,807 yards he had last season and knows he needs to drastically improve on his touchdown-to-turnover ratio. Last year, it was nine touchdowns to eight interceptions.<\/p>\n

Denegal dealt with shoulder injuries all season, starting when he hurt his non-throwing left shoulder on the fourth play of the season opener. He revealed after the season that he had been dealing with increasing fatigue in his right shoulder, which affected his practice time. He had surgery on his left shoulder a few days before the New Mexico Bowl so that he\u2019d be full-go for spring drills.\u00a0<\/p>\n

One factor that could help Denegal get off to a fast start is that he comes in as the incumbent starter. Last year, he was named starter over Bert Emanuel Jr. after 13 camp practices. Emanuel has moved to wide receiver to capitalize on his talents.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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