SAN DIEGO \u2013 Coming off their first fall scrimmage San Diego State football returned to the practice field to the sound of \u201cGet Over It\u201d by the Eagles and temperatures in the high-70s.<\/p>\n
Once the daily position meetings ended, the team kicked off practice with offensive and defensive walkthroughs on the turf field. Other drills on the turf included pops and circuits stations, \u201cindy\u201d drills and general stretching and warm-up routines. After transitioning to the grass field, the focus shifted to 1-on-1 work as well as team execution and tempo segments. The day ended with freshman EDGE Alijah Lash<\/a> officially \u201cearning his colors\u201d for his commitment to embodying Aztec FAST football both on and off the field.<\/p>\n Last year the Aztecs fielded one of the best defensive units in the nation, ranking sixth in all of FBS in scoring defense. The EDGE rushers combined for 24.5 sacks and 35 tackles for loss. Now, with numerous new faces in the position group the SDSU\u2019s new EDGE coach, Colin Ferrell<\/a>, is excited to live up to the pedigree that past Aztec defenses have established.<\/p>\n Coach Ferrell brings almost 15 years of NCAA Division I experience to the Mesa and most recently spent the past two seasons with the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers University. With a reloaded position group featuring seven new Aztecs, including four freshmen, Ferrell spoke about the development of his players and who has begun to standout during camp.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Kai Wallin<\/a>, Jib [Djibril Rahman<\/a>] and Brady Nassar<\/a>, who’s been around here, he’s the leader of the group, and he’s talking to Coach Lewis. Some guys that have been around, he’s putting his best version of himself. He’s developing as we speak, so expect big things from Brady. So, between those three, those are the three that stand out. We got some really talented young guys. Nate Henrich<\/a> is another guy that has a couple years left. He transferred over from a D2 school. Alijah Lash<\/a> is a freshman that came in as a linebacker. We bumped him to the EDGE and is doing some elite things without knowing necessarily what he’s doing. So, with him, it’s just a thing to learn every day. But it’s a room with a lot of promise, but like you said, we know at the end of the day, we have got to do our job and our job, first and foremost, is to set the edge. It’s not rushing the quarterback. Everybody wants to talk about sacks and all that production. We have to earn that right to rush the quarterback. The biggest responsibility on the defense is a guy whose job it is to set the edge. Depending on the situation, that is us nine times out of 10. So, that’s kind of what we focus on.\u201d<\/p>\n Over the last week and a half of fall camp, coach Ferrell has seen growth amongst the EDGE rushers. With the team preparing to host the \u201cFirst Saturday a Snapdragon\u201d scrimmage on August 15 and the Portland State home opener less than 24 days away, situational football has become a huge emphasis on the practice field.<\/p>\n \u201cI think as a group, they’re just starting to understand how important situational football is. We can go out here, we can do drills, we can study, we can watch, we can install, but everything is within reason, depending on the situation. Like today, we worked on being backed up where the offense is coming out from the one-yard line. We’re expecting hard counts. You can be as good as you want to be, but if you don’t have situational awareness of the game, you just can be out there sometimes chasing your own tail. So, they’ve done a great job studying the game, understanding the situations that coaches are putting them in. Coach Lewis does a great job building practice, so where every day, we’re working on something intentional, something specific, whether it’s backed up coming out, whether it’s third down, whether it’s goal line, whatever the situation is, that’ll be the point of emphasis within the context of tempo, within the context of being tired and being hot, who can execute in those moments has been critical.\u201d<\/p>\n Following Ferrell from Rutgers is Djibril Rahman<\/a>. The six-foot-four pass rusher saw action in 10 games for the Scarlet Knights during the 2025 season. He collected six total tackles to go along with a sack and tackle for a loss. When committing to San Diego State, Rahman spoke on working with coaches like Ferrell and Lewis as well as seeing past Aztecs, namely Trey White<\/a>, find success in the program while also focusing on his own development.<\/p>\n \u201cJust focusing on the importance of doing the little stuff right. The off the field things, going to sleep early, taking care of my body. I think that’s something I continue to take with me, and I hope to save across my whole career. I got to watch him [2025 San Diego State EDGE Trey White<\/a>] for sure. Not only seeing his production, but also the way they allowed him to rush. I found it very interesting and when Coach Farrell got here and Coach Lewis and I got to talk, it was like match made in heaven. The coaches have taught me so much, especially when it comes to just stopping the run. When I first got to Rutgers, I was just a young guy, just a third down guy, and coach Ferrell took my game and turned me into a complete player. I can’t emphasize that enough and it was a key part in me coming here.\u201d<\/p>\n Another newcomer expected to see action along the defensive line with Rahman is Kai Wallin<\/a>. Wallin comes to SDSU after having spent the 2025 season in Corvallis, Oregon as a member of Oregon State\u2019s roster. With the Beavers he played in nine games including seven starts. He collected 17 tackles, four quarterback hurries as well as two tackles for loss and a sack. Wallin also spent two seasons at Nebraska while beginning his college career at American River College in 2022.<\/p>\n When looking at all of his previous stops Wallin highlighted the lessons learned along his football journey and why he trusted the Aztecs with this next chapter in his career.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean ARC [American River College] was me thrown into the fire, throw into the lava. I grew up quickly as a 17-year-old playing the whole season against grown guys was a big wake-up call for sure. Then the bright lights in the Big 10 in Nebraska with those sellout crowds, you know the 400-game sellout streak. It’s the environment, the hype, the crowd, the fan base, culture, all that, and then just that was really where I focused on the physical development of getting bigger. Then Oregon State was just learning to ride the waves. There are ebbs and flows in the game. That’s how football works and just being able to stay even keeled and have that next play mentality. Here at SDSU is just great opportunity. Like I said, I feel belief from the coaches, and then all the opportunity in the world is here. We have all the talent in the world to get everything that we want to do this season, and we have high hopes and our sights set high towards the top of the climb.\u201d<\/p>\n Wallin and the rest of the EDGE rushers have wasted no time building bonds since the spring. With so many new faces from all over the nation it is impressive how quickly the pass rushing unit has come together off the field.<\/p>\n \u201cThey’ve been great. All the guys, literally from when I got here, I got their contacts, got our group chat set up, got a great vibe with all the guys on the team. We don’t have an odd man out from the top down. Coach [Ferrell] coaches everybody the same, holds us to the same expectations all the way top to bottom through the room. Like I said, Brady Nassar<\/a> is my guy. My engine exploded like two months ago, so I’ve been bumming rides off him to practice and things like that. Brady’s my guy. Jib [Djibril Rhaman], obviously you know, adjusting from Canada to the East Coast, and then flipping coast all the way out here, he has been adjusting a lot. So, helping him out, and he’s having a great time. Nate [Henrich] and him live together, so I love those boys.\u201d<\/p>\n The Aztecs are back on the practice field this coming Thursday for the seventh practice of the 2026 fall camp. The first game of the season will be a home matchup against the Vikings of Portland State on Saturday, September 5. SDSU\u2019s home slate also includes a non-conference game on Sept. 19 against James Madison (7 p.m. PT), and Pac-12 home matchups with Texas State (Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m. PT), Fresno State (Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. PT), Washington State (Oct. 31 at 4 p.m. PT) and Utah State (Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. PT).<\/p>\n Fall Camp Recaps First Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium Info Ticket Information Family 4-Packs
8\/5\/2026 Fall Practice Recap<\/a>
8\/6\/2026 Fall Practice Recap<\/a>
8\/7\/2026 Fall Practice Recap<\/a>
8\/11\/2026 Fall Practice Recap<\/a><\/p>\n
The San Diego State football team will play host to the \u201cFirst Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium\u201d on Aug. 15. Admission and parking are free at the event, but\u00a0fans must claim tickets<\/a>. The Aztecs will begin scrimmaging at 5:30 p.m. PT with the gates opening at 4:30 p.m. Limited concessions will be available. There will be giveaways throughout the scrimmage, including unique Aztec apparel and more. Following the scrimmage will be an autograph session. Fans will also have the chance to participate in their own Behind the Fandom video, similar to the Behind the Helmet series currently featured on GoAztecs.com. See\u00a0Episode 1<\/a>,\u00a0Ep. 2<\/a>,\u00a0Ep. 3<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Ep. 4<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Season Tickets<\/a>
Season tickets remain the best value for Aztec football at Snapdragon Stadium. Season ticket pricing has been lowered across the board to make tickets more affordable and accessible for the loyal fans and community. Fans are encouraged to purchase season tickets through San Diego State, which start as low as $175 ($150 plus $25 Aztec Club Membership), only $29.17 per game. This shift supports SDSU\u2019s focus on strengthening local connections and building a gameday atmosphere worthy of the program\u2019s next chapter.\u00a0PURCHASE SEASON TICKETS<\/a><\/p>\n
The four tickets can be purchased for $76 (plus fees), which includes parking (a combined $125 value). Additional seats can also be purchased for $20 apiece (plus fees). The four available games at Snapdragon Stadium include the\u00a0Sept. 5 opener against Portland State<\/a>\u00a0at 6:30 p.m. PT, the\u00a0Sept. 19 game vs. James Madison<\/a>\u00a0at 7 p.m. PT, SDSU\u2019s inaugural Pac-12 game on\u00a0Oct. 3 against Texas State<\/a>\u00a0at 7:30 p.m. PT and the final home game of the season on\u00a0Nov. 14 vs. Utah State<\/a>\u00a0at 6:30 p.m. PT.<\/p>\n