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San Diego State running back Lucky Sutton wearing No. 7 seems only fitting, but he had to prove he was worthy. (Meg McLaughlin \/ The San Diego Union-Tribune)<\/p>\nOne player or another has changed his jersey number seemingly every day since San Diego State began preseason camp three weeks ago.<\/p>\n
Jersey Nos. 10 through 99 are distributed by SDSU equipment manager Omer Melzer-Bronstein on a seniority basis (and some NCAA numbering restrictions) as players try to secure numbers that are meaningful to them for various reasons.<\/p>\n
Single-digit numbers need the approval of SDSU coach Sean Lewis, who took control of them last year when he asked for more accountability from the players.<\/p>\n
Lewis called it \u201ca very real currency.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe number matters,\u201d he said. \u201cThe guys are driven and motivated by it. We\u2019re using that as a leverage point to champion and get the behaviors that we want.\u201d<\/p>\n
Single-digit numbers were already assigned to several returners this season, like wide receiver Jordan Napier (2), quarterback Jayden Denegal (4), quarterback-to-receiver Bert Emanuel Jr. (5), running back Lucky Sutton (7) and safety Dalesean Staley (9).<\/p>\n
San Diego State running back Lucky Sutton wearing No. 7 seems only fitting, but he had to prove he was worthy. (Meg McLaughlin \/ The San Diego Union-Tribune)<\/p>\n
\u201cThe expectations are going to be significantly higher for you individually if you\u2019re a single-digit guy,\u201d Lewis said. \u201cThose are the elite of the elite. \u2026 Zero to nine mean a lot. Those are the guys in all three phases that we\u2019re going to build game plans around. Sorry, not sorry. If we\u2019re going to build a game plan around you, you don\u2019t get to have a bad day. So figure it out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sutton wore No. 7 his first three seasons at SDSU. He was reassigned No. 27 during the spring of 2025 and required to earn back the privilege of wearing No. 7.<\/p>\n
Senior defensive lineman Malachi Finau changed from No. 18 to No. 6 during the first week of camp, a nod to the leadership role Finau has assumed as a returning starter and team leader.<\/p>\n
At first glance, the 300-pound man seemed to overwhelm the single digit. But it is especially meaningful to him.<\/p>\n
\u201cSix was my very first number when I started,\u201d Finau said. \u201cSo it\u2019s like why not finish how I started?\u201d<\/p>\n
As of Monday, Lewis had not yet issued Nos. 0, 1 or 3.<\/p>\n
By midweek, two more single-digit numbers were given out, with senior linebacker Sione Hala changing from No. 56 to No. 0 and senior wide receiver Nathan Acevedo going from No. 13 to No. 3.<\/p>\n
Hala transferred from Weber State in January and was among the spring standouts, quickly emerging as a defensive leader with his high motor and all-over-the-field presence.<\/p>\n
Acevedo is a Lincoln High School graduate who returned to his hometown last year after three years at Fresno State. He had a breakout game in the New Mexico Bowl, catching four passes for 61 yards and returning a punt for a touchdown.<\/p>\n
Acevedo asked to switch numbers in the spring. He said Lewis told him, \u201cWe\u2019ll think about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI totally forgot about it, and (Lewis) brought it back up to me,\u201d Acevedo said. \u201cSingle digits as an Aztec is a standard. Every day when I put my gear on, I feel like I hold the standard and I bring guys with me to the standard.\u201d<\/p>\n
The No. 8 jersey remains tucked away.<\/p>\n