{"id":442980,"date":"2026-08-25T12:10:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T12:10:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/442980\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T12:10:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T12:10:16","slug":"san-diego-states-hometown-stars-earn-captain-honors-ahead-of-pac-12-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/442980\/","title":{"rendered":"San Diego State\u2019s hometown stars earn captain honors ahead of Pac-12 debut"},"content":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0San Diego State Aztecs\u00a0<\/a>have voted five players as captains for their first season in the Pac-12 Conference, and to nobody\u2019s surprise, senior linebacker Tano Letuli is the first three-time captain in nearly 20 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Another logical pick in the team vote was another hometown player, senior running back Lucky Sutton, who, like Letuli, played at Cathedral Catholic High before heading to Montezuma Mesa.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rounding out the quintet are senior quarterback Jayden Denegal of Apple Valley, senior defensive tackle Malachi Finau of Los Angeles and senior safety Max Garrison of Pasadena.<\/p>\n

The five captains will lead the Aztecs into action for the first time on Sept. 5, when they host Portland State at Snapdragon Stadium in the first of four non-conference games. The Pac-12 opener will be against Texas State on Oct. 3, also at home.<\/p>\n

Meet San Diego State\u2019s captainsTano Letuli makes San Diego State history<\/p>\n

The linebacker is so highly regarded that he was voted the first three-time captain since quarterback Kevin O\u2019Connell, who was a four-time captain from 2004-07. O\u2019Connell, now the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, attended La Costa Canyon High in northern San Diego County.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Letuli was one of the leaders on last year\u2019s defense that gave the Aztecs their identity as they finished 9-4 and reached a bowl game for the first time in three seasons. He had 30 tackles, an interception, four quarterback hurries and two pass breakups before suffering a right ACL injury in a home win against Wyoming on Nov. 1. He still went on to be named honorable mention All-Mountain West for the second straight year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Washington<\/p>\n

Sep 6, 2025; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars running back Angel Johnson (1) is tackled by San Diego State Aztecs linebacker Tano Letuli (21) in the second half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

He\u2019s also one of five SDSU players to be named to the Pac-12 Preseason Impact List, as well as a first-team All-Pac-12 pick by Athlon Sports, Lindy\u2019s Sports and Phil Steele Magazine. He was recently included on the Polynesian Player of the Year Watch List.<\/p>\n

Lucky Sutton brings star power to the captain group<\/p>\n

Sutton earned the honor of being named a team captain by turning in the 13th-best single-season performance by an SDSU running back, with a MW-high 1,297 yards, plus 10 touchdowns, in his breakout junior season. He was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, which goes to the nation\u2019s top running back, and a first-team all-conference pick.<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

Oct 3, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs running back Lucky Sutton (7) runs the ball during the second half against the Colorado State Rams at Snapdragon Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Sutton has garnered a slew of preseason honors.\u00a0He\u2019s been named to the watch lists<\/a>\u00a0for the Doak Walker Award, the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and the Maxwell Award for college player of the year. He\u2019s a preseason All-Pac-12 first-team choice by Athlon, Lindy\u2019s, Phil Steele and Pro Football Network.<\/p>\n

San Diego State\u2019s other team captainsJayden Denegal<\/p>\n

Denegal is a repeat captain after making it through all 13 regular-season games in his first year at SDSU despite being hampered by shoulder injuries. He completed 143 of 243 passes (58.8%) for 1,807 yards, nine touchdowns against eight interceptions, and a 126.9 passer efficiency rating.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Denegal had surgery on his non-throwing left shoulder before the New Mexico Bowl so he\u2019d be ready for spring ball. Lindy\u2019s Sports made him a \u201cPlayer to Watch\u201d and rated him as the \u201cPac-12\u2019s Strongest Arm.\u201d Denegal made Pro Football Network\u2019s All-Pac-12 third team and Athlon\u2019s fourth team.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Malachi Finau<\/p>\n

The Aztecs will rely on Finau\u2019s leadership since he\u2019s one of only two returning starters on defense. He played in all 13 games last year, with nine starts. He had 21 tackles, forced a fumble and had two QB hurries.<\/p>\n

His preseason honors include the Polynesian Player of the Year Watch List, a \u201cPlayer to Watch\u201d by Lindy\u2019s and a second-team All-Pac-12 choice by Athlon.<\/p>\n

Max Garrison<\/p>\n

No list of team captains is complete without a grinder, and Garrison fits the bill. He\u2019s already appeared in 42 games heading into his fifth season at San Diego State and has stood out on special teams by returning three kicks and making 11 tackles. Just as important, he was a Mountain West Scholar-Athlete for the 2025-26 school year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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