San Diego State Aztecs
Overall Rank: #43
#3 Mountain West
San Diego State Team Page
2010 Record: (9-4, 5-3)
2010 Bowl: Poinsettia Bowl vs. Navy (W 35-14)
Coach: Rocky Long (First year at San Diego State, 65-69 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Andy Ludwig
Defensive Coordinator: Rocky Long
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Ronnie Hillman, RB, 1,532 yards
Passing: Ryan Lindley, QB, 3,830 yards
Receiving: Gavon Escobar, TE, 323 yards
Tackles: Miles Burris, LB, 80
Sacks: Miles Burris, LB, 9.5
Interceptions: Leon McFadden, CB, 2
Other Key Returnees: S Brandon Davis, OT Tommie Draheim, TE Gavin Escobar, G Nik Embernate, OT Kurtis Gunther, C Alec Johnson, LB Logan Ketchum, DT Jerome Long
Key Losses: WR Vincent Brown, C Trask Iosefa, DE Ernie Lawson, S Darryn Lewis, CB Jose Perez, LB Andrew Preston, WR DeMarco Sampson, FB Brandon Sullivan, DE Jacob Tauanuu, LB Marcus Yarbrough
Ryan Lindley was not the most consistent quarterback around last season, but he put up some great numbers. The 6-4 gunslinger totaled 3,830 passing yards and 28 touchdowns. His strong arm has NFL scouts drooling, but Lindley needs to be less erratic. Without super receivers Vincent Brown and DeMarco Sampson, that will not be an easy task.
Strengths:
However, Lindley will get plenty of help from the rest of the offense. The line allowed just nine sacks all of last season. Lindley’s pocket presence deserves some of the credit for that amazingly low number, but the big guys up front should get plenty of accolades. Tackles Tommie Draheim and Kurtis Gunther and guard Nik Embernate are all capable earning all-conference honors. Alec Johnson should make a smooth move over to the center position and senior Mike Matamua is ready to step into a starting role again after missing last season with an injury. The extremely talented line paved the way for Ronnie Hillman to have a superb freshman campaign. The 5-10 back rushed for 1,464 yards and 17 touchdowns. With the offensive line poised to be just as effective as they were last year and a year of experience under his belt, Hillman should be in for a huge sophomore season.
Weaknesses:
The big problem on defense is at the end spots. Ernie Lawson and Jacob Tauanuu are gone and they did a decent job creating some pressure in the backfield. Neither was great at getting to the quarterback, but they were disruptive. It was they who paved the way for Miles Burris to have a great season. Burris was a terror in the backfield from his linebacker spot, tallying 20.0 tackles-for-loss, including 9.5 sacks. He will need help from the ends to put up numbers like that again. The linebacker corps will miss Andrew Preston and Marcus Yarbrough, but Logan Ketchum is back and there are other experienced options that are ready to step into a starting role. The secondary is the one unit that lacks experience. Leon McFadden is a great cornerback to build around and safety Brandon Davis is a returning starter, but the other spots will likely be filled by underclassmen. That may not be a huge concern if the front three can get pressure on the opposing quarterback, but if not, the secondary will have to grow up quickly.
The Bottom Line:
The biggest question for the Aztecs is just who will replace Brown and Sampson? Those two combined for 2,572 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns. Even Brandon Sullivan, who caught 26 passes for 383 yards, is gone. Gavin Escobar, a sophomore tight end, is the team’s leading returning receiver with 323 yards. He is a fine tight end and will continue to develop, but this team needs some receivers. Dominique Sandifer is the most experienced option and the only other returning player on the roster who caught over ten passes last season. Sandifer should start off as the go-to-receiver, but freshmen like Jay Waddell, Dylan Denso and Ezell Ruffin will be asked to contribute immediately. If they do not, San Diego State may struggle early in the season. With games against Washington State and Michigan, the Aztecs and new coach Rocky Long may not have the luxury of time.
Projected Bowl: Las Vegas Bowl
2010 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 161.31 (38th in nation, 4th in conference)
Passing Offense: 295.38 (12, 1)
Total Offense: 456.69 (16, 2)
Scoring Offense: 35.00 (19, 2)
Rushing Defense: 148.77 (57, 4)
Pass Defense: 205.00 (38, 4)
Total Defense: 353.77 (43, 5)
Scoring Defense: 22.08 (36, 5)
Turnover Margin: -.46 (86, 7)
Sacks: 2.15 (47, 2)
Sacks Allowed: .69 (5, 2)
Madness 2012 NFL Draft Rankings:
#88 Ryan Lindley
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