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San Jose State Pre-Spring Two-Deep
Check out our first crack at 2019 Spartans football
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Before spring football kicks off for San Jose State, we will take a crack at trying to predict who will be atop the depth chart. Of course, this list is bound to change a little as the team still has to go through spring and fall camps where position battles can be won and lost, and unfortunately, injuries may also happen over this time.
This two-deep depth chart has a short write up about each position, look for more in-depth previews about each position group coming over the next month.
Quarterback: 1. Josh Love 2A. Montel Aaron 2B. Chance LaChappelle.
Montel Aaron came into the season as the starter but was replaced after only two games. Josh Love stepped in and over the course of the season, Coach Brent Brennan decided to settle on Love as his QB. Chance LaChappelle is in there at 2B due to him getting in a few plays here and there for mostly running option plays.
Running Back: 1. Tyler Nevens 2. Brendan Manigo
When Tyler Nevens is healthy, he is by far the best back the Spartans have on the roster. Behind him is going to be a battle as the two other most productive backs have graduated. Manigo is the only other back to have registered a carry last season.
Wide Reciever: 1. Bailey Gaither 1. Tre Walker.
2. Leki Nunn 2. JaQuan Blackwell
Gaither was having a marvelous season before it was cut short after only 4 games, he was still able to finish with the 4th most receiving yards on the team. Walker, whom I predicted in the preseason position rankings last season had a breakout year making some unbelievable catches. With three of the five top pass catchers graduating, Nunn and Blackwell should see more targets going there way this season.
Tight End: 1. Billy Humphreys
2. Derrick Deese JR.
Humphreys naturally moves from the No. 2 tight end spot to the top one this season with NFL prospect Josh Oliver leaving. The No. 2 spot is much harder to predict as all the other tight ends have not touched the field much, right now Deese Jr. is in there as he is the only other upperclassmen at the position.
Offensive Line: LT Jack Snyder, LG Troy Kowalski, C Kyle Hoppe, RG Trevor Robbins, RT Jaime Navarro
2. Korey Mariboho, Tyler Ostrom, Deano Motes
The Spartans return three of its five starting lineman from last season, as the right side will need to be reconstructed. As the season went on, the Spartans got a little better with pass protection but opened very little holes in the running game, in which they will need to improve.
Defensive Line: DE Cameron Alexander, NT Christian Johnson, DE Cade Hall
2. Junior Fehoko, Terrell Townsend, Duane Tuitasi
The lose of Bryson Bridges and Boogie Roberts will be tough to overcome but the Spartans do return Cade Hall who led the team in sacks the past season. Although not making much impact on the stat sheet Alexander is a natural fit to take the next step and start as he played in 11 games last year.
Junior Fehoko is not projected to start but I would not be surprised if he finds a way to get on the field with his athleticism. Going into the year nose tackle is a position that is wide open for the taking.
Linebacker: OLB Jesse Osuna, ILB Ethan Aguayo, ILB Kyle Harmon, Harmon, OLB Hadari Darden
2. Michael Pryor, Isaiah Ossai, Isaak Togia
San Jose State returns much of the production from a year ago as they only lose from the starting line up is Jamal Scott. Tysyn Parker who has some previous experience playing in his freshman year likely steps into that role. Behind the starters, San Jose is very young but you might see Isaak Togia come in if an injury occurs.
Defensive Back: CB Tre White CB Zamore Zigler S Bobby Brown II S Jonathan Lenard Jr. Lenard
2. Tre White, Jalend Dinwiddie, Tre Webb
The cornerback spot opposite of former running back Zamore Zigler is wide open now that Dakari Monroe has graduated. Both safeties return but this is a young group overall.
Punter and Kicker: P Brian Papazian K Matthew Mercurio
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