By Matt Weiner (@mattweiner20) – Spear Reporter // Photo via SJSU Athletics
Hello and welcome to Matt’s Monday Mailbag™ your go-to destination for all pressing San Jose State football matters.
Enough chit-chatting. Let’s get into it.
@SierraSpartan: “Does SJSU survive the realignment rodeo in a stable and viable conference?“
As of right now – yes – but Spartan Nation needs to keep a watchful eye on Stanford or Cal joining the ACC. If either school does, it’ll likely pull the plug on the PAC-4. As a result, Washington State and Oregon State would likely head to the Mountain West. It makes the most sense for them geographically and the Mountain West would be in favor, too. This would boost the Mountain West’s chances of remaining intact exponentially.
@FakeCoachMumme: “Who’s one former Spartan you could magically bring back to help this year’s team?“
Perhaps its recency bias, but wide receiver Elijah Cooks.
Last season, Cooks transferred in from Nevada and led the Mountain West in touchdown receptions (10) and finished with the second-most receiving yards (1,076). Mind you, this was his first and only season with quarterback Chevan Cordeiro who was a first-year transfer (Hawaii), too.
You’re telling me they wouldn’t build off that and become the best QB-WR combo in the conference?
@morenolopez11: “With the new athletics building being completed, how do coaches expect recruiting to change moving forward? Should we expect more consistent 3 star recruits and higher?“
When it comes to coaches’ hopes and expectations, picture Scrooge McDuck diving into a pool of gold. Just replace gold with blue chip prospects.
At the unveiling, Brennan shared that he gave recruits tours of the $70 million facility as it was under construction. Quipping how they strolled through with hard hats on. Better to show an unfinished product, than an underwhelming one.
It played a major role in SJSU reeling in two of its top recruiting classes the past two seasons. According to 247 sports, from 2017-21, SJSU averaged 10.8 three-star recruits per class. But in 2022 they landed 26 and 19 this past season.
Expect this trend to remain, especially if SJSU reaches its third bowl game in the span of four years for the first time ever.
@AdrianA74007760: “Which player has been the most surprising?”
100% Nick Nash. Hypothetically speaking, if someone zapped me with that memory eraser doohickey from “Men in Black” before spring ball, I would’ve never known he was primarily a quarterback from 2019-22. It’s why I’ve written extensively about his transition from quarterback to wide receiver.
@MarkAziz_: “What’s one player flying under the radar that could be poised to have a breakout year?”
@CharlesMyer_UT: “Are there any under the radar players that have stuck out in camp so far?”
I’m expecting massive things out of safety Chase Williams.
He came over to SJSU from USC last year and amassed the eighth-most tackles (40) and nabbed two picks. This offseason he’s been vocal and aggressive. Which is imperative for SJSU’s defense that’ll be without a slew of veterans; defensive ends Cade Hall and Junior Fehoko, linebacker Kyle Harmon and cornerback Nehemiah Shelton.
Honorable mention: redshirt freshman running back Kayden Collins. He’ll enter this season as the projected third or fourth string. But in the unfortunate scenario running backs Kairee Robinson or Quali Conley go down, Collins can make an impact. He’s nimble, shifty and is a problem in open space.
@Burritoboy9: “How are the Spartan rookies doing in the NFL?”
Through two games, Cooks has caught four passes for 111 yards. But the plays have been legit highlights.
Peep this grab against the Detroit Lions:
And then this near touchdown against the Cowboys:
He has the mits and physicality to hang around.
Speaking of the Cowboys, Fehoko, who was Dallas’s fourth-round pick this year, showed out in his preseason debut on Saturday:
If he keeps it up, he should nab a roster spot.
The only other Spartan rookie is cornerback Nehemiah Shelton, who signed to the New York Jets last week. He recorded one tackle in his preseason debut last weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He’ll make his potential “Hard Knocks” cameo this Tuesday.
Thank you all for sending questions in. We shall meet again next week.