By Matt Weiner (@mattweiner20) – Spear Reporter // Photo via Aubry Tibills of SJSU Athletics
Following an exhausting practice, San Jose State football right tackle sixth-year senior Jaime Navarro settled onto a gray bench.
His brown eyes wandered throughout CEFCU Stadium while reflecting on his journey. Strip away his shoulder pads and Navarro was just another college senior confronting an unavoidable reality. “I’m not going to be tagged with student athlete, I’m just going to be Jaime Navarro. And it’s scary,” he said.
With nine regular-season games left, Navarro’s poised to maximize each opportunity until that final day comes. That starts this Saturday against reigning MAC Champion Toledo.
“It is hard. Good things come to an end and this is a very great thing,” Navarro said.
Navarro’s come a long way since he was a high schooler left inspired by “Dead Poets Society”; the 1989 coming-of-age film starring Robin Williams as John Keating. An English teacher who made a profound impact on a group of high school students.
Navarro is still moved by the final “O Captain! My Captain!” scene.
“It was just a very powerful moment, seeing a bunch of young men, physically on top of the tables. And it just showed strength in their unity,” Navarro said.
During Navarro’s time at Great Oak High School of Temecula, Ca. he was a “renaissance man.”
Navarro starred as an offensive lineman, shot-putter, discus thrower and a self-confessed “lover” who wrote poetry to girls. Even dabbling in rugby and theater.
To SJSU head coach Brent Brennan, he was a “riot” when they first met.
“Jaime was wearing shorts, a tank top and a cowboy hat. And he had his big, long hair, which is even longer than it is now,” Brennan chuckled.
When Navarro arrived in San Jose in 2018 he was a social butterfly eager to explore the city, meet new people and live the college lifestyle. Not before long, his social exploits negatively impacted his burgeoning college football career.
Navarro recalls struggling to focus in meeting rooms because he went out too late the night before.
“Moral of the story is get your eight hours of sleep, and maybe it’s not worth it going out on a Tuesday night,” Navarro said.
Over the next couple of years, Navarro began to grow. Later becoming one cog of an offensive line that contributed to SJSU’s 2020 Mountain West Championship.
The Spartans didn’t make a bowl game in 2021, but the offensive line proved strong. Led by left tackle Jack Snyder, SJSU allowed the second-least sacks per game in the Mountain West.
But in 2022, after Snyder moved on, the offensive line became a weak point. SJSU allowed the third-most sacks and averaged second-lowest total rushing yards per game in the conference.
The lackluster showing was capped off by a disappointing performance in SJSU’s loss in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Running back Kairee Robinson was stuffed on fourth and goal from the one-yard line when SJSU led Eastern Michigan 13-9 in the second quarter. Later on, Robinson was stuffed on a pivtoal fourth-and-short.
“We took it to heart. We took it personally, as one should,” Navarro said.
So far in 2023, SJSU’s offensive line has made massive strides. The Spartans amassed 198 rushing yards in it’s season-opening loss to No. 6 USC and last Saturday, went for 267 in a 59-3 victory over Cal Poly. After galloping for 120-plus yards and two touchdowns Robinson said, “Shoutout to the big dogs.”
Within the last couple of weeks, SJSU offensive line coach Josh Oglesby has seen Navarro “turning up the preparation dial.” The extra time Navarro’s taken to meet one-on-one to break down opposing defenders’ film is a recent development. Oglesby feels it’s Navarro realizing “time is of the essence.”
Although there are nine regular season games left, a sense of urgency is vital for Navarro and SJSU’s offensive line. The Spartans endured a 1-2 start after playing two top-20 teams out of the gate. After Toledo, SJSU’s schedule includes five of the highest-ranked teams in the Mountain West’s preseason coaches poll.
If SJSU’s offensive line falters, Navarro’s final season can turn sour quickly. And unlike 2022, Navarro doesn’t have the luxury of more football at his disposal.
“I’m very passionate about how much I put into this. However, with how much I put into it, it’s hard that it’s gonna go away,” Navarro said.
Before practice, Navarro looked back at the “O Captain! My Captain!” scene.’ scene. When Navarro first saw it in high school, he saw himself as the student. Years later, Navarro sees himself as the teacher, John Keating.
And just like Keating walked out of the classroom, eventually Navarro will walk away from SJSU. But in one sense, he’s one of the students. Instead of a desk, Navarro’s working to have a successful final year to stand on.
“Life’s a beautiful thing.”