By Christian Vieyra (@thecvieyra) – Managing Editor
Quarterback Walker Eget throws a pass during SJSU football’s 2024 spring game. I Photo by Nick Orozco – The Spear
An 11-on-11 scrimmage capped off the 2024 Spring Game marking the end of spring practices for San Jose State football.
The offense in blue and defense in yellow uniforms got a chance to compete in front of Spartans fans at CEFCU Stadium for the first time this year.
The quarterbacks, in black jerseys to distinguish them, also got a chance to continue their audition for the starting spot.
Although redshirt junior Walker Eget had the majority of snaps on Saturday afternoon during the scrimmage period, SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo insisted that Washington State transfer redshirt sophomore Emmett Brown was still in equal contention for that number one spot.
“It’s neck and neck with Walker (Eget) and Emmett (Brown),” Niumatalolo said.
He also mentioned that redshirt sophomore Tyler Voss is right behind them in third. On Monday, Voss announced he entered the transfer portal on X.
Redshirt junior Jay Butterfield had taken a step back this spring according to Niumatalolo.
“We can’t give everybody reps,” he said.
The Spartans will likely invite competition from a quarterback in the transfer portal as well.
“We’re gonna see if anybody comes in the portal,” Niumatalolo said when discussing the open QB competition.
Eget has invited the competition and saw it as an opportunity for the Spartans’ quarterbacks to evolve as a whole.
“Unfortunately some guys left but it was always going to be a competition, even if you’ve been the guy for multiple years,” Eget said.
Brown did not get the majority of the snaps during the game but he was involved in the two highlight plays of the scrimmage. One benefiting the offense and the other benefiting the defense.
Brown connected with redshirt freshman wide receiver Cooper Hoch on a 60-yard touchdown early in the 11-on-11 period.
Brown would be picked-off by redshirt sophomore safety Larry Turner-Gooden who returned it for about 20 yards for a pick-six later in the scrimmage. Turner-Gooden transferred from The University of Texas this offseason.
Redshirt senior linebacker Jordan Cobbs has had a front row seat for the quarterback competition, lined up against them in practice.
“Walker (Eget), he’s been going crazy. (I) love how he’s been leading the offense and taking that step to really show out. Emmet (Brown) has been doing really good as well,” Cobbs said.
A new look RB Room
After losing Kairee Robinson to graduation and Quali Conley to Arizona via transfer portal, following Brent Brennan, SJSU turned to two running backs to carry the load during the scrimmage.
Redshirt sophomore Jabari Bates and junior Floyd Chalk IV got most of the RB reps during the Spring Game, with Bates coming out with the first team.
“I’ve been impressed with both of them,” Niumatalolo said. “Jabari (Bates) is not the biggest kid but he’s as tough as can be. He’s had some of our longest runs at camp.”
Niumatalolo cited a 75-yard touchdown Bates had at a previous practice, touting his breakaway speed as an important trait in his playmaking abilities.
But to Niumatalolo, the most impressive trait of the two backs who garnered a majority of the reps this spring is their availability.
“They’ve survived injury wise for 15 practices, so it shows me their durability,” Niumatalolo said.
Discipline
The only two penalties of the day were a false start and a late hit on the quarterback that sparked some animosity between the two sides of the ball.
“There’s a reason the quarterbacks are in a black jersey,” Niumatalolo said.
Redshirt freshman defensive end Dylan Hampsten threw down Brown in a scrimmage that was supposed to be non-tackling.
“He’s a great young man, he’s gonna be a great player for us,” Niumatalolo said about Hampsten. “But you gotta keep your composure.”
Niumatalolo understands that football is a physical sport and understands that incidents such as this happen, but at the same time he thought a lesson needed to be learned.
“I kicked him off the field but I brought him back,” Niumatalolo said. “They’re teaching moments, I’m not putting the kid in jail.”
He recalled what former UCLA head coach Chip Kelly would tell players, “You gotta play with emotion, but you can’t let emotion play with you.”
To be the most physical team in the conference, to run to the ball on defense and to knock people off the ball are all traits Niumatalolo wants to see as long as the players are in control of their emotions.
“Michigan, the number one team in the country last year, they were the least penalized team in the country,” Niumatalolo said. “Them winning a national championship was not by coincidence.”
And for Niumatalolo to achieve his lofty goal he set at his first-press conference in January of making the now 12-seeded College Football Playoffs, his team is going to have to be disciplined.
“There are so many teaching moments that we had during the spring that we were trying to incorporate so we can be the most disciplined football team,” Niumatalolo said.