By Max Garcia (@Maxgarci09)-Spear Reporter| Wide receiver Matthew Coleman catching a ball during spring practice on Mar. 20 (Photo by Christian Vieyra – Executive Editor)
With the departure of leading wide receivers Nick Nash and Justin Lockhart, San Jose State’s offense is expected to look different next season.
Only two days into spring practice, the Spartans have reason to be excited about the potential of their new-look offense.
SJSU runs a “spread-n-shred” offense, emphasizing wide receivers and explosive plays down the field.
A key returning piece is senior redshirt quarterback Walker Eget. Last season, Eget threw for more than 2,500 yards and 13 touchdowns despite starting only seven games.
Eget was named the definitive starter for this season after competing with five other quarterbacks to start spring ball last year.
“The offense will still be getting the ball out to the wide receivers and letting them make plays,” Eget said. “We got some guys in the portal. It’s not going to be anything other than us, not only having a big air game, but a big ground game.”
One player to watch is redshirt junior wide receiver Mathew Coleman, who had a breakout performance in the Hawai’i Bowl against the University of South Florida. Coleman hauled in 12 receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown in that game.
“Our goal is to make the playoffs,” Coleman said. “We believe we can win every game on our schedule, so we’re just gonna put in the work, try to go undefeated, go to the playoffs.”
The offense will also benefit from new additions via the transfer portal, including wide receiver junior Leland Smith from Purdue, redshirt sophomore wide receiver Danny Scudero from Sacramento State, and redshirt sophomore wide receiver Malachi Riley from Arizona. The Spartans are still expected to generate big-time passing plays with these reinforcements.
“[Fans should expect] A lot of yards after the catch and a lot of touchdowns, a lot of points, a lot of explosive plays,” Coleman said.
Offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann also noted that the new WR room will be athletic and have potential for this upcoming season.
Stutzman said it is close to 2500 yards and 20+ touchdowns they need to replace.
“The good thing is the guys that we brought in and the guys that return, they’re all meshing well together,” Stutzman said. “Somebody or a couple of guys, are gonna get those numbers.”
