By Niles Hall (@n23hall) – Content Editor | Senior quarterback Luke Weaver takes the snap on April 18. (Photo by Max Garcia (@maxgarci09) – Spear Photographer)
The San Jose State Spartans hosted their annual Spring Showcase, concluding 15 practices geared towards preparing for the 2026 season.
“I thought we had a good offseason,” head coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “I’m happy where we are at this point.”
This phase of the Spartans’ offseason laid the groundwork for the team as they return just 23% of their statistical production from last season.
The Spartans’ lack of returning players opened up starting spots across the roster.
“I think we’re looking for eight new starters [on offense],” SJSU offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann said. ”A lot of guys that were looking to start weren’t on the team last year”.
SJSU’s most important positional vacancy is at quarterback, as spring camp featured a three-leg competition between senior Luke Weaver, sophomore Robert McDaniel and freshman Daniel Rolovich.
During the showcase, Weaver took reps first, Rolovich went next and McDaniel followed, splitting starting reps throughout spring practices.
“It might be two minutes before kickoff versus the USC Trojans, like, ‘Hey, you’re starting’, it’s a close battle,” Stutzmann said. “We’ll probably dwindle it down to two, maybe after the first week of camp”.
SJSU will also look to replace its top three leaders in receiving yards from last season with a deep wide receiver core.
Stutzmann indicated the team plans to lean heavily on wide receiver depth in 2026, which will shift from trends in previous seasons.
The defensive side of the ball has taken on a new identity. While the scheme may stay similar to previous seasons, SJSU defensive coordinator Bojay Filimoeatu has brought a new philosophy.
“We took all our knowledge on the defensive side and put it together, and we came up with a philosophy that matches what coach Ken wants for the team”, Filimoeatu said. “I want to see those guys run through the ball while playing physical and being smart”.
SJSU’s new philosophy will be enforced by its new defensive staff, which has a high pedigree across college football, as they look to rebuild a defense ranked 121st in the country, allowing 32.5 points per game.
The Spartans’ first signing of the transfer portal, junior kicker Trajan Sinatra, showcased why the team had a sense of urgency in signing him. He went three-for-four in the early portion of practice and ended the spring game with a 54-yard field goal that was good.
“We felt really good about him. He has a discipline and has been super consistent the whole spring,” Niumatalolo said. “ I really believe he’s gonna help us this year.”
SJSU will go into the offseason with 102 days to prepare for Fall camp, which will be the last phase of regular-season preparation until the Spartans open the season facing the University of Southern California at LA Memorial Coliseum on Aug. 29.
